Above / John and Mae Calamos, 2013 Philanthropists of the Year. (PN File Photo)
The West Suburban Philanthropic Network (WSPN) recently announced the 2013 honorees who will be recognized at the 11th Annual Awards Luncheon on Wed., May 22. This year’s event will be held at Meson Sabika in Naperville.
For more than a decade, WSPN has taken great pride in recognizing individuals and organizations who, through their generous donations of funding, leadership and time, have done so much to enrich the more than 8,000 nonprofit organizations working throughout the Western Chicago suburbs. A large network of nonprofit organizations work daily to make a difference in areas such as education, healthcare, arts and culture, social services, the environment, religion and so many others that enhance the quality of life throughout our communities.
John P. Calamos, Sr. and Mae Calamos of Naperville will be honored as 2013 Philanthropists of the Year.
Other honorees are Ed Momkus and Betsy Goltermann (Elmhurst), Philanthropic Leadership Award; Jim Elliott, president and founder, Diveheart (Downers Grove), Humanitarian of the Year; Linnea Windel, president and CEO, VNA Health Care (Aurora), Nonprofit Executive of the Year; Ecolab (Elk Grove Village), Corporate Philanthropic Award; Dunham Fund (Aurora), Foundation Philanthropic Award; Rotary Club of Elmhurst (Elmhurst), Service Club Philanthropic Award; Cindy Raab, program officer, Topfer Family Foundation (Austin, TX), Grantmaker of the Year; Jon Habegger (Batavia), volunteer supervisor of Northern Illinois Food Bank, Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year; and Jill McWilliams (Lombard), WSPN Distinguished Service Award.
In addition, organizations who attend will have the opportunity to recognize their own outstanding volunteers at the luncheon.
The 2013 honorees will be recognized for their outstanding efforts of support, leadership and volunteerism at the luncheon where 300 are expected to gather.
“This luncheon continues to be a time to connect with colleagues and community partners, old and new,” said Courtney Simek, chair of the event. “We are committed to advancing philanthropy in the western suburbs and this event helps us achieve that goal.”
To date, sponsors for the 2013 WSPN Annual Awards Luncheon include The DuPage Community Foundation; and Calamos Investments, LLC.
Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available to anyone interested in supporting the event. Sponsorship levels range from $1,000 to $5,000, with individual tickets available for $50 per person.
All proceeds will be used to advance philanthropy and volunteerism throughout the western suburbs.
For additional information, to purchase tickets or to become a sponsor, contact Courtney Simek at courtneys@teenparentconnection.org.
Founded in 1986, the mission of the West Suburban Philanthropic Network is to offer support to development professionals and advance philanthropy.
Philanthropists of the Year
John P. Calamos, Sr. and Mae Calamos (Naperville)
“We are humbled to be recognized with the Philanthropist of the Year award. Nothing is of greater value to us than our family and the community we share. It has been our privilege to be able to contribute to the community to encourage education, the preservation of heritage, social services and the United States Military.” – John P. Calamos
John P. Calamos, Sr. and his wife, Mae, are committed to the betterment of the Chicago metropolitan area through generous contributions of time and resources as well as through the philosophy of corporate responsibility at Calamos Investments.
John Calamos is founder, CEO and Global Co-Chief Investment Officer of Calamos Investments. Founded in 1977, he led the firm to its international presence and client base, managing more than $30 billion in assets. Headquartered in Naperville, the firm also has offices in London and New York. Mae Calamos is senior vice president of Calamos Real Estate.
The couple believes that a college education should teach students more than what to think, it should teach them how to think; stressing the value he places in using philosophical reasoning to resolve challenges in business and in the management of clients’ investments.
As a result, John Calamos served as a trustee at Benedictine University in Lisle, and is currently a trustee at IIT. In 2012, The John P. Calamos Foundation contributed $10 million to endow two IIT chairs—one for a professor of philosophy in the College of Science and Letters, and one for the dean of Stuart School of Business.
The National Hellenic Museum in Chicago, which opened in 2012, is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing the Greek legacy and culture from ancient times to the Modern Greek American experience. In addition to serving as board chair, Calamos is benefactor of the John P. Calamos, Sr. Great Hall, which is used for exhibitions and events at the stunning facility in Chicago’s Greek Town.
In tribute to his service as a combat pilot during the Vietnam War, Calamos is a proud supporter of several charities that benefit the military. Last May, a World War II veterans’ Honor Flight event was hosted at the Calamos hangar at DuPage Airport (Note: The 2013 Honor Flight event is slated from 11AM-3PM Sat., May 4), and financial support/event sponsorship was provided to the Reserve Officers Association in Washington, D.C.
In 2012, Calamos Investments made 48 charitable contributions totaling $226,000. Some of the recipients include DuPage Children’s Museum, Edward Foundation, Arranmore Center for the Arts, Project H.E.L.P. and Boy Scouts of America.
Calamos Investments also supports Choose DuPage, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and hosts several events on its CityGate Centre campus such as the Naperville Wine Festival benefiting Naperville Humane Society, 360 Youth Services Spring Ahead 5K & 10K Run, and Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk.
Developed in 2012, the Calamos Cares program provides Calamos Investments employees volunteer opportunities at organizations such as March of Dimes March for Babies, food and clothing drives, Toys for Tots, and Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Because of the time and resources provided by John and Mae Calamos and through Calamos Investments support to enhance educational, cultural and military organizations, WSPN will honor them as Philanthropists of the Year.
Honorees Express Personal Gratitude
Philanthropic Leadership Award
Ed Momkus and Betsy Goltermann (Elmhurst)
“We are honored to be chosen for the Philanthropic Leadership Award. However, our efforts are just a small part of the work done by thousands of volunteers who see a need and take action. The collective work of all of those volunteers makes a huge difference here in Chicago’s western suburbs. Thanks to all of those volunteers, and thanks to WSPN.” – Ed Momkus
Humanitarian of the Year
Jim Elliott, president and founder, Diveheart (Downers Grove)
“In a community with so many selfless, generous, giving and inspirational people, I am honored and humbled to have been selected as Humanitarian of the Year. I am so blessed to be recognized; for truly having the best and most fulfilling job in the world—helping instill the can-do spirit in individuals with disabilities.” – Jim Elliott
Nonprofit Executive of the Year
Linnea Windel, president and CEO, VNA Health Care (Aurora)
“Laura Ingalls Wilder once remarked, ‘If enough people think of a thing and work hard enough at it, I guess it’s pretty near bound to happen, wind and weather permitting.’ I am honored to accept the Nonprofit Executive of the Year award on behalf of VNA Health Care and the thousands of VNA employees, over these past 95 years, who dedicated themselves to our organization’s purpose—to provide health care for all—and have worked tirelessly to bring that purpose to life, each and every day, serving the most vulnerable and frail in the communities in which we live.” – Linnea Windel
Corporate Philanthropic Award
Ecolab (Elk Grove Village)
“We are pleased to be chosen to receive WSPN’s Corporate Philanthropic Award. Ecolab employees are quick to respond to a community need, providing resources and support when needed. Our employees collect and pack food at the local food bank, participate in Habitat for Humanity builds and donate blood to the American Red Cross. Giving back to the communities where we live and work is something we do at Ecolab, and I am very proud to work at the Ecolab Elk Grove Village facility.” – Gloria Chaves, Sr. Human Resources Representative, Ecolab
Foundation Philanthropic Award
Dunham Fund (Aurora)
“The Dunham Fund is honored to receive the Foundation Philanthropic Award. John Dunham cherished his lifelong support from the Aurora community and our board strives to fulfill John’s desire to keep Aurora a community where its citizens want to live and have the opportunity to prosper.” – Michael J. Morcos, vice chairman of Dunham Fund
Service Club Philanthropic Award
Rotary Club of Elmhurst (Elmhurst)
“The Rotary Club of Elmhurst is extremely honored to receive the West Suburban Philanthropic Network’s Service Club Philanthropic Award. Our members have a strong desire to give to our local, regional, and international communities in line with Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” – Bill Lyman, Rotary Club president
Grantmaker of the Year
Cindy Raab, program officer, Topfer Family Foundation (Austin, TX)
“It is an honor to be recognized as WSPN’s Grantmaker of the Year. Partnering with nonprofit members to enrich and transform lives has been my greatest joy.” – Cindy Raab
Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year
Jon Habegger (Batavia), volunteer supervisor of Northern Illinois Food Bank
“I am pleased to receive WSPN’s Nonprofit Volunteer of the Year award. I am proud of all of the wonderful Northern Illinois Food Bank volunteers and staff members who I am privileged to work with each time I am there. I thank Northern Illinois Food Bank for providing this opportunity to serve individuals living in our communities who are in need of food.” – Jon Habegger
WSPN Distinguished Service Award
Jill McWilliams (Lombard)
“It’s truly an honor and a privilege to work alongside the other dedicated WSPN members. I count it a privilege to be honored with the past WSPN Distinguished Service Award honorees. I have certainly gained so much more from my involvement with WSPN than I have given, and I look forward to serving for many years to come.” – Jill McWilliams
RSVP
To make a reservation to attend the luncheon, contact Courtney Simek at courtneys@teenparentconnection.org. For more information, visit wspn.wildapricot.org/events.
Meson Sabika is located at 1025 Aurora Ave.
