Above / Ray Kinney, right, is pictured with Hesed House Executive Director Ryan Dowd during a benefit auction in 2016 for Hesed House. Hesed House is among many organizations and causes Kinney continues to serve, for which he was recognized with the 2020 DAR Community Service Award. (PN File Photo)
The Fort Payne Chapter of the NSDAR recently announced this year’s recipients of its various competitions and scholarships. Awards were given for community service, good citizenship, and outstanding work in American history.
Fort Payne also awarded its annual education scholarship in memory of Vera Walz. New this year, Fort Payne presented its first Daniel Webster scholarship to an area high school senior pursuing a career in math, science or technology studies.
Typically, these awards are presented during a ceremony to honor all recipients and their families. This year, however, spring timing was such that all honorees were recognized “virtually” with congratulations to all, according to Sarah Dore for the Fort Payne Chapter.
2020 DAR Community Service Award
Ray Kinney, a longtime Naperville resident and community leader, was recognized by Fort Payne with the 2020 DAR Community Service Award. Kinney is a founding partner of MACLYN, a boutique advertising agency. In addition Kinney is a partner in Lombard-based Blooming Color, and president of Minuteman Press Naperville.
Well known throughout the community for his can-do spirit and passion for giving back, Kinney currently serves on the boards of a variety of organizations, including the Naperville Development Partnership, Choose DuPage and Little Friends, Inc. His volunteer service activities, dating back to his teen years, are many and notable, including his dedication to the needs of Hesed House, the second largest homeless shelter in the State of Illinois, where since 2012 he has served as co-chairman of the annual Derby Party.
Kinney and his wife, Paula, are parents of three grown children.
Teens receive scholarships and DAR Good Citizen Awards
Steven Matusik won the chapter’s education scholarship, the Vera Walz Education Scholarship. Matusik is a senior at Neuqua Valley High School. In the fall, he plans to attend Illinois State University, majoring in special education, with an emphasis in learning and behavior.
New this year is the Daniel Webster Scholarship. Fort Payne is pleased to announce that Lauren Elizabeth Lee, a senior from Waubonsie Valley High School, is the first recipient. Lee plans to pursue a degree in biology with an eye toward pre-medical studies at either Northwestern or the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
Faculty at their respective high schools selects the DAR Good Citizen Awards. To receive this award, high school seniors must demonstrate qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. This year’s honorees include Anna Shura, Neuqua Valley High School; and Myra Bajwa, Metea Valley High School. Shura also was honored as the overall Good Citizen chapter winner.
DAR American History Essay Contest
The DAR American History Essay Contest is open to all 5th through 8th grade students in Naperville area schools. This year’s topic was “The Voyage of the Mayflower.”
Fifty-eight students in 6th through 8th grades entered this national DAR essay contest. Athena Chen, an 8th grader from Kennedy Junior High School, is the overall chapter winner. Emma Breese, a 6th grader from Kennedy, was named 6th grade chapter winner. Sarah Elizabeth Kady, an 8th grader from SS Peter and Paul, was recognized for her outstanding work in American history.
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution aka DAR
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years.
To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.
Editor’s Note / Considering that the Kentucky Derby is postponed for 2020, this year’s Derby Party for Hesed House will have a whole new look. Stay tuned for details and how to make the benefit work for individuals and families in need. Hats off to Ray Kinney and his team, always ready at the gate!
