As is The Hinsdalean’s tradition the week before Valentine’s Day (next Wednesday, don’t forget!), we hereby issue our own “valentines” to those helping to make the community a more kindhearted place. Here are this year’s honorees as nominated by organizations in the village.
• Amy and Emily Lohan, the mother-daughter team that works with the Hinsdale Humane Society’s trap/neuter/return program, manage a colony of feral cats to helps reduce cat overpopulation and euthanasia. It’s a side of rescue work that many people may not know about, and while it’s exhausting and unglamorous, Amy and Emily will say it’s rewarding.
• John Creber, HCS Family Services board member, is working tirelessly on leading the building project to prepare 22 N. Elm St. for the agency’s move. His leadership, expertise and savvy business acumen is keeping the project progressing at a rapid pace.
• Claudia Moffet, Union Church of Hinsdale member, uses her amazing talent to lovingly make a handmade quilt for every single baby who is baptized and welcomed by the congregation.
• Brad Smith, Candor Health Education Board member, has served on the organization’s board since 2017. As board secretary he played an integral role in the overhaul of the agency’s by-laws. He also served as board chair for two years and has been a very dedicated source of leadership during a critical time.
• Mike and Sammie Knutte are a volunteer dad-and-daughter team for HCS Family Services. Mike leads the Hinsdale grocery distribution on Mondays with incredible heart and passion, while 15-year-old Sammie leads inside cart preparation at Willowbrook on Wednesdays with humor and dedication. They make all the difference.
• Joe Craig serves as the administration committee chair at Hinsdale Covenant Church, is a Scoutmaster and serves the community in many ways. He has an excellent servant’s heart.
• Nancy Kelley, a volunteer with Wellness House, was often the first point of contact at the front desk for people visiting after learning of a cancer diagnosis, offering a compassionate ear and connecting them to free programs and services. She recently redirected her efforts to updating and refreshing the Wellness House library for participants to use and is working her organizational magic in other areas as well.
• James Lang helps with Union Church of Hinsdale’s mission work at DuPage PADS, making sure the children at their Interim Housing Center experiencing homelessness have birthday toys, and prepared homemade meals.
• Rianna Amin and Sloan Newlin, HCS Junior Board co-chairs, motivate, influence and provide support to the rest of the board, making an incredible impact on food insecurity in the community.
• Janet Miller is deeply appreciated by the Hinsdale Historical Society staff and board of trustees for her 23 years of volunteer work and never-ending support of the historical society.
• Erin Buddig selflessly gives back to the community through her work with Young Life Eastern DuPage, touching the lives of middle schoolers and high schoolers in the area. She creates a safe space for teens to ask questions and continue their faith journey, along with leading super-fun weekly events for the youth.
