On behalf of the United Way of Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review. In September, the Journal printed a 24-page insert called “Community of Caring” which brought to life the stories of individuals and families whose lives have been made fuller and stronger by local health and human service programs funded by our local United Way.
The gift of these pages is not merely “free press” for non-profit agencies (though we are grateful for that, too!) but a chance for everyone to have a glimpse at what makes our villages such wonderful places to live. Writer Deb Quantock McCarey has the ability to capture the joys and sorrows of the parents of a child with Down syndrome, and photographer Frank Pinc’s pictures show the determination of a social worker who brings hope to homebound seniors.
The stories in “Community of Caring” are about real people, living right here, being served by programs funded by local donations. If you haven’t read these stories, you’ve missed an opportunity to witness the quiet strength of everyday people making a difference in the world around them.
So once more, thank you. Thank you, Dan Haley and Marc Stopeck, and all of the staff at Wednesday Journal who made this possible. And thank you to the people on the pages who shared their stories.
Michelle Hankes
Chief professional officer, United Way of Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park
