Mia McNary is a Fourth-of-July sparkler—“zizzling” positivity in every direction— with one exception: She never burns out. No matter how strong a wind blows her way. Autism is the cyclone that blasted the McNarys in 2001, when her then 2-year-old son Colin was first diagnosed. Although he had exhibited suspect behaviors, McNary and husband Tim were […]
Think that coat you donated to a charity wasn’t a big deal? Think again. For most of us, a warm winter’s coat garners little more than a shrug when we throw it on–maybe a “I hope this is the right color” comment as we walk out the door. But for some, a new coat is […]
Each year students at Highland Park High School (HPHS) organize a nationally recognized, student-run Charity Drive. The effort gains more momentum and energy every year, and was featured in The Wall Street Journal in 2008. This year will be the biggest outreach ever. Charity Drive co-chairs Julia Greenberger, Emma Kravitz, and Rachel Weiss reviewed over […]
Since 1992, dedicated residents who scoop the cookies and package the breads daily, have found a livelihood in our Hearts & Flour Bakery. The key ingredient in Misericordia’s Bakery is our mission to provide challenging job opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Our dedicated team works Monday-Friday (and weekends if it is extra busy) preparing […]
Michele Snyder’s daughter, Jenny, was just going to soccer practice. The beautiful, vibrant 17-year-old was about to start her senior year at Glenbrook North and had just returned home from a day working at a boutique in downtown Northbrook.
Deirdre Picchietti’s husband, David, is one of those men who never missed a day of work. “Dave is tough,” Picchietti explains. “If he had a fever or the flu, he’d take some medicine and head to the construction site. and if he wasn’t well enough to go to his main job, he’d go work at […]
For $75 an hour, Suzanne Newman will become your best girlfriend and gently makeover your closet, your looks and possibly even your life. She’ll sit on your bed and share stories in her sweet, slightly Southern accent, and her presence will be so warm and comforting, you’d never guess what she’s been through. Then again, […]
For most people, cancer is a bombshell they never expected. Unfortunately for Cris Persico, a native of Argentina, cancer is like a ghost that has haunted her, following her from her childhood into adulthood. Both her parents died of the disease when she was a young adult. Then, in 1995, the youngest of her four […]
Do you know someone who deserves to have a reminder of her family’s spirit, love and hope? Perhaps this family has a loved one away at war or has experienced a tragedy this year. Or perhaps it is a single parent who is struggling or someone who is selflessly going above and beyond to give […]
For many small, independent retailers around Chicagoland, 2009 has not been a great year. So with the make-or-break holiday season right around the corner, Rachel Hershinow, owner of the boutique called Stella on Central Street in Evanston, believed it was time to take action by attracting business to her store instead of waiting for business […]
