Honoring Dr. Mitchell L. Slotnick
The Slotnick Family accepting NSSRA's Family of the Year award at the 2017 Shining Stars Awards & Recognition Banquet. L-R: NSSRA Superintendent Candice
Cunningham, sons Barry andJay, grandchildren Carly and Ben, Valerie and Mitch and NSSRA Executive Director Craig Culp. Not pictured, Mrs. Natalie Slotnick.
Dr. Mitchell L. Slotnick, a member of the NSSRA community for nearly 40 years and a founding
member of NSSRA Foundation, passed away on May 10, 2018. Together we mourn the loss of
both a great man and a great friend to NSSRA.
Mitch and Valerie Slotnick were introduced to NSSRA when their youngest son, Jay, now 44,
began participating in programs as a child. That participation quickly stretched into what
has now become a lasting history and legacy of family involvement with NSSRA. With Mitch
leading the way, for decades the Slotnick family has proudly and passionately supported
and advocated on behalf of those with special needs, both with their time and incredible
generosity.
Mitch's impact on NSSRA and NSSRA Foundation cannot be understated. For nearly twenty
years he and Valerie were valued members of NSSRA's community, invested parents and
personally generous, but their involvement didn't stop there. Identifying NSSRA's felt need of
philanthropic financial support, Mitch worked tirelessly in 1996 and into 1997 along with two
others to form NSSRA Foundation. Sue Hartemayer, a current Foundation Board member who
served with Mitch since just after the Foundation's inception, remarked, “Mitch was always
the steady hand of our group and his dedication to NSSRA was unwavering. He believed the
Foundation would grow bigger, greater and more successful every year. He was an inspiration
to all of us."
From its humble beginnings with just four board members and a few thousand dollars in
donations, NSSRA Foundation has since raised over $1.6 million for NSSRA programs,
scholarships and vehicles. It has also grown to an 11-member board, including Mitch's
eldest son, Barry, and represents a majority of NSSRA's partner communities. “It takes time
and patience to grow a foundation, and the fact that Mitch was in it from the get-go until
the end is really a testament to his character and his passion," said Liza McElroy, longtime
friend of Mitch and NSSRA Board member. She continued, “I have a genuine appreciation for
his absolute passion and commitment to NSSRA and to our mission of helping people with
special needs."
At the end of the day, family and relationships were always the most important thing to Mitch.
“He always had a smile on his face and was always the first person to ask how you were doing,
how your family was doing, " said George Alexoff, a longtime member of NSSRA's Board who
worked closely with Mitch for nearly 20 years. "Mitch was never about Mitch. He was always
about others, and he was never any other way.”
"He always said, 'I'm with Jay,'" said NSSRA Executive Director Craig Culp. "His perspective
was always right, putting his son and our participants' well-being first." Culp continued, "He
was like a dad to me and to many of us, and we miss him tremendously."
www.nssra.org
"Mitchell Slotnick had an unwavering belief in the
benefits of recreation, and the connection between
an active body and a fulfilling life. His compassion
and commitment to others were reflected in his
contributions to NSSRA and the partnership he helped
forge with Northwestern. There are so many who have
felt the impact of his generosity, and so many who are
grateful for his leadership."
- Coach Pat Fitzgerald,
Northwestern Wildcats
We have known Mitchell and Valerie since Jay
and our son Sean became good friends about 28
years ago. Mitchell was a remarkable man whose
legacy of love will long endure. His keen intellect,
superior education, and hard work enabled him to
be an extraordinary success both personally and
professionally. And he used those talents, along with
his keen insight and great generosity, to help others.
The etymology of philanthropist is “one who loves
people.” That was Mitchell. His wonderful family, his
friends, his employees, NSSRA, Temple Jeremiah,
Northwestern University - we are all the beneficiaries
for having known him.
- John, Mary and Sean Breen
I met Mitch and his family at Temple Jeremiah many
years ago. He and Valerie became our good friends and
Mitch, my husband and I each became president of the
temple. Mitch and I each served as president of the
Winnetka Interfaith Council and served on committees
of the North Shore Senior Center, and he and Valerie
have been more than generous to a multitude of causes.
My most precious memory of Mitch is hearing him refer
to himself as my "big brother" even though he was ten
years younger. When Mitch entered a room he was a
real "presence," and easily became a friend to everyone.
- Joan Golder
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