time program assistant and coach who has
been with the agency for six years. Accepting
his award, LaMarca commented, “It has been
an honor to work for such a great organization.
My biggest joy has been the participants, to see
the camaraderie in all that they do, and the fun
that they have, and the friendships that they’ve
come to have over the years has been a great
joy.” us, and if it wasn’t for the commitment and
support of the Board and Park Commissioners,
and their support of NSSRA, this partnership
wouldn’t work nearly as well as it does for our
communities.” He continued, “if it wasn’t for
the efforts of Wilmette Park District and NSSRA
staff on a daily basis to improve and strengthen
and deepen the partnership, the community
wouldn’t be as great as it is either.”
Wilmette Park District, one of NSSRA’s largest
13 partners, received the Partner Agency of
the Year award for their significant support
of and enthusiastic involvement with NSSRA
participants, programs and services. He concluded, “For the staff of NSSRA, no
matter what your role is, no matter how many
months of the year you work or how many
hours a week you work, know that you make
an impact not only on the participants in your
programs or in the partner agency programs,
but on their families, their friends and therefore
the greater community and even the world
around you.”
Wilmette Executive Director Steve Wilson,
accepting the award on behalf of the park
district, said, “We’re here tonight to celebrate
a little bit of what’s good in the world around
Kiley Coy
Volunteer of the Year
Mike LaMarca
Program Staff of the Year
Thank you to our generous sponsors and donors!
Shining Stars Sponsor
NSSRA Foundation
Presenting Sponsor
Gerald & Olivia Shapiro Family Foundation
Audio/Visual Sponsor
Slotnick Family
Invitation Sponsor
Rick & Kristen Dean
Program Book Sponsors
Binstein Family
Joan Golder
Marc Jacobson & Associates
Weber Family
DJ Sponsor
Wintrust Community Bank
Dessert Sponsors
Autism Speaks
Gibson/Lippai Family
Strategic Talent Solutions
Photography Sponsors
D&R Autoworks
Lake Forest Park & Recreation
Lippai/Gibson Family
Robynn & Keith Medansky
Schuman Family
Sunset Foods
Decor Sponsors
AA Service Co.
Tommy Danis
Bonnie & Herb Horn
Don & June Fisher Family
Bob & Amy & Luke Greenebaum
Kivarkis Family
Lakeshore Psychology Group
Netzer Family
Gwen & Ches Porter
Shaw Family
Wilde Family
Donors
Genevieve Adsit, Assouad Family, Mike
& Lorena Beltrano, Don & Sue Bergsrud,
Elizabeth & Chandler Bigelow, Gerilyn Miller-
Brown & Paul Brown, John & Donna Bush,
Ron, Micki, Zach and KC Coppel, Friends of
NSSRA, Joan Golder, Karasik Family, Richard
& Heidi Katz, Dave & Monica Kern & Family,
Pamela Krupp, Ronald & June Lobert, Mr.
& Mrs. Ed Loeb, Carol Maxon, Don & Nancy
McNair, Mary Jo & Stephen Morley, Michael
Peterson & Laurie McGovern Peterson, John H.
Ray, Barbara Rueckert, Naomi & Jerry Senser,
Dave & Dina Tosh, Stanek-Treston Family, Tish
Family, Tom & Gloria Whalen Family, Larry &
Carole Widmer
Sophia & Luciano Beltrano
Youth Participants of the Year
Stephanie Brandwein
Gator Athlete of the Year
Jane McDonald
Adult Participant of the Year
(Accepted by Jane's mom, Diane Curtis, on her behalf)
View photos, watch our annual video and read complete coverage at www.nssra.org.
NSSRA | (847) 509-9400 • [email protected] • www.nssra.org
SHINING STARS AWARD WINNERS 15