HR0123 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0123 LRB094 10665 HSS 41026 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, JoAnn DiNello of Darien, the 2005 Darien Citizen of the Year, has served the citizens of Darien for the 35 years she has lived there; she takes people to doctor appointments, visits shut-ins and nursing home residents, provides clothing and furniture to needy families, and finds sitters for children and the elderly; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. DiNello organizes the Thanksgiving Dinner at the Kerry Piper in Willowbrook, which serves about 120 needy and lonely people each year; she helped establish the Darien (Medical) Lending Closet, which supplies wheelchairs and walkers; she was the Coordinator of Family Ministry at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and was involved with the Girl Scouts for 15 years as a leader, cookie chair, and as community director; she volunteered at Lace School as a teacher assistant, library aide, and in the literary/art awareness program while her children attended there and has hosted the homeless and lonely at her home for Christmas dinner; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, she and her husband, Carl, created a program called We Care to send packages to troops serving in Iraq; they pack share and care boxes with donations from the community, their own purchases, and even homemade cookies; so far, they have sent more than 240 boxes, and the 2005 Citizen of the Year dinner-dance will target that effort; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, Mrs. DiNello earned the Gold Leaf Award from Metropolitan Family Services of DuPage for her leadership and excellence in advocating for families in her community; and

WHEREAS, She is known to be a humble woman who truly makes a difference in her community and never refuses to help those in need; and

WHEREAS, On Saturday, March 5, 2005, Mrs. DiNello will be honored at the Citizen of the Year dinner-dance; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate JoAnn DiNello on being named the 2005 Citizen of the Year for the City of Darien, an honor she has earned with her many hours of selfless community service, and we thank her for her devotion to helping others; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. DiNello as an expression of our deep respect and esteem.