Marklund announces 2010 Hero Award recipients

April 30, 2010 - PRLog -- Marklund announces the recipients of the annual Hero Awards – Larry and Renie Norkiewicz of Arlington Heights and Kate Harris of Inverness. The awards will be presented at a special ceremony at the banquet of the 28th Annual Marklund Golf Classic held Tuesday, May 25, at the Chicago Hilton Indian Lakes Resort, 250 W. Schick Rd., Bloomingdale.    

Established in 2003, the Hero Award is given annually to individuals or groups who for many years have tirelessly supported and furthered the Marklund mission with change and enhancement. Hero Award winners have gone beyond the status quo to improve the lives of the infants, children and adults Marklund serves.  

Marklund’s development team nominates candidates, and the final decision rests with the members of Marklund’s Board of Directors.

For several years, Kate, Larry and Renie provided key leadership for the Marklund Auxiliary and the Auxiliary Dinner Auction. They oversaw the planning and execution of the large-scale event, and they continued negotiations with the venue. In addition, the threesome worked closely with the development department on fundraising and public relations, solicited donations, and managed the product donations from the International Home and Housewares Show.

“As a testament to Kate, Larry and Renie’s leadership and effectiveness, the Auxiliary Dinner Auction raised close to $70,000 in each of these years while maintaining an incredibly low expense ratio of 20 percent or less - something that the development department strives to do with each special event,” said Vicki Krystof, director of development at Marklund.

Additionally, these volunteers/parents are very involved in Marklund. They attend special events throughout the year and support the ones they are unable to attend. They provide positive feedback and encouragement and will always lend a helping hand.

In addition to giving time and talent, this year’s award recipients are fiscally generous and supportive as well. Harris makes regular in-kind donations for Marklund events and the Norkiewiczes make annual financial contributions, all of which Marklund is extremely grateful.

“Marklund has never set a standard for what family members should do in support of our mission,” Krystof said, “but these three volunteers demonstrate unparalleled commitment by being engaged in the crucial act of fundraising.”

For more information, visit: http://www.marklundgolfclassic.com

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Marklund, a not-for-profit located in Geneva, IL, provides services for infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities.