2011 Community Recognition Awards Announced

Mayor William F. Murphy announced the 2011 Community Recognition Awards at Thursday's Town Meeting. 

Candidates can be nominated by a Woodridge resident or by the Woodridge Intergovernmental Council. The council receives all nominations and determines the winners. 

Outstanding Citizen of the Year:

Outstanding Commissioner of the Year: Vernel Bradshaw 

Outstanding Employee of the Year:

• Sandra Duran (Director of Technology and Learning Resource Centers for )
• John Karesh (Superintendent of Parks and Operations, )
• Dan McIntyre (Patrol Officer with the )

Outstanding Youth Citizen of the Year:

Outstanding Business of the Year:

Outstanding Association of the Year: Woodridge Jaycees

Full nominations: 

Sandra Duran (Outstanding Employee of the Year): Ms. Duran is the Director of Technology and Learning Resource Centers for Woodridge School District 68. Sandy has been employed with School District 68 since 1982, and prior to her current position she taught special needs children and was a school principal for 19 years. She has mentored new teachers and trains all new staff in new technology. Sandy also volunteers for the Seven Bridges Starters race each year. She is a dedicated, loyal employee of the School District and is an invaluable example of a high-caliber staff member. 

John Karesh (Outstanding Employee of the Year): Mr. Karesh is a past president and is currently the secretary of the Woodridge Kiwanis Club. He has been the top fundraiser through the Kiwanis Peanut Sales and is always the first to volunteer to help the Northern Illinois Food Bank and West Suburban Community Pantry. John also volunteers for the Woodridge Rotary Club's Mini Triathlon, the 4th of July picnic and other community events. He has worked for the Woodridge Park District since 1995 and currently oversees a full-time crew of 8 and 23 part-time employees. John received the Illinois Association of Park Districts Rising Star Award in 2011 for his role as Park Commissioner at the Westmont Park District. 

Dan McIntyre (Outstanding Employee of the Year): Officer McIntyre has been a patrol officer with the Woodridge Police Department for four years. In 2009, he was presented with the Award of Valor for demonstrating heroism in hazardous circumstances during his police work. He works tirelessly to support Special Olympics Illinois, where he has helped organize fundraisers such as the Torch Run, bean bag tournament, Polar Plunge, a golf outing and "Cop on Top." In 2008, he received four commendations and three letters of recognition for his work with the Woodridge Police Department. 

Vernal Bradshaw (Outstanding Commissioner of the Year): 

Ms. Bradshaw has lived in Woodridge since 1980 and is a founding member of both the Woodridge Diversity Committee and the community group Agents for Change. Vernel's contributions helped the Diversity Committee receive the National League of Cities award for the Diversity Quilt that was constructed in 2009. She has done much work with the youth in our community, which includes partnering with the village and park district to do picnics and other activities with children. Vernel has also worked with the Woodridge Rotary Club and local parishes. She is retired and likes to sew and spend a lot of time with her grandson. 

Woodridge Jaycees (Outstanding Association of the Year): 

The Woodridge Jaycees provide young people the opportunity to develop personal and leadership skills through local community service and organizational involvement while expanding the Jaycee movement. The organization was estalibhsed in 1993, and has been awarded the Henry Geissenbier award twice, which is the highest honor for Jaycee organizations in Illinois. Over the years the Woodridge Jaycees have forged many bonds with the Woodridge community through helping seniors, volunteering at the West Suburban Community Pantry, road clean-up projects and more. The Jaycees' current president is Dina Duhr. 

Buffalo Wild Wings (Outstanding Business of the Year): 

Buffalo Wild Wings was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce as BUsiness of the Year 2011 for its contributions that best advance the mission of the Chamber. Under the leadership of General Manager Josh Eckstein, Buffalo Wild Wings supports the Cornerstone Boys Shelter, William F. Murphy Elementary School, Goodrich Elementary School, Jefferson Jr. High School, the Woodridge Park District, the American Cancer Society, the Illinois D.A.R.E. Officers Association, Woodridge Jaycees, Woodridge Junior Woman's Club and many other organizations. Buffalo Wild Wings also has the Blazin' Performer program, where teachers are able to award students for completing a task or excelling in a specific area. The restaurant also conducts 20% Day, where an organization is able to promote 20 percent off of a bill for a charitable cause.