The village of Arlington Heights held its 21st Hearts of Gold banquet Saturday night, honoring those who live or work in the village and have made a difference in the lives of others.
The 2019 honorees were:
• Beth Drost, Mentor Heart of Gold: After raising three children, Beth and George Drost became certified foster parents in 2008 and since then have fostered 48 babies.
• Dawn Dalton, Best Neighbor Heart of Gold: Since moving into town 12 years ago, Dalton has organized numerous activities to bring the Summerhill neighborhood together, including the annual barbecue block party, monthly girls’ nights out and a child-focused Easter egg hunt and pumpkin carving party.
• Jim Voyles, Educator Heart of Gold: Voyles is the Girls Athletic/Activity Director/PE Leaders’ Teacher/Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at Rolling Meadows High School, whose students have done incredible projects for the school and community.
• Jack Muldoon, Young at Heart: Muldoon retired in 1996, but still gives lectures on investments for Wheeling Township, the Arlington Heights Senior Center and other local investment clubs.
• Tom and Alex DeTogne, Heroic: The DeTognes rallied many volunteers to complete a kitchen renovation for a neighbor whose husband had died before he could finish it.
• Katariena Leazer, Young Champion: At age 6, Leazer got involved with a diabetes support group after being diagnosed with the disease. Now a senior at Buffalo Grove High School, she has raised more than $110,000 through numerous grass-roots efforts.
• Dave Flanagan, Volunteer: “Mr. Dave” has been a volunteer fixture at Westgate Elementary School for the past 11 years.
• Neil Scheufler, Community Spirit: Scheufler, who has lived in Arlington Heights for 33 years, describes himself as being from a family of volunteers and says, “Volunteering and giving back is in my blood.”
• Dianna Ehrenfried, Business Leadership: One of her most cherished volunteer projects was working with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, where she guided young middle school students working to win startup capital to launch businesses they created.
• Scout Troop 37, Kenneth Bonder Beautification: Under Scoutmasters Thom Banholzer and Mike Patterson, there have been more than 10 Eagle Scout projects, several focused on beautifying the village.
• Allen and Laurel Katz, Pam Stocking Heart of Gold: As parents of a son with a disability, Laurel and Allen Katz dedicate their time and efforts to organizations helping people with disabilities, underscoring that people with disabilities are not limited in actively participating in everyday life.
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