Volunteers Touch Hephzibah’s Heart

HeartPrint Award recipients: Tosin Adeyemi, Atreya Mishra, and Bella Cabacungan with Rose Mary Carroll, supervisor of the Day Care Program at Lincoln school in Oak Park.

HeartPrint Award recipients: Tosin Adeyemi, Atreya Mishra, and Bella Cabacungan with Rose Mary Carroll, supervisor of the Day Care Program at Lincoln school in Oak Park.

The dining room at Hephzibah Home, filled with parents and high school volunteers on Wednesday, October 28, was momentarily quiet as Rose Mary Carroll played a recording she made on her phone earlier that day of the kids from Lincoln Elementary singing a sweet, earnest tribute to their beloved Bella.

Isabella “Bella” Cabacungan, Atreya Mishra, and Tosin Adeyemi received this year’s HeartPrint Award, given to high school seniors who support Hephzibah’s mission through their outstanding volunteer service.

In that way kids have, of making a moment sing with sincerity, the voices from Hephzibah’s after school day care program vividly illustrated to those gathered Wednesday the real impact volunteers can have on those they serve.

“Every time I am there, I leave inspired and I find myself grateful to be part of this community,” said Anan Abu-Taleb, Oak Park village president, in an email to Mary Anne Brown, Hephzibah’s executive director.  “I am grateful to you and your staff, grateful for the compassion you embody and grateful to see hope and joy among these kids.”

The HeartPrint Award, introduced in 2001, is based on attitude, reliability, willingness to learn and conduct in difficult situations. It also takes into consideration the length of service, number of volunteer hours, staff input and feedback from children or parents. In the past Hephzibah has given two HeartPrint Awards each year but this year’s exceptional group of seniors compelled them to select three.

For the past three years, Bella Cabacungan has shared her bright smile and warm personality at Lincoln School in Oak Park two afternoons a week in addition to her work the summer program. She is a student at Oak Park-River Forest High School and a member of the Hephzibah Huskies service group.

Also an OPRF student, Tosin Adeyemi began serving as a Hephzibah Huskie and wanted to get more involved. She became a big sister to a young girl in the residence and has visited her weekly for the past two years. Tosin’s outgoing nature is like a magnet, drawing kids in to listen to what she has to say.

Atreya Mishra, received the HeartPrint Award for his service as a big brother to three boys over the past three years. Atreya is known for being easy going and willing to play outside in any weather. He is a senior at OPRF whose outstanding commitment to Hephzibah has made him an excellent role model.

For information about getting more involved at Hephzibah, contact Hannah Weigel, volunteer manager at 708-649-7122 or hweigel@hephzibahhome.org.

 

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