People and Partners

At RMHC-CNI, our volunteers and "caring partners" are the very backbone of our organization. 

Whether event volunteers, groups who cook meals for our House guests, corporations that contributes dollars and employee time or community partners working by our side to improve the welfare of young people in our area, each and every person and organization that works with us makes us better and stronger.

To recognize the tremendous contribution made by all of these various individuals and groups, we introduced in December 2005 the first annual "Spirit of Hope Awards."  The awards recognize people or organizations whose contribution in the past year exemplifies a spirit of hope, leadership, commitment and action toward improving the health, well-being and education of children and families in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.  The RMHC-CNI community is filled with people and partners who embody this spirit, however, we think you will agree that our 2005 winners are extraordinary representatives of this ideal.

We are pleased to congradulate our 2005 "Spirit of Hope" winners, Southwest Airlines and John Zinkel.

Southwest Airlines has long been an avid supporter of RMHC both globally and locally.  In this region, employees regularly cook meals at our Houses, volunteer at events and donate travel packages both for families in crisis and to raise funds for the charity.  In 2005, Southwest raised their support to whole new level when they co-hosted the "Celebration of the Spirit of Hope" dinner dance in one of their hangars at Midway Airport.  Featuring "The Spirit of Hope" plan dedicated to RMHC and food from various Southwest destinations, the event was a hit and raised needed funds for the chapter.  The very next weekend, RMHC-CNI was the primary beneficiary of their company's annual charity event, the LUV Classic, which resulted in the largest check presentation in our chapter's history.  We are so very grateful to Southwest's commitment to our cause and to the tremendous contribution of time, talent, vacation packages and dollars given to us by this fine company.

John Zinkel is a community partner who has had a tremendous impact on the health and being of children throughout our region.  For nearly a decade, Zinkel has directed the Loyola University Medical Center Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital mobile medical unit.  The doctor's office on wheels has provided preventative and critical care for literally thousands of children in hundreds of community across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.  In 2005, Zinkel worked with RMHC-CNI to build a long-term partnership allowing the unit, with the charity's support, to further expand its reach.  There are also plans underway for the organizations, together, to launch an additional unit in the near future.  We commend John Zinkel for his commitment to children, thank him for his partnership and congratulate him on the results of his work.

To learn more about the people and organizations that make RMHC-CNI possible, read our family, volunteer and partner features.

Board member Barbara Jenkins-Buddig presents Southwest Airlines' "Spirit of Hope" Award to Patty Kryscha, Southwest Airlines District Marketing Manager.

John Zinkel receives the Spirit of Hope Award from Board Member Dr. Andy Hotaling.