Press Release

FAMILY SERVICE TO HONOR DAVID STROM WITH RITA JOHNSON HUMANITARIAN AWARD IN MAY

David G. Strom, a highly respected member of the community, will be honored by Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest at the Rita Johnson Humanitarian Awards Dinner to be held on Friday, May 4, 2007 at the Oak Park Country Club.

David will be presented with the prestigious Rita Johnson Humanitarian Award, established in 1988 to keep alive the memory of past board member Rita Johnson. Rita Johnson was an extremely principled woman who displayed strength and dignity throughout her life and worked quietly, yet tenaciously, to move Family Service forward to meet the changing needs of the community.

David was recruited to serve on the Board of Family Service where he gave of his time and talents as Vice President and President for 10 years.  David’s other activities have included membership on the Plymouth Place Board of Directors for ten years, where he served as Vice Chairman and Chairman.  He has been a member of First United Church of Oak Park since 1978, and has served on the Endowment Committee, the Pastoral Care Committee and Church Council.  David also sings with the Corwin Group and the Men’s Group at St. Giles Family Mass Community.

Board Chair Michael Lennox states, “David Strom is a person of high integrity and commitment who has dedicated his time and effort to serving his community to insure a better world for others.  Family Service is proud to present the 2007 Rita Johnson Humanitarian Award to David for his many years of service to the agency and to the community at large.”

Entitled “Sing a Song of Hope for Mental Wellness,” the Co-Chairs of the event are Oak Park residents Ingrid Pearson and River Forest resident Thomas Poulos. The evening is funded in part by Park National Bank and the Oak Park Renaissance Realty.  The evening's program will include a reception, dinner, a live auction of private musical performances by local artist, entertainment and presentation of the award. Those interested in receiving more information about the event should call Denise Stennis at Family Service, 708-383-7500, ext. 319.