Community volunteers and members of Lake County’s business and civic community were honored for their support of battered women at the 25^th Anniversary Celebration/ Annual Meeting of A Safe Place/ Lake County Crisis Center on Monday, October 17, 2005.

Byron J. Prais, Lake Bluff, was named Volunteer of the Year for his dedication and service to victims of domestic violence through his concerted efforts as project manager during the construction of A Safe Place’s new transitional living program in Zion, IL, slated to open late this year.   Meritorious service awards were presented to Janet Furman, Libertyville, board member and project chair for Friends of A Safe Place, the agency’s fund raising auxiliary; Sheila Klemperer, Lake Forest resident, who has served as a trained court advocate for the agency for more than five years, donating over 200 hours of time in the last year; and Gretchen LeMieux, Waukegan, who provides weekly crafts and caring projects to the residential children’s clients of A Safe Place.

The Youth Award was presented to Jessica Suss, Deerfield, who has organized local community donation drives for the agency, and for the children’s program in particular.

The Village Church of Gurnee was recognized as the Outstanding Community Organization. Last year this faith community purchased supplies and brought over a group of 30 to 40 volunteers on a Saturday to paint the entire second floor of A Safe Place’s emergency shelter facility, as well as several areas on the first floor.    

The Gurnee Fire Department was awarded this year’s Business Award, which highlights an example of a business in the area who has played a significant role in assisting A Safe Place.   The fire department was able to thoughtfully donate excess supplies including pillows and cleaning equipment to the shelter.

The Corporate Employee Volunteer Award this year was presented to Zurich North America. Throughout the year, a group of employees in Zurich North America’s premium billing department organized office-wide jeans days, bake sales, raffles and other ways to promote workplace relationships while raising funds to support a worthy charity. They selected A Safe Place to benefit from their in-office fundraising efforts during the last year.

The Chicago Tribune received this year’s Communications Award for their ongoing coverage of issues concerning domestic violence and for their commitment to publishing information regarding free counseling and other victim services that are offered to victims of domestic violence by A Safe Place.