John is a People Soft technical services manger at Illinois Tool Works Inc. He has been with ITW for 32 years and has been supporting United Way for more than 10. This year, John decided to take his United Way involvement to the next level by participating in a United Way Day of Caring project for the first time. United Way Days of Caring harness the caring and skill of companies and individuals who want to support the community with agencies in need of services.
Last month, John was one of more than 12 ITW employees who went to Morton East High School in Cicero to paint and restore the school’s weight and cardio rooms to convert them into a Chicago Bears Fitness Zone. The NFL, Chicago Bears and Life Fitness donated funds and equipment totaling $75,000 to transform the school’s weight and exercise room into a more state-of-the-art facility.
What made this experience even more rewarding for John was that in 1972, he graduated from Morton East High School and he was returning to his alma mater for the very first time since then.
“Coming back here brought a lot of memories,” said John.
John and the rest of his ITW colleagues who took part in the Day of Caring were also invited back to Morton East for the NFL United Way Hometown Huddle, which featured 11 Bears rookies including running back Matt Forte, for a dedication ceremony, fitness camp day and discussion on nutrition with the Bears and 100 Morton East students.
“This was a great event for the kids,” said John. “They seemed genuinely motivated to improve their health and fitness, and the Bears were great motivators. They showed them that exercise and healthy living can be fun.”
John was not disappointed by his first volunteer experience with United Way and is looking forward for future opportunities with ITW or even on his own.
“We are all busy people, bogged down with work and responsibilities,” he said. “But once in a while we have to break away, go into our communities and see what we can do to improve it, because you will find something you can make a difference in. And that is very important work.”
