Glenview Bank & Trust® and East Wing Senior Center volunteer Martha Demko are among the statewide award winners who will be recognized on Friday, Oct. 14 at the Illinois Association of Park District’s 2022 Best of the Best Awards Gala. This year’s gala will be held at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.

Glenview Bank & Trust® will receive the Best Friend of Illinois Parks award in the small business category. This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated exemplary support of local organizations dedicated to recreation and conservation efforts for their community.

Glenview Bank & Trust® signed a four-year contract with the Glenview Park District as a Park Partner through 2026, beginning in April 2022. Their sponsorship enhances many of the Park District’s signature events throughout the year, including Glenview’s Independence Day Celebration, Park Center Sprint Triathlon, Bearfoot in the Park Concert Series, Firecracker Classic Golf Tournament, and 3v3 Soccer Tournament.

Their partnership benefits the Park District not only through financial support but through participation, with Glenview Bank & Trust® employees engaging in hosting games, events, and giveaways that help enhance these cherished community events. Glenview Bank & Trust® also supports the Park District’s LINK and Leisureship programs, increasing access to programs and events for those who need financial assistance.

Martha Demko will accept IAPD’s Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award. Demko, who turned 100 years old on February 14, is the chairperson for charity in the East Wing Glenview Senior Center at the Park District. She has been a volunteer in this position for 22 years and has dedicated much of her time to making teddy bears to give to children at local hospitals. Demko shops for flannel and cuts and sews each bear shape both while at home and at the East Wing. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Demko and a team of volunteers come to the East Wing to stuff the teddy bears and embroider their faces. Each bear gets a ribbon tied around its neck and a note about where the bear was created. The bears then get packed and delivered to local area hospitals.

In January of 2020, 636 bears were delivered to Glenbrook and Skokie hospitals and Round Lake Beach Police Department. The Park District anticipates that number will be exceeded in 2022. After the July 4^th mass shooting in Highland Park, Martha sent 50 bears to their community.

“The number of bears created by Martha and her team is amazing,” said Denise Blinick, Senior Center Director at the Glenview Park District. “Even more impressive is the fact that Martha is 100 years young and does all the shopping, cutting and sewing herself. She is a valued volunteer at the East Wing and to the community. I’m so pleased she has been chosen to receive IAPD’s Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award.”

The Illinois Association of Park District winners were selected from entries submitted in this statewide competition that recognizes park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies. A list of winners can be found online at https://bit.ly/bestofiapd.