October 29, 2009 :: Member

Lakeside Bank Celebrated Make a Difference Day

In Honor of Make a Difference Day, the largest national day of helping others, Lakeside Bank hosted a special “Women Who Make a Difference” Awards Reception on Wednesday, October 21st, and gathered employee volunteers for a day of service at Reach Out Community Center on Saturday, October 24th.

At the Awards Reception, emceed by ABC7 Chicago news anchor Linda Yu, Lakeside Bank and nearly 150 women guests honored two customers, Mary Bahr and Dorothy Flisk, who make a difference in their communities.  Mary Bahr is President and Creative Director of MAB Advertising Inc., an award-winning, WBENC-certified enterprise whose mission is to nurture conversation and connections—to find customers, keep customers and build community. Mary is passionate about helping women succeed and thrive, and serves as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs. Mary is also a devoted member of the WPO (Women Presidents’ Organization), National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and Chicago Foundation for Women. 

Dorothy Flisk, a business owner, and former Americorps VISTA, recently founded Reach Out Community Center—a place where youth of all walks of life around the Little Village neighborhood can enjoy free programming such as cooking, art, music, and dance.  She is in the process of renovating a 17,000 square foot building to serve the youth in the community.

Mercy Hospital’s Comprehensive Women’s Health and Cancer Center was a partner of this event, since October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Sister Sheila Lyne, President of Mercy, promoted the importance mammograms and the free programs Mercy has to offer to those women in need.  Emily Barr, President and General Manager of ABC7 Chicago was the keynote speaker, highlighting how her station continues to give back to the community and leverages its power as a media outlet.  Linda Yu, ABC7 News Anchor, served as emcee.  Together, all these women inspired and encouraged the attendees to make a difference in their daily lives.

Make a Difference Day, founded by USA Weekend Magazine, is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of every October through a day of volunteerism.  This year, a group of 15 Lakeside Bank employees, family and friends volunteered on October 24th at Reach Out Community Center, 2243 S. Troy, to help in building renovations and clean-up of this youth community center-to-be, in Little Village.

“Lakeside Bank reinvests 100% of our deposits and provides additional support into the communities we serve.  We were thrilled to be part of a project and organization that is revitalizing a community and transforming lives,” said Raymond Spaeth, President of Lakeside Bank.

Visit www.makeadifferenceday.com for more information.