Village Bank and Trust Platinum Adventures Coordinator Kay Olivo, member of the Escorted Transportation Service Northwest (ETS – NW) Board of Directors, was among the recipients of the City of Good Neighbors Hearts of Gold Award from the Village of Arlington Heights in February.
ETS-NW is a volunteer organization that provides rides for senior citizens to medical appointments. They currently serve nearly 700 passengers in Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg and. Wheeling. Service boundaries extend east to Greenwood Avenue, west to Barrington Road, south to Biesterfield Road and north to Lake-Cook Road.
“I am very proud to be part of an organization that delivers such a valuable service to the community,” said Olivo.
Kathy Kasprowicz, Executive Director of ETS-NW, accepted the award on behalf of more than 70 volunteers on February 13th at the annual Hearts of Gold Awards Dinner at the European Crystal Banquet & Conference Center, 519 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights. The Hearts of Gold awards program recognizes individuals who work or live in Arlington Heights for their generous contributions and acts of kindness
“It’s a very humbling experience,” said Kasprowicz. “There are so many people who deserve this award, but certainly our volunteers are among them. They are good neighbors personified.”
In 2009, ETS-NW provided 2,215 rides to medical, dental and therapy appointments; dialysis; chemotherapy; and lab work in the northwest suburbs of Cook County. Users pay a nominal fee for the service, although no one is denied if he or she is unable to pay.