Working Together to Improve Our Community
In three short years, what was planted as a seed to clean up Sherman Park has blossomed, full flower, into a site that will help MTEF and its partner organizations promote health and fitness in an entire neighborhood.
On Sherman Park Day III, May 30, the usual contingent of dedicated volunteers from Diversified Insurance Services and other groups, not only spruced up the park but also installed a 10-station exercise path that will be used on a daily basis by participants in MTEF’s Summer Tennis & Reading Program as part of a focus on the fight against childhood obesity and teaching both children and families about the need for physical exercise as part of a dedicated tennis player’s regime.
David J. Frank Landscape Contracting helped with the logistics of preparing the ground and layout. Diversified and two new partners – Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, St. Joseph and Kohl’s Department Stores – donated funds to assist in purchasing the stations, which had been a primary item on MTEF’s “wish list.”
The history of Sherman Park Day shows what can be accomplished by those who seek to lead by example.
About four years ago, a neighborhood resident, Bonnie Adams, happened to drive by the park on her way to work. Although the park wasn’t in the best of shape, MTEF had already established its TEAM program there. Adams noticed, as had community leaders and neighbors, the large number of children playing on the courts and sitting around picnic tables and under shade trees reading books. She immediately stored the scene in her memory bank.
About the same time, Diversified was preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Jim McCormack, chairman and CEO, suggested to his partners that, instead of staging some elaborate event, they come up with an idea that would allow the company to give back and make a difference in the community that allowed them to become successful.
Diversified President Bob Sowinski contacted the Volunteer Center. Adams, in her role as Center director, referred him to the Sherman Park Community Association and from there emerged a work day focused on cleaning up Sherman Park so the tennis program, members of the Mary Ryan Boys and Girls Club and neighborhood residents could have a safe and clean site for their activities and family events.
The first work day – Bringing Back Sherman Park – was held three years ago. Not only was the park tidied up, but the Diversified employees were joined by tennis program parents, staff, and youth players who helped clean the tennis courts and install new wind screens.
Funding from Diversified helped to purchase new benches for the tennis and basketball courts. The volunteers also built and installed a new practice backboard for tennis along with new backboards and removable rims for the basketball court.
The children’s play area was covered with new sand and woodchips. The ball diamond was refurbished. Picnic tables were repaired and sanded.
Lowe’s donated plants and composted dirt for the circle drive and flowers for the massive flower pots at the entrances to the park while David J. Frank Landscape Contracting loaned all the tools needed to accomplish these tasks
Diversified, concerned about creating a safe environment for everyone in the park, has, for the last three years, underwritten the cost of hiring an activities director, whose role is to look out for the safety of all who use the park during the afternoon and into the evening and to engage all who come to the park for family fun activities.
Thus was born the annual effort to improve the park and create a welcoming place where the community can recreate together. The children and adult tennis players have the opportunity to pursue the sport in a well kept tennis facility and a beautiful park.
In subsequent years, park neighbors and even two small scout groups have joined in the effort.
Non-profits, such as MTEF, thrive on the energy of volunteers and engaging professionals who take an active role in providing leadership. This annual effort shows all the children and adults who come to play tennis in Sherman Park that partners working together can raise the bar by providing a first-class park for their enjoyment and training. It also should spur them on to set realistic lifelong goals and a sense that adults around them care for their well-being.
