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CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate, a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the juvenile court system.
Shaw Local
Thank You, Everyday Heroes
A tribute to everyday heroes
Kendall County Now/Shaw Local News Network
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Along with owning two businesses in Oswego, Kelley Rice is also involved in several Oswego organizations.
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Roger Matile has been the volunteer director of the Little White School Museum in Oswego since 1994. Last year, he was named an Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
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The lifelong Yorkville resident, who did pole vault in high school and later at North Central College and teaches at Oswego East, now is a volunteer track and field assistant at Yorkville High School.
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For more than 50 years, educators have taught generations of Yorkville middle school students to put their best foot forward in the annual Square Dance Jubilee.
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She leads her business with compassion, always putting her employees first and creating a supportive environment.
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The annual "Chop Around the Clock" fundraiser has become a beloved tradition in Batavia. Barber Craig Foltos said it's about providing hope to all of the children and families being helped by Ronald McDonald House. He said the event shows "they are not alone."
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Hugo Saltijeral is executive director of Valley Sheltered Workshop in Batavia – after a second career serving the homeless at Hesed House in Aurora.
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Janie Grillo of Campton Hills collects monarch eggs and caterpillars, raises them safely from predators, releases the mature butterflies – and tags those that are migrating.
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Phyllis Holmes said she works five hours a day, three days a week, at the Broadway Head Start, despite needing oxygen to help herself breathe.
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She leads with compassion, gives back quietly, and puts her people first. Meet Dr. Ashley Dickerson — a Kendall County 2026 Everyday Hero, as nominated by the employee who sees her in action every day.