Organizations
Over the years, Skokie has transformed into quite a distinct community, made up of a variety of backgrounds. It is a point of special pride to feel this increasingly ethnically and socio-economically diverse group of Skokie residents come together at the grass roots level to work with the village through a variety of civic organizations and programs.
Leonard Dubow and his wife have lived in Skokie for more than 50 years. “Back then,” recalls Dubow, “we had no hospital and Kiwanians canvassed door-to-door to make a large donation for a children’s room in the new hospital.” Dubow was recently honored for 50 years of service to the Skokie Kiwanis.
Mort Paradise, president of Lions, appreciates the opportunities diversity offers, and for an hour or two a week, he joins in with other seniors sharing life experiences with the children. “There are three fifth-grade classes at the middle school and, overall, the school reflects 43 different languages, including East Indian and Korean children.” In addition, Mort is on a foundation parents created for the middle school and volunteers time teaching American history to fifth graders. The foundation is now in its 10th year of raising funds to provide benefits not otherwise available for the middle school students.
Rotary president Mark Kaushal is a retired physician and has established a foundation for medical education. Through Interact Club, interested area high school students can shadow Rotary members in volunteer efforts. Through input from the high school, Rotary awards scholarships to kids showing the greatest aptitude for service above self.
One of the most vivid, community-wide volunteer efforts is “We’re Re-Building Together”. This is a weekend effort of rehabbing homes of folks not able to keep up with the repairs. These are often single, elderly women and this organization provides such wonderful assistance. It is quite a sight to see 40 or so homes all over town with accountants, attorneys, teachers and more wielding paint brushes, hammering studs and patching rooftops. The whole community gets involved, extending free paint, water, food and more. Everybody wins.
Residents of the Village of Skokie enjoy excellent quality of life with an exceptional environment to raise their children. The openness and acceptance of people with diverse backgrounds is outstanding and bodes very well for rich arts and cultural activities. They are proud of their resources, and have long held tradition to reach out to give time and talent to enrich the fabric of their community.
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