Orchard Village Blossom Gala

Orchard Village Announces Dan Rutherford, Illinois State Treasurer and Judy Baar Topinka, State of Illinois Comptroller will be honored at the annual Blossom Gala on April 28 at Marriott Chicago O’Hare

Each year, Orchard Village headquartered in Skokie, presents the Advocacy Leadership award to individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to improving the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities. This year, accepting the Advocacy Leadership awards are Dan Rutherford and Judy Barr Topinka.

Dan Rutherford, Illinois State Treasurer is committed to investing taxpayer’s money for the maximum return, and his priorities are to ensure that state investments are as protected as possible from market fluctuations and to assure taxpayers that all funds will be properly managed. He is responsible for investing more than $15 billion in taxpayer dollars. He served in the Illinois legislature for 18 years.

Judy Baar Topinka, State of Illinois Comptroller is the first woman in Illinois history to serve in two State Constitutional Offices. Prior to becoming Comptroller, Topinka served as the Illinois State Treasurer. A recognized and respected taxpayer watchdog, Judy has a well earned reputation for speaking up against the mismanagement of public funds. She belongs to more that 60 businesses and professional organizations, and in 2008 established Smart Women, Smart Money Educational Foundation, a non-for-profit financial counseling agency that helps families facing foreclosure save their homes.

State funding for agencies that serve people with disabilities have been delayed during a severe financial crisis. Both Dan Rutherford and Judy Baar Topinka were instrumental in ensuring that Orchard Village and other non-profits’ back-logged payments were expedited. These crucial payments ensure the continual care of people with developmental disabilities, and without it, agencies, including Orchard Village faced closing their doors.

With this in mind, the agencies goal is to create with the neighbors and communities that their customers reside in. Their main service areas are Skokie, Evanston, Morton Grove, Niles and Glenview. “I am Your Neighbor” is the  theme for Orchard Village as it looks for new partners, politicians, volunteers and dedicated local companies that would like to assist in helping to provide resources of time, talent and treasure. They are committed to updating their residential homes and growing their programs to include all who are in need.

Orchard Village owns 11 small group throughout the northwest suburbs, and is proud to encourage the people they serve to be active and engaged in the community. They also help people with developmental disabilities that live in their own apartments or with their families and have their own Academy which serves young adults in high school up to the age of 22 with job and life skills, and help them find meaningful work. Orchard Village partners with families and communities to optimize personal outcomes for individuals with al disabilities with a community integrated approach. If you or someone you know needs our services, we are your neighbor, please call us!

Orchard Village thanks their Advocacy Leadership Award Recipients. Tickets for the upcoming Blossom Gala are still available. Please call Orchard Village at 847.967.1800 or visit their website at www.orchardvillage.org For additional information on how you can assist, please contact Sally Ruecking, Vice President Development at 847.967.1800 X141. Please, be a good neighbor and get involved.