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Board recognizes student awardees and hears Joni's Closet update on district basic‑needs support
Summary
At the Oct. 24 meeting the board presented monthly awards to students and adults and heard from Joni's Closet, a volunteer nonprofit that supplies school kits (~550/year), winter coats (~560 last year), and roughly 3,000 snacks monthly to district schools; the group described referral processes and funding sources.
The Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 Board opened its Oct. 24 meeting with student and staff recognitions and heard a presentation from Joni's Closet, the volunteer nonprofit that provides basic‑needs support for district families.
Board President Mister Goldberg introduced the monthly recognitions and asked volunteers and awardees to come forward for a short film, individual recognition and photos. The board and district staff named and thanked multiple students from Lake Zurich High School and the district’s elementary and middle schools, and recognized Regina Olick as Volunteer of the Month and Tony Pelicione as Staff Member of the Month.
Following awards, Anne Marie McConnell, president of Joni's Closet, and Sally Kutzler, the group's vice president, described the nonprofit's operations. McConnell said the program provides about 550 school‑supply kits annually, supplies winter gear (about 560 coats distributed last year, with hats and gloves and supplemental items), and supports school nurses with regular snack distributions — roughly 3,000 snacks per month across the district’s eight schools. McConnell and Kutzler explained that requests are routed through district administration or school staff to protect confidentiality and that nearly all funds and labor are volunteer‑driven; they noted 97% of donations go directly to students and the organization recently completed standalone 501(c)(3) status.
Joni's Closet representatives thanked district employees Dony Woodbury, Jean Malek and Lisa Warren for longstanding support; the presenters said the group sustains its work through local donations, sponsor relationships and grant applications. The organization also described a high‑school closet where students can self‑select items through the counseling office for privacy and dignity.
The board thanked the presenters and the volunteers for their service to students. No board action was taken on the presentation; the item served as an informational update and public recognition.
