Meet the Our Town, Our Heroes Finalists!
By: Ryan Gartman
March 11, 2011 9:27 am CT
We’re excited to announce the first round of heroes for the Our Town, Our Heroes program. All of the finalists have been nominated because they are making a difference in their communities and inspiring others to do good. The hero with the most number of votes, and the person who nominated them will win a week-long vehicle loan compliments of General Motors.
Read on to meet our finalists – and vote at the bottom for who you think should be the very first Our Town, Our Heroes winner!
Teresa McClelland from Chicago, nominated by Dean Akey
Illinois currently has over 375,000 registered motorcycles which represent 4% of the registered vehicles in the State, while representing 14% of Illinois traffic fatalities. Both Illinois & the United States Department of Transportation have identified motorcycle fatalities as the greatest safety challenge our nation faces today.
The nonprofit Rescue Rider program directly addresses this public safety concern by providing emergency medical assistance to victims of accidents as Good Samaritans.
Teresa McClelland is a dedicated volunteer who has trained over 300 Illinois residents to be “first responders” capable of providing emergency medical aid to victims of accidents. As a result of Teresa’s dedication, lives have been saved and our roads are a safer place for all motorists. I nominate Teresa for the Hometown Hero award as she invests her time as a volunteer to benefit us all. Thank you for this opportunity.
Jennifer VanHoutan from Downers Grove, nominated by Annie Farnaus
Hero: “a warrior of special strength, courage, or ability”. That defines Jennifer VanHoutan; mommy to Noah(6) and twins Laine(5) & Emily(5). Life was perfect, twin daughters and a big brother to look after them. In 2009 their lives changed in a way nobody could imagine. Noah was diagnosed with Batten disease; currently no cure, ending in death, between ages 8 and 12.
Five months later Laine was also diagnosed. Jennifer gives each child the same amount of attention; insisting that they have as normal of a life as possible. Promising to do whatever it takes so that no other family has to experience this, all while pouring herself into www.NoahsHope.com to benefit both Noah & Laine, and for Emily who watches as her siblings travel on this difficult journey. She inspires her family, friends and community, and I look up to her in more ways than she will ever know.
Mary Agnes Zellmer from Geneva, nominated by Tara Burghart
When Mary Agnes Zellmer’s son Jim was 6 years old, he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. When he learned he’d need insulin shots for the rest of his life, he turned to his mom with tears in his eyes and said, “Mommy, fix this.” The family created Pumpkins for a Cure as a way to raise money and awareness for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
This annual event in Geneva is a fall festival where families can buy pumpkins and seasonal decorations and play games. All proceeds go to diabetes research. Mary Agnes works year-round on this event, soliciting sponsors and donations. Each year it’s bigger and better. She’s an amazing example of someone who took something terrible – her son’s diagnosis – and turned it around in the most positive of ways to help not only raise money for a cure, but let other families know they are not alone.
Joey Harman from Riverside, nominated by Melissa Harman
Not only did this amazing woman go back to school for her Masters after raising three kids, but she successfully launched a counseling practice, published a book, and became a volunteer for the American Red Cross Disaster Services Mental Health Team, is trained in crisis response services and volunteered for a domestic violence agency responding to crisis calls.
She is just as generous and giving in her personal life too. She works tirelessly as an advocate for her children, donating countless hours and amounts of energy to help them achieve their goals. When my grandfather was sick, she made time to see him every single day, driving an extra 40 miles per day and staying 2-3 nights a week. When my grandma broke her knee, my mother did the same thing – gave her time, energy & gas without question.
Kelly O’Connor from Chicago nominated by Dwana De La Cerna
Kelly is an incredible person. Her energy is endless. She raised 4 children. One in college and three are in high school. When our sons were both still in middle school, Kelly manned the front desk. That meant mothering 500 children at any given time. Our middle school is a two campus multi grade inner city metropolis.
Kelly met every challenge – for our boys – who were friends, and any issues that arose.
Forgotten lunch? No problems … call Kelly. Lost shoes? No problems … call Kelly. Unmatched patience, never snarky or sigh under her breath, Kelly – to me- reached sainthood 5 years ago when our boys were simply little guys who lost a mitten or hat. Before they graduate 8th grade we had to make sure service hours were satisfied and Kelly assisted me without a complaint in manning, organizing and maintaining scheduling.
Kelly is my HERO!
Cast your votes here:
Loading ...Voting for this round of Our Town, Our Heroes ends on March 17, 2011! We will announce the winner and the winning hero’s nominator on March 18, 2011, so be sure to keep checking DrivingtheMidwest.com and follow us on Twitter @DrivingMidwest for updates!
Remember, we’re always accepting nominations for Our Town, Our Heroes, so nominate YOUR hero today!
Tags: Chevrolet, Chicagoland, finalists, gm, grassroots, heroes, Illinois, Jennifer VanHoutan, our heroes, our town, vote
Not only has Theresa impacted her community she has impacted communities worldwide. She continues to hold the bar high for others involved in Motorcycle Safety Programs. She sets examples and ideals for us to follow in our endeavor to achieve safety among our riders. The programs she mentors are nation wide. Thank You for all you are doing to bring to light the need to become safer as we enjoy the roads with others. Tereseanna Cook Regional Coordinator- Central Texas Rescue Rider Program.
I met Teresa last year in Chicago. She was teaching a class to help motorcyclists save lives. I have become an instructor and I am trying to bring the same spirit and enthusiasm that she has back to Florida. She is a knowledgeable, personable and funny person. She is what every nurse should strive to be. A dedicated, caring and very intelligent person.
Good luck and here is hoping you choose this gem
Tim Tobin, RN, regional coordinator for the Rescue Riders in Florida and ASMI instructor
Theresa has worked to help many many people with first response training for the Motorcycle community. Not only does she take her personal time to teach and educate MC riders, she also takes the time to ride as a Rescue Rider/Trauma Mama on many charity rides throughout the land. One of our chapter members and dear friend was on the receiving end of her great care when he was hit by a van during a charity ride.
Jen is not only an inspiration to those that she touches daily, but also to anyone who hears her story. She is an unbelieveable mom who demonstrates strength and courage to all of us. She honestly deserves the title of "hero."
Jennifer VanHoutan is not just a hero for your community in Chicago…she is a hero for all of us as parents worldwide with children suffering from this very rare brain disease…Batten disease. God chose her not only to care for one child with this disease, but two…and she is a light in a sea of darkness. Any young mother would want and choose something different than she has…which is one more day, one more year.
Everyday, she pursues results with faith, she accepts every day right where it is, and she insists on advocating from families in the future, knowing full well her very own children may never be a beneficiary of our research.. That to me, is a woman of remarkable strength, with a mission to change at least one little corner of a world her own.
Jennifer Van Houtan is a hero in the true sense of the word. She bravely faces each day and its challenges head on. Two of her three children have terminal Batten disease. The cruelty of this disease and that it takes away children between the ages of 8-12, only makes Jen's will that much stronger. She and her family are instrumental in so many ways to finding a cure. They know that if they can't save their own children, they will save others from this terrible fate!! I am proud to know her. She is a wonderful mom and friend. She is an inspirational person who has taught me do much.
I dont know any of these people personally but Jennifer Van Houtans story really touched my heart. A woman who is facing this kind of stress… a mom… looking at her children face this awful disease yet stays strong to not only hold out the hope for her own children but many others who she doesnt know… is amazing! Kudo's to Jennifer. She is a person of strong character. May God bless her and her family!!!
Jennifer is our daughter and her children are our precious grandchildren. Her strength and faith in dealing with this disease ,that is likened to Alzheimer''s Disease, has become the light to all around her and her family.
She has shown us to cherish each little moment because each moment is a true blessing. She is our "hero" and deserves to be a GM "Our Town Hero"!!
Jennifer Van Houtans!!!!!!!!
I am not sure what I would do if I was told that my children would not be alive to graduate grade school, drive a car, celebrate any holiday, or do any of the things we look forward to do with our children as they grow to be adults. That is what Jennifer Van Houtan has been told for 2 of her 3 children. Yet she faces this terminal illness head on as well as drives to find a cure – not for her children, but others. I am proud to know her. When I am having a bad day, or my children upset me, I think what Jen and her family go through. Jen is someone I truely define as hero.
I am a lucky woman to know Jen Van Houtan. I just ran into her in town strolling down the sidewalk with her three kids…Noah in a wheelchair, Laine in a wagon and Emily riding her bike; you can't get more inspiration than that! She embodies grace and dignity and is determined to live every day with gusto and love in her heart. She gets my vote:)
I am in tears with the comments on Jen, actually on all the nominees. Makes me believe that Chicago is filled with some amazing people, each doing their own part to make lives better. It's very touching… Everyone's a winner in my book, but Jen's my Hero!! GO TEAM JEN!
Teresa is selfless in her instruction of motorcycle safety and EMS. Her amazing talent is shared with all as she continues to effortlessly aid in the instruction of all. Teresa is also a major part of most charities here in Chicago. She is the first to render aid in any situation and she does it whole-heartedly with concern for all. It is an honor to know Teresa and if you should get a chance to meet her, you will forever have her as a true friend.
Jen is an inspiration to everyone she encounters. She has three loving children and two fight for their lives every single day and she's right beside them striving to give them the very best opportunities. I'm fortunate to know Jen (personally and professionally) and she is undoubtedly the strongest woman I know — always a smile, an optimistic tune, a lending hand, a hard worker and a open-heart! She's a testament to the saying, "where there's a will there's a way" as she works to find a cure so her children and others never have to suffer from the horrible disease Noah and Lanie have. Thank you for being such a positive influence on our office, community, neighbors and more! The world would be a better place if there were more Jennifer VanHoutans!!
I have only known Jen for a short time. And even though I dont know her very well, she inspires me to be a better person and live life to its fullest. I have hope and we all should have hope. She truly is the most inspiring person I have been blessed to meet. You truly are a HERO in my eyes Jennifer VanHoutan!
Jen is my neighbor and my personal hero everyday! God has blessed Noah, Laine, Emily and hubby Tracy with a strong and courageous woman! Jen is an inspiriation to all parents (and her parents to grandparents!) and a model of compassion!
Jen VanHoutan makes all of us want to lead a life filled with purpose. No one is more deserving than this "mommy" to Noah, Laine and Emily. She finds the light in every struggle!
Obviously all of the contenders are winners. That said, Jen is extraordinary and a local hero in Downers Grove, IL (as is her husband). They personify perseverance and grace under pressure. Vote for Jen. Cheers.
I don't know how Teresa McClelland does it. She balances her job, family and finds time to teach, inspire and volunteer her time to coordinate Rescue Rider Volunteers. I agree that she is smart, thoughtful and touches many lives in a positive way. Best Wishes Teresa!
Vicki Sanfelipo, Director of Accident Scene Management, Inc.
Jennifer VanHoutan is my hero.
Jen (and her husband and family) are truly an inspiration to me. I can not image that I would ever be able to deal with what this family has had to endure, let alone in the manner they do. I am a better person so have known such strength exists out there and Jen deserves all the praise and votes she gets. She is defiantly a hero to me.
Jennifer VanHoutan: Grace and Love. She truly is an incredible person. I'm honored to call Jen a friend. My hunch is she wouldn't call herself a hero. She'd, instead, call attention to her amazing children and husband. Jen, you are my hero. I'm with Annie … all these nominees are winners … but Go Team Jen!
Jen VanHoutan, and her husband Tracy perform miracles every day. They wake up, take care of their three beautiful children, and fight to save two of them from the ravages of a horrible, incurable disease. Each day, they see the affects worsen, but keep moving forward raising money and awareness to research a treatment, a cure, some hope. Their fight has become bigger than for their two kids alone, as several families in the Chicago area have a child who suffers. Jen is a hero because she reaches out to other families, to the community, to researchers, and gives every last ounce of energy to save kids with Batten Disease. All while being a mom, a wife, and keeping a full-time job. Where she draws the strength to get through her days, I'll never know. But that's what a hero does…they keep fighting against all odds, no matter what. And that's what Jen does, every single day.
Jen has our vote. All these people are very special, but Jen is especially amazing. Her strength and determination are an inspiration to all who know her. (Her husband is pretty incredible also).
Here's your chance to help a great cause and a great family……cast your vote please…..
My own family deals with a terminal disease that at times looks like a walk in the park in comparison to what Noah and Laine have to deal with. I do not know Jen well, but am in awe of how she pushes through day to day with Grace and Love. She is a hero to any family dealing with adversity.
Jennifer is our hero for sure.
Jennifer VanHoutan!!
I have been blessed to know Jen for awhile. She embodies strength, grace, faith and TRUE courage in the face of a situation that would cause many others to crumble. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this. God bless Jen and her precious family!!!
Jen – I often think of you and your family, and you are truly a hero mommy to me! No one is more deserving!
Jen is an inspiration and her courage is truly amazing. All the heroes but Jen is my pick for the winner!
Jen is a hero in every sense of the word. She and her husband work tirelessly to find a cure and create awareness for a debilitating and heartbreaking disease. It's difficult for me to put into words the love Jen and her husband have for Noah, Laine and Emily. I've had the honor of seeing it. I wish you could too. Then you'd know for yourself that she's deserving of the word "hero." It breaks my heart that news headlines are often dominated by a celebrity's self-important lifestyle when there are awful diseases like Batten that are robbing children of their childhood. Again, another reason why Jen is a hero….her tireless efforts to discover a cure of Batten. My vote's cast.
Jennifer and her family are wonderful people doing extradorinary things! Go Jen!
Jennifer VanHoutan and the whole VanHoutan family deserve my vote!
My vote is for Jennifer VanHouten–a true hero.
Jennifer VanHoutan is our hero,all our love and support FROM Jim and DARDI
The VanHoutans are a wonderful and courageous family. Love and prayers always… Go Team Jen!!!
To all participants, thank you for your selflessness, compassion and strength. Thank you for being an inspiration to me… Heroines forever in my eyes…
I am a grandmother of 5, mother of 4 and cannot even imagine what it must be like to go through what you and your family are going through. In my eyes, you are all heroes – mom, dad, gramma and grampa,and the beautiful children in this family. May God, who is close to the brokenhearted, draw very close to you all throughout this time and carry you through the fire.
Maureen Sebek
Jen VanHoutan (and her husband) are truly heroes! The grace & humility with which they greet their daily lives, inspire me and all who know them!
Jen VanHoutan (and her husband) are truly heroes! The grace & humility with which they greet their daily lives, inspire me and all who know them!
Jennifer VanHoutan is my hero.
Teresa McClelland from Chicago
Jennifer definitely gets my vote! She is my hero! I am amazed at her & her husband’s strength & courage as they travel this very difficult road, all while trying to help find a cure for this disease. I am inspired by her every day. May God bless Jen & her family.
Jen is a hero to all families fighting this horrible disease as well as to those of us who strive to be stronger, better, more caring, less selfish and more committed to anything that means something. I hope that she and Tracy know how much we all care and how much they inspire so many people.
Hands down Jen VanHoutan continues to endure and fight like most of us moms will never know. Best of luck to you Jen! You absolutely deserve it!
‘Trauma Mama’ Teresa McClelland manages to be a full time trauma nurse while still staying in not just medical school, but as a training instructor for Rescue Riders, a volunteer group of motorcyclists who train to render aid in the case of emergency. Her dedication to serving the community in their time of need ripples coast to coast and is my choice to win. A true hero in every sense of the word.
I am sending to all my sister friends back at Nalco in Sugar Land. They remember my stories of all our antics at the conferences. I had told them about Noah before I left Texas. My prayers are with you guys always. Love, Emily
Jennifer VanHoutan – watching her has made me a stronger person. She still smiles despite everything life has passed her and her family. To call Jen a hero doesn't quite sum her up but it is for sure a start!
Jennifer Van Houtan!!! She deserves this!
Jennifer Van Houtan!!!! Keep your head up!
Jen Van Houtan. Amazing story. God bless their special family. All of them are heroes!
Jennifer VanHoutan is an amazing woman with the strength of many. She certainly exemplifies the spirit of the Hometown Hero award with all the effort she has put into caring for her family, and fighting to find cure for this devastating disease.
Voting on who of these five women is most deserving is difficult – they've each contributed something of themselves to help others. My vote for Jenny was a vote for Tracy, too, as well as their extended families. I've know Jen's family for 35+ years and consider that a special gift I've been given. I think everyone, including me big time, tends to occasionally wallow in their own self-pity, and I'd venture to say much of that wallowing is based on artificial drama. Then we meet people whose drama is not artificial, who should be drowning in "Why me?". Instead, amidst their fear and anxiety, Jen and Tracy look to find some way to give their children a "normal" life, while at the same time benefiting others. Noah, Laine, and Emily (for Emily truly is deeply affected by this–more than we may know) are joyful, beautiful and loving children blessedly surrounded by Jen and Tracy's loving hearts. I love them all dearly.
Words cannot express the compassion and admiration I feel for Jen and Tracy and their beautiful children. They make you realize how important it is to live each day to the fullest and not to sweat the small stuff! I don't know Jen, but my kids go to the same pre-school and I often see her with a smile on her face laughing with friends and teachers! That says it all!!
After losing my own child @ 36 13 yrs. ago I can hardly recuperate. Knowing that you will lose 2 is unimaginable. Lots of prayers an respect for Jennifer and her family.
Jennifer VanHoutan, and her husband Tracy, are my heroes.
They are tireless. They are courageous. They are inspiring.
They are what we all hope we will have the courage to be.
Congratulations to every nominee!
My vote is for Jennifer. To maintain faith and courage in the face of her children's struggles, and to create fundraising efforts for all children with Batten's is truely heroic.
All have great stories!
God be with all of you! My heart goes out to Jennifer, I pray for you!
I think you don't need the added stress that you should spend your time with your family, your beautiful kids, they need your undivided attention for now! But that's me thinking as I would do! That's what makes you the kind of person you are unselfish! I've seen what stress can do to a body!
I have to vote for Teresa!
Go Team Jen!
For Jennifer!
Jennifer VanHoutan gets my vote!
Mary – thank you very much for your prayers for my family. I spend everyday with my children and they are priceless to me. Today is 2 years since we recieved Noah's diagnosis of Batten Disease after spending 16 months watching him regress both physically & mentally. We have an amazing community who supports in multiple ways.
Thank you again for your prayers – Jen
All of these women are heros and excel within their own challenges. I am very grateful for all the support we have received during this process, from my family and the community we live during the last 2 years. Our children are what motivate me daily and their laughter & love is what keeps us going.
Today marks the 2nd "anniversary" of us finding out about Noah's diagnosis of Late Infantile Batten disease. We will never forget this day. We will continue to persue a cure for this missing enzyme, but at the same time enjoy the family that God blessed us with.
Mary Agnes Zellmer: I cannot overstate my admiration for Mary Agnes as a mother, co-worker, fund-raiser,
committee head, co-worker, and friend. I also have personal knowledge of her love and committment to her family and concern for those families who share the same desire" to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes". I know that she brings to every endevavor, an ability to motivate those around her and to offer a mind full of endless possibiites. This is a hero in the making….. every day.
Congratulations, and thank you to all the nominees. Your dedication to helping others is truly inspiring. It gives me hope that this world may not be such a bad place and raises my appreciation for our Chicagoland neighbors.
Being a father of two young boys, I can only imagine the challenges Jen and her family face daily. I don’t know if I could be that strong. But to take the challenge and fight for all families faced with the same disease is truly inspiring – especially when it’s a disease that affects too few children to garner interest from the major drug companies (not enough money to be profited, I guess – what a disgrace). As their website, http://www.noahshope.com says “every childhood disease deserves a cure”. Thank you Jen for inspiring so many to be better people and to appreciate how fortunate we are. God bless you, Tracy, Noah, Laine & Emily. May He walk with all of you as you continue the fight!
[...] to remain vigilant, flexible and relevant. We connect with personal stories and even provide the finalists with an online toolkit to help them get the word out. They go on to generate their own online voting movement from status [...]