Flanked by fellow board members, Hal Greenwood displays the plaque he was presented with at the Cook County School District Education Foundation meeting for all of his fine years of service to the school district. From L-R: Myron Bursheim, Doug Sanders, Autumn Hood, Gene Erickson, John Oberholtzer, Emma Spoon, Ann Sullivan, Megan Myers and in front of Megan is Sharon Van Ruiswyk in the green sweater. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
A pillar and strong supporter of kids is stepping down from a position he has long given vast amounts of time, effort, and money to. You could call it a passion of selfless love.
Hal Greenwood’s last day as president of the Cook County School District Education Foundation (CCSDEF) was Tuesday, December 17.
Greenwood was effusive in his praise for current board members, who surprised him with a plaque for his many years of service to the foundation and the kids of Cook County. He said he would miss working with them.
Lorelei Livingston’s last day on the board was also December 17. Greenwood, who has been connected with everybody from several U.S. presidents, foreign leaders, baseball and football stars, even had a story about flying in Lorelei’s grandfather’s Cessna. Her grandfather would circle the area near the farmhouse, alerting his wife he was ready to land. Lorelei’s grandmother would come out with a flashlight, waving it so her husband could find the homemade landing strip on the farm property at night. Greenwood was on one of those night flights and said it was something he will never forget.
“Lorelei’s grandfather was a well-known state legislator. I’m sure lots has been written about him,” he added.
Greenwood has been with the CCSDEF since its inception.
“What a legacy this man leaves in the area of education!” said Cook County School District Education Foundation board member Ann Sullivan.
Sullivan serves on a board of directors, which includes Myron Bursheim, Leslie Conden, Gene Erickson, Dave Hansen, Autumn Hood, Marcie McIntire, John Oberholtzer, Karen Obinger, Doug Sanders, Emma Spoon, Ann Sullivan, and Sharon Van Ruiswyk. Principal Megan Myers is the administrative (non-voting) representative.
This year alone, the foundation provided grant funding at the level of $16,942.
Grants were given to the Cook County Robotics Club, Timber Frame Outdoor Classroom, Seeds of Change, CCHS Book Project, Laptops for Learning, Boating Safety, World Language and Culture Field Trip, the band’s upcoming trip to Chicago, Homework Help and Tutoring for Middle School Athletes, and Environmental Education in the School Forest. Quite impressive for 2019!
Since 2002, the Cook County School District 166 Education Foundation has paid $186,000 in teacher student grants with another $41,000 in funds on hand, said treasurer Doug Sanders. “In terms of CPI adjusted to 2019 dollars, the foundation has paid $214,000 with $41,000 on hand (grand total $255,000).”
The funds granted by the foundation fill monetary gaps the school district can’t fill. The grants often cover expenditures that would have to come from parents or students for activities like robotics or Knowledge Bowl.
The foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year is E.A.T.S., which will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
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