St. Charles group grants wishes of veterans, first responders to attend sporting events

This is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the happier and more inspiring stories recently published by the Daily Herald:

What began as a father-son challenge to watch a game in every NFL stadium during a season is now in its 10th year helping to fulfill the desire of military members and first responders to attend sporting events nationwide.

The nonprofit Operation Warrior Wishes, run by St. Charles resident Craig Steichen and his son Matt, was expected to host about 150 heroes at Super Bowl events this week.

As Craig Steichen recounted, the group began as a dream of being the first father and son to attend an NFL game in all 32 league stadiums in a single season. At the same time, however, they also wanted to give something back and came up with the idea of ​​inviting wounded warriors as guests to every game to thank the soldiers for their services and sacrifices.

Her efforts were spotlighted when former Bears coach Mike Ditka mentioned her on ESPN Monday Night Football and offered to help pay for her expenses.

“We politely declined because we weren’t a charity and there was no reason he should pay us back,” Craig Steichen said.

They later changed their minds and accepted his donation so they could start the non-profit organization Operation Warrior Wishes in 2013. The group exceeded their expectations.

“Sometime this summer we will grant our 10,000th wish,” said Craig Steichen.

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Nick Kostopoulos named his business, Tom’s Market in Warrenville, after his father. He also has a son named Tom.
-John Starks | Staff Photographer

Warrenville’s Tom’s Market weathers tough times

Sandwiched between big chain grocers and discounters, Tom’s Market in Warrenville is a beacon of determination.

As the number of corner grocery stores across the country dwindles, it is the brave few who enter and stay in a market that is becoming more difficult by the day. At Tom’s Market, co-owners Nick Kostopoulos and Rob Perri rely on a loyal customer base and a strong sense of independence to keep the doors open.

“To survive is to win,” said Kostopoulos. “We hold our dukes against the greats. We are dealing with inflation and high costs. There are supply problems. It’s been madness after madness, especially in the last year.”

While Tom’s Market isn’t as big as a Mariano’s or Walmart, it’s still a handful at 40,000 square feet. Kostopoulos and Perri took over the grocery store in 2019 and kept the Family Foods name while investing in site improvements. In December 2020, they revealed the switch to Tom’s Market, naming the store after Kostopoulos’ supportive father.

Since then it has blossomed into a real family business. Perri’s son runs the deli department while Kostopoulos’ four young children work at the checkout and pack groceries.

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Peter Eta, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School, and Charitee Bouchee-Cocroft, a junior at East Aurora High School, were recently crowned the first Mr. and Miss Black Aurora.
– Courtesy of the City of Aurora

Aurora crowns the inaugural winners of the Mr. and Miss Black teen pageant

Eight black teenagers from Aurora made history last weekend as participants in the city’s first Mr. and Miss Black Aurora Pageant.

Peter Eta, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School, and Charitee Bouchee-Cocroft, a junior at East Aurora High School, were crowned Mr. and Miss Black Aurora.

Eta is a poet and President of the National Society of Black Engineers Junior Local Chapter. Bouchee-Cocroft plays saxophone in the high school band and is a member of the National Honor Society. Both are mentors committed to being positive role models for their peers and the next generation of young leaders.

The event was hosted by the city’s African American Heritage Advisory Board at the Copley Theatre. The pageant aims to provide a platform for black students to express their talents, culture and heritage.

The students represented several of Aurora’s high schools as they competed in three categories – Talent, Fashion and Public Speaking – following a choreographed opening dance routine by all contestants.

The top scorers took home the crowns and a cash prize, and will represent Aurora’s black community for the year as Mr. and Miss Black Aurora, including by raising the Juneteenth flag at a town ceremony on June 19.

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Rich Rosen (left) receives the 2023 George Hieber Citizenship Award from Pat Horcher, President of Wheeling Village.
– Courtesy of Wheeling

Longtime Wheeling Community Volunteer Honored with Distinction

A longtime community volunteer is the recent recipient of Wheeling’s George Hieber Citizenship Award.

Honoree Rich Rosen, whose public service resume includes stints on the Wheeling Park District board and on the Wheeling Township Elementary School District 21 board, was commended at Monday’s village board meeting.

“You really are an example of outstanding citizenship in our town,” village president Pat Horcher told Rosen after a proclamation detailing his activities was read aloud.

In addition to his previous electoral service, Rosen is President of the Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council. He also served as president of the Wheeling Rotary Club and is now that group’s literacy chair.

Rosen is also a member of Wheeling Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing, and other goods to local residents in need. the Wheeling Township Senior Advisory & Action Committee; the Board of Directors of the Indian Trails Public Library Foundation; and the Board of the Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce.

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