Mon. October 18, 2004
Chicago, IL -
The Hearts Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, serving Chicago area agencies that promote the health and well being of the LGBT community, has appointed Executive members and elected four new members for the fiscal year started July 2004. Dennis Sneyers, President; Todd Armbruster, Vice President; Scott Silverman, Secretary; and Mark Gregory Reid, Treasurer have been selected for the coming year. All four have been a part of the organization for nearly 20 years, collectively. Since 1985, Dennis has volunteered for various HIV/AIDS service organizations including Gay Men's Health Crisis in NYC. He has volunteered since 1997 for both the Hearts Party and what is now Fireball. In 2001, Dennis joined the Board of Directors. Todd has been a board member of The Hearts Foundation since it's inception, and as a key volunteer with Bringing our Hearts Together (Hearts Foundation pre-cursor) since 1992 and has made this volunteer work his passion in addition to running his own business, Service Is Us, Inc, and being happily married for 11 years to his partner, Tripp Kelley. Scott has worked with the Hearts Foundation for the past five years. He is a wine specialist with Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois and resides in Chicago with his Partner of 14 years, James Eisenbart and their two dogs. Mark has been a Hearts volunteer for five years and on the board for two. He has also served as a Fireball event lead, and last year was the Fireball financial and communications manager. Prior to Mark’s participation with Hearts, he was a medical services volunteer at Howard Brown for eight years.
Four new directors have been chosen. John Broomhead joins the board after serving in various volunteer positions for two years. Jacques Demant was involved with the creation of last year’s Fireball events. He hopes his background in business and his experience with producing events in Europe and the U.S. will benefit the Foundation and especially the community served by the beneficiaries. Keith Glennon has volunteered for Hearts for several years leading such events as the Gala Fundraiser and Fireball closing party. Keith will serve as Communications Director. Rick Vescio also joins the board after many years as the coordinator for the organizations over 500 dedicated volunteers.
Jess Fisher and Nenad Markovich continue as Directors each for their second year. Jess currently is working as the Project Manager with the City of Chicago in the Board of Education’s Capital Improvement Program. Nenad Markovich has been doing security for Hearts events for the past few years but wanted to give more to our community. Being a Hearts Board Member coupled with being a Chicago Police Officer allows him to give back to our community and truly warms his heart.
After many years of service Allen Lungo, Eric Christoff, Andrew Hayes, Peter Johnson, Larry Bell, Lucy Cook and Will Dumas have retired. The Hearts Foundation would like to express its heartfelt thanks for all their hard work and commitment. They made it possible for the Foundation to identify beneficiaries that provide innovative, front-line programs. It is the goal of the Hearts Foundation to build on the solid foundation laid by all members and continue to support the efforts of service agencies that promote the health and well being of the Chicago LGBT community.
With the success of life sustaining medication in the treatment of HIV/AIDS comes a false sense that the pandemic is over. Complacency is now as significant a threat as the virus itself. Incidence rates are climbing once again, and new communities are becoming vulnerable. The Hearts Foundation raises money by holding local fundraising events throughout the year including Fireball weekend. Fireball 2005 will be held President’s Day weekend, February 18, 19 and 20. More details will be announced soon. For more information on the Hearts Foundation or to make a donation please visit www.heartsfoundation.org or call 773-244-6000.
Event: Meet the new board during the Hearts fundraiser at Zza Zzo restaurant on Thursday, October 21, 2004 from 5:30pm-8:30pm. (Event Details)
For the complete article (non-reader view with multimedia and original links),
Tap here.
Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com