The Village of Orland Park gave out three awards to recognize community individuals or groups at its Oct. 19 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Susan Parisi earned the Neighbors Making a Difference award for October.
Mayor James Dodge praised her for demonstrating “exceptional leadership and commitment through her active involvement with the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce, standing out as a helpful collaborative partner who is always the first to raise her hand to assist in community initiatives.”
She was also praised for her involvement with the youth athletic scene in Orland Park, especially with local cheerleading teams.
“Thank you so much, I am so touched,” Parisi told the board. “It is my honor and pleasure to serve the community which I grew up in.
“I have been here since 1982 and I’m a graduate of Carl Sandburg. I met my husband at Carl Sandburg. I’ve raised five children who have gone through our school districts and it is my passion to support businesses through the chamber and to coach for the Orland Park Pioneers and to sit on the board of the Sports Advisory board.”
The Orland Youth Association won for October’s Organization of the Month.
In a proclamation, Dodge praised OYA for being “the premier youth sports organization in Orland Park, offering athletic opportunities to boys and girls of all ages and skill levels.”
The proclamation added that OYA “provides in-house leagues in baseball, basketball, softball and volleyball, creating a fun and welcoming environment where children compete, learn and build lasting friendships.”
OYA’s new track team, the Orland Flight, won a community pride award.
In its first season, the Flight qualified five athletes to participate in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa, and a 3,200-meter relay team on the 11-12 age level placed 15th in the nation.
Dodge’s proclamation said the Flight’s goal is to “continue building opportunities for young runners in our community and to help athletes develop a lifelong love of running while representing Orland Park throughout Illinois and across the country.”
