INSPRA Recognizes Downers Grove Community Members for Supporting District 99 Families

District 99 community members Beth Fotos and Maura Bates have been honored with the Distinguished Service Award of Excellence by the Illinois chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA). It is the highest honor given to community members.

Fotos, Downers Grove North High School parent and alumna, and Bates, Downers Grove community member, District 99 Education Foundation Secretary and teacher at Benet Academy, worked together to support the District 99 Education Foundation COVID-19 Family Support Fund.

"We're proud of Beth and Maura for receiving this award because it was their selfless acts which brought our school community together to support our students and their families during difficult times," says District 99 Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele.

At the beginning of the pandemic, District 99 became aware of the hardships happening in its community and worked with the District 99 Education Foundation to establish the COVID-19 Family Support Fund. Last summer, Fotos and others organized two "CoRUNa" marathons. For each event, they directed support to the District 99 COVID-19 Family Support Fund while they each ran/walked 26 miles. Collectively over two months, the marathons raised more than $5,500. To date, the COVID-19 Family Support Fund has raised more than $24,000 and has supported more than 500 families.

Each year, INSPRA Distinguished Service Awards are presented to individuals from across the state who serve as ambassadors for public education. The mission of INSPRA is to provide a source of connection, collaboration and professional development for school communicators in order to strengthen support for Illinois public schools, which leads to greater student success.