Peg Ciccarelli, of Lake Forest, is a “one-woman powerhouse of helping,” according to her friend Lise Dominique. Ciccarelli recently took time out to answer a few questions about all of her volunteer activities for the Pioneer Press.
Q. Do you have a day job?
A. I help part time in my husband’s dentist office. Other than that, I volunteer almost full time.
Q. You volunteer with Catholic Charities?
A. I used to be on their board of directors. I’m still on their board of advisers for Cook and Lake County and have run a number of events for them with fundraising and awareness. I’m on the Catholic Charities women’s board of Lake County and a former president of that group, which does fundraising and awareness for programs like Meals on Wheels, AIDS case management and senior housing.
Q. Are you involved in more volunteering?
A. At the Church of St Mary, I’ve volunteered as a Eucharistic minister on Sundays and used to be involved with the parents board when my kids were in school there.
Q. Any other projects?
A. Midwest Veterans Closet, based out of North Chicago. It helps supply household goods and food for low income and homeless veterans in the area. We’re currently collecting nightgowns and pajamas.
Q. Do you take on any additional tasks?
A. I help with Fill a Heart For Kids (for orphans and foster children), getting materials. Getting someone to donate 300 pairs of shoes or calling a movie theater and asking for movie passes.
Q. And there’s more?
A. The Order of Malta. I’m a roll-up-the-sleeves and do what they need me to. I go to soup kitchens and distribute food, try to get the kids Christmas gifts.
Q. I’m told you also moderate two community groups on Facebook?
A. One is like a virtual garage sale. The other is to give local businesses a shout out when looking for a plumber or a dinner.
Q. Any idea how much time you spend volunteering?
A. About four years ago, by request, I figured about 15,000 hours since 1998.
Q. Why do you volunteer so much?
A. There is a prayer the Catholic Church has. ‘Forgive me for the things I have done but mostly for the things I failed to do.’
Q. Any other reasons for taking on all those responsibilities?
A. I think people always assume someone else is going to do something. Complacency won’t do.
Twitter: @reporterdude
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