They say kindness is its own reward, and for South Elgin resident David Luplow Jr. that’s no doubt true.
But it’s also nice to be recognized for an act of kindness, especially when it’s with an award that encourages others to follow your example, like the one Luplow will receive at a ceremony being held Saturday, April 4, at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago/Water Tower Place.
Luplow, 36, is one of four winners of the inaugural FECK Awards, a national program created by Chaz Ebert to recognize people who show exemplary forgiveness, empathy, compassion and kindness, or FECK.
Luplow has Down syndrome, and it’s no surprise he receiving the Kindness award, his mother Patti said. That’s been his hallmark since birth, she said.
“David’s brought so much joy to our lives since the day he was born,” she said. “He’s been (kind) pretty much from day one.”
His father, David Sr., recalls that when his son was just 5, he already a very polite child who always said please and thank you.
“Whenever going anywhere, David holds the door open for others and offers kind words. He’ll ask, ‘Can I help you?’ and will even offer to carry your groceries,” Patti Luplow said.
The award, however, celebrates actions that go far beyond being courteous.
For the last two years, in advance of the Christmas holidays, David has saved his earnings to buy gifts for the Toys for Tots drive sponsored by the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District. He and his parents got involved after they saw a sign for the holiday campaign and reached out to firefighter Mario Herrera, who organizes it.
“In 2025 alone, he donated nearly 100 toys, inspiring an outpouring of additional donations from the community,” according to the FECK description for the Kindness award David is to receive.
His $100 and another $200 he received from others in the community went toward toy purchases last year.
“We bought lots of things, including games, puzzles, Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars,” David said.
Gail Hunter, a fire district administrative assistant, said he calls himself Santa’s helper when dropping off gifts.
“Any donation to this cause is helpful. I think by us posting David’s donations on social media, it inspired others to do the same,” Hunter said. “We are one of the top 20 donation sites for Toy for Tots for the past few years.”
David’s generosity led to a feature story being done on him by TV station ABC 7 Chicago this past December. Someone who saw that report or knew of his actions nominated him for the award, his family says.
David is also part of the Rising Lights Project, a nonprofit in St. Charles that assists young adults with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, where David spends most Wednesdays and Fridays.
Two days a week, he can be found at Gigi’s Playhouse in Hoffman Estates, something he’s been a part of since age 3, his mother said. The nonprofit helps those with Down syndrome build life skills.
David said those who are with him there know him for playing games and for helping to clean up after activities.
The award description said that he is “known for his quiet acts of kindness that inspire a ripple effect in the community.”
When asked who he thanks for the award, he listed his parents, his dog Millie and his sister Jennifer, who lives in St. Charles.
“His sister adores David,” Pattie Luplow said. “And he’s a big Elvis Presley fan.”
According to a news release, Ebert, the widow of Chicago Sun-Times movie reviewer Roger Ebert and CEO of Ebert Digital, was inspired to create the FECK Awards by practicing the principles outlined in her book, “It’s Time to Give a FECK: Elevating Humanity Through Forgiveness, Empathy, Compassion, and Kindness.”
“Our inaugural honorees embody what it truly means to ‘give a FECK.’ Their stories remind us that each of us has the power to uplift others and help create a kinder and more compassionate world,” Ebert said in the release.
In addition to David’s Kindness award, the other recipients are people from San Diego, California; Ypsilanti, Michigan; and Riverside in Illinois, each of whom will be honored in the categories of Forgiveness, Empathy and Compassion.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
