Tower Town Topics, the weekly column showcasing residents of Western Springs and Indian Head Park, has a New Year’s tradition of recounting highlights of the previous year. The opening of the column stays the same from year to year as it remains fitting; observing that if the wealth of a community is measured by the value of its resources, then by any measure, Western Springs and Indian Head Park are rich communities.

For the greatest resource in a community are the citizens, and Western Springs and Indian Head Park have an abundance of individuals devoting their time and talent to helping others. Each year, I have the pleasure of talking with some of the finest residents of these two communities.

The following, are just a few of the individuals and groups who bring honor to their community as a result of their good deeds.

Daniel Czyzewicz of Western Springs coordinated a benefit music concert last May for his teenage cousin who was undergoing treatment for bone cancer. The Chad Czyzewicz Benefit Concert, which was held at The Corral in Western Springs, featured five bands, most of whose members were students at Lyons Township High School. Daniel was a junior at LT at the time. The bands each played forty-five minute sets, donating their performances.

“Money is really tight right now. The fundraiser is to help cover medical expenses and help the family out. Money is tight, “ Daniel said.

He added that the event also served as a sign of support to his cousin.

A population that is often overlooked, especially during the holiday season, received some unexpected holiday cheer. Under the leadership of Western Springs resident Kathryn Price Bronson, members of First Congregational Church sent Christmas cards to incarcerated adults and teens. The program was coordinated through Companions Journeying Together, which has the mission of bridging the gap “between the free and unfree worlds,” Bronson said.

In 2006 the organization sent more than 7,500 Christmas cards to incarcerated people.

“Often these are the only pieces of mail that these people receive during the holidays,” Bronson said.

She was hoping that First Congregational would send as many as 1,000 cards this past season. Bronson said that we are more like, than unlike people who are incarcerated.

Brookes Wittkamper, a member of Boy Scout Troop 12 which meets at First Congregational Church in Western Springs, recently finalized steps in a process that put him in the company of American greats including Gerald Ford, Robert Gates, Donald Rumsfeld and Stephen Fossett. The 15-year old sophomore student at Lyons Township High School completed the service project, which is one of the final steps towards earning his Eagle Scout honor from Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Brookes’ helped to collect items for care packages that he then sent to 84 Illinois cadets attending West Point Academy.

Brookes’ mother Laura Wittkamper explained, “He thought it would be a neat project to do, to let the cadets know how much we appreciate what they’re about to do having committed their lives to being in the service. Brookes has aspirations of doing the same thing and thought this would be a nice connection,” she said

The first Tower Town Topics of 2008 is a tribute to these special people of Western Springs and Indian Head Park, who are themselves, tributes to their communities. A happy, healthy New Year to all!

Please send column ideas or items to wendymfoster@comcast.net.