Sterling Friendship Award
Honoring the contributions of distinguished adults 65 plus
The Sterling Friendship Award is one of many ways Friendship Village honors the contributions of mature adults in our society. Each year, the Award is presented at the annual Sterling Friendship Award Event to a person age 65 or older who is distinguished by significant and continuing accomplishments in business, the community, or other fields.
The 12th annual Sterling Friendship Award recognized Bob's 40-year career in retirement living as well as the impact he had on the Friendship Village community during his 13-year tenure. This is the second year the awards gala was held at Friendship Village and it was better than ever.
Friends and colleagues came from all over to celebrate an honoree who not only touched the community but helped shape Friendship Village's wonderful reputation. We all wish Bob the best in his retirement and thank him for his service to our community.
Past recipients include:
- 2008: Michael Madden, Director of the Schaumburg Township District Library
- 2007: R. Thomas Jaeger, a nationally recognized architect who was an integral part of the recent expansion at Friendship Village of Schaumburg
- 2006: Ruth Park, Schaumburg Civic Leader and co-founder of the Schaumburg Business Association
- 2005: Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs, Founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago
- 2004: Willard Scott, NBC "Today" show weatherman and television personality
- 2003: Dr. Joyce Brothers, psychologist, author, and television personality
- 2002: Art Linkletter, nationally known radio and television personality
- 2001: Harry Volkman, longtime Chicagoland weather forecaster
- 2000: William Warfield, Grammy-Award-winning bass-baritone
- 1999: The Honorable Virginia Macdonald, former Illinois State Representative
- 1998: Ray Meyer, former DePaul University basketball coach
The first Sterling Friendship Award Dinner was held in 1998, and the award itself was created that same year by artist and sculptor Joseph Burlini, who resides in Arlington Heights. In Mr. Burlini's words, "The shape represents the fullness of life and the wholeness of the individual. The inner metal piece represents the core of the individual – the purpose that drives them – and the shiny finish provides an opportunity for each of us to see the potential within ourselves." It's a design that reflects Friendship Village's own focus on the individual, making the Sterling Friendship Award an ideal symbol for our community and our mission.
