Eight men and women, a major company and a foundation have been honored for their philanthropic work by the West Suburban Philanthropic Network.

They were feted May 23 at the organization’s fifth annual awards banquet attended by some 300 people at the Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn.

”WSPN takes great pride in recognizing these individuals and organizations who, through their generous donations of funding, leadership and time, have done so much to enrich the more than 1,000 not-for-profit organizations working throughout the western Chicago suburbs,” said WSPN President Stephanie Walsh.

WSPN awards chair Mike Sitrick echoed those sentiments.

“This is truly an exceptional group of honorees,” he said. “WSPN is proud to recognize them for their outstanding efforts to advance philanthropy and volunteerism throughout our communities here in the western suburbs.”

Those honored for 2007 are:

•Richard and Nan Burridge of Hinsdale, Philanthropists of the Year;

•Ann Grube of Hinsdale, Philanthropic Leadership Award;

•Henry Tews, Serenity House, Inc., Addison, Humanitarian of the Year;

•Gwen Henry of Wheaton, Non-Profit Volunteer of the Year;

•Roger Johnson, Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, Wheaton, Non-Profit Executive of the Year;

•Sharon Stredde, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, Aurora, Professional Grant Maker of the Year;

•Rob Taylor of Conesus, N.Y., WSPN Distinguished Service Award.

•BP America Inc., Warrenville, Corporate Philanthropic Award; and

•Alfred Bersted Foundation, Chicago, Foundation Philanthropic Award.

“Nan and I are thrilled at being chosen as philanthropists of the year by the West Suburban Philanthropic Network,” said Burridge. “We both feel we have greatly benefited from being involved in charitable work as volunteers as well as donors. We have enjoyed experiences and friendships that wouldn’t have developed except for our involvement.”

Grube offered “Special thanks to WSPN for this wonderful award. I know I speak for others who have been given this recognition when I say that our volunteer work defines us.”

Additional volunteers were also honored at the event. Accepting the award as non-profit volunteer of the year, Henry said “I am honored to have been selected to represent the thousands of volunteers working to help improve the quality of life for our communities in the western suburbs.”

“It is a blessing to be able to accomplish all that we have done at Serenity House,” Tews, president emeritus of Serenity House who was named humanitarian of the year. “The men and women that we serve give honor to us who serve them. Their response to the changes in their lives is a great reward, and it gives value to all of our efforts.”

Johnson, named non-profit executive of the year, praised his peers, other executive directors.

“It is a great honor to have been selected,” he said. “There is so much outstanding work being done by all of my executive director colleagues that it is truly humbling to be recognized in this manner.”

Stredde, named the professional grant maker of the year, emphasized the role of her board of directors.

“This award belongs to the board of directors of our community foundation,” she said. “It is through their vision that we have been able to increase our level of service to the citizens of the Fox River Valley, and I am proud of what they have accomplished.”

Taylor, a driving force behind WSPN, talked of his long-time interest in philanthropy.

“For more than two decades, WSPN has provided extraordinary leadership on behalf of the philanthropic community,” he said. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to make a small contribution to this organization’s success and am honored to be part of this year's group of distinguished honorees.”

Sponsors for the 2007 WSPN Philanthropy Awards Luncheon included Bank of America, The Business Ledger, College of DuPage, Community Bank of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, Community Memorial Foundation, The DuPage Community Foundation, Grand Victoria Foundation, Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, The Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, Morton Arboretum and Nicor Gas.

Founded in 1988, the mission of the West Suburban Philanthropic Network is to offer support to development professionals and advance philanthropy.