Hinsdale Magazine | Giving Back Continued from the previous page renovation campaign. Their gift helps provide increased privacy and a larger footprint for our tiniest patients and their families. In addition, Dick’s financial expertise has been invaluable as he serves on the HHF Finance Committee. We are grateful for Dick’s commitment to the hospital and his other philanthropic interests which benefit Hinsdale and the surrounding communities.”
has inspired son Jessie. Jessie is on the Board for HCS Family Services, serving as secretary. Wendy Michalski praises Jessie for his leadership. “He always puts our mission and the needs of our neighbors first. When we decided to plan for a campaign, Jessie volunteered to chair the committee,
to give. Jessie is all about giving back to the community and transforming the lives of those in need.” This non-profit helps families with emergency food. Annually, the HCS Food Pantries in Hinsdale and Willowbrook provide the equivalent of over 500,000 meals. In addition, they help needy families find other support groups.
“I still like to be active in the business and the community. It keeps me young.”
Along the way, Dick has also established the Barrett Foundation as a means for the Barretts to give back financially to the community. Last, but certainly, not least, Dick
- DICK BARRETT
and then he and his wife, Jessica, generously gave the first gift, a gift that will significantly impact the lives of those we serve and inspire others
Like father, like son, and now, like grandson.
The family tradition of giving back now involves Chase Barrett, son of Jessie and grandson of Dick. Like his grandfather, Chase, 14, is now playing the euphonium and marches in the Red Devil Marching Band. Frankly, that alone is very satisfying to Dick and his son Jessie. And Chase has been getting involved in the community. He volunteered loading groceries for Hinsdale HCS services. And, in sixth grade, Chase saw an environmental opportunity. He noted that not all schools were using compost bins. He stepped up and organized the effort to get compost bins established at Clarendon Hills Middle School. As Chase says, “I think it is very important to take part in the community and give back, just like my grandfather and father have done.” As the Barretts clearly show, volunteering helps you grow as a person. You learn something new, you build leadership skills, you grow your network, you show your values to those around you, and you find new opportunities. It is true: what goes around, comes around.
Another Option For Giving Back: Working With Foundations
Instead of working directly with a non-profit, you can look to an organization like the DuPage Foundation, a community foundation that serves as a conduit between donors and non-profit organizations serving the needs of our community. Like his grandfather, Chase, 14, is now playing the euphonium and marches in the Hinsdale Marching Band. 30
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According to the Council on Foundations, community foundations
