SUSAN HEIL fondly recalls attending Mistletoe Medley 2015 as a guest of her friend, Oak Brook Chapter Member Susan Santefort, and donor Nives Rizza. That year, Nives and her husband, Joe, were honored for their 25th year of giving to the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. Describing Nives as an inspirational figure, Heil says she was motivated by her mentor’s passion for the Infant Welfare Society and its work on behalf of children and families in need. This marked the beginning of the Susan and Eleanor Heil Family Foundation’s association with IWS. Heil and Rizza have much in common, and an important bond is philanthropy. Both say that IWS’s mission—to promote the health and well-being of families in need—dovetails well with their charitable interests that focus on healthcare and children. For Heil and Rizza, “It’s all about the kids!” These dedicated women firmly believe that charitable giving is about more than writing a check. They take an interest in the organizations they support. A case in point is their association with the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago and its Angel Harvey Family Health Center. They are impressed by the Center’s wide array of services, including its CHAT Program (Child-centered Health & Advanced Therapies) that addresses the needs of children with developmental delays. There’s no doubt that Susan Heil and Nives Rizza have their priorities well defined, and family and philanthropy are paramount. Their mantra is simple and straightforward: Get involved, give back, and make a difference.

The Oak Brook Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society is located in the Western Suburbs. For more information, email [email protected], or visit oakbrookchapterinfantwelfare.org.