Honoring service at ReStore

From Submitted report July 15, 2013 11:56AM

http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/21340672-423/honoring-service-at-restore.html In a surprise presentation, Aurora resident Matt Harrington was honored for outstanding community service June 8 at the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fox Valley Westfield Mall. Cristina Mancini, public affairs manager for Judy Baar Topinka, state of Illinois comptroller, made the presentation.

Aurora resident Matt Harrington, left, received a commendation for outstanding community service from Judy Baar Topinka, State of Illinois Comptroller, on Saturday, June 8. Cristina Mancini, right, public affairs manager for Topinka, made the surprise presentation at the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fox Valley Westfield Mall, Aurora. Harrington is ReStore director of community and resource development. (Al Benson photo)

Harrington is ReStore director of community and corporate development. He initiated a summer internship program for 16 Chicago teens and is coordinating a 3-on-3 basketball tournament expected to draw 250 teams to 30 courts at the malls Sears store Aug. 10-11. Called Hoops for Humanity, the fundraiser is a partnership with Fox Valley Habitat and Craig Hodges Basketball Schools of America. Call 630-5855508 to learn more. In her citation, Topinka said My heartiest congratulations go out to Matt Harrington for your outstanding community service. Throughout your life you have been truly dedicated towards the act of helping others. The citation recounted how Harrington, in 2005, risked his life to donate a kidney to a stranger. Additionally, he is credited with helping to register more than 10,000 people to become organ and tissue donors through the secretary of states program. The citation also cited how Harrington pulled someone from a burning building and an SUV, administered CPR to save a 4-year-old girl and fought off four males attacking a man on Mothers Day. Matt has been a great addition to the ReStore and will continue to build the operation, said John Giuffre, Habitat board of directors president.