Each February, Palatine Park District hosts an annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to recognize and celebrate the generous individuals who provide service to affiliate groups and associated organizations. Volunteers are chosen by each organization for their service during the previous calendar year.
On Saturday, February 3, 2018, Palatine Park District recognized 17 volunteers for their service to affiliate groups and associated organizations. Additionally, one volunteer was inducted into the Volunteer of the Year Honor Roll.
Jerry O’Brien, known by many as OB, is a retired educator from Township High School District 211, who served in many capacities at Palatine High School during his career. He was a teacher, Chairman of the Social Studies Department, Assistant Principal, Head Coach of Wrestling, Assistant Football and Girls’ Track Coach, and an activity sponsor who was involved in many curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular ventures. As a coach, Jerry’s wrestling teams placed fourth in the state of Illinois twice and many of his wrestlers and teams succeeded at the conference, regional, sectional, and state levels. He was inducted into the Palatine High School Athletic Hall of Fame this past September, three years after his wife Donna. In addition to his teaching and coaching efforts, he has been an advocate for volunteer efforts and community building at the local and regional levels.