Hi Friends,
Over the last 14 years, Dean Senne, spent many years volunteering before joining HSP as the Senior Citizen Project Coordinator and serving seniors. Today, I am announcing his retirement which is taking place on March 11th.
I asked Dean to write a letter to the seniors he has spent years helping and communicating with during his time at HSP. Below is the letter he wrote and mailed to 256 seniors. I am honored to share his words with you.
"Hello Seniors,
I started volunteering at the Humanitarian Service Project in August of 2012. July of 2021, I retired from the Union Pacific Railroad with 42 years of service. In October 2021 I took on the role of Senior Citizen Project Coordinator. It has been a wonderful 4 ½ years. I have enjoyed the many interactions with my seniors. During our quarterly calls, many of you asked why I was calling and were very surprised to find out, all I wanted was to check in on you and see if there was anything I could help with. Some calls were brief. Some calls I knew I would need a fresh cup of coffee. They were all very informative and I hope they helped you as much as they helped me to learn about you.
As many of you are aware, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma last October. I continued to work at HSP, just not seeing clients up close. The staff here has been amazing, wearing masks and giving me the needed space to keep me from getting too close to those that may have come in contact with any viruses. I have undergone 25 radiation treatments and am presently undergoing Chemo and immunotherapy while working either at the office or making calls from home. However, my journey is taking a turn. I will be undergoing a stem cell transplant that will take 6 to 9 months to recover from. During that time, I will not be able to continue my work with the Humanitarian Service Project and have decided to retire effective March 11, 2026. I will be leaving you in very good hands. Melissa Capo-Murray will be taking over for me. Michele Runyan will be assisting her, as she did me. You are aware of Michele and Julia Livingston since they have already called and talked with you over the years.
I have met a lot of wonderful people in my time here. As many of you know, this is where I met my wife, Kristin. We married almost 11 years ago. She will be my caregiver while I recover. I don’t know what I would do without her. I have 6 incredible children all married to amazing spouses. Presently we have 7 grandchildren. In March another is due in Texas. In May three more are due in Hanover Park making the total 11. This diagnosis has made it hard not to see them in person to keep me safe from illnesses. Thank goodness for Facetime.
I could not have done any of this at HSP, without the volunteers and donors that have crossed my path. Eventually I likely will return in a volunteer capacity again, where it all began, to continue to help others. When I originally was looking for a place to volunteer back in 2012, I was told by a librarian that this is the best place in town to volunteer as she handed me the flier for HSP. So it began, and so it will not end. First, I need to get better. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. You have been an inspiration to me.
Dean Senne
Retiring SCP Coordinator"
Along the way Dean has attended countless events, and volunteered at many worthy causes in support of HSP's seniors, families and children. There have been many Christmas's he has been with teams of volunteers loading cars with food and presents no matter the weather. And he has met many wonderful people along the way as they come to HSP's center with donations to be unloaded from their cars, trucks, and box trucks!
There have been too many incredible experiences to count and people we have met that have become dear friends. Living a life of service is about more than those you serve, it is about being surrounded by loving people who are doing extraordinary things to make a difference to those in need.
The next chapter is about to unfold and as Dean said in his letter, "So it began, and so it will not end."
Yours in Love and Service,
Kristin Senne
Executive Director
P.S.: Click HERE to provide meals and essentials to children and seniors or HERE to join the Family Table and give monthly to those in need. You are also welcome to mail a check to 465 Randy Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188.
