'She Has A Heart Of Gold': Several Recognize Algonquin Hero

ALGONQUIN, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

An outstanding amount of people wanted the community to know about one particular hero in Algonquin, and separately submitted their nomination to Patch.

Several Algonquin and McHenry County residents each nominated Melissa Donahoe. Here are their submissions:

Where the nominee lives: Algonquin

Where the person who nominated the hero lives: Algonquin

Name of the nominee: Melissa Donahoe

Name of the person who nominated the hero: Kathleen Ames

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?: Yes

What does the nominee do for work?: Dietitian for nursing homes

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?: Melissa has been personally delivering milk shakes to all the residents and staff and several nursing homes across the area.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?: Melissa is very caring and kind. She is always willing to jump in and lend a hand at these homes. You can always count on her.

Where the nominee lives: Algonquin

Where the person who nominated the hero lives: Algonquin

Name of the nominee: Melissa Donahoe

Name of the person who nominated the hero: Morgan Marhofke

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?: No

What does the nominee do for work?: Dietitian

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored? She has been providing milkshakes to residents and staff in nursing homes for the past weeks

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?: That she is willing to do anything to help someone else

Where the nominee lives:
Algonquin

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:
Algonquin il

Name of the nominee:
Melissa donahoe

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Sarah riedel

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
she’s a dietitian at nursery homes

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
she’s not only working in nursery homes at this troubling time but has donated milkshakes to these homes cheering everyone up !

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
she’s kindest person I’ve ever met

Where the nominee lives: Algonquin

Where the person who nominated the hero lives: Algonquin

Name of the nominee: Melissa Donahue

Name of the person who nominated the hero: Tracy Ivey

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?: Yes

What does the nominee do for work?: Nutrition at nursing homes

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?: She has a heart of gold, she collected money for shakes for the nursing homes

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?: Heart of gold

Where the nominee lives: Algonquin

Where the person who nominated the hero lives: Algonquin

Name of the nominee: Melissa Donahoe

Name of the person who nominated the hero: Dennis Hancock

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?: Yes

What does the nominee do for work?: Nutritionist for nursing homes

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?: She found away to bring some joy and comfort to the residents and staff of nursing homes. Melissa created a fund to cover the cost of milkshakes and then with volunteers is going around to nursing homes delivering milkshakes to residents and staff.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?: She has a big heart and a will to help others.

Where the nominee lives: Algonquin

Where the person who nominated the hero lives: Woodstock

Name of the nominee: Melissa Donahoe

Name of the person who nominated the hero: Rebecca Vogle

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?: No

What does the nominee do for work?: Dietitian

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored? She has organized Providing Shakes to residents and staff in nursing homes in the area and out to Rockford. With the extensive isolation residents lose weight and the shakes she has chosen from McDonald's give them protein and calories. She is helping in so many ways.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?: She is dedicated to supporting and helping our older generations.

Where the nominee lives:

Algonquin

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:
Algonquin

Name of the nominee:
Melissa Donahoe

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Diane Heaphy

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
She works in nursing homes.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
She has been raising money to purchase and deliver milkshakes to residents and staff of nursing homes on her own time.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
She is very caring and giving. She loves the residents at her nursing homes.

Thank you for all you do, Melissa!

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.