Plainfield Celebrates Kindness at Community Awards Ceremony

The Plainfield Community Alliance hosted a heartwarming Kindness Contest Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 29, at the Plainfield Township Community Center, honoring residents whose creative works celebrated the power of kindness. The contest attracted entries from Plainfield, Aurora, Joliet and Naperville.

The event, which was standing-room-only, brought together students, families, educators, public officials, and community leaders in an inspiring show of unity and compassion. Contest participants were recognized for their submissions that reflected the spirit of kindness through art, writing, and other forms of creative expression.

Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis served as the Chief Guest and presented awards and certificates to the contest winners. In his remarks, Mayor Argoudelis praised the initiative:
“Kindness is one of the most powerful tools we have to build stronger, healthier communities. It costs nothing, but its impact is immeasurable. The Plainfield Community Alliance has done a tremendous job of bringing people together and reminding us of all of what really matters.”
“This contest proves that Plainfield’s heart is big, and its people are extraordinary,” the mayor added. “I commend every participant and extend my gratitude to the organizers and sponsors who made this event a success.”

The ceremony was emceed by Joan Caton and organized by the PCA team led by Mohammed Faheem, founder of the Plainfield Community Alliance, whose leadership has been central to advancing civic engagement and social harmony.

"Kindness has the power to transform our communities. Through this contest, we hope to highlight the many ways kindness can be expressed and inspire others to make a positive impact." said Joan Caton. “We aim to make this an annual event”, Mohammed Faheem added.

🎉 Winners of the 2025 Plainfield Kindness Contest include:
🥇 First Prize Winners:

• John Joseph – Collage (4th–5th Grade)
• Leighton Kitchel – Kindness Stone (K–3rd)
• Ava Ross – Painting (6th–8th Grade)
• Kmila Estrada – Painting (9th–12th Grade)
• Jen Theis – Painting (Adult)
• London Samuel – Sketching (K–3rd)
• Sheena Patel – Sketching (Adult)
• Anastacia Bohlander – Photography (9th–12th Grade)
• Kelly Medina – Photography (Adult)
• Maya Bollam – Poetry (K–3rd)
• Berit Mores – Poetry (9th–12th Grade)
• Mikayla Alt – Poetry (Adult)
• Mary Alice McIntyre – Essay (4th–5th Grade)
• Alicia Rodriguez – Essay (9th–12th Grade)
• Melinda McGraw – Essay (Adult)

🥈 Second Prize Winners:

• Josephine Joseph – Kindness Stone (K–3rd)
• Andrea Hendron – Painting (Adult)
• Lucy Samuel – Sketching (K–3rd)
• Addison Kitchel – Poetry (9th–12th Grade)
• Denise Malik – Poetry (Adult)

The event was made possible thanks to the coordination efforts of Jennifer Plesnicar and Sandi Corniel, who spearheaded community outreach, and the generous support of local sponsors:
Zoe Jane Candle Company, First Choice Insurance, David Nelson Exquisite Jewelry, Sovereign, Me Tu Boutique Bella Inc., Moe Joe's, Devoted Health, and the district 202 Foundation for Excellence.

Special recognition was given to Dr. Glen Wood, Superintendent of School District 202, who played a pivotal role in promoting the contest and attended the ceremony as an honored guest. The presence of Deputy Chief Dan Jungles from the Will County Sheriff's Office further underscored the event's community-wide significance. Staff from State Senator Meg Cappels office also attended the event.

Audio and video coverage of the evening was professionally provided by Sheila White and her team from Road2Eternity Media, capturing the heartfelt moments of an unforgettable celebration.

For more information about the Plainfield Community Alliance or to learn how to get involved in future events, please contact Mohammed Faheem at amanincorg@gmail.com, text 630-345-0202 or visit www.plainfieldilca.com.