With 'Huge Heart,' Skokie Local Hero Makes Sure Local Kids Are Clothed

SKOKIE, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Joanie McKinney who nominated fellow volunteer and friend of several decades, Vicky Schiewe, of Skokie.

Local hero’s full name
Vicky Schiewe

Local hero’s home town
Skokie, Illinois

How do you know the local hero?
Friends/volunteers together for over 30 years

What does the local hero do?
It is with great pride I nominate Vicky Schiewe. She is a longtime Skokie resident and simply loves our village and surrounding communities. She has a passion for helping people that is truly remarkable.

Vicky is a leader of the Niles Township Community Clothing Closet, which operates out of the former St. Paul Lutheran Academy building. She accepts referrals for clothing needs from all Niles Township human service departments, police and fire departments, and other community organizations. She also fills clothing orders, and schedules all pick ups. Very few people know this, but she also carries in daily donations dropped off at our doorstep. Many bags are so generously filled it’s hard to imagine how one tiny lady manages to get these donations up the stairway!

During our busiest days, she is known to have over 15,000 steps. You will also never see her without her beautiful smile. It is always there. Every. Single Day. Vicky has been the administrative assistant in our church office for almost 25 years, and in 2014, she humbly agreed to take on this very large responsibility. Her ability to do it all is quite astounding.

Because of Vicky’s huge heart, so many little children in Skokie and surrounding communities have had warm hands and feet and are properly clothed for school. She tirelessly fills bags with warm winter coats, hats, mittens, scarves, underwear, socks and clothing.

One of the kindest things is that she takes time to coordinate matching outfits and makes sure the scarves, hats and mittens match each coat. She will also make sure a mom has a single piece of jewelry in her bag, and a dad, a pair of extra warm gloves or wallet. Oh, and the grandmas and grandpas! Into the bag goes a warm coat and scarf. She also takes great pain to select an appropriate book or toy for our younger clients.

Our clothing closet served over 500 children and adults in need last year. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children as they receive their clothing says it all. Many skip back to their cars; perhaps partly because of the head of a little stuffed animal poking out of their white bag? Seeing the relief on the faces of parents cannot be described in words. We have heard hundreds of times (from our parents), that without our services, they would not know where to turn for a warm winter coat and mittens and school clothing for their children.

We are most proud of the fact that we operate solely due to the generous donations from our amazing schools, families, businesses, community groups and tireless volunteers. Then there is sweet Vicky, with her heart of gold, coordinating everything to make it all happen. The power of the compassion of one person is truly amazing!

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?
Quite simply put, her huge heart is clothing children and their families every single day in our community. And keeping them warm! We are the only place in our township of Skokie, Lincolnwood, Niles and Morton Grove that provides this service. She will not give up. She often works on Sundays filling bags with clothing during our busiest months. There is really no one quite like her.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?
The compassion, kindness and efforts of Vicky has made a huge impact in our community. She is filling one of our very basic human needs for hundreds of people.

Thank you for all you do, Vicky Schiewe!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them here.