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Lake Zurich resident leads ‘Operation Christmas Child’
Lake Zurich resident Michelle Benigni volunteers with Operation Christmas Child, which has held local bases in Lake Zurich and Barrington. | Photo courtesy of Michelle Benigni
Updated: December 2, 2012 6:35AM
LAKE ZURICH — Although she takes great pride in her career with Allstate Insurance, Michelle Benigni said her true love lies with her family and local nonprofit organizations. Being a single parent of two in Lake Zurich, however, Benigni must divvy her time between her career, family and volunteer work. Before she moved to the village in 2006, Benigni dedicate much of her free time to Operation Christmas Child, which is an effort run by Samaritan’s Purse to provide needy children around the world with basic necessities for school and everyday life. Benigni currently is the Relay Center coordinator for the local operation, based out of the Harvest Bible Chapel on Quentin Road in Lake Zurich. Before that, the Village Church of Barrington on Main Street was the local base that collected the goods accumulated from churches around the region. Both Harvest Bible and the Village of Church of Barrington will be collecting boxes for Operation Christmas Child until Nov. 18. “She has a complete passion for the children of the world,” said Connie Pfeifer, volunteer area coordinator for OCC.
Q: Where did you live before you moved to Lake Zurich?
A: I lived in Munster, Ind., for 16 years before I moved to Lake Zurich.
Q: What drew you to Lake Zurich?
A: I chose to move to Lake Zurich because my whole family lived there; all my siblings, including my parents. We all live within four miles of each other.
Q: What do you like most about living in Lake Zurich?
A: I like the community feel. I live in a small neighborhood, and everybody looks out for each other. As a matter of fact, yesterday, I was walking my dog after work and all the neighbors were helping one of the elderly neighbors out with his yard work — it’s a very close-knit community;
Q: What is your favorite community event?
A: The Alpine Fest parade. They line up right by my house — the kids really like that one.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in town?
A: I’d have to say D&J Bistro, because I love the food and the atmosphere.
Q: If you were mayor for the day, what would you do?
A: Revitalize the downtown area.
Q: What has changed in Lake Zurich since you moved here?
A: More businesses have come to the area. When I came here, there were more empty buildings, but now they have the hotel and the new L.A. Fitness .. I think the economy is starting to pick up, and we are starting to get more businesses coming to the area.
Q: What inspired you to work with Operation Christmas Child?
A: I started working with Operation Christmas Child in Indiana in 1995. I found a brochure in a doctor’s office back when my son was about four years old, and I decided to get involved because I wanted to teach my son, who was about five at the time, the importance of giving to others, especially around Christmas time.
Q: What got you interested in Operation Christmas Child?
A: First, I knew that it was supported by Franklin Graham, which is Billy Graham’s son, who’s a solid man of God. Second, it’s important to me to be able to give to the needy in a way that helps them both physically and spiritually, in the way that it illustrates to them the love of Jesus.
Q: What are your future volunteering goals?A:
I love volunteer work, so I’d like to be more involved with Meals on Wheels again, as well as with food pantries and other nonprofits. My heart is really in service, but I have to have a day job!
Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest achievement?
A: Raising two boys as a single parent. I had it dropped into my lap that I was going to solely provide for these kids, so to see them do well and flourish has been my greatest achievement.
Q: What are you reading?
A: Chip Ingram’s God: As He Longs for You to See Him
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: The Princess Bride.
Q: What’s on your iPod?
A: A combination of rock and Christian music.
Q: What’s your favorite vacation destination?
A: Any beach destination
Q: Are you a summer or winter person?
A: Summer
Q: What is your favorite Chicago sports team?
A: The Chicago White Sox. Both my grandpas worked on the south side and always had season tickets, so I was born and bred a White Sox fan.
