Every single day, FSO associates have gone above and beyond to keep the residents at our communities safe and make life easier, brighter and more rewarding. This dedication has made a world of difference during this pandemic year. We honor all our associates, recognizing them as heroes who’ve devoted their skills, commitment and compassion to serving those around them and helped make our communities wonderful places to live and age in place.
Click the image to the right to watch The 2020 Sterling Virtual Event
1998 Ray Meyer
Former DePaul University basketball coach
1999 The Honorable Virginia Macdonald
Former Illinois State Representative
2000 William Warfield
Grammy-Award-winning bass-baritone
2001 Harry Volkman
Longtime Chicagoland weather forecaster
2002 Art Linkletter
Nationally known radio and television personality
2003 Dr. Joyce Brothers
Psychologist, author, and television personality
2004 Willard Scott
NBC “Today” show weatherman and television personality
2005 Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs
Founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago
2006 Ruth Park
Schaumburg Civic Leader and co-founder of the Schaumburg Business Association
2007 Tom Jaeger
President Emeritus and Consulting Principal of Jaeger, Nickola & Associates Ltd., Architects
2008 Michael Madden
Director of the Schaumburg Township District Library
2009 Robert M. “Bob” Alston
CEO of Friendship Senior Options/Friendship Village
2010 Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson
Famed Chicago newsmen
2011 The Alexian Brothers
Catholic Order
2012 Al Larson
Mayor of Schaumburg, Illinois
2013 Merri Dee
Chicago community activist, WGN-TV anchor, author and AARP Illinois State President
2014 Jim Edgar
Former Governor of Illinois
2015 Larry Minnix
President and CEO of LeadingAge
2016 John and Rita Canning
Community leaders and renowned philanthropists
2017 AARP
American Association of Retired Persons
2018 Dr. Robyn I. Stone
Senior Vice President of Research for Leading Age
2019 NSGA
National Senior Games Association
In 2010 the 75 and older population was 19 million. By 2020 the number is projected to reach 66 million.
—Administration on aging