Donna Richardson Elected IAE President
Interfaith Action of Evanston is announcing Donna Richardson as its new board president, succeeding Melissa Appelt. Richardson, a veteran IAE board member who has been running its Delegate Advisory Team, is joined by Simon Anolick as new board vice president, succeeding Mildred Carter.
“I look forward to my term and will continue the thoughtful leadership for the board begun by my predecessors,” Richardson comments. “I value the dedication of Board members, volunteers and staff caring for those who are most vulnerable in our community.”
Richardson notes that Interfaith Action continues to work to restore its services to pre-pandemic levels and hopes to accomplish that in 2025. In addition, she notes that a recent adoption of new bylaws will have a beneficial effect.
“With the adoption of new Bylaws, effective Jan. 1, 2025, we hope all our member communities can honor their commitment to the organization and help us continue to work toward our mission affirming that we are people with shared values serving neighbors experiencing homelessness or hunger.”
Richardson says she hopes more members of faith communities will support Interfaith Action efforts by joining one of its committees, sub-committees, or interest groups.
Richardson is a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, where she serves as the lay coordinator – Social Justice and Outreach Ministry. She was St. Mark’s IAE delegate for three years prior to joining the board in 2020. She is one of the coordinators for the Wednesday Lunch Ministry sponsored by St. Mark’s and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Churches. Donna is a retired special and school librarian, spending the last 22 years at Chute Middle School in Evanston. She has volunteered at IAE’s Produce Mobile and the Overnight Shelter. Her other volunteer commitments include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Delta Chi Omega Chapter. She has served as a Suburban Cook County Election Judge since 2015. She was honored in 2019 with St. Mark’s Lion of the Year Award and in 2023 as St. Mark’s IAE Vision Keeper. She and her husband have lived in Skokie for more than 35 years and have two adult children.