Park Forest

Village Raises Funds for Connie Woolfolk Memorial Fund


Connie Woolfolk
Connie Woolfolk. (Photo: VOPF)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Staff members of the Village of Park Forest recently raised money to be donated to the family of Connie Woolfolk, one of five women slain in the February 2nd shooting at a local Lane Bryant department store.  Woolfolk was an employee of the Village for seven years before launching Mortgages, Etc. with her mother, Portia, in 2006.

The murders remain unsolved.

The fundraising effort was spearheaded by several employees, who formed a committee in early March, with plans to raise funds to be donated to the Connie R. Woolfolk Memorial Fund at Charter One Bank.

Marcy Gott, an employee in the Village’s Finance Department who served on the committee, says donating to the memorial fund was one of several goals of the group. “We were looking for a way to honor our friend Connie, help her family and provide an outlet for employees to share their memories.”

The committee coordinated the Benevolence in Blue Luncheon for Village employees on March 12th, where staff took part in a pot-luck style lunch while wearing blue as a sign of solidarity.  “We had a great response, good food and laughs,” says Gott.  Donations accepted at the luncheon totaled over $1,500.

Additional donations have come from area residents, made at the Customer Service window at Village Hall. “The generosity of the residents of Park Forest who have donated at the front counter is amazing. We will continue to support Connie’s family and truly appreciate everyone who has contributed,” Gott said.

The Village’s blue jean fund, a fund that generates $5 from each employee opting to wear jeans on Friday’s, also provided $1,175 in contributions.

In total, the Village of Park Forest donated $3,510 to the Connie R. Woolfolk Memorial Fund. Donations will continue to be accepted through the month of April at the Customer Service window, located on the first floor of Village Hall in Park Forest.


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