COUNTRY CLUB HILLS ENGINEER RECEIVES HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Cory Clegett, a Country Club Hills resident, was honored at the 41st Annual Humanitarian Awards sponsored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital for his community service work helping the homeless. Photo credit: Wendell Hutson
Cory Clegett, a Country Club Hills resident, was honored at the 41st Annual Humanitarian Awards sponsored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital for his community service work helping the homeless. Photo credit: Wendell Hutson

Country Club Hills Engineer Receives Humanitarian Award

BY WENDELL HUTSON, Contributing Writer

A Country Club Hills resident and systems engineer at Northwestern Memorial Hospital was among four recipients recently honored at the 41st Annual Humanitarian Awards that recognized individuals whose community service embodies the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Cory Cleggett, 36, said he loves helping people and around the Christmas holiday, he traveled downtown with his family to help the homeless.

“My wife and I handed out clothing, toiletries and gift cards to the homeless in December. It amazes me how people walk pass someone sleeping on the ground without showing any act of kindness by speaking or offering them a few bucks,” said Cleggett. “I grew up around people who showed me acts of kindness, so I guess you can say helping people is in my blood.”

He said his two sons, ages 7 and 4-years-old, also joined them.

“I think it is important for adults to set examples for our youth so they can see what kindness looks like and how to go about helping people and not hurting them,” he added.

He got his example for helping people from his grandmother and said he is now teaching his children how to be kind to others.

“For me, my grandmother was an example of kindness because she always did what she could to help people and encouraged me to do the same,” recalled Cleggett. “I remember her telling me that ‘it does not cost anything to show someone kindness.’ That still sticks with me to this day.”

Besides Cleggett, fellow co-workers Rellina Brown, Cameron DeHaven and Joan Rembacz, were also honorees.

“Employees are nominated by staff and co-workers and then interviewed by a committee who ultimately choose four to five recipients,” said Megan McCann, a spokeswoman for Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Part of Cleggett’s faith comes from God. As an active member of Freedom Church Ministry in Homewood, Cleggett said he volunteers a lot at the church and wouldn’t be surprised if he one day becomes a deacon.

“It looks like I am headed in that direction, but whatever the outcome, I want to continue serving the Lord and doing my part in helping others,” said Cleggett.

When Cleggett was asked by the hospital to take photos of his voluntarism with the homeless, he said it was a little embarrassing.

“Here I am documenting [taking photos and videotaping] what I do to help people when this is something I always do without expecting anything in return including recognition,” said Cleggett. “It just felt strange, almost like I was glorifying what I was doing.”

One thing Cleggett said he hopes people take away from his story is how important it is to help people and to make it a regular part of your life.

“I don’t just wait on holidays to start helping people. I am always looking for ways to be a blessing to others,” added Cleggett, who said he is a part-time DJ. “I love music, so that’s what I like to do in my spare time.”

A Currie High School alumnus, Cleggett earned a bachelor’s degree in computer networking from DeVry University and grew up in Bronzeville and later moved to Auburn Gresham before moving to Country Club Hills where he has lived for 12 years.

He said his family is planning to start a nonprofit in hopes of getting financial assistance from others that would allow him to further help people and do more every year.

“Helping as many people as possible is the goal for us starting an organization, so we will see where it goes,” said Cleggett. “If it is God’s will, it will happen.”

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