Who We Are
Association of Horizon is a volunteer-led organization, comprised of a Board of Directors and other volunteers and local partners, who leverage their talent, network, and resources to advance the organization’s mission to empower and enrich the lives of adults with physical disabilities.
Executive Board
Dana Westley
Dana began as a Summer Camp volunteer for Horizon in 2008. Over the years, Dana has served as a volunteer, Team Leader, and support team member at Summer Camp. Dana has supported many Horizon efforts including volunteer recruitment, fundraising, social media, and application processing. In 2019, Dana joined the Board of Directors, serving as Co-Treasurer in 2020 and President since 2021. Dana has also served as the Fundraising Committee Chair since 2023.
Outside of Horizon, Dana enjoys spending time with her family, especially her many nieces and nephews. Dana enjoys cooking, karaoke, and travel.
Gerry Walsh
Gerry joined the Horizon community as a summer camp participant in 2013, and has been a camp team leader since 2015. He has been on the board since 2014, and is the current Vice President. He has served on several committees over the years including: Fundraising, Merchandise, Fall/Spring Weekend, and Pandemic Safety.
He has also attended and/or helped plan Horizon events such as mini-golf and golf outings, galas, walk/wheel-a-thon, and Bruegala. Gerry looks forward to continuing to help lead our awesome board in its efforts to continue to carryout the mission and vision of Horizon.
When he is not keeping busy with all things Horizon, Gerry works as a marketing manager for a legal consulting firm. He plays power soccer for GLASA Chicago Fire Soccer Club. Gerry also enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family with his girlfriend, and Horizon board Secretary Dawn Burns. They also love hanging out with their dog Willie!
George Czerwionka
First learned about Horizon in 1995, through his aunt, who served as a volunteer nurse at camp. He became very passionate about Horizon’s work and was quick to become an active volunteer with the organization.
Throughout the years, George has volunteered with many of Horizon’s committees and has served in numerous capacities. Every March, George and his family organize a March Madness fundraiser to benefit Horizon. In addition, throughout the year George picks up in-kind donations of hospital beds and supplies for camp. He has also submitted grant requests on behalf of Horizon.
George joined the Board of Directors about 10 years ago and currently serves as the board treasurer. He lives in Chicago with his wife and works as an accountant. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family.
Dawn Burns
Dawn has been attending Horizon since 2010 when she made the jump over from MDA camp with Dana Andrews. Dawn’s first year on the board was 2020 and she took on the role of Secretary in 2021. Throughout the years she contributed to the organization in a variety of ways including several committees like Camp Committee, Fall and Spring Weekend, Proofreading, and Camp Never Ends. Dawn is particularly proud of the work everyone has done to increase interactions and provide programming over Zoom throughout the pandemic and beyond! She has also organized fundraisers like Bruegala and an online Trivia Night with her boyfriend and fellow board member, Gerry Walsh.
Outside of camp Dawn is a teacher, traveler, and an avid reader. She serves as a teacher leader and Secretary on many teams in her school district; so the role of Board Secretary is a great fit for her. Dawn looks forward to a great year working with the board to continue all the great things the Association of Horizon has planned.
Board Members
Sawsan Abousbie
Sheila Caplis
Frances Clair
Diane Edwards
Hector Hernandez
Mike Hlavenka
Emily Kowalski
Drake Kurtenbach
Anna Lopez
Jeff Pickert
Cristen Rozek
Gabriela Salgado
Terry Smith
Eli Walsh
Paula Vanier
Operations Manager
Tammy Stams
Local Partners
3eLove
Buster Creative
Hackney’s
Harbortown Industries
Jane’s Hallmark
Lincoln Park High School
Morton Grove Foundation
Park Ridge Community Fund
PNC Foundation
Association of Horizon is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Association of Horizon Tax ID number is: 36-3814090.