Sometimes you meet someone whose method for living makes a unique impression. Steve Grebner is one of those people.
This spring, Steve will enter his second term as Kendall Township Clerk. He is retired from Hartford Insurance having worked in their financial services as vice president of marketing in the company’s agriculture division and in IT as a trainer. Steve retired in 2021 to start new volunteer projects to help people throughout Kendall County and beyond.
But that is just the middle of the story.
Steve is an integral part of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Auxiliary and the Kendall County Triad, a joint effort by law enforcement and senior citizens to further education and crime prevention. His efforts have helped Triad grow in local and statewide awareness, and through his time and talents local seniors have gained valuable information and learned skills to make their lives safer and more satisfactory.
Steve has been part of planning and implementation of the Triad Fall and Spring Town Hall meetings, assisted in writing a state grant to help reach underserved seniors develop, and printed Spanish version of the Triad brochure. He is a regular contributor on WSPY Community Forum programs, chief cook and organizer for the Triad June Picnic, and a bingo caller at Senior Services Associates, Inc. at the Beecher Center in Yorkville, among other pursuits.
Steve has been volunteering with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Auxiliary since 2020. He volunteers at Touch a Truck events, roleplaying scenarios, traffic control projects, and drives the sheriff’s office command vehicle and Humvee. “Gosh, I think I have the most hours of anybody in the auxiliary,” he marveled.
As Kendall Township Clerk, Steve serves as record keeper, responsible for all forms, documents, resolutions, and as secretary for all meetings of the township. He is responsible for all election forms, ballots and records to the county and the state. “I made some goals as clerk, promising to get everything on the website for township residents, and I am proud to say that I got it done,” he said. “I am also trying to clean up all the old documents and records, and that is a big job. Most importantly, I want to increase the benefit of the township government,” he added.
Kendall Township is very rural south of Yorkville, and Steve’s main interest is reaching and getting services to the underserved residents. He also hopes to help law enforcement learn to deal with people with special difficulties, such as seniors with dementia, people with mental health concerns, or those who speak foreign languages. He reaches out to community groups and church groups, giving speeches and presentations with law enforcement and various social service agencies.
He grew up on a farm in downstate Illinois and was active in 4-H and FFA. His experience with livestock helped him get a job in livestock insurance with Hartford Financial Services. From childhood on, his talents in public speaking helped him build a career but also helped him develop a side job doing “voice over” work for radio and podcasts. He is a natural teacher and presenter offering a depth of talent even in his retirement years.
One of the tools Steve developed is a questionnaire that he brings to his presentations asking seniors what is most important to them. “The response always, is scams, finances, and ways to get companionship,” Steve said. “It is notable the loneliness that seniors feel. We need to find a way to combat the loneliness these seniors are experiencing,” he added.
Steve’s wife Sandra calls him a “Master Volunteer” because he gives most of his time to others. In fact, he typically gives 20 to 40 hours a month or more to his causes. “Well, I just feel it takes two kinds of people to make things happen in the world, those who give money, and those who volunteer, both are worthy, but I would rather spend my time than write a check.”
Both kinds of people are truly worthy, but it’s admirable and worth lauding a person like Steve who bridges the gap of loneliness to connectivity and safety for our senior neighbors.
You can learn more about programs that Steve passionately pursues at https://www.facebook.com/KendallCountyTRIAD.
Barb Nadeau is a freelance writer, who has served in a variety of capacities throughout her career, including public relations, television producer and host, on air radio host, print journalist, and in the non-profit sector networking among a variety of social service agencies and service providers throughout the State of Illinois. She is also serving her hometown of Plano Illinois as an elected Alderman. Contact Barb at bvnadeau@gmail.com.