 When Mickey Styrsky was asked why she volunteers in the food pantry at Together We Cope, she simply replies, “There are lots of nice people to work with.” Mickey began volunteering with Together We Cope when she heard about the Hurricane Katrina victims needing assistance. She began by sorting and folding clothes outside the building. Because the donations were so numerous, a tent was erected behind the building where volunteers sorted clothing donations. Since then, Mickey has moved into the food pantry, where she distributes food to clients 2-3 days a week. With her background as a Health Inspector for 30 years, her expertise has been invaluable.
Mickey grew up in Iowa. Always a huge sports fanatic, especially basketball, she was involved in sports and would rather play than watch! When her family moved to Pennsylvania where she attended nursing school, Mickey also became the 3-year captain of the girls’ basketball team. She humbly states “I was the captain because I was the only girl who really knew how to play.”
Mickey worked as a school nurse for eight years in the North Palos/Hickory Hills school district and for 16 years in the Evergreen Park school district. While employed in the Evergreen Park district, Mickey also coached the girls’ basketball team. When not coaching, she worked crowd control for the other sporting events. She considered herself a “bouncer”. “I was tough; I didn’t allow any hats in my gym”. After 26 years as an Illinois certified nurse, Mickey is now “retired” but is still employed with Aero Special Education and Oak Lawn District #122 as a substitute nurse.
Mickey and her husband, Jerry, have lived in Oak Forest since 1969. Jerry served active duty for 6 years in the Army and recently retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Reserves. He is currently the head of the Family Readiness Support Group. They have two children, Jerry, who lives in Tinley Park with his wife, Melissa and their three boys, Tyler, Jace and Caden and their daughter, Krista, who lives in Naperville with her husband, Tony, and their two children Alex and Abby.
Now that Mickey and Jerry are retired, they enjoy traveling. They are owners of a time share and have many plans for travel in the future. Mickey states “two important things in my life are my church and my country”. Mickey and Jerry are members of Pathway United Methodist Church in Oak Forest, where she initially heard about Together We Cope. She was on the foundation committee that so generously donates to TWC. Mickey also helps out at the local VFW as a grill cook for Monday Bingo and as “garbage picker upper” for the Friday night fish frys.
Mickey really enjoys helping out at Together We Cope, whether it be in the pantry, the pasta dinner or at Breakfast with Santa or the Easter Bunny. She says, “People are so very grateful. No other country but America would have a place like Together We Cope.” We are so very grateful to Mickey for her selfless contributions to Together We Cope. She has made a difference in the lives of so many families in their time of need. |
