Dennis Papiernik: Taking Time to Make a Difference

After a quick glance at Dennis Papiernik's calendar, it may be difficult to find much, if any, blank space. Not only does he work full-time as a mortgage planning specialist, but he also volunteers with three different organizations - all without breaking a sweat.

A Naperville resident of 25 years, Papiernik said it’s all about managing time in order to give back to the community.

“It’s just about managing your calendar and managing the conflicts to make it work,” he said.

For Papiernik, giving back all started about 6 years ago when he began volunteering with the Illinois Association of Mortgage Professionals. A few years later he connected with Kathy Blair, Executive Director of Giving DuPage, while being actively involved with the .

Papiernik serves on the marketing committee with Giving DuPage, an area non-profit that creates collaborative opportunities to raise awareness about other non-profits. While volunteering with Giving DuPage for more than two years, he’s been busy putting together local fundraisers and activities.

“We help Kathy create, plan, organize and implement various fundraising activities for Giving DuPage,” he said. “The latest event we’ve done was for the Human Race.”

The held for the first time in April and allowed runners to choose which local non-profit they wanted to support. Papiernik helped coordinate the event with Giving DuPage, which proved to be successful.

“About 27 other smaller non-profits participated in the Human Race and we ended up giving away over $40,000 to those non-profits,” he said.

Papiernik is currently donating his time with the group’s marketing committee to organize the annual 9/11 Day of Remembrance later this year.

But his work doesn’t stop there. Recently Papiernik got involved with Habitat for Humanity of Illinois where he also volunteers on the marketing committee.

“We help support (Habitat for Humanity Illinois) affiliates that build houses,” he said. “So, what we do is help with fundraising, just like Giving DuPage helps support other non-profits be successful.”

Papiernik is gearing up for a fall outreach with Habitat for Humanity as well as a state conference later this year.

He said while his calendar may be full, when it comes to giving back, it's all worth the time and effort in order to make a difference in the community. 

“It’s just a sense of giving back and a sense of accomplishment in helping others," he said. "And encouraging everybody to do whatever they can to carve out some time in their day, their week to do what they can.”