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The St. Charles City Council recognized two Ward 3 community members Monday night with Spirit of St. Charles awards: Mark Weiss, founder of a comic book philanthropy that now reaches more than 200 hospitals worldwide, and Dawn Phillips, owner of Brown Butter Baked Goods & Café, the gluten-free bakery and café on Main Street.
Both were honored for the way their work extends beyond their own walls into the broader St. Charles community.
Here's what to know:
Comics with a mission: Nine years ago, Mark Weiss founded Comic Books for Kids, a charitable organization that provides comic books and pop culture items to children in hospitals and cancer centers. Today it supports more than 200 hospitals across all 50 states and Canada, with a recently opened branch in the UK.
A gluten-free gathering place: Dawn Phillips opened Brown Butter Baked Goods in St. Charles in September 2022 after running a cafe in Geneva for six years. Brown Butter is currently featured in the St. Charles Business Alliance destination guide as one of the city's six "hidden gems."
A close call: It was mentioned that the Brown Butter building was struck by lightning the prior Tuesday. No one was hurt, and the cafe is still up and running.
Both recipients credited other St. Charles businesses and neighbors for supporting their work.
March Spirit Awards
During the March 16 St. Charles City Council meeting, alderpersons presented Spirit of St. Charles awards to Ward 2 recipients who have made a meaningful impact in the community. From the St. Charles City Newsletter:
Bob Walters has quietly made a lasting impact in St. Charles, supporting D303 students as a resident expert with the St. Charles Education Foundation while also voluntarily helping transform a neglected, overgrown area into a vibrant, welcoming space through the Fox Chase Median Foundation.
Brighton Gardens (Sunrise Senior Living) has played an essential role in supporting residents and their families by helping older adults remain in the community they’ve built their lives.
St. Charles East High School's Aricin Bigda received an award for notable athletic achievement.
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