John and Liz Rudy point to their lifelong Lutheran faith as the impetus for their commitment and support of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) and other nonprofit organizations, in addition to creating awareness for the groups’ good works. The Rudys will be honored with the “True Friend” Award by LSSI at its 44th Annual True Friend Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

Donating “time, talent, and treasure” was something embedded in the Rudys’ Lutheran upbringing. Their particular interest in LSSI started through the church they attended early in their marriage. The congregation had a long-standing relationship with LSSI, and the Rudys participated in many service projects. “We learned early on that our church supported LSSI and therefore we started to support LSSI,” said John, a retired executive with BMO Harris Bank.

Their commitment took on a new dimension when John joined the LSSI Board in 2009. “I worked my entire career for BMO Harris. The bank was serious about making sure their executives participated in nonprofit organizations at the board level,” he said. “It turns out that the bank had a longstanding tradition of executive representation on LSSI’s Board.”

John served for a total of 12 years on LSSI’s Board beginning in 2009, including three years as Chair. He has lent his knowledge to a variety of the Board’s committees, including: Finance, Property & Investment; Executive & Governance; Audit; and Retirement Plans. For a complex organization like LSSI, his leadership and input have been invaluable.

Liz and John also support LSSI philanthropically, including a gift to the successful Expansion of Our Hearts Gift Initiative. They have provided for LSSI’s future sustainability with an undesignated bequest to the organization in their estate plan. The Rudys, who met at Valparaiso University, also support their alma mater. Liz has served on the board of Hope’s Front Door and has helped fundraise for this local organization that supports residents of DuPage County facing financial and health crises.

“That’s what we’re called to do,” said Liz. “We’re called to serve.”

To learn more about The True Friend Celebration visit LSSI.org/TrueFriend or contact Mariah Heinz at Mariah.Heinz@lssi.org.