My Nonprofit Reviews

I am a professional consultant and a native of Illinois. I attended Walther Lutheran High School (Melrose Park -- class of 1989) and frequently attended opportunities to come back to speak with students at alumni and career-based events.

I met Phil Zielke, Executive Director for Phil's Friends during a career day -- Phil was a keynote speaker for the event, to which he shared his testimony for how he was delivered from stage 4 cancer and given the vision of the ministry for Phil's Friends for Christian-based support for other individuals living with cancer. His story moved me to tears and afterwards, I spend time with Phil talking about his ministry and how I might help.

If I could summarize what Phil's Friends is it would be a ministry that serves the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people living with a serious disease by simply giving them physical and virtual 'HUGS', through useful gifts, compiled in a decorated care package (crafted and designed by volunteers), by regularly mailed cards with words of encouragement (also orchestrated by volunteers), and also by prayers both virtually and physically, through visits and engagements with cancer patients at several illinois-based hospitals (oncology department) who have embraced and partnered with Phil's Friends as a mission of bringing a message of hope.

After a few years of volunteering at PF headquarters (me & my family), Phil & I became good friends and ultimately prayer partners. He asked me to join his advisory board of directors and it was for the next 5 years, I was happy to serve the ministry in a number of capacities. Phil's heart is genuine with a focus and love for those struggling with cancer. His story (testimony) is powerful but the ministry is God's (per Phil) and its by those things that the organization continues to grow. It's a pleasure to be a part of bringing hope to people who need it in their greatest season of need.