NewsPress Release

Destiny motivates widow to help foster children


Media Contact
Mary Rose Roberts
312 342 2023
press@destiny-character.org

Downers Grove, Ill.: Gloria Griseto decided to stay home more than five years ago, when usually she would be at the annual Toys-for-Tots motorcycle parade in Chicago. Her husband Frank was a DuPage County sheriff deputy, and road his motorcycle each year to support those who were less fortunate. Unfortunately, Gloria was ill, taking antibiotics and told her husband, “I’ll just watch it on the TV and see you when you get home.” But destiny stepped in when Frank saddled up with his fellow officers as part of a motorcade that stretched from the south to the north side of city. As he neared the end of the route, an inpatient driver illegally crossed the motorcade and the unthinkable happened: He struck and killed Frank, leaving Gloria devastated. It was the first fatality of the parade’s 28-year history.

From Gloria’s grief birthed Destiny Through Character (DTC), a fundraising organization to help foster children discarded by the system. It was Frank’s dream to help troubled youth, she said. As an Italian immigrant, he went without a mentor but spent his life in service, first for 21 years as a chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. Afterwards, he volunteered for fundraisers at a local Italian retirement home and at the YMCA teaching women and children self-defense and karate. Next, he signed up with DuPage County as a deputy, serving only one year before his death.

Frank always felt that he missed opportunities by not having a support system growing up and someone to teach him essential life skills. Gloria said throughout their 30-year marriage, he nagged her about better ways to help mentor children left by the wayside. He couldn’t figure out how to do it, but it was always on his mind. He said it was his destiny, and he had to find a way.

“What do you want me to do about it, Frank,” Gloria used to ask.

“I don’t know,” he’d respond. “But I know I’ll need your help to do it.”

Gloria has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and worked for years as Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She also volunteered for crisis lines, as well as working on foster-children cases. At a certain age, many of her charges were pushed out of foster homes for sometimes typical teenage behavior. Some were troubled and needed extra attention. Gloria feared those children would turn to drugs or prostitution to survive.

After Frank’s’ death, Gloria realized it was up to her to fulfill his dreams. She began contacting youth-based organizations that helped foster children. Few doors opened. But she stayed persistent, finally landing a meeting in April 2009 with Aunt Martha’s Youth Services whose mission is to be a resource for children, youth and families. DTC now raises money through fundraisers, and then donates the funds to Aunt Martha’s.

“The next fundraiser will be held Friday, March 5 from 7-11 p.m. at the Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace, Ill.,” she said. “Any community help is needed, so tickets can be purchased on our website at www.destiny-character.org/.”

Indeed, Gloria received another fateful call the say she met with Aunt Martha’s. It was from a producer at Paranormal Cops, a reality-based TV show on A&E. The producers told her owners of a union hall, Park Place in Countryside, had reported paranormal activity in the establishment. A ‘medium’ investigated and reported what she found: It was a law enforcement officer. There were rows of motorcycles. And then drew a sketch of the person. It was a near-replica of her husband Frank, and they wanted to interview her for the show.

The show airs this Tuesday, Feb.16, 2010 at 9:30 p.m. CST., and will be available after the original broadcast on OnDemand. Gloria’s hope is that it will help gain more publicity for what’s important: The youths benefiting from DTC’s fundraising efforts.

“Frank used to tell me he thought he would die young,” she said. “And that it would be up to me to keep his destiny to help foster youths alive.”

To learn more or donate, visit www.destiny-character.org.

Reporter’s notes:
Media appearance:
A&E Paranormal Cops, Feb. 16, 2010 at 9:30 p.m. CST.

Fundraiser event:
Friday, March 5 from 7-11 p.m. at the Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace, Ill. Live music, dinner, dancing, silent & live auctions. $75 per ticket. Reporter’s are invited to attend for free. Please contact the media contact for details.

Website: http://www.destiny-character.org