McHenry honors Jackson Grabow with honorary street sign

McHENRY – Donna Grabow had no idea her little boy would have this effect on an entire community.

“It makes me very proud,” she said. “But at the same time, it’s very bittersweet.”

Family, friends, students and McHenry city officials came together Thursday to honor Jackson as the city unveiled Honorary Jackson Grabow Way at Washington Street and Riverside Drive. Jackson died in April because of a brain tumor at age 2.

He inspired students at West Campus to hold a St. Baldrick’s Day event in March. The community came together to shave their heads and raise money for the Grabow family and raised awareness for pediatric cancer.

“You want to honor him ,” said Kevin Karnatz, student council president at West Campus. “It’s a shame that he’s gone, but his name can go on.”

Donna Grabow recalled Jackson’s smile and the lessons he taught that every person matters and to love unconditionally.

“He continues to help us see joy in every day and in each other,” she said.

A replica street sign was given to Jackson’s parents, Donna and Brandt Grabow, and another to a group of West Campus students to display at their school and honor their community spirit. Students Caile Kellerud and Richelle Gomez also honored the family by singing “The Prayer.”

Jackson became the sixth person to receive an honorary street designation. Recognizing people who make significant contributions through cultural, historical or humanitarian acts, the honor has been given to business leaders and two local residents who lost their lives in Iraq.

“Here is a young person at 2 years old who is being recognized by an entire city,” said Carl Vallianatos, assistant principal at West Campus. “It puts into perspective what a 2-year-old was able to give back to his community and mean to a group of people in the community in such a short period of time.”

Mayor Susan Low said Jackson inspired not only the children but a community to take action, help a family feel cared for, and know they can do something. When people pass by Jackson’s sign, she told the crowd, remember how important it is to get involved.

“Now today, we get to show the Grabow family and all of you kids that it doesn’t matter how large or small the gesture. It means you made a gesture. You got involved,” she said.