Making a difference

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Chuck Ruth and his wife, Helen, laugh while watching a tribute video during Wednesday's McHenry County Distinguished Citizen Dinner at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills. Ruth was given the Champion of Youth Award at the event. (Travis Haughton – thaughton@nwherald.com)

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LAKE IN THE HILLS – Chuck Ruth never has been one to brag.

Thus, the longtime business and community leader was taken aback just before he received the McHenry County Distinguished Citizen/Champion for Youth Award on Wednesday night.

“It’s scary – very humbling,” Ruth said. “There’s many more deserving people than me.”

Not so, according to several minutes of videotaped testimony from peers and fellow leaders such as McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren.

While one friend joked about Ruth’s distinctive, in­fec­tious laugh, each praised him for his years of service with organizations such as the Huntley Area Public Library, District 158 school board, and United Way of Greater McHenry County.

“He sets a good example for youth today, when sometimes the rest of us don’t,” said Len Borhart, who, along with relatives has been active in the community for decades.

Ruth, too, knows what it’s like to have a familiar name. His Huntley-based family goes back four generations.

Although Ruth can’t pick out a favorite from the groups he’s worked with, he does know one thing.

“The best part of community service is all the great people I’ve met,” he said.

Ruth’s laundry list of accomplishments includes: his past and present efforts as a founder and president of the Huntley Area Public Library District; president of Friends of McHenry County College Foundation; president of the United Way of Greater McHenry County; and member of the Pioneer Center for Human Services committee, Challenger Learning Center for Science and Technology board and Centegra Health System Board of Directors.

Ruth serves as CEO and president of Alliance Contractors, Inc., a small, Woodstock-based business that he began in 1977 that has grown to more than 100 employees.

Wednesday night’s award was presented at the Boulder Ridge Country Club by the Blackhawk Area Council Boy Scouts of America, of which a few young members in attendance received Ruth’s attention.

“I challenge them,” Ruth said in his acceptance speech, “that one person can make a difference.”

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