CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox have announced Bloomingdale native and longtime White Sox Volunteer Corps member Joan Morris as the recipient of the 2023 Roland Hemond Award. The club’s honor celebrates the memory of the longtime baseball executive’s extraordinary commitment to putting the needs of others before his own.

Morris, who has volunteered at more than 250 White Sox community outreach events since joining the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois-sponsored Volunteer Corps in 2012, is well known by friends and family for her altruistic approach and tireless dedication to assisting others in need. In early 2020, the 69-year-old lifelong White Sox fan returned to her nursing career after just a two-week retirement to work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Lending time and expertise at various vaccine clinics across DuPage County, she applied her more than 30 years of experience in trauma care units to screen an influx of emergency room patients and assist colleagues with their increased daily workload. 

Again, setting aside her personal comfort to give to others, Morris traveled abroad on a humanitarian mission trip to help Ukrainian refugees crossing the border to Slovakia and Poland in 2022. Planned with one week’s notice, her impromptu role included working 12 to 15-hour shifts to help evacuees needing medical assistance, travel packs and the necessary food to reach their next destinations.

“Joan is a truly remarkable human being and one of the most caring and compassionate volunteers I’ve had the privilege to meet,” explains Chicago White Sox Charities (CWSC) executive director Christine O’Reilly. “The depth of her character, heart and commitment to serving others is beyond inspiring and perfectly embodies the spirit of this award.”

Recognizing her tireless volunteer efforts, the organization will present Morris with the award during a special pregame ceremony, scheduled during Sox Serve Week on Friday, June 23 vs. Boston. In addition, Morris will receive a White Sox Spring Training experience, welcoming her to a behind-the-scenes experience at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. New this season, CWSC will donate $2,500 to a mutually agreed upon nonprofit organization or charity (501c3) selected by the award winner.

The club established the Roland Hemond Award in 2003 to honor those who, like Hemond, have shown a dedication to bettering the lives of people around them. Fans are invited to nominate individuals who embody this commitment to serving others by visiting whitesox.com/hemondaward.

For more information about Roland Hemond’s illustrious career and philanthropic contributions, and to view previous award winners and nomination information, visit whitesox.com/hemondaward.