Couple who head up Taste of Morton Grove committee honored as VIPs

• Reprints

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:24AM

Service to community comes easily to Jim and Yvette Karp.

“They get involved in everything,” Jim Simpkins said. “I’ve known them forever, growing up here in town. Morton Grove Days, the Morton Grove Foundation, baseball, soccer. They’re hands on, not just figureheads.”

The couple will receive the 2011 VIP of the Year award from the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry at its annual dinner Feb. 2.

Each year the chamber accepts nominations for VIP of the Year from across the community, said Jacky Liston, executive director.

“The Chamber board selects a VIP of the Year to honor at the annual installation dinner,” she explained. “This year, the board chose to honor both Jim and Yvette Karp for their many years of service and dedication to the community.

“They are truly a team, acting as the chairs of the Taste of Morton Grove every year, and each has accomplished many wonderful things in our community.

“Yvette is also the president of the Morton Grove Baseball Foundation and Jim, a former Village trustee, is also involved in the Morton Grove Sportsman’s Club, and has sat on the Morton Grove Days Commission for many years.”

Simpkins said the couple savor the community involvement.

“Karpy and Yvette really care about the town,” he said. “They truly enjoy what they’re doing; they’re good at what they’re doing, and it shows. That’s why they get so much respect. People want to work with them, especially the Taste of Morton Grove. A lot of work goes into it.”

The Morton Grove Foundation, which organizes the Taste of Morton Grove, raises money for charity.

“Last year it raised $40,000 that was donated to between 18 to 20 organizations,” Simpkins said. “This will be the 25th year.”

MaryJo LeBeau has worked on community projects with the Karps “for years.”

“This is the first time the Chamber has picked a husband-and-wife team for VIP,” she said. “It’s a great concept.”

Trustee Dan DiMaria, who served on the Morton Grove Village Board with Jim Karp, agreed.

“They work in tandem with each other,” the trustee said. “They’re at team, and it’s good that the chamber recognized them together. The Karps are good at what they do and they make it look easy. People don’t realize all the work that goes into it.”

DiMaria called the couple “community-driven” and “community-oriented.”

“They are the wheel of the whole Taste,” he said. “They know what they’re doing, and I couldn’t think of anybody better” to receive the award.