By Kevin Haas
Rockford Register Star
| The Rev. Don Norek says a prayer during a community prayer circle May 6, 2010, at Big Thunder Park in Belvidere for the National Day of Prayer. RRSTAR.COM FILE PHOTO
BELVIDERE — The Rev. Don Norek, who helped a countless number of people in need through his street ministry, died Sunday afternoon at his Belvidere home. He was 69.
For years, Norek kept an open door at His Glory Christian Outreach on South State Street. He filled a void in the city, which does not have a permanent homeless shelter, by distributing clothing and sandwiches to hungry people and often providing emergency shelter arrangements for those in need.He was perhaps best known for the Joy of Christ toy giveaway each Christmas. It started in 1994, when he gave about 200 stuffed animals to needy families from the trunk of a high-mileage 1979 limousine he parked behind Dodge Lanes. It grew into a massive volunteer effort that shut down portions of South State Street as more than 2,000 people lined up for toys. Norek was a principled and devoted Christian who made sure people at the toy drive and his mission center knew that his work was being done to serve God.He was driven by his conviction and was an "absolutely fearless witness for Jesus Christ," said Pastor Bob Kopp of First Presbyterian Church of Belvidere. "His greatest legacy for me, and what will continue to be an inspiration for me, is his courage to be Christian in an increasingly hostile culture to Christianity."Norek was simultaneously tough as nails and tender-hearted. The Army veteran, who served two tours in Vietnam with the Special Forces, didn't mince words or waste time. He had a distaste for the bureaucracy that he felt stood in the way of him helping people. Norek didn't do background checks or income verification when he opened his doors for any children in need to receive Christmas gifts. To Norek, the fact that young children and families were willing to stand in the cold and wait for a toy was all the proof he needed that they deserved help. The drive eventually moved indoors to the Community Building Complex of Boone County after consecutive years of harsh cold."He had a heart for Jesus and he had a heart for the city of Belvidere," former Mayor Fred Brereton said. "He will be missed. He was one of a kind."Norek was often critical of clergy members and politicians he felt were more concerned about their own popularity and position than service to Jesus, Kopp said. Norek didn't have patience for meetings and studies aimed at helping people in need. He wanted immediate action."He did not beat around the bush. He was not cute. He was not politically correct. He was direct," Kopp said. "He was never trying to hurt people. What he was trying to do was get people to restore their relationships with each other and with the Lord."Despite his criticisms, he was engaged in the community and was especially supportive of the Belvidere Police Department, Boone County Emergency Management and Boone County Housing Authority. He made one try at political office, running for 3rd Ward alderman in 1999 and losing to Bob Cantrell by 17 votes in a low-turnout election. Norek had also been a chaplain for the Illinois Department of Corrections and a volunteer chaplain at a state-run mental health hospital
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