Resident Focus- Paul Ruby
The Man Behind the Cause
By Kimberly Kozar
Paul Ruby is a father, husband and hard-working employee of a family run business in town. He believes that “Once you figure out what your priorities are, you go in that direction and enjoy what you have along the way and don’t worry about what you can’t control”. Unless, of course, he can do something that will have an impact. So, that’s exactly what he did…
Paul Ruby, Mill Creek resident and 22-year well-know veteran of the hospitality industry is currently the General Manager of the elegant Herrington Inn. Ruby learned of his Parkinsons diagnosis in July of 2006. In all his optimism, he was prepared, saying most of it was just ruling out things that are much worse and he had a sense of relief knowing a little about Parkinson’s as his stepmother’s mother and sister both had the disease. Still, he had concerns as anyone would upon learning they have a progressive disease without a cure. It’s not in his nature to worry; Ruby jokingly says, “I just don’t worry a lot, my wife Linda does enough worrying for the both of us”.
Naturally, questions rattled around in his head like “How will this affect what I’ve started – my two boys, my wife, my job” but rather than view this as a personal tragedy, Ruby started thinking of ways he can use this as an opportunity to turn it into something positive. Ruby said of what inspired him “I remember promising my kids I would never turn them down if they wanted to play, unless there was a really good reason. When the symptoms started last fall, my oldest son Wes noticed I had trouble playing catch. He decided to try and make a difference – so he sat down to write a letter to the president of the United States with hopes that this man of power could help. Wes provided a list of reasons finishing the letter with ‘All I want to do is play catch with my dad’.” It didn’t take long for Paul Ruby to think “if an 11 year old kid can try to make a difference, so can I” and the Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was formed and powered by a whole lot of steam as family, friends, and acquaintances whose lives he didn’t even realize he touched, rallied behind him, taking initiative to help make a difference.
Ruby spends a lot of quality time with his family because that’s a priority to him. His friends would agree, Ruby makes them a priority too “Paul started out as a neighbor and over the years has become a very supportive friend. I remember a time when I was going through a career change and Paul was there with me every step of the way through the transition,” says neighbor Mike McGavin of his friend. Ruby put together a fundraiser in less than a month to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina, raising over $40,000 for the cause. “I got an email with pictures from an old college buddy who lost everything, it opened my eyes to the real devastation these people were facing and I thought I had to do something…” Ruby says of what motivated him to action executing the “Bash for the Bayou” fundraiser that benefited the Red Cross relief for the hurricane victims. “I remember when my daughter moved to the area, not only did Paul help her find a place to live, he encouraged her on the job search – which really made what otherwise might have been a nerve wracking experience, a positive one for her” says Paula Plowman of brother-in-law, Paul Ruby.
As for the Concert for a Cure fundraiser, Ruby says “It started out as a simple golf outing and barbeque here in Mill Creek, then a concert was added and it grew from there with support crawling out of the woodwork”. He goes on to say “It’s great to have so many friends with good intentions who tell you they’re sorry or ‘let me know if I can do anything’ when they learn about this kind of thing; but to have so many step up and actually DO, is just amazing! You don’t know how many friends you really have until they all just show up like this, it’s overwhelming” Ruby says with a sparkle in his eyes.
With a little help from his friends, this event was a huge success; featuring the entertaining and persuasive Mayor Kevin Burns as the Auctioneer, notable Steve Bridges who has appeared on the Tonight Show numerous times, Grammy Award Winners “The Ides of March”, MC Lisa Dent from US 99 and Paul Ruby’s father’s band “The Mark Ruby Quartet” along with well-known local band Hoss and Greg Boerner who showed up to perform as well, all who generously donated 100% of their time and talent for the cause. Says Ruby of the event, “Thanks to everyone who came out to make this event a success and this would not have been possible without the volunteers! We were hoping to raise $50,000 and as it stands right now, we’ve reached $100,000!” Thanks, in part to all the desirable silent auction items like a Kenny Chesney guitar, over 12,000.00 in jewelry from local jewelers, an autographed Chicago Bulls basketball, special reserve wines from vineyard owners, and much, much more. Way to go, Paul – we are proud to be your neighbors!