About Us
People Helping People - Palatine has been establishing collaborative partnerships and leading volunteer-driven initiatives since 2020.
Showing Up for Our Neighbors
Our mission is to serve those in need — including neighbors experiencing hardship, unhoused individuals, survivors of domestic violence, students lacking basic necessities, and others facing hardship — by ensuring access to food and essential resources while fostering dignity, hope, and community well-being. We are a grassroots organization sustained by the generosity, engagement, and donations of our community.
Started in May 2020 by President and Founder, Cathie Johnson, PHPP was created to assist those in need during the pandemic. Since then, we’ve been able to help thousands of neighbors in Palatine and surrounding communities through our projects in essential needs, food support, seasonal & family support, and other community partnerships. For more, view Our Impact.
Meet Our Team
Cathie Johnson
President and Founder
A 26-year resident of Palatine, Cathie and her husband, Scott, have raised their two sons in the community and are now proud grandparents of two. Inspired by her own life experiences and a passion for helping others, she founded PHPP in 2020 to provide practical support to local students, families, individuals experiencing homelessness, and survivors of domestic violence. Cathie believes that kindness creates stronger communities and that when neighbors come together, even the smallest act of generosity can make a lasting impact.
Deb Gabriel
Vice President
Deb remembers meeting Cathie when their sons were in junior high, so when she saw the Facebook post looking for volunteers, she knew she had to help. Her job as a financial advisor meant she was an essential worker during CoVid19’s early days and was fortunate to have a paycheck still coming in. Coupled with her previous career as Food Editor for the Daily Herald and she had the means and skills set to help. As PHP projects evolved to assist other populations and community organizations, Deb has been able to use her contacts in the local business community to further PHP efforts.
Ann Zimmerman
Treasurer
Ann has proudly called Palatine home for more than 30 years, where she and her husband, Greg, raised their two children. Over the years, they have both been active volunteers in the community, supporting local schools, youth organizations, and service projects. After retiring following more than 30 years in the corporate world and 12 years with the Park District, Ann was looking for a meaningful way to give back. She discovered People Helping People Palatine in 2023 through Facebook and quickly became involved in a variety of projects. Her dedication led to leadership roles before she was asked to serve as Treasurer in the fall of 2025. Ann is honored to be part of PHPP and is passionate about helping make a difference for neighbors in need throughout the community.
Allie Gillies
Webmaster
Since 2013, Allie has called Palatine home and proudly volunteers with People Helping People Palatine because she knows, firsthand, that unexpected hardship can happen to anyone. After her family experienced job loss in 2010, the community helped them through a difficult time. That kindness inspired her to pay it forward by helping others in need. “We are all just one unexpected setback away from needing a helping hand, and I’m honored to be part of an organization that provides hope, support, and dignity to our neighbors.” — Allie
Penny DeJohn
Member-at-Large
Penny, a client executive by day, has been using that truck since PHPP’s early days to help transport meals to hungry families, birthday party kits to families in domestic shelters and hoodies to lower-income high school students. Her volunteering stretches back decades to her Boy Scouts of America days when she first connected with Cathie. “When I saw how Cathie was helping our community, I knew I wanted to help,” she said. “It’s part of my DNA.” She also volunteers with CrossFit Games and enjoys knitting, biking, reading and helping her mom with yard work.
Karen McHale
Member-at-Large
As a mother of four, member of the Rolling Meadows City Council and the religious education coordinator at Holy Family Parish, Karen somehow finds the space for PHPP. “Volunteering is so fulfilling for me. I would encourage everyone to carve out a little time to do it,” she says. Karen found the People Helping People Facebook group and jumped in with meal prep and delivery, sometimes even getting her kids involved. She and husband Mike are raising Mikie, 12, Brendan, 10, Maggie, 8, and Kevin, 6, in Rolling Meadows.
Our Partners
