Dawn Coyne is a jack (of should I say jill?) of all trades.
In addition to being a single mom, Coyne is building a career; volunteering actively; and helping out her family’s business by working there on the weekends. The chair of the Kiss A Pig gala benefiting the American Diabetes Association the past two years, she sits on the leadership board for the Greater Illinois American Diabetes Association as well as the Champaign County Crime Stoppers Board of Directors. A 28-year-old Champaign County native, Coyne recently became a first-time homeowner and will be moving to Mahomet at the end of this week where she will live with her 6-year-old son Brian.
See why we think Dawn Coyne is a Chambana mom to know.
Q: What challenges do you face as a single mom in Champaign County?
I don’t consider myself different than any other parent in Champaign County, just because I am single. I figure out a way to make things work for Brian and I, no matter what. It’s just part of being a parent. We have the same challanges of getting out the door in the morning, gettting dinner on the table, homework done and getting to bed. I have taught Brian how to do a lot of things around the house to help out though. He makes his own lunch, cleans his room, gets himself dressed in the morning and folds his laundry and puts it away. He makes an allowance each week for the help he gives. Of course, having another parent in the home would be the ideal situation but I have a great family who helps me out whenever needed.
Q: Congrats on buying a home and good luck on your move. What are you looking forward to about becoming a homeowner?
Thank you! I am very excited about the investment I am making and looking forward to the many projects that await. Being a homeowner is something that I have worked hard for and have dreamt about for a long time. I really can’t believe that I am finally making it happen. I am happy to be able to provide a home for my son to grow up in and I know we will make many great memories there.
Q: You are very involved in volunteer work. How do you find the time to devote to ADA and Crime Stoppers between working and being a single mom?
Most days I am not sure how I find the time, but I squeeze as much as I can into lunch hours and after Brian goes to sleep. And when I cannot finish something during those times, Brian comes along with me. I think it is important to teach him about giving back to the community. He and I have had multiple discussions about why I volunteer for the ADA and for Crime Stoppers and about how important it is to help others, whether that be with time or money. Because I don’t always have the extra cash to give to these organizations, I find it important to give my time. Without the help of my family, my volunteering wouldn’t be possible.
Q: You are now working for former NFL and Illini football player Fred Wakefield. What’s it like to have a boss who is a local celebrity?
I love working for Fred (at Northwestern Mutual/McClure Financial Group in Champaign). I forget that he is a local celebrity because he is so down to earth and such a great person. It is a lot of fun getting to tell people that I work for him though. Some people don’t react too much but a lot of people are happy to learn that he is back in the area and like to learn about what he is doing now. He and I are a team and we work very hard daily to help our clients, but we have a lot of fun too.
Q: If you could travel anywhere with your son – regardless of money – where would you go and why?
We would go to a resort in Mexico or the Bahamas, where we could lay on the beach all day and just relax…and have no cell service!
Nominate a Chambana mom or dad to know! Send your picks to editor@chambanamoms.com.