In the beginning
Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter was founded in 1928 by the world-renowned dancer, actor, and entrepreneur Irene Castle and her friend Helen Morton Swift. Irene named Orphans of the Storm after her favorite silent movie by the same name, in which two orphaned sisters are reunited. It was Irene’s hope to provide a happy ending to lost and abandoned dogs and cats in the Chicago area.
Irene Castle and her first husband, Vernon, were renowned ballroom dancers, famously portrayed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the movie The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. After Vernon’s passing, Irene married Major Frederick McLaughlin, founder of the Chicago Blackhawks. It was during this time that Irene discovered an abandoned kennel in Riverwoods, which became the site of Orphans of the Storm. She was a tireless advocate for animals and the shelter, lending her name and unwavering support to its mission until her death in 1969.
In 1932, after a fire caused by a coal heater destroyed the shelter, Irene rebuilt it and expanded its efforts by accepting unwanted animals from local municipalities and animal control centers—a practice that remains central to the shelter’s work. Amy McCormick, a founding board member, further secured the shelter’s future by leaving funds in her will to pay off the debt on the property when she passed in 1939.
Irene’s vision and dedication laid the foundation for Orphans of the Storm to be a lasting haven for animals in need, a legacy that endures.
A change in leadership
After Irene Castle’s passing in 1969, the shelter’s board sought a successor to continue its mission. Thelma Zwirner, a dedicated animal welfare advocate, stepped forward to lead Orphans of the Storm. Thelma had a long history of working for animal welfare causes, including founding and running a clearinghouse for lost pets and serving as the President of the Westchester County Humane Society.
Under Thelma Zwirner’s leadership, the shelter expanded significantly, accommodating more dogs and providing indoor and outdoor runs. By the time of her death in 1994, Orphans of the Storm had become one of the largest animal shelters in the country.
Richard Zwirner, Thelma’s son, took over the shelter’s leadership in 1994 after serving on its board for 25 years. Richard continued to build on the shelter’s founding mission, including adding a large cat room and beautiful wooded nature trail, which provides a peaceful reprieve for dogs, shelter dog walkers, and potential adopters. He served as President until his passing in 2017, leaving behind a lasting legacy of compassion and unwavering dedication to the shelter and its animals.
Donna Heggie served as Volunteer President for seven years, during which she played a pivotal role in advancing our shelter’s lifesaving legacy. Under her leadership, the foster program saw significant improvements and expansion, and she initiated the important work of building our new shelter. Donna was instrumental in positioning Orphans as a vital community resource for pet adoption, while also strengthening Orphan of the Storm’s position as a leading institution for stray and abandoned dogs and cats throughout Lake County and beyond.
Today
In 2024 Michelle Shields was asked to serve as our Volunteer President. Michelle has been a dedicated volunteer at the shelter for many years, wearing many hats including dog walker, foster, photographer, and social media manager. Her connection to the shelter began at age five, when she got her first dog from Orphans, and she has adopted many more since then. She has been instrumental in assisting the Board as we explore options for building a new shelter and is excited to use her many years of experience as a business owner to bring new ideas to Orphans of the Storm as we plan for our next 100 years.
