The Illinois Dads Association at the University of Illinois announced the 2020 King Dad recipient is Matt Toole of Elmhurst. Matt was nominated by his daughter Regan Toole, who is Community Health Major at the University of Illinois. Matt was selected from more than 30 nominees this year.

“While this Dads Weekend lacked the physicality of previous events, it didn’t stop us from getting numerous incredible submissions by students nominating their fathers describing the impact they had on their children’s life,” states Illini Dads King Dad Chair Larry Mason. “However, Regan’s nomination of her dad stood out in a way that really showed our organization he was the most deserving of this honor this year.”

Regan Toole is a Community Health Major from Elmhurst, Illinois and eagerly nominated her father Matt. She describes her dad as her “biggest hero” and even though he has living ALS for the past 11 years, her father was always present at every event, no matter how small. He is a patient man who is always there to inspire his daughter and to just listen when she needs someone to talk to. In her nomination, she writes, “All in all, my dad is my hero because of how much of an inspiration he is, and he teaches me that me that every day is a gift.”

Over the weekend, the Illini Dads Association visited Matthew and provided him with some gifts as a prize including a crown, T-shirt, and other gifts at his home in Elmhurst.