“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
Portage resident Debbie Podgorski keeps this quote from Mother Teresa close to her heart in times of prosperity and hardship alike.
“I lost the love of my life on March 6, 2018,” Podgorski said. “Jeff was a 29-year veteran of the Portage Police Department who contracted lung cancer as a result of his service in Desert Storm. He fought to live and beat the cancer to the very day he passed. Without my 30 years with him, the love and support of the men and women of the Portage Police Department, my family and friends, and of course the phenomenal son God blessed Jeff and I with, I am not sure I would have survived this heartache.”
In the midst of her grieving, Podgorski found a way to give back, and honor her late husband’s legacy in the process.
“With great loss and tragedy comes positivity and an opportunity to help others,” Podgorski continued. “I created a scholarship in Jeff's name through Portage High School and try to be as much of a philanthropist as I can to make life better for others. I have been blessed in my life even through heartbreak, so I try to be a blessing to others, keeping in mind it is a work in progress.”
Podgorski touches the community in many forms, serving as Operations Manager for the Lake Minnehaha Owner’s Association, owner of DJ’s Guns & Gunsmithing, and, most recently, Portage City Councilwoman at Large.
“The best part of any of my jobs is the challenge, the project completion, and how I can help someone,” Podgorski said. “My background and education are in business and my present job at the Association allows me to utilize a little bit of everything from human resources, payroll, collections, purchasing, etc. I love to not only keep busy but to be challenged, and this position gives me all of that.”
“My husband and I started DJ’s Guns & Gunsmithing in August of 2005, and it means a lot to me to keep that running,” Podgorski said. “I just started as Councilwoman January 1, 2020, and I’m excited about all of the good things to come from this latest position.”
Podgorksi exudes resiliency and compassion where most would crumble in despair, a quality of character she no doubt learned from her father, a Michigan City police officer of nearly 40 years.
“I lost my mom when I was 15, so my dad was really a great role model for me,” Podgorksi said. “He taught me so many things: successes come with hard work, never expect someone to hand you something, always be able to look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day, have self-respect and always try to do the right thing.”
In the next stage of her life, Podgorski has found additional guidance in the form of Portage Mayor Sue Lynch.
“Mayor Lynch is a great mentor,” Podgorski said. “She epitomizes the model for hard work and doing the right thing. I am truly excited to see what more I can learn from her as an elected official and human being.”
Outside of work Podgorski enjoys myriad activities that allow her to take a moment to relax, reflect on the day’s accomplishments, or simply let her mind wander and enjoy the present.
“I am a sports girl so watching sports is a great hobby,” Podgorksi said. “I also love spending time out on my patio with good music, a fire, and a cold glass of wine.”
Whether she’s bettering the community through one of her many roles, bringing others joy in times of hardship, or powering through her own struggles, Podgorski makes it a point to leave an impact wherever she goes, and encourages others to follow suit.
“Leave the world, or any place you find yourself, better than you found it,” Podgorski said. “Always try your very best and do the right thing, letting integrity and self-respect guide you, and above all else, have faith.”
