Governor's Home Town Awards Recognize Outstanding Volunteer Efforts By JAN M. GRAYSON, Director Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

Gov. Jim Edgar announced winners in the 11th annual Governor's Home Town Awards competition, which recognizes the contributions made by thousands of volunteers who work to improve the quality of life in communities throughout Illinois.

"Governments today face tight budgets that leave little room for extras," Edgar said. "Fortunately, all over Illinois, volunteers are making sure that important community projects and services are undertaken, unselfishly giving their time and talents to help their neighbors. Volunteers are counseling youths, building parks, helping senior citizens, providing emergency services and, in general, addressing the needs of their communities.

"For 11 years, the Governor's Home Town Awards have provided an avenue for government to recognize and thank our dedicated volunteers for their devotion to making Illinois a great place to live, work and raise a family. On behalf of the people of Illinois, I congratulate the 1992 winners of the Governor's Home Town Awards."

Awards were presented to 74 community projects during ceremonies in Springfield. The city of Joliet received the top honor for its "Drug-Free Youth In Touch" project.

"The road signs, plaques and certificates we give are symbols that will be proudly displayed to remind citizens of the hours of work given by Illinois volunteers," the Governor said. "Each winner has demonstrated foresight and the initiative to identify community needs and follow through to see that solutions become reality.

"Joliet's 'Drug-Free Youth In Touch' program is just such an effort. Recognizing the pressures today's young people face in dealing with substance abuse, volunteers organized an effort to reward youths for staying drug free.

Modeled after a successful Texas program, 'Drug-Free Youth In Touch,' or 'D-Fy-It,' encourages youths to voluntarily undergo drug testing. Those who pass are rewarded with a card that allows them to receive discounts and other incentives from participating merchants throughout Joliet.

"This program has brought together youths, educators, law enforcement, the medical community and business people in a positive way, underlining the importance of remaining drug free," Edgar said. "We recognize its success by naming Joliet as winner of the 1992 Governor's Cup, signifying the effort most symbolic of the spirit of Illinois volunteerism."

The Governor's Home Town Awards competition is administered by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), in close cooperation with the Department on Aging and the Lieutenant Governor's Office of Volunteer Services. DCCA Director Jan M. Grayson said winners were selected from a proof of 142 applicants.

"Quality of life is a chief consideration of businesses seeking to expand or locate facilities," Grayson said. "Illinois communities demonstrate outstanding quality. Much of this success is due to the contributions made by Illinois' dedicated volunteers. Volunteers ensure that community centers provide activities. They step in to help senior citizens and youths. They build parks, rekindle interest in history and build community pride. Their efforts remind us that economic development is a partnership between all — businesses, employees, educators, government and private citizens."

The Governor's Home Town Awards are presented in eight categories, based on community population. Projects must involve economic development, community service, community facilities, human enrichment, achievement by youths or achievement by senior citizens. Entries are judged by impartial volunteers on the basis of local need and community participation, as well as results and continuity.

Winners receive a commemorative plaque and road

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sign proclaiming the community's selection as a winner in the competition. A list of the 1992 winners is as follows:

1992 GOVERNOR'S HOME TOWN AWARDS

CATEGORY I (population up to 1,699)

1st Place — Kaneville Township/Kane County — Volunteers organize activities at the Kaneville Community Center.

2nd Place — LaMoille/Bureau County—Lions Club members and other volunteers built a community center/baseball field.

3rd Place — Pearl City/Stephenson County—Hundreds of volunteers organized the Pearl City Centennial Celebration.

Honorable Mention — Windsor/Shelby County— Volunteers of all ages staged the 94th Annual Windsor Harvest Picnic.

Honorable Mention — Golden/Adams County—Volunteers established the Golden Branch Library, the most used in its system.

Economic Development — Delavan/Taxewell County —The Delavan Restoration Society's house walk raises funds for restoration.

Honorable Mention — Sublette/Lee County—The Greater Sublette Trade and Agriculture Show/Taste of Country raised pride.

Youth Award — Lake Forest/Lake County—Academy of the Sacred Heart students painted Chicago Housing Authority apartments for seniors.

Senior Award — Anchor Township/McLean County— Senior volunteers have ensured continuance of several local programs.

Honorable Mention — Monee/Will County—A fish fry/raffle raised $1,400 to provide services to Eastern Will County seniors.

CATEGORY II (population 1,700 to 4,900)

1st Place — Carterville/Williamson County—Volunteers raised $150,000 for a new police/fire/ambulance complex.

2nd Place — Warsaw/Hancock County—Citizens donated 25,000 hours to raise funds and build the Bott Community Center.

3rd Place — Nashville/Washington County—Posi-Teen Week honors youths for their contributions to the community.

Honorable Mention — Rushville/Schuyler County— Volunteers, many of them youths, restored the Schuyler County Courtroom.

Honorable Mention — Henry/Marshall County—The Henry Red Stocking Project gave holiday food baskets and toys to the needy.

Economic Development — Eldorado/Saline County—

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Project BOUNCE beautified downtown and attracted new shops to Eldorado.

Youth Award — Lacon/Marshall County—A teen dance club gives youths an alternative to loitering and drug use.

Honorable Mention — Minonk/Woodford County— The Elementary Enrichment Committee helps youths learn crafts and skills.

Honorable Mention — Rushville/Schuyler County— Courtroom restoration.

Senior Award — Minonk/Woodford County—Elementary Enrichment.

Honorable Mention — Sullivan/Moultrie County— Pencil Pals and reading projects help youths improve literacy and writing.

CATEGORY III (population 5,000 to 7,499)

1st Place — Chillicothe/Peoria County—Volunteers renovated Pearce School into a full-range community center.

2nd Place — Robinson/Crawford County—Volunteers tutor at-risk students and increase their self-esteem.

3rd Place — Orland Hills/Cook County—Operation Self-Esteem helped needy kids buy holiday gifts.

Honorable Mention — Fox Lake/Lake County—The CHOICES program helps youths remain free from substance abuse.

Honorable Mention — Carlinville/Macoupin County—Volunteers funded and built Loveless Park — a community center.

Economic Development — Chillicothe/Peoria County —Pearce Community Center.

Honorable Mention — Carlinville/Macoupin County —Loveless Park.

Youth Award — Fox Lake/Lake County—CHOICE program.

Honorable Mention — Fairfield/Wayne County— Mule Backers raise funds for scholarships, athletics — even a transplant.

Senior Award — Fox Lake/Lake County—CHOICE program.

Honorable Mention — Chillicothe/Peoria County— Pearce Community Center.

CATEGORY IV (population 7,500 to 15,999)

1st Place — Harrisburg/Saline County—Volunteers help victims of domestic violence at the Anna Bixby Women's Centers.

2nd Place — Ingleside/Lake County—Nearly 200 families received holiday food baskets thanks to volunteer efforts.

3rd Place — Clinton/DeWitt County—The Clinton Junior Women's Club conducts many community service projects.

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Honorable Mention — Newton/Jasper County—The Pride in Your Community Project spurred beautification all over the county.

Honorable Mention — Midlothian/Cook County—Friends of the Library raised funds for a new library.

Economic Development — Bethalto/Madison County —Bethalto Spirit volunteers logged more than 2,900 hours helping others.

Honorable Mention — Pontiac/Livingston County—Volunteers donated time to make the Catherine V. Yost Museum a reality.

Youth Award — Livingston County—Livingston Alternative (LA) sponsors social activities for local youths.

Honorable Mention — Clinton/DeWitt County—The Clinton Education Assn. funds scholarships through its Winter Carnival.

Senior Award — Fairview Heights/St. Clair County— A board of senior citizens maintains and oversees the senior center.

Honorable Mention — Wood Dale/DuPage County— Seniors work with the police to help with community improvement programs.

CATEGORY V (population 16,000 to 26,599)

1st Place — Algonquin and Lake in the Hills/McHenry County—More than 40 volunteers help man three fully-equipped ambulances.

2nd Place — Charleston/Coles County—Project PAL brings tutors together with adults who need remedial education.

3rd Place — Bensenville/DuPage County—Bensenville Historical Society operates the Korthauer Log House museum.

Honorable Mention — Blue Island/Cook County—Volunteers built the Veterans Plaza memorial to honor local veterans.

Honorable Mention — Palos Hills/Cook County-Youth volunteers staged a production to send gifts to Desert Storm soldiers.

Economic Development — Freeport/Stephenson County—Martin Luther King, Jr. Comm. Services helps single parents train for jobs.

Youth Award — Palos Hills/Cook County—The Challenger baseball program allows disabled children to play baseball.

Honorable Mention — Palos Hills/Cook County—Desert Storm effort.

Senior Award — Palos Hills/Cook County—Senior Friends help young District 117 students with reading, art and foods.

Honorable Mention — Morton Grove/DuPage County—Senior citizens make recruitment calls to help with blood drives.

CATEGORY VI (population 26,600 to 42,099)

1st Place — Grundy County—Volunteers made possible a courthouse lawn memorial to Korean and Vietnam war veterans.

2nd Place — Carbondale/Jackson County—Volunteers organized Lights Fantastic, a lighted parade and concert.

3rd Place — Rock Island/Rock Island County— Metropolitan Youth Program helps teens set goals and raise self-esteem.

Honorable Mention — Highland Park/Lake County—

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Volunteers restored Highwood Park to its natural splendor.

Economic Development — Wilmette/Cook County— Volunteers encouraged a commercial building renovation program.

Honorable Mention — Park Ridge/Cook County— Park Ridge volunteers are revitalizing the central business district.

Youth Award — Tinley Park/Cook County—Tinley Park Youth Commission sponsors youth activities.

Honorable Mention — DuPage County—Volunteers organized Operation Snowball to fight substance abuse among youths.

Senior Award — Lansing/Cook County —Volunteers donated gifts to ensure a happy holiday season for needy citizens.

CATEGORY VII (population 42,100 to 90,000)

1st Place — Joliet/Will County—Students volunteer for drug tests and receive incentives to stay drug-free.

2nd Place — DeKalb/DeKalb County—DCP/S.A.F.E. coordinates substance abuse prevention activities.

3rd Place — DuPage Township/Will County—The Joseph and Sarah Levy Center provides activities for seniors.

Honorable Mention — Champaign/Champaign County—Concerned Citizens for Better Neighborhoods is cleaning up the community.

Honorable Mention — Herrin/Williamson County— Concerned Neighbors runs a summer free lunch program for qualified children.

Economic Development — Belleville/St. Clair County—Belleville Economic Progress organized the Gingerbread Walk event.

Honorable Mention — Henry County—The Economic Development Partnership has made loans to three firms creating 47 jobs.

Youth Award —Hoffman Estates/Cook County—The Peer Jury program encourages youth offenders to improve behavior.

Honorable Mention — Schaumburg/Cook County— The Teen Center provides activities to keep youths active and out of trouble.

Senior Award — Decatur/Macon County—Over 100 families grow produce as part of the Red Cross Green Thumb program.

Honorable Mention — Bloomington/McLean County —Senior volunteers provide health care transport to kids and pregnant women. •

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