Westchester Merit Award

The 1969 Merit Award for Community Service has been presented to the Kiwanis Club of Westchester by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

This is the first time in the 41 year history of the Association that such an award has been given to a group or organization, all previous recipients having been individual persons only. The 1969 award is therefore not only significant, but historic.

Approval for the award was made by the Honors Committee of the Association at the annual joint meeting of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park & Recreation Society, held in Springfield, October 29-31, 1969.

Nomination for the award was made by the Westchester Park District, in the form of an official citation to the Kiwanis Club, which was entered into the March 24, 1969 minutes of the Westchester Park Board by resolution. Excerpts of this citation read as follows:

"Whereas, the Kiwanis Club of Westchester, having supported youth recreational activities through its financial contributions to the program of the Westchester Park District, including (1) Installation and fencing of the Tot-lot playground at Mayfair Park in 1964, (2) Provision of a portable swimming pool in 1967, (3) Sponsorship of a community-wide Christmas party in 1968, (4) Construction and lighting of an ice skating rink in 1969 . . . we, therefore, resolve to enter into nomination the name of the Kiwanis Club of Westechester as recipient of the 1969 Merit Citation for Service."

Total financial value of the contributions made by the Kiwanis Club is in excess of $17,000, and also includes the development and planting of a tree nursery. Most significant were two large lump sum donations, $5,000 for the portable pool and $6,000 for the skating rink.

The Westchester Park District was the host for the official presentation ceremony of this award, held December 14, 1969, and presided over by officers of the Association. The award was presented by Association President Elect Eugene Pomerance of Elmhurst and Vice-President, Mrs. Betty Irons of Homewood. Members of national, state, and local official governmental bodies were also invited to attend.

Illinois Parks 88 May/ June 1970