 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
GOVERNOR'S HOME TOWN AWARDS RECOGNIZE Governor Jim Edgar announced winners in the 13th annual Governor's Home Town Awards competition, which recognizes the contributions of volunteers in improving the quality of life in Illinois communities. "Volunteers are your neighbors," the Governor said. "Young and old, they are the people who see a need and take it upon themselves to find solutions. Volunteers feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, befriend the lonely, beautify the community and reach out to their fellow citizens to make their communities better places to live, work and raise a family." "The importance of volunteerism was particularly highlighted last year when, day after day, people from across our state pitched into help those whose homes and communities were lost to floodwaters. From those who filled sandbags to those who collected money and supplies for flood victims, volunteers saved millions of dollars and provided assistance that will never be foregotten." "The Governor's Home Town Awards are one way those of us in state government can thank our dedicated volunteers for their efforts. It is my hope that the winners will proudly display the awards marking their achievement, inspiring future volunteers to continue to reach out and better their communities." The Governor's Cup, a traveling silver trophy, was awarded to Hinsdale for its "Wellness House," selected as this year's project most representative of the spirit of volunteerism in Illinois.
GOVERNOR'S HOME TOWN AWARD WINNER
Hinsdale/DuPage County — Wellness House
In 1988, a group of cancer survivors organized The Wellness House as a place where cancer patients and their families could receive the guidance, education and support they needed to help them cope with and conquer the disease. The idea was quickly embraced and The Wellness House rapidly outgrew its small home. Led by board member Jim Caplice, volunteers began efforts to raise funds to build a new, larger facility. They soon learned that families throughout the community had been touched by cancer. Interest mushroomed and Caplice and general contractor Phil Dressier were joined by more than 1,200 workers, suppliers and contractors, volunteering their services and materials. Today, The Wellness House is headquartered in a $1.8 million, 7,000 square-foot, Cape Cod-style dwelling that includes homelike meeting rooms, a kitchen for nutrition classes and office space. Each week, approximately 350 patients and their families receive much-needed strength and counseling from The Wellness House programs — all at no cost to the patients. 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 volunteers are important partners in the state's economic development efforts. "A chief consideration for companies choosing a location for a new or expanded facility is the quality of life offered in a community," Grayson said. "Each volunteer we honor can be assured that his or her efforts contribute to the overall competitiveness of the community in its future efforts to attract and keep businesses and jobs." More than 160 communities submitted applications this year for the Governor's Home Town Awards. A group of volunteer judges reviewed the applications on the basis of local need and participation, as well as continuity and results. The judges made site visits to the communities selected as finalists prior to making the final ranking decisions. Awards were presented in eight categories based on community population. Eligible projects involve economic development, community service, community facilities, human enrichment, achievement for or by youths and achievement for or by senior citizens. The magnitude of the volunteer flood relief efforts in 1993 led to creation of a special category this year that recognized these contributions. First place winners of general awards, youth award, senior awards and economic development awards receive a commemorative plaque and road sign proclaiming the community's selection as a winner in the competition. Second, third and fourth place winners received plaques noting their achievement. Flood relief projects were judged independently from the regular categories. Finalists received Award of Merit plaques, and one project, Prairie du Rocher, was selected to receive a special Award of Excellence July 1994 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 7 plaque as the projects most representative of volunteer contributions to the flood relief efforts. A list of the 1994 winners is attached. 1994 GOVERNOR'S HOME TOWN AWARDS CATEGORY I (population up to 2,500)
GENERAL AWARD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH AWARD
SENIOR AWARD
CATEGORY II (population 2,501 to 6,500)
GENERAL AWARD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH AWARD
SENIOR AWARD
CATEGORY III (population 6,501 to 14,000)
GENERAL AWARD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH AWARD
SENIOR AWARD
CATEGORY IV (population 14,001 to 20,000)
GENERAL AWARD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH AWARD
SENIOR AWARD
CATEGORY V (population 20,001 to 37,000)
GENERAL AWARD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH AWARD
Page 8 / Illinois Municipal Review / July 1994
SENIOR AWARD
CATEGORY VI (population 37,001 to 85,000)
GENERAL AWARD
YOUTH AWARD
CATEGORY VII (population 85,001 to 2,500,000)
GENERAL AWARD
YOUTH AWARD
SENIOR AWARD
CATEGORY VIII (population over 2,500,000)
GENERAL AWARD
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH AWARD
SENIOR AWARD
SPECIAL FLOOD RELIEF CATEGORY
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
AWARDS OF MERIT
July 1994 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 9 |
|
|
