Governor Quinn Honors Illinois Residents and Businesses for Exceptional Volunteer Service

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn and the Serve Illinois Commission yesterday recognized 23 Illinois residents and five businesses with the Governor's Volunteer Service Award. The award is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to fostering a vibrant volunteer environment in the state and recognizing volunteers that have made a profound difference in Illinois.

"Volunteerism is the heart of Illinois, and I salute the thousands of individuals who give back every day to make our state a better place," Governor Quinn said. "We honor this year's award recipients for lending their time and talent, and for inspiring others to make a difference in communities all across Illinois."

The Governor's Volunteer Service Awards focus on five areas: Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Conservation, Disaster Preparedness/Response, Health and Veterans' Affairs. Individual awards in each of the commission's five service regions (Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central and Southern Illinois) are presented in three categories: youth ages 18 and under, adult ages 19-54 and seniors ages 55 and older. Additionally, National Service Awards are presented to one Senior Corps or AmeriCorps member in each region. This year marked the first time that Business Volunteer Engagement Awards will be presented in each region.

"Each year in Illinois, more than 2.7 million residents engage in volunteerism, and these awards are an opportunity to step back and admire some of the very best that the state has to offer," Brandon Bodor, executive director of Serve Illinois said. "Service comes in a variety of forms, but what remains constant is that everyone can serve."

The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40-member, bipartisan board appointed by the governor, with programs administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing volunteerism and instilling an ethic of service throughout the state.

The following is a list of the 2013 Governor's Volunteer Service Award recipients. For recipient biographies, as well as information about how you can support volunteerism in Illinois, please visit the Serve Illinois website at Serve.Illinois.gov.

Southern Illinois Award Recipients

• Youth: Paige M. Logan - Altamont, IL

  For service to: U of I Extension Effingham County

• Adult: Corinne M. Hansen - O'Fallon, IL

  For service to: St. Elizabeth's Hospital

• Senior: Kim Strellis - Waterloo, IL

  For service to: Monroe County Emergency Management Agency

• AmeriCorps Member: Evelyn Martinez - Harrisburg, IL

  For service to: Illinois Youth Center

• Senior Corps Member: Howard Hagler - Belleville, IL

  For service to: Southwestern Illinois College Senior Companion Program

• Business: Old National Bank - Carbondale, IL

  For service to: Old National Bank Southern Illinois Region

East Central Illinois Award Recipients

• Adult: Amy K. Hagen - Taylorville, IL

  For service to: Central Illinois Food Bank

• Senior: Michael Murray - Charleston, IL

  For service to: Coles County Health Program

• Senior Corps Member: Ruth Hieronymos - Atlanta, IL

  For service to: Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois Foster Grandparent Program

• Business: Illinois National Bank - Springfield, IL

  For service to: Girls Scouts of Central Illinois District 186

West Central Illinois Award Recipients

• Youth: Sophia Marcolla - Quincy, IL

  For service to: Quincy Humane Society

• Adult: Dan Dietrich - Quincy, IL

  For service to: John Wood Community College Adult Volunteer Literacy

• Senior: Dan Thompson - Jacksonville, IL

  For service to: Jacksonville Area Center for Independent Living

• AmeriCorps Member: Katie Brunk - Virginia, IL

  For service to: Illinois College

• Senior Corps Member: Jim Fisher - Quincy, IL

  For service to: Adams County RSVP

• Business: Hy-Vee, Harrison - Quincy, IL

  For service to: Adams County RSVP

Northwest Illinois Award Recipients

• Youth: Blake Matson - Orion, IL

  For service to: Child Life Charities

• Adult: Greg Noe - Moline, IL

  For Service to: Renew Moline

• Senior: Judy DeBoever - Geneseo, IL

  For service to: Aisle of Flags, Inc.

• AmeriCorps Member: Jackie Whitworth - Freeport, IL

  For service to: Freeport Church Cooperative

• Senior Corps Member: Patricia Umland - Moline, IL

  For service to: QC Heartbeats Genesis Illini Campus & WI Area on Aging

• Business: Finnegan's RV Center - South Beloit, IL

  For Service to: Vets Roll

Northeast Illinois Award Recipients

• Youth: Sarah Dynia - Oak Lawn, IL

  For service to: Park Lawn and Activity Center

• Adult: Daniel Sylvester - Chicago, IL

  For service to: Veterans' Assistance Service Organization

• Senior: James Adams - Chicago, IL

  For service to: Major Adams Community Committee

• AmeriCorps Member: Melissa Rothman - Chicago, IL

  For service to: Erie Family Health Center

• Senior Corps Member: Artie Walter - St. Anne, IL

  For service to: Foster Grandparent Program of Kankakee and Livingston

• Business: Exelon Corporation Employee Volunteer Program - Chicago, IL

  For Service to: Youth Guidance