In the News
May 26,2011
Over 250 attendees this year!
Over 250 RSVP volunteers, station representatives, and guests attended this year’s annual volunteer recognition luncheon held at The Embassy Suites in East Peoria. Irving Children’s Choir entertained the guests with some familiar tunes and smiling faces. This year’s theme was ‘ ThanksFORgiving’ which will explain the turkey, mash potatoes, and green beens as the meal. Thank you to our first time sponsors – Advocates for Access, Riverview-A Senior Living Community, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois – InTouch HomeCare, Home Health Care Plus, and The Grand Victorian of Washington.
The Livengoods are always so pleasant.
April 13, 2011
At 3pm today Ashley Kinne, Peoria County Coordinator of RSVP, attended One.der’s PR campaign presentation on Bradley’s campus. The campaign is geared toward persons 55 years and older who are currently using or are interested in getting ‘connected’ to the internet and with smart phones. The campaign is call ‘Connect&Protect’ and has many elements to its’ education component including a workshop being held next week on Thursday at River West Public Library. To find out more information, click here. To read the online PJStar article, click here. RSVP is proud to be a partner of this important campaign.
April 6, 2011
Governor Pat Quinn and the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service today presented 25 Illinoisans with the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, including our very own RSVP volunteer, Dr. John Fendrich. The award recognizes volunteers who have made a difference in Illinois and highlights the importance of volunteerism and community service. The Governor and Serve Illinois Commission hosted a luncheon to honor the recipients at the Executive Mansion in Springfield.
“Every day in Illinois, thousands of volunteers donate their time and talents to help others and to build stronger communities,” said Governor Quinn. “We are recognizing these individuals for their initiative, creativity and energy that have made a positive change and have set an example for others to follow.”
Individual awards were presented in three categories: youth age 18 and under, adult age 19-54, and retiree/senior age 55 and older. Awards were presented in each of the Commission’s five service regions across the state (Northeast, Northwest, East Central, West Central and Southern Illinois). Additionally, National Service Awards were present regionally to one Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve Member.
The Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards focus on five areas: Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Conservation, Disaster Preparedness/Response, Health, and Veterans’ Affairs.
A panel of judges from across the state selected the award recipients. The picture above from L to R includes: Jill Heise, Chair of Serve Illinois Commission, Dr. John Fendrich, RSVP volunteer and award recipient, Ted Gibbs, Executive Director of Serve Illinois, and Ashley Kinne, Peoria County Coordinator for RSVP of Peoria and Tazewell Counties.
The Serve Illinois Commission is a 35-member, bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor and administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs, including the Illinois AmeriCorps program.
“All citizens have an opportunity to recognize their ability and help strengthen their communities through voluntary service,” said Ted Gibbs, Executive Director of Serve Illinois. “Through Serve Illinois, we hope to expand volunteerism throughout rural, suburban and urban Illinois, and involve people of all backgrounds, cultures and ages.”
To learn more about the Serve Illinois Commission and volunteerism in Illinois, visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov.
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