2002 Governor's Home Town Awards

View footage from 2002 Governor's Cup Winner - Champaign County-Crisis Nursery
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2002 Governor's Home Town Awards Winners - Category I - VIII

CATEGORY I (Population 0 - 1,300)

Royalton-Royalton Public Library

• Volunteers helped raise funds and donated labor and materials to build a new public library accessible to those with disabilities.

Dieterich-Community Veterans Memorial

• More than 300 people worked to raise funds and build a memorial to the community's veterans, Revolutionary War to the present.

Burritt Township-Township Museum

• Volunteers helped renovate a room at the township hall to house a museum, contributing items to honor the township's past.

Persifer Township-First Responders

• First Responders are volunteers who provide first aid and emergency assistance to residents of Oak Run until an ambulance arrives.

Winslow-Paradise Cove Covered Bridge

• Volunteers converted a flatbed trailer into the only covered bridge in Stephenson County, attracting tourists and building area pride.

Milledgeville-Chadwick/Milledgeville Football Lights and Running Track

• More than 120 volunteers helped raise funds and build Carroll County's only all-weather running track.

Hanover-Ambulance and Building

• Hanover's Ambulance Association bought a new ambulance and built a garage for it, thanks to the fundraising and labor of volunteers.

CATEGORY I Governor's Cup Finalist:
Oakdale-Easter Egg Factory Eggstravaganza

• More than 1,700 people attended the Eggstravaganza in 2001, enjoying volunteer efforts to create an Easter fantasyland.

CATEGORY II (Population 1,301 - 3,800)

Newton-Peterson Park

• Volunteers raised more than $37,000 to help purchase new playground equipment, then helped install the equipment in Newton's Peterson Park.

Irving-Historical Museum

• Volunteers helped turn the village's original bank building into a museum that preserves a link to the community's history.

Gibson City-GCMS Booster Club "On Track" Project

• Volunteers helped develop a plan, raise funds and landscape a new all-weather track at the high school.

Lebanon-Visitors Center

• Community pride was renewed and visitors have a central place for information thanks to volunteers who raised funds for a new visitors center.

Waverly-Project Signs

• The Waverly Community Development Committee spearheaded efforts to buy, install and landscape signs welcoming visitors to Waverly.

Bushnell-All-Weather Community Track

• A 29-member committee was key in raising funds and helping to build a new all-weather track replacing a 50-year-old cinder track.

Jerome-Neighborhood Park

• In 2001, the master plan for Jerome's neighborhood park was completed, thanks to help from volunteers who organized events and raised funds.

CATEGORY II Governor's Cup Finalist:
Rushville

• SchuyLight Christian Coffee House - Volunteers turned an old supper club into a coffee house where youths can "hang out" and enjoy wholesome activities.

CATEGORY III (Population 3,801 - 11,000)

Edwards County-Dinner Theater

• Dinner Theater, organized by volunteers, draws more than 1,000 people annually and supports music and art programs at the high school.

Vandalia-Lincoln Park

• Volunteers raised funds to commission a statue and landscape a small park where visitors to Vandalia can relax and enjoy the Old State Capitol view.

Peru-Illinois Valley Peer Jury Program

• Trained youth volunteers serve as "jurors" to hear cases against youthful offenders and assign appropriate sanctions.

Fulton-Dutch Windmill Grinding Stone

• To enhance Fulton's authentic Dutch Windmill, volunteers raised funds to buy a grinding stone. Volunteer millers trained to grind flour.

Frankfort-Earth Day/Arbor Day

• Nearly 100 volunteers participated in the 2001 Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration, picking up trash and planting flowers and trees.

Johnson County-Oral History Project

• Volunteers organized a Storytelling Festival to collect stories from America's war veterans and others. Plans call for an annual event.

Princeton-Veterans Park

• A small grassy area was renovated into a showplace honoring veterans, thanks to fundraising, landscaping and organization by volunteers.

CATEGORY III Governor's Cup Finalist:
Lake Villa-Baseball Park

• Lake Villa offers an impressive four-diamond baseball facility, thanks to efforts by volunteers of the Lake Region Youth Baseball Association.

CATEGORY IV (Population 11,001 - 17,000)

Lemont-Lemont Legends Cruise Nights

• Downtown Lemont is bustling on summer evenings as people enjoy classic cars and store specials during weekly Cruise Nights.

South Elgin-Riverfest Express "A Special Night for Special Kids"

• Nearly 120 volunteers pitched in to help children with disabilities enjoy Riverfest Express.

Washington-Senior Center Meal Program

• More than 450 meals are delivered on weekdays each month by volunteers who also check on the welfare of senior citizens.

Coloma Township-Knowledge Increases Developing Skills for Success

• In 2001, Rock Falls dedicated a new handicapped-accessible library, built with help from volunteers.

Country Club Hills-Police Cadets/Explorers

• Youthful Police Cadets volunteer their services at community events. Many have gone to college to major in criminal justice.

Hazel Crest-Volunteer Task Force

• Six volunteer task forces have been formed to address issues such as economic development, public safety, seniors and youths.

Mt. Vernon-Police Athletic League

• Two retired Marines developed the Police Athletic League to help low-income youths learn self-confidence and develop respect for others.

Bond County-Utlaut Health Services Auxiliary Old Time Christmas

• Nearly 1,000 volunteers work throughout the year to stage a bazaar and raise funds for the hospital.

CATEGORY IV Governor's Cup Finalist:
Piatt County-Faith in Action

• More than 275 volunteer caregivers assisted 327 senior citizens in 2001, helping with yard work, home repair, meals and companionship.

CATEGORY V (Population 17,001 - 24,000)

Limestone Township-Splash

• Splash is an annual fundraising event spearheaded by volunteers that helps raise money to maintain and operate the community pool.

Lisle-Main Street Pedestrian Tunnel Project

• Volunteers transformed a graffiti-strewn pedestrian tunnel into a work of art by painting murals. It's helped revitalize the area.

Palos Hills-Teen Employment Program

• The program, run by volunteers, helps teens learn how to write resumes, interview, dress for success and successfully find jobs.

Carbondale-Main Street Pig Out

• The annual Main Street Pig Out brings college students and community residents together and showcases the Main Street District.

Macomb-Big Brothers/Big Sisters

• More than 45 volunteers coordinated the first "Bowl for Kids Sake" fundraiser, raising $18,500 for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

Evergreen Park-The Evergreen Parkettes

• Senior volunteers kick up their heels and entertain others through their dance performances. The average age of dancers is 74.

Roselle-Roselle Nature Savers

• Volunteers have been instrumental in undertaking a wetland restoration that attracts wildlife, filters water and reduces flooding in Roselle.

Palos Hills-Halloween Happenings

• Concerns about Halloween safety in the wake of the September 11 tragedies led volunteers to organize fun, safe activities for children.

CATEGORY V Governor's Cup Finalist:
McHenry-McHenry Zone Skate & Bike Park

• Parents and kids volunteered to raise funds to build a skate park and bike ramp worth more than $350,000.

CATEGORY VI (Population 24,001 - 33,000)

St. Charles-Lazarus House

• Lazarus House relies on volunteers to help operate the facility, which provides shelter, meals, laundry and support services to the homeless.

Highland Park-Kid Couriers

• This intergenerational program pairs volunteer students with seniors needing help with shopping. Kids and seniors alike reap satisfaction.

Westmont-Emergency Management Agency

• Trained volunteers assist with emergency management needs. In 2001, they outfitted a trailer into a command post.

Grundy County-Operation St. Nick

• Operation St. Nick volunteers raised nearly $96,000 in 2001 to help needy families at Christmas, Easter and back-to-school time.

St. Charles Township-STC Underground Teen Center, St. Charles Park District

• Volunteers helped create STC Underground -- a drug- and alcohol-free teen center.

Boone County-Council on Aging

• More than 450 volunteers helped raise funds and provide services to build the new Keen Age Center facility for seniors in the county.

Westmont-Citizens Fire Academy/Alumni Association

• The Citizens Fire Academy helps citizens learn about fire safety and the operations of the fire department.

CATEGORY VI Governor's Cup Finalist:
Mundelein-Youth Committee

• With help from more than 500 volunteers, the Youth Committee helps develop wholesome community-wide activities for the entire family.

CATEGORY VII (Population 33,001 - 85,000)

Whiteside County-Our Food Pantry

• Funded entirely through donations and grants, volunteers operated a food pantry that fed more than 1,900 people in 2001.

Adams County-Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs

• The Partnership relies on volunteers to complement the social service system by assisting with emergency needs.

Bolingbrook-Jonas E. Salk Playground

• Volunteers raised funds and paired with other volunteers from CNA Insurance to build a new playground at Jonas E. Salk School.

Belleville-Old Town Market

• Volunteers help operate and raise funds to improve the Old Town Market -- a summertime "farmers' market" that brings people downtown.

Danville-AMBUCS Playground for Everyone

• AMBUCS members coordinated fundraising and construction of a playground accessible to children of all abilities.

CATEGORY VII Governor's Cup Finalist:
Skokie-Peace and Harmony Committee

• Committee volunteers organize activities to demonstrate community diversity and harmony; over 4,000 volunteers are involved.

CATEGORY VIII (Population 85,001 and above)

Peoria-Giving Tree

• Employees at OSF SFMC "adopt" families to fill needs at Christmas. In 2001, over 1,000 needy employees and patients received assistance.

Cicero-Police Explorers

• Police Explorers are young volunteers who take a course in police training. They help provide security and traffic control at various area events.

Bloom Township-Emergency Food Outreach Program

• Some 1,123 volunteers helped ensure that the food pantry delivers food to the disabled, seniors and those in need.

Cicero-Senior Services

• Seniors may access many free services and a bus service, helping them remain in their homes. Volunteers assist with coordinating the efforts.

Will County-Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

• CASA has more than 50 trained volunteer advocates who represent abused and neglected children in court.

CATEGORY VIII Governor's Cup Finalist:
Champaign County-Crisis Nursery

• Volunteers are the lifeblood of Crisis Nursery, a safe place for young children in times of family crisis. The nursery expanded in 2001.