The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service plans to honor East St. Louis with a Governor’s Hometown Award at the Old State Capitol in Springfield at 2 p.m. Nov. 8 in a nod to its successful recent community program.
A special reception will acknowledge the St. Clair County city for its “Join Hands Advocacy Project.”
“We are pleased that through the preliminary round of judging, 14 localities have been recognized as either cup finalists or project winners of the program,” Commission Executive Director Scott McFarland said. “It was clear that many communities throughout Illinois have wonderful service projects that use volunteers. Through these awards, we are honored to be able to highlight these projects and the people who gave back.”
The Join Hands Advocacy Project blends family and teen mentoring, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and alternative education with athletics and other youth services. East St. Louis is slated to receive a plaque and road sign to commemorate its program’s accomplishments.
While a total of 13 communities are listed alongside East St. Louis, only one finalist will be selected as the Governor’s Cup winner, with that name slated to be revealed Nov. 8.
The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service — a governor-appointed, 40-member bipartisan board — will also acknowledge Kewanee for its “Step Ladder Tutoring Program;” Macon County for “WSOY Community Food Drive,” and Waterloo in honor of its “Monroe County House of Neighborly Service.”
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