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Blog Post - November 12, 2015

Blog Post – Thursday, November 12, 2015

Nearly 1,000 Volunteers Rededicate Themselves to Service

Governor Rauner proclaimed October 21st National Service Recognition Day in Illinois, and Serve Illinois celebrated it with nearly 1,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps volunteers. The day culminated with a parade to the Old State Capitol in Springfield where the volunteers were the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Wendy Spencer and Serve Illinois Executive Director Scott McFarland led the members in the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps pledges, where volunteers proclaimed their commitment to a year of service to Illinois. “Illinois’ AmeriCorps and Senior Corps volunteers are working on the front lines to improve our communities,” McFarland said. “They dedicate millions of hours a year at over 2,000 locations throughout Illinois. We are very proud of their service, and we are honored to recognize their dedication to our State.”

“I am proud to welcome these new AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers into the national service family – they are the heart of everything we do,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “National service is an indispensable resource for nonprofits, communities, and the individuals they serve, uniting Americans of all backgrounds with a shared goal: to make a lasting impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation. I salute all the AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers for their dedication, and thank our outstanding partners who make their service possible.”

The volunteers shared their spirit of service with 114 POUNDS of pop tabs donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, 100 gloves and 300 baseballs to Gloves4Troops, and GALLONS of blood to the Central Illinois Community Blood Center.

2,800 current AmeriCorps members have dedicated a year to helping communities meet their unmet economic, education, health, public safety, or environmental needs. Members receive a modest living allowance, student loan deferment, and training. Since 1994, 35,000 Illinois residents have served more than 48 million hours and have qualified for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $111,370,000.

Senior Corps Members use their lifetime of experience to support communities through the RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions programs. These 55+ volunteers serve as mentors, coaches, and companions to people in need. There are over 12,000 Illinois seniors serving.