Governor's Volunteer Service Awards - 2019

Ryan Scritchlow believes that home ownership is key to strengthening families. This is evidenced through 16 years of volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. Ryan will celebrate working on his 100th Habitat home in 2019! Ryan volunteers his time and talent to make an impact on his community: at one local school he voluntarily built an outdoor classroom and at another built a “Pathway to Inclusion” for children with limited mobility. Ryan utilizes knowledge gained from owning his own businesses in his volunteer work. His business, Scritchlow Enterprises, provides him with critical knowledge and skill sets to serve on Habitat for Humanity’s Board and Construction Committee. In 2017, Ryan was appointed to McLean County Board representing District 7 after serving 5 years on the Bloomington Planning Commission. He currently serves on Child Protection Network’s Board and University High School Alumni Board. Ryan is married to Carrie with 3 children: Nolan (5), Jeffrey (3), and Hannah (1).

Horace Mann, a publicly-traded company based in Springfield and Founded by Educators for Educators more than 70 years ago, offers much more than insurance and financial services to educators. The company and its employees generously support the communities in which they live and work. Whether it’s the annual United Way of Central Illinois campaign, Stuff the Bus school supply drive, volunteering to read and mentor students in local schools, or with their annual Food Drive, Horace Mann is committed to helping the educational community. The company recognizes and supports educators with its Educator and Administrator of the Year awards, through its partnership with DonorsChoose.org, and local programs customized for each school. Regardless of the need, Horace Mann and its employees generously give their time, talents and treasures to truly make a difference.

Susan Elke and late husband Ralph moved to Effingham in June 1992 and began volunteering in the community a few months later. Susan has been a long-time member of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and has given well over 14,500 hours of service to area non-profits during her time with RSVP. Susan started her volunteer service by delivering Meals on Wheels and driving individuals to medical appointments through the FISH organization. Through her contact with the clients, she noticed many of them did not have family close by and Thanksgiving in particular was a lonely time. Susan organized a Community Thanksgiving Dinner available to anyone in Effingham County and also recruited volunteers to deliver meals to the home-bound. In addition, Susan also helps with the FISH Christmas Store, the Community Christmas Dinner and organizes a school supply drive each summer to provide underprivileged youth with school supplies. Susan is currently Co-President of the FISH organization, is the Secretary/Treasurer on the Midland Area Agency on Aging Board, Treasure for NAMI of Southern IL, and President of the RSVP Advisory Council.

Terri O’Neill-Borders settled in Lemont in 1994. She immediately began volunteering at two churches and schools while managing her own company as well as coaching youth sports. After the passing of her father, Martin J. O’Neill Sr. in 2005, Terri founded Hope and Friendship Foundation. Her goal was to become a conduit of assistance from those who can help to those that need help in her community. Hope and Friendship Foundation now has outreach events throughout the year for anyone in need. Terri created two arms of Hope and Friendship: Team Compassion which helps to those battling cancer by offering financial, emotional and physical support to those in the battle; and (not)INVINCIBLE which focuses on addiction, depression, and other related issues for the youth of Lemont. Terri became the Lemont Police Chaplain in 2007, assisting officers and community members at any hour. She has worked at the Village of Lemont and has held the position of Community Services with Lemont Township since 2010, also assisting needs in the community with her “day job”.

West Monroe Partners, a national business and technology consultancy, is a long-time partner of CommunityHealth. Over the past decade, the firm has supported CommunityHealth by helping to create a reliable technology infrastructure, thereby allowing their team to do what they do best—provide high-quality care to those in need. West Monroe’s corporate social responsibility program is known as the 1+1+1 Program. Each year, the firm sets a goal to donate one percent of its time via volunteering, one percent of its talent via pro-bono work, and one percent of its treasure (profits) via charitable donations. The partnership with CommunityHealth highlights their commitment to serving their hometown of Chicago. The needs of Chicago communities are complex and they are proud to partner with the CommunityHealth team as they not only provide compassionate care, but empower and promote healthier local communities.

Toni Lieteau was born in Chicago and received her BA and Master’s degrees in Pennsylvania. Toni has always worked in public relations and marketing. While living in Pittsburgh, she worked at the University of Pittsburgh’s medical school and at the Allegheny County government. She moved to Los Angeles where she was employed at UCLA and later at Loyola Marymont Law School. When she returned to Illinois, she worked as the Vice President at a community hospital. Before retiring she was Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations at Indiana University Northwest. Toni started volunteering for the Foster Grandparent Program at Catholic Charities upon retirement, where she has served for the past three years at St. Andrew the Apostle. Toni began setting up the school library her first summer. Toni says this is just the start of a program that will exist long after she is gone.

Audrey Adamson believes volunteering is a way to vote every day on the kind of community you want to live in. Outside of time with her amazing family and work at WIU-QC with career development and disability resources, Audrey commits her energy to community organizations. As the volunteer Moline Girl Scouts Service Unit Coordinator for five years, she provides guidance and resources to troop leaders. She is completing seven years of Logan Elementary PTO executive board, where she helped implement engaging and accessible events for families. She is also involved in the middle school PTA, high school Music Boosters and will soon be serving on the school board. Audrey volunteers with the Dress for Success career center and as a referral partner, empowering women to achieve economic independence. She is also a mentor through Lead(H)er and a member of the League of Women Voters and Mom’s Demand Action.

Les Virtue doesn’t consider himself unique as a volunteer; they come from all walks of life. He started his volunteering with the Galena Territory Fire Department on March 1, 1990. At that time, there was no such thing as EMR’s (formally known as first responders) in that fire department. So in January 1993, when the first class of EMR’s started, he was in it. In 1996, he became an EMT and joined the Galena Area EMS. He gives credit to his employers who support volunteerism and the understanding of how that builds a strong community. As a school teacher, he instills the value to his students of volunteering giving purpose and meaning to life. “You do what you can; when you can.”

Janet Scheller is 34 years old and a resident of Hamel, Illinois. In December of 2012, Janet received news that her second child, Allison, would not live long after birth. Allison was born on December 22 and lived almost 24 hours. The miracle of Allison’s life has inspired Janet, which has in turn inspired a community. Janet founded a nonprofit organization in 2014 called Allison’s Angel Gowns, who provides burial garments free of charge to hospitals in all 50 states. Janet also serves as the President of the PTO at Hamel Elementary School. In honor of Allison, who would be in kindergarten this year, Janet raised the money to purchase and install a new playground structure for the children at Hamel Elementary to enjoy for years to come. In her free time, Janet enjoys baking, dancing, crafting and playing with her daughters Olivia and Ellie.

Artigem was founded in 2001 and began ARS Cares, the charitable branch of the business, in 2011. Over the years, ARS Cares has helped dozens of local organizations with a particular focus on their passion project working with the Franklin Neighborhood Community Association and Franklin Elementary School. Artigem has partnered with the FNCA and school staff since 2015 to provide educational support such as tutoring, mentoring, and camper sponsorship for the neighborhood's disadvantaged yet amazingly bright students who need extra love and encouragement to succeed. ARS Cares continues diligently working with this program purely for the kids and believes that it really does take a village to ensure that everyone succeeds, no matter income level or familial situation and Artigem counts the ability to be a part of this immense kindness as a true blessing.

Ophelia Jackson is from Alton and has lived there all of her life. She and her late husband raised their two children there and have been blessed with four grandchildren. This town and its people have contributed significantly to her life and shaped her into the woman she is today. After retiring from TCI Cable Company of 20 years, she lost her husband and battled breast cancer all in the same year. It was Ophelia’s sister, Delores, who helped her find a new journey. Delores is a Foster Grandma and encouraged her sister to join the program. That was over nine years ago, and Ophelia still wakes up every day excited to serve the children of her community. She has played a direct role in the development of new lesson plans which lead to higher test scores and an increase in homework return rates. Ophelia’s dedication to her town continues to motivate her daily and inspires others to use their gifts to pay it forward.

Leslie Murphy works as a legal assistant for the Attorney General’s Office in Peoria County. She lives in Mapleton, Illinois with her husband, Ryan, and their three children. Leslie has been a strong advocate for children and education by volunteering as the Illini Bluffs PTO president for 5 years. Leslie is family focused and she has coordinated family engagement activities to promote literacy, parent involvement, recycling, 21st century learning and school improvement. She has worked to implement community-based activities to raise funds to provide library books, school supplies, field trips, playground equipment, technology, and classroom materials for the staff and students of her community. Under her leadership, Leslie initiated a golf outing and chicken dinner community event that has raised over $40,000 in the past three years. She finds ways to get the parents and community involved and her work with the IBES PTO has been amazing.

Virginia Schneider is a retired hairdresser, and at eighty-five works as a home caregiver for a disabled woman. Virginia and her husband Donald were married for twenty-eight years and raised five children. When she is not volunteering or working, Virginia enjoys having coffee and catching up with her friends at a local diner and she frequently travels to Las Vegas with her niece. Needing to fill a void after the death of her sister Irma in 2017, Virginia became a volunteer with the Fuller Center. Since that time, Virginia has been involved with the “milk cap” collection drive raising $5,000.00; she works the Fuller Center’s Riverfront Market booth selling t-shirts and giving information about the services the center provides; she works the Fuller Center concession stand at various concerts, she participates in yard cleanups for veterans and widows, and she volunteers at various fundraisers throughout the year. Virginia is a true asset to the Fuller Center.

Sierra Lucie is 13 years old and attends 8th grade at Nauvoo Colusa Junior High School. Sierra began volunteering at Hancock Village at the young age of nine, in which she volunteered with her local school summer program as a ‘Volun-teen’. Sierra had recently been crowned as ‘Miss Quincy’s Preteen’ at this young age and made her platform ‘Smiles for Seniors’, as she had a great passion for bringing Hancock Village residents joy and happiness. In 2018, Sierra was crowned ‘Miss Macomb’s Outstanding Teen.’ As Sierra grew and developed through these new accomplishments, she never lost sight of her purpose and desire, to bring smiles to seniors. She has helped to organize unique engagement opportunities and has connected other groups that she is active in, to also serve the residents at Hancock Village. Despite her full and busy schedule, Sierra consistently devotes so much time, effort, and thought into bringing joy the senior residents that she serves. She is excited to continue her passion for service and giving back to the senior population.