2022 Governor's Volunteer Service Awards Recipients

Library. My jobs there were as Reference Librarian and Interlibrary Loan Coordinator. After retirement, I volunteered at Districts 214, 59, and 26. At District 214, I taught foreign-speaking people to learn English in the "Read to Learn" program and managed their in-house library. At both Districts 59 and 26, I have been helping to tutor 1st grade students with spelling, phonics, reading, and writing. 

I am currently only doing this at District 26, in Mrs. Cheung's class; this is my fourth year there. I am active in my church as a lector and am also on the church pastoral finance committee. I also am responsible for scheduling all of the lectors' readings for the year. I am a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. My hobbies are reading, doing word searches, and solving crossword puzzles. I also raise tropical freshwater fish. I live in Mount Prospect.

While working in Chicago, he met the love of his life JoAnn Colacecchi and they were married on May 17th, 1975. Together they were blessed with two wonderful children and raised them in Chicago. Peter will always be remembered as having compassion for others and volunteer work in his local community of Lincoln Square. He was a champion of those less fortunate and believed strongly in helping all those who need it. He was a lifelong learner, a lover of literature and theatre, and had a passion for politics. He was active in his local parish Queen of Apostles. He was a Chicago sports fan…if they were winning. He had a great sense of humor and the best laugh.

After retirement he spent much of his time volunteering for local political organizations. During the pandemic, he helped with donation drives and kept local seniors engaged. He loved sharing articles he read and was always in the midst of reading at least one book.

making a difference in their local and global communities. Jahkil was a guest speaker in 2017 and 2018. Fall of 2018, Jahkil became the youngest member of the Independent Youth group which empowers today’s youth to become tomorrow’s business leaders and entrepreneurial innovators. Jahkil was named Vice Chairman of the 2019 KidBox Youth Board of Directors, the 2020 Chairman of the Dreams for Kids Youth Executive Board and named one of BET’s 15 under 15.

Additionally, Jahkil was also tapped to participate in Disney’s Be Inspired Black History Campaign, Lebron James’ #AlwaysBelieve 2018 campaign, Nike’s Until We All Win & You Can’t Stop Our Voice campaigns and is now a Marvel Superhero and CNN Hero Young Wonder.  His philanthropy has also led to partnerships with the NBA, Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, Invisalign, Crate & Barrel, and The Gap.

 I grew up in this village, went to grammar school, high school and church here. My younger son lives down the street and my oldest son lives in adjacent Stickney. I went to nursing school at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. I retired after 44 years of working full time. While I was working, I mentored at risk kids in the local grammar school and delivered food for the weekend to kids at the school who didn’t have enough to eat. I went to Sudan, Africa as a missionary nurse, an experience of a life time! We take so much for granted here. I kissed the ground at O'Hare when I got off of the plane! It's just my nature, who I am, to treat other people the way I would like to be treated with respect. It is not necessary to agree but agree to disagree. I value our police, firemen, public works and all those on the board who serve us. I help my neighbors when they are sick or dying without a second thought. I'm a nurse with skills that are second nature to me. I know these people, I grew up with them. When Covid hit, I was so bored in the house and saw an idea on Pinterest. There are many new families on my block that I didn't know. I made up buckets with old fashioned candy and little gifts, I went door to door, 24 houses. Now I know everyone and everyone knows me. Who do we call when we are in trouble? Who plows the snow so we can drive on the street? Who keeps are village on the up and up? Who keeps are village safe and beautiful? These are the people that deserve an "ATTA BOY" NOT me! It's my nature and privilege to serve them and the residents any way I can. What's a root beer float on a hot day to let people know they are appreciated?  What's a surprise lunch? What's some bakery for my neighbors especially those that are alone? It's hard baking for one person. What's a dinner for my neighbor across the street when she's just battled traffic for 1 1/2 hours getting home? It's absolutely no problem! You should all come live here! You don't know what you're missing!!!! 

of Aurora COVID-19 community vaccination clinic, Operation Senior Shovel, Fox River Cleanup, being an Inaugural Member of Aurora’s Civilian Review Board (CRB) which reviews citizen complaints against law enforcement, and the City of Aurora Drive-Thru Food Pantry Distributions. 

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (The Drum Major Instinct, 04 February 1968).  

Branz has served as Co-Chairman of the Labor Day Parade since 1991 and has also been a long-time member of the Labor Day Entertainment Committee. 

He was Herscher Chamber President when the Village of Herscher celebrated its Centennial in 1982.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Herscher Townhouses, Inc., from 1982-2003 and was President of the Board 1984-2001.

He was a charter member of the Board of Directors of Kankakee County Crimestoppers, Inc., serving from 1983-1992 and its Board President 1989-1990.

Branz served on the Board of Directors of the Kankakee Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1988-1990, has worked on several United Way of Kankakee County campaigns, is a former member of the Kankakee Lodge of the Loyal Order of the Moose, a former member of the Board of the Herscher Foundation representing the Herscher United Methodist Church, and was one of three original incorporators of the Herscher Area Historical Society.

Branz served eight years on the Board of Directors of the Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Two of those years he was an At-Large member of the Board and six of those years he represented the Kankakee County Board.

I am married to Myrl Shireman.  In our blended family, we have 10 children, 17 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.  

I am extremely honored and humbled to receive the Governor's Volunteer Service Award in the AmeriCorps Seniors Member category.  It has always been my belief that we are here to serve and to give back to our community.

Service Unit Manager the following year. Troops from Fairview Heights were added to the Service Unit in 2017. I have been privileged to support Girl Scout Troop Leaders over the years, and have loved every minute observing the growth in courage, confidence and character of our over 400 Girl Scouts each year. It has been a tremendous honor to witness these wonderful young girls and women become the leaders they are meant to be.

2020 and in 2021 achieved the unthinkable by putting out 500 bicycles. So far in 2022 we have moved 368 bicycles. 

Our local police departments have come to our aid by donating bicycles that were not claimed and recognize us as a prevention program. We have been recognized locally and recently the Veterans Administration Hospital asked us to assist in starting a program for them.  

All of this has been accomplished in a shop housed at the Herrin House of Hope in Herrin and in a shop we built in Carterville with only two full time volunteers and three part time volunteers.   

We are in hopes that the awareness of our program will prompt communities throughout the state to start an alternative transportation program, especially those without mass transit.  

Engineering Manager for the first 7 years of my career. I transitioned into manufacturing management for the remaining 34 years until retiring in 2018. I retired as the Director of Manufacturing at Ultra Site located in Red Bud, Illinois.

My outside interests include woodworking, cars and bowling. I have been a bowler for nearly 60 years, with multiple 300 games to my credit. I am an avid car enthusiast. I have personally built a Shelby Cobra replica and own a UK based trike kit vehicle. I have been a part-time home woodworker for 35 years, using that as a hobby/diversion from work life.

After retirement, I began volunteering at the Belleville Area Humane Society (BAHS) and Habitat for Humanity Restore. This involved three to four volunteer days per week since 2018. I dropped out of the Habitat for Humanity role in late 2021 to concentrate on BAHS volunteering exclusively during the pandemic. At BAHS, I help with the chores required to support the animals and the general facility, walk dogs, participate in parades, visit retirement facilities and generally represent BAHS at various public (adoption) events. The volunteer time at BAHS has been my way of helping the animals that have been such a valued part of our lives and family for so many years.

of us took piano lessons and our teacher was from Holland and helped us all learn English. After a couple of years, we realized soccer wasn't a very popular sport in America. My grandparents sent us soccer balls and shoes so we could teach our friends how to play our favorite sport. My brother decided to try to start a league, so we had to make money to make this possible. We sold hot dogs and chips at the games. I was so proud to help! As I entered Jr. High school; I became a patrolman and helped the little ones safely cross the street. I also helped at lunch time to scrape and clean plates. I love helping people. In high school continuing my volunteer mission I sold popcorn and soda at our football games. This didn't get me in the popular crowd, but I was helping our school with my weekly volunteer work. Fast forward to my adult life, my mom was in Hospice. I was so impressed with their help, I decided to become a part of Southern Illinois Hospice and helped 222 families through their end-of-life journey. I became disabled at the age of 33 due to domestic violence. After a year and a half recovery I was really puzzled as to what do I do now. My new life in a wheelchair was very challenging at first. Friends told me I could go on disability, but that was not an option for me. I wanted to work, not sit and do nothing. I had no choice but to sit, but do nothing, not me! Five years later I married my late loving husband, Gary and had 22 wonderful years of marriage. I lost him due to a massive heart attack in his sleep in 2010. We were only married 3 years when after 37 surgeries on my left leg, and continued infections the Drs. told me I had to have my leg amputated or I would be in a funeral home in 5 days. I asked my husband how it would feel to be married to a one-legged woman. His response was they are amputating a leg and I married your heart, not your leg. It will be fine; we will handle it and we did! My motto is "disability doesn't equal inability." A few months after my amputation, I went to an agency called LINC which services people with disabilities. I was trying to get a little help at home as I had many challenges and I left with help and a job offer. This led to 20 years of employment. I started as a driver for staff unable to drive to their appointments and retired as Director of the Monroe Randolph County satellite office. This job led to many volunteer opportunities including serving on the consortium that organized and wrote grants for what is now known as Monroe- Randolph Transit, a large para transit system for people with disabilities and senior citizens in Monroe- Randolph County. After moving to Valmeyer, I was again looking for a way to volunteer in my community. I joined the Lions club and did a lot of volunteering with them. I have taught Sunday school for many years and volunteer in many capacities at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, 11. After 22 years of marriage, I woke up and realized my husband passed overnight due to a heart attack. I soon realized that life was going to be more challenging for me, but I also knew Gary would not want me to quit. Having a personal assistant provided by the State of Illinois I have been able to continue my life successfully and not be institutionalized. With my late husband's support I was actively involved in Wheelchair sports and volunteered in the youth sports camp for 6 years. I later organized a "Special Day for Special People" which took place in Fairview Heights. This was a day of adapted activities to give everyone with disabilities new experiences like tandem bicycle riding, games and dancing. My late husband and I heard about a little girl needing a new liver, we organized many fundraisers for her and raised over $25,000 for her liver which she did receive. Every year close to Christmas I love taking some of my disabled friends shopping for their families and helping them wrap and tag their treasured gifts for their family. I feel like Santa's Helper. Each year I find a family in need and ask people I know to help make their Christmas a happy one. Even though I am retired, I still get calls from many people that know me through someone I have helped. My Service dog Eli and I love to meet people. A shopping trip always has extra time built in it for talking to people and children as we love to make people smile. I hear children say, why is there a dog at the store? I stop and talk to these children about my dog. I often hear children say, "Mom she only has one leg!" Mom is embarrassed, but I tell them it is ok and talk to the children, so they won't fear people that are different. My husband and I became foster parents which led us to adopting 2 children that were biological and had been separated in the foster care system for 7 years. They both are living successful lives and I am blessed with 3 grandsons that I love very much. One of my former foster children is still very close to me. She was not able to be adopted as she aged out, but she and her husband still call me mom to this day and blessed me with 5 grandchildren that call me Oma. I want to give a special thank you to my parents who brought us to this wonderful country and taught me to be loving, caring and understanding of all of Gods children young and old alike. Without their guidance and love, I would not be here today.