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Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed May 7 -11, 2012 as Senior Corps Week in Illinois. Senior Corps connects volunteers 55 and older with people and organizations to serve as mentors, coaches, or companions to those in need. As part of the press release of the proclamation, some of the projects around the state were mentioned including the  project [...]

 RSVP is joining in the nationwide celebration of Senior Corps Week, May 7-11, 2012. The week is dedicated to celebrating, recognizing, and highlighting the extraordinary contributions that RSVP volunteers make through their service in our communities each and every day. Senior Corps Week spotlights the impact of the more than 450,000 Senior Corps program volunteers in [...]

  Linda Kielas, an RSVP volunteer since 2006, was presented the 2012 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for the Northeast Illinois Senior Corps Member category during a reception at the Executive Mansion in Springfield on April 19th during National Volunteer Week.  Linda volunteers with the Palatine Emergency Management Agency.  HandsOn Suburban Chicago staff member, Linda Trilling, [...]

Last night the 2012 Impact Award Recipients, Impact Award honourable mentions, nominators and nonprofit agency representatives joined the HandsOn Suburban staff, board members and the selection committee for the 2012 Impact Awards Reception. It was a fun night as HOSC board members shared each honoree’s story of service and the recipients took a moment to [...]

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) participated in the ITT Technical Institute (Mt. Prospect campus) Volunteer Fair on April 10th along with 18 area organizations. The objective of this volunteer fair was to expose ITT Technical Institute students to the many opportunities available in volunteering, demonstrate how their efforts can make a difference in the community, while [...]

Chris Smith and Emily Mihalcean from HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) and Suellen Wolk, Penni Raphaelson and two staff members representing United Way of Northwest Suburban Chicago, joined Zurich employees in Schaumburg on March 29, 2012 to celebrate their commitment to community and its 100 year anniversary of insuring America. As part of Zurich’s year-long celebration, [...]

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC), in collaboration with Community Consolidated School District 21 (CCSD21) is working to develop student leadership skills at Cooper, Holmes and London Middle Schools by providing an unique entertainment opportunity for students at all three schools. As an offshoot of the CHiL21 Mentoring Program, student leadership teams at each school, supported with [...]

HandsOn Suburban Chicago Seeks Applicants for National Service Program HandsOn Suburban Chicago, (HOSC) is a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to volunteer and take action that builds vibrant and prosperous communities HOSC serves Northern Cook and Northern Dupage counties with specialized programs throughout the Chicagoland area.  HOSC is looking for exceptional [...]

For AmeriCorps Week (March 10th-March 18th), AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers from HandsOn Suburban Chicago located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, will be working with two local schools to initiate projects that address the environment and hunger. At Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove, VISTAs are in the planning stages to head up a school beautification project that [...]

Last week, as the result of a devastating tornado in Harrisburg, located in Southern Illinois, six people died and about 100 people were injured.  Among those responding to the disaster were local emergency managers from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Tom Smith, Palatine Emergency Management Coordinator and Diane Logsdon, President of the Northern Illinois [...]

Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed May 7 -11, 2012 as Senior Corps Week in Illinois. Senior Corps connects volunteers 55 and older with people and organizations to serve as mentors, coaches, or companions to those in need. As part of the press release of the proclamation, some of the projects around the state were mentioned including the  project of HOSC’s RSVP program.

• Arlington Heights – May 9, 2012. RSVP will participate in the Senior Celebration Day, which is open to all seniors. Information about volunteer opportunities will be available. Other activities include free health screenings, “Ask the Doctor” panel and entertainment.

Read the Governor’s proclamation.

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC), in collaboration with Community Consolidated School District 21, has completed the second Trimester of the CHiL 21 mentoring/tutoring program at London and Cooper Middle Schools, serving a total of 70 students and engaging 65 mentors. The program, which started as a pilot program in April 2011 was designed to enable students [...]

 RSVP is joining in the nationwide celebration of Senior Corps Week, May 7-11, 2012. The week is dedicated to celebrating, recognizing, and highlighting the extraordinary contributions that RSVP volunteers make through their service in our communities each and every day. Senior Corps Week spotlights the impact of the more than 450,000 Senior Corps program volunteers in communities across the nation.   HandsOn Suburban Chicago is proud to have been the sponsor of the RSVP of Northern Cook and Northern DuPage Counties since 1992. This program matches people 55 and older with local organizations that work to better the community. Annually over 950 volunteers work with 130 nonprofit organizations throughout 45 cities and towns in Northern Cook and Northern DuPage Counties.

 

While we have chosen to spotlight the five following individuals’ volunteer experiences, RSVP acknowledges the significant contributions of all of our senior volunteers who continue to donate their time, talents and resources to making a difference in the lives of so many.

Thank You – You Are Appreciated!

 

Fred Geinosky, RSVP Volunteer at Sheila Ray Adult Center

Fred Geinosky

After retiring in 2002 as a Senior Systems Director for Allstate Insurance Company, Fred Geinosky decided to put his MBA and years of finance experience towards a number of volunteer activities. Among these is the AARP Tax-Aide Program. It is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service made available to taxpayers with low and moderate incomes, with special attention given to clients age 60 and over. For the past 10 years, Fred, along with 16 other volunteers, has been preparing tax returns for seniors at the Sheila Ray Adult Center in Elk Grove Village. Fred states that, “During each of the past few years, we’ve averaged 450 to 500 federal returns here at our Elk Grove Village site.”

Tax preparation services are provided on an appointment only basis and no qualified client – limited to the scope of his or her schedule, – is ever turned down by Fred and his fellow volunteers. The facilities, computers and handling of all the publicity, and scheduling of appointments is provided by the Sheila Ray Adult Center.

Fred speaks proudly of his fellow volunteers at the Sheila Ray Center who, “willingly donate their time, knowledge and efforts.”

Promoting economic opportunity to economically disadvantaged persons is what this group annually strives for and their rewards are clearly evident. “Nationally acclaimed organizations may charge an average of $200 per tax return. Multiply that figure by 450 to 500 federal returns! Since our services are free of charge, we’re looking at an annual cumulative savings of between $90,000 and $100,000!” As Fred Geinosky puts it, “Our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing the smiles on our clients’ faces and hearing their thanks as they walk away with their returns, completed free of charge.

Richard O’Brien, RSVP Volunteer at Sunny Hill School, Carpentersville

Richard O'Brien

Teaching kids the Japanese art of origami while learning how to count in Spanish? Such is only a fragment of Richard O’Brien’s curriculum at Sunny Hill Elementary School in Carpentersville where, for the past three years, he has been volunteering as a tutor/teacher’s assistant every Monday through Wednesday during the school year.

A retired high school teacher, Richard currently works with first, third, fourth and fifth graders, usually on an hourly, one-on-one basis, addressing each student’s area of academic need.

“As a grandfather of five from elementary to junior high age, I really enjoy working with the young ones at this more personal level that certainly was not the norm when teaching high school!”

As Sunny Hill School incorporates an 87.6% percentage of low income families and a 55.89% level of limited-English proficiency, many of its students encounter certain obstacles to learning. It is especially difficult, he observes, for first graders who are making the transition; they must be given extra time and attention until they become acclimated to their classroom environment.

One of the challenges Richard himself confesses to is, “…my limited ability to speak Spanish which is the number one language spoken in the students’ homes.” Surprisingly, he adds, “When I started there three years ago, tutoring strictly fourth graders, I was asked not to speak Spanish…the majority of these older students are bi-lingual.” He goes on to say, “The kids get a kick out of helping me with my Spanish! They’ll say, ‘Okay, Mr. O’Brien, now we’re going to count to ten: uno…dos…tres…!’”

When tutoring his young pupils, Richard likes to bring to the classroom the experiences of his various travels and years spent living abroad. “I introduced them to the Japanese art of origami and a favorite project of ours is making paper cranes. It’s fun to spark their interest and see how creative they get.”

One of Richard’s most memorable accomplishments involves a brief, historic play with a subtle social message. “Four of our fourth grade girls and I performed this play for the class. It was so well received that we ended up giving seven performances to other classes in that wing of the school! It was such a compliment to the talent of these little girls and a great source of pride for me.”

It would seem that once a teacher, always a teacher, and as long as there remains a need at Sunny Hill School, Richard O’Brien has undoubtedly found his special niche!

Nick Grasso, RSVP with Palatine Emergency Management Agency

Nick Grasso

Nick Grasso, will tell you that he and his family have experienced 25 years of fulfillment and prosperity in the city of Palatine. A community-conscious man, Nick continually strives to give back to his immediate neighbors and fellow citizens, by serving as a volunteer in many local areas.

One of his involvements is with the Palatine Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), an organization which provides emergency services and disaster relief to the community’s 68,000 residents. To become a volunteer for PEMA, it requires 20 hours of classroom training and two online classes in addition to various exercises that must be completed at the end of the training session. “While this may seem grueling and extensive,” he said, “it only scratches the surface of what is required in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters both natural and manmade.” He uses a severe thunderstorm as an example: “In the aftermath of a violent storm, our group goes wherever we are needed. Maybe it’s directing traffic at the intersection of Hicks and Dundee Roads after a power outage. Sometimes it’s filling and providing sandbags to potential flood areas or setting up barricades in front of fallen power lines in a subdivision. Sometimes it’s assisting the Palatine Public Works in the removal of fallen branches that are blocking streets and sidewalks.”

Nick also extends his volunteer services to managing the Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) program described as “a new educational tool being used by PEMA to promote neighborhood disaster preparedness” or, as Nick simply puts it, “Neighbors helping neighbors”. In times of multiple emergencies—floods, ice  storms, tornados, and chemical spills that cause prolonged power outages—MYN volunteers serve as back-up crew to police, firefighters, paramedics and public works personnel whose mission is to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time, and this can become overwhelming to them. “In the days that pass before professional first responders can get to a specific area, local residents need to be self-reliant, maybe for as long as two or three days. Through a detailed 9-step process, we teach them how to take care of themselves, their family, their home and then how to assist their neighbors in the hours and/or days immediately following an emergency.”

When Nick isn’t working with fellow volunteers at PEMA and MYN, he’s busy delivering meals to Palatine’s homebound sick and elderly. The “Meals-on-Wheels” program consists of six residential routes, with the volunteer on each route using his or her own vehicle and paying for their own gas. “We are usually on the road each weekday from 10:30 a.m. until about noon. Each recipient receives one hot meal and one cold pack.” In addition to bringing meals, Nick extends another kind of service to those on his route: a friendly and often sympathetic ear. “The majority of these people live by themselves—usually widows and widowers who get lonely. I try to spend a little extra time chatting with them.” He also derives pleasure from the knowledge that the Palatine “Meals-on-Wheels” program enables seniors to remain in their own homes, enjoying an extended quality of life. “These are people who want to be independent for as long as possible and it’s a good feeling to be helping to foster that independence.”

Since 2008, Nick Grasso has served as a volunteer in Palatine and plans to continue his involvement. “Life has been good to me and my family. If by volunteering, I can improve the life of one person, one family, one neighborhood, then I will have done something meaningful.”

Maria Albrecht, RSVP Volunteer Schaumburg Township Senior Services

Maria Albrecht

Maria Albrecht is a retiree who enjoys working with her hands. For 26 years, they were kept busy assembling control and communication devices for the Larry McGee Company in Buffalo Grove. She confesses that, “When I retired from there three years ago, I became very depressed just being around the house all day. I was bored and restless and no longer felt useful to anyone.”

Determined to conquer those feelings and move forward, Maria joined the Schaumburg Township Volunteer Program and suddenly her days were filled and her hands were busy knitting various articles of clothing for residents in need! “I knit a lot of different things—baby blankets and baby outfits and lap afghans for the handicapped.” Her unique specialty, however, is knitting hats for those serving in the military. She explains that these are hats worn underneath soldiers’ helmets for extra warmth, comfort and protection, especially during combat.

“I knit between 20 and 25 of these hats per month. They’re of a one-size-fits-all variety and I always make them in dark colors—black, brown, navy and the like. To date, I’ve knitted about 240 of these under-helmet hats for our troops.”

Maria does her knitting at home and then brings her finished products to the Schaumburg Township location whereupon they are distributed to families and the hats are delivered to a VFW for shipment to the military. “Our people in the military are volunteering their services.

They’re away from their families and are making great sacrifices for our country. I’m not able to donate money, but I can make contributions in small ways like this.”  Maria views her second career as a “win-win situation.” “I’m again working with my hands and again feeling useful and needed.” More importantly, she adds, “I’m able to help others.”

Bob Smith, RSVP Volunteer HandsOn Suburban Chicago Veteran Programs

Bob Smith

Bob Smith’s first major volunteer effort was to the service of his country. Upon completion of high school, he enlisted in the military, attached to the US Army 5th Special Forces serving in Vietnam. Decades later, he became involved with several veteran related groups, among them Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans’ Advisory Board for the State of Illinois and the National Vietnam Veteran’s Art Museum in Chicago. He is also one of the founding members of the Warriors’ Watch Riders for the State of Illinois, and upon moving to Rolling Meadows in 1998, helped create the first Veterans Committee. The purpose of the Veterans’ Committee in Rolling Meadows is to recognize and honor services of its community’s veterans. As their mission statement affirms…“we will honor our nation’s warriors here at home and support their families while they fight for us abroad…”

“Over the last twenty years of living in the northwest suburbs, my volunteer focus has been on veterans and their issues. I average at least 40 hours per month volunteering for veterans’ groups or working in an advisory role for organizations like Warriors’ Watch Riders or serve directly as a mentor for returning veterans.”

As a Warriors’ Watch volunteer, Bob “accompanies” fallen service men and women as they are brought home from their tours of duty to their final resting places.

“At the request of the veteran’s family, Warriors’ Watch Riders will escort the fallen soldier from the airport or state line to the location of the service. We provide a flag line protecting the family and friends during their time of remembering and honoring their loved one.” Bob adds that, “Warriors’ Watch Riders also escort active duty military members to their assignments overseas or as they come home on leave after being away from family, it is a way to acknowledge their sacrifice and service to our country.”

Reflecting on his multi-faceted volunteer work with assorted veterans’ organizations, Bob said, “I have been very privileged over the years to work with so many volunteers and supporters that have a heart for the veterans.”

“The Warriors’ Watch Riders envision a day when every member of the United States Armed Forces, at home and abroad, and their families, feel appreciated, honored, respected and loved by the citizens they risk their lives to protect.

Our RSVP program has many volunteers to be proud of, these stories share some of the successes and impact our members make in our community.

To get involved in the RSVP program visit www.volunteerinfo.net or call Linda McLaughlin at 847-228-1006 ext 118.

HandsOn Suburban Chicago takes a leadership role with helping local agencies leverage volunteer management best practices to overcome the growing gap between available funding and increasing community needs. Next week, February 28-March 1 volunteer managers, many of them new to the field, will come together for HOSC’s three day Excellence in Volunteer Management Certificate Course. [...]

 

HOSC was proud to nominate Linda Kielas for the 2012 Governor's Volunteer Service Award

Linda Kielas, an RSVP volunteer since 2006, was presented the 2012 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for the Northeast Illinois Senior Corps Member category during a reception at the Executive Mansion in Springfield on April 19th during National Volunteer Week.  Linda volunteers with the Palatine Emergency Management Agency.  HandsOn Suburban Chicago staff member, Linda Trilling, the Program Manager of Disaster Services, as well as the Palatine Village Emergency Manager, Tom Smith, attended the reception.  Linda Trilling nominated Linda for the leadership and service she has dedicated to the Emergency Management Agency.

“Every day in Illinois, thousands of volunteers donate their time and talents to help others and to build stronger communities.” Governor Quinn said. “We honor these individuals who have made a difference in our state and set an example for others to follow with their initiative, creativity and energy”. 

Linda, a retired Registered Nurse, has documented over 3200 hours as a Senior Corp/RSVP member and has committed her volunteer service to emergency preparedness. Her medical background has led her to be the past coordinator of Palatine Medical Reserve Corps, an active member of the Palatine Fire Rehab Team and a Citizen Emergency Response Trainer.  Linda is also a CPR/AED trainer and has certified over 145 residents with this life saving skill. 

“Linda certainly is most deserving recipient of this award.” Tom Smith said. “She epitomizes what volunteerism is all about. Palatine Village, PEMA and all her fellow volunteers could not be more proud.”

As if she is not busy enough in Palatine, Linda shares her gift of experience by volunteering with the Illinois Medical Emergency Response Team. She is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to provide medical assistance during an disaster. 

Linda is a treasured RSVP volunteer who “Leads with Experience”.  If you would like information on RSVP or Emergency Preparedness volunteering, contact Linda Trilling at HandsOn Suburban Chicago, 847 228-1320.

 After visiting Rome about 12 years ago, and having visited the Catacombs–the ancient tombs of the earliest Christians, I really believe that Valentine was a real person (and given antiquity, there most likely were others with similar names or name). And who, indeed, was one of the many martyrs of his time.  After having studied [...]

Last night the 2012 Impact Award Recipients, Impact Award honourable mentions, nominators and nonprofit agency representatives joined the HandsOn Suburban staff, board members and the selection committee for the 2012 Impact Awards Reception. It was a fun night as HOSC board members shared each honoree’s story of service and the recipients took a moment to share about their experience. Descriptions of the recipients and honourable mentions have been posted on our web site.  A big thanks to Baxter International for sponsoring the reception and the Palatine Whole Foods for providing Italian themed gift baskets! Also, a huge thank you from the team here at HOSC to the selection committee: Karen Michalski, HandsOn Suburban Chicago Board Member; Mike Skowron, HandsOn Suburban Chicago Volunteer; Debbie Nelson, Interim President Schaumburg Business Association; Tiffany Lewis, former HOSC AmeriCorps VISTA; and Chris Cambell, Executive Director Executive Network Group.

Congratulations to all of the Impact Award Recipients and honorable mentions! We are proud to honor you all of you for going above and beyond and displaying the true spirit of volunteerism. You have all truly made our community a better place!

Below are a few photos from the evening. Click here for many more!

Outstanding volunteers recognized at Impact Awards Reception

Palatine Whole Foods provided Italian themed gift baskets

HOSC board member congratulating award recipient

Nominators, nonprofit agency representatives and family members joined in the celebration

For decades, HandsOn Suburban Chicago, formerly known as The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago, has been recognizing outstanding volunteers in our community for the positive impact they make on the lives of others. This year, we are continuing this tradition and inviting you, members of our community and local organizations, to nominate a volunteer(s) [...]

HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) participated in the ITT Technical Institute (Mt. Prospect campus) Volunteer Fair on April 10th along with 18 area organizations.

The objective of this volunteer fair was to expose ITT Technical Institute students to the many opportunities available in volunteering, demonstrate how their efforts can make a difference in the community, while at the same time enabling them to garner valuable professional experience.

HOSC staff members, Emily Mihalcean and Patty Neuswanger, met with 16 current ITT Technical Institute students plus faculty and program directors to discuss how students might add additional relevant experience to their current academic endeavors by using their skills to help HOSC member nonprofits achieve their goals.

“Students are really interested in sharing their knowledge and getting involved,” said Patty Neuswanger, Schools and Youth Program Manager. 

Students pursuing Information Technology fields were very interested in the HandsOn Tech Chicago program. This initiative provides IT consulting to nonprofits and is managed by national AmeriCorps VISTA members supported by HandsOn Network and Google. 

“It was great having the opportunity to speak with each individual student at length, pinpointing their specific strengths and areas of interest. So many of the students seemed genuinely excited to have the opportunity to apply their skills in ways that will benefit the community,” said Emily Mihalcean, Managed Project Coordinator.

“HandsOn Suburban has been around for over 40 years but many area colleges and universities do not realize what a great resource we are for connecting students to learning opportunities through volunteerism,” said Neuswanger.    

HOSC is working to launch new Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) initiatives starting at the elementary level and that requires developing relationships with local colleges, universities and technical schools.  Within the capacity of such programs, college students serve both as academic tutors and mentors while also demonstrating to younger students the power and value of community service and volunteerism.

On January 24, 2012, HandsOn Suburban Chicago (HOSC) hosted a Volunteer Leader Certification Course. Nineteen people from various organizations and with widely different levels of experience attended the two-hour course, which was free and open to anyone. Emily Mihalcean, an AmeriCorps VISTA with HOSC led the course with assistance from staff and other VISTAs. The [...]