• 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.

 

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 5^th 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.

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.

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

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.

For decades, HandsOn Suburban Chicago (formerly The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago) has worked closely with area businesses, large and small, to support employee volunteerism in the community. HOSC is pleased to have an opportunity to expand this support during 2012, to be a volunteer management resource to assist Zurich in North America employees in Schaumburg and throughout their offices in the United States and Canada with identifying and executing dozens of projects customized to fit within Zurich’s three primary focus areas: children in need, sustainable community development and health/safety.

As an offshoot of the CHiL21 Mentoring Program, student leadership teams at each school, supported with staff and community member assistance, will plan and execute an afterschool event at their respective schools in the month of May.

The objective of CHiL Out Days is to not only engage students in leadership and to learn life skills, but to provide their student populations with a chance to participate in a variety of activities currently not available as afterschool activities or clubs. Each school is offering between four and twelve individual activities, ranging from sports like floor hockey, dodge ball and rock climbing to artistic endeavors like origami, clothing design, acting and tai chi.  

The concept was launched in May of 2011 with each school providing the same four activities (soccer, cooking, video games and dance) and students allowed to make two choices.  The 3:30 to 5:30 event window allowed for two separate sessions of each activity and students made their choices in advance.

This year the scope of CHIL Out Days has been expanded.  Each school is selecting their own unique activities based on the discretion of the student leadership team and what they believe would be most appealing to their student population.  The second and perhaps more significant change is that not only are students planning the events, but they will be actively involved in executing the activities on the event day. 

London’s Assistant Principal, Diana O’Donnell says, “This opportunity has provided an authentic learning experience for students to utilize their strengths and plan an event for others.” She goes on to say that these opportunities are rare and hopes to see other schools model this initiative of engaging and challenging youth to become leaders. “It fulfills a need for students to learn leadership and life skills while also benefiting the student body in general,” said O’Donnell. 

Each school has already had their preliminary strategy meetings and between the three schools that includes about 62 student leaders, representing 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades.  Last year CHiL Out Days allowed over 400 students to enjoy a fun afternoon of positive, engaging entertainment and HOSC is optimistic that number will be even larger this year.

Gregg Crocker, Director of Community Service Education, CCSD21 has witnessed these student leaders at work in their strategy sessions and agrees that there are far reaching benefits. Crocker added, “when students are involved in real projects and allowed to make decisions, ownership emerges and they learn to walk past the word, NO.”

Student leaders have demonstrated their enthusiasm and skills through some creative efforts. A team at London is developing an iMovie production showing the variety of events that students can participate in while at CHiL Out Days.  Publicity posters and entertaining scripts to be shared as part of the school’s morning announcements, delivered in both English and Spanish, are part of the strategy to capture the attention of the student population and increase participation.

Obviously to make such events successful, there is a great deal of collaboration and planning between students, teachers, school administration and HOSC.  There is also a need for donated materials so activities can be accomplished and in order for all students to participate free of charge.

Patty Neuswanger, HOSC’s Schools and Youth Program Manager expressed that this is a great opportunity for members of the community and local businesses to get involved in the area schools by sharing their skills and resources. “We are always looking for volunteers to get involved and share their interests and expertise. Initiatives like this also provide area business a chance to donate supplies, share the skills of their employees and generate some publicity for their businesses, “Neuswanger said.

For more information about CHiL Out Days at Holmes, Cooper or London Middle School, to volunteer your time or to donate supplies, please contact Patty Neuswanger at schoolresources@volunteerinfo.net or call 847.228.1320×108.

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 people to fill three year long positions in the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, a federally funded initiative to eradicate poverty. 

VISTA candidates must be motivated, organized, and committed to service. Familiarity with technology and Microsoft Office programs is essential. A bachelor’s degree is a major plus, as is advanced proficiency in a foreign language, especially Spanish. 

The VISTA members will receive stipends and benefits for their full-time work on year-long, capacity-building projects in the following needs areas:

 ● Volunteer Recruitment and Training: targeted recruitment of volunteers to serve diverse populations; training nonprofits to work with youth volunteers, educational outreach

● Resource development: fundraising and/or grant seeking

 Deadlines:

 Contact Info: Mary Fitzgibbons, Executive Director, HandsOn Suburban Chicago. 

Tel. 847-228-1006.  www.volunteerinfo.net  Email: maryfitz@volunteerinfo.net

 HandsOn Suburban Chicago, headquartered in Arlington Heights, has been helping social service agencies to meet community needs since 1969. Our programs include volunteer recruitment and referral, professional development training, consulting services, including technology assistance and direct service initiatives.

 For 40 years, AmeriCorps*VISTA has been helping bring communities and individuals out of poverty. Today, nearly 6,000 AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the country. VISTA applicants must be at least 18 years of age (there is no upper age limit). VISTA members receive a modest living allowance, (must be able to live on about $900 a month; health benefits, and student loan deferment. Upon completing their terms of service, (40 hours a week full-time for one year) VISTA’s receive an education award (about $5000) or a cash bonus, ($1500) as well as non-competitive eligibility for federal civil service jobs. For more details about VISTA, visit www.americorps.gov.

At Cooper Middle School in Buffalo Grove, VISTAs are in the planning stages to head up a school beautification project that will coincide with Earth Day. Also, at Jack London Middle School located in Wheeling, VISTA volunteers are collaborating with school staff, local garden clubs as well as community members on implementation of an exciting and new school garden. Working together and with the support of VISTAs, school and community members are mapping out the garden, designating responsibilities and are thinking about long term goals like the addition of a greenhouse.

Experienced gardeners, builders or those who just want to get their hands dirty are more than welcome to join these activities.  This initiative also provides an opportunity to local businesses to get involved through the donation of supplies for the project.  For more information, please contact the Schools & Youth Program Manager at HandsOn Suburban Chicago, Patty Neuswanger at 847.228.1320 or by email at schoolresources@volunteerinfo.net.

Tom Smith, Palatine Emergency Management Coordinator and Diane Logsdon, President of the Northern Illinois Emergency Management Consortium, were deployed to southern Illinois Saturday, March 3, 2012 and spent 12 to 16 hours a day for the next three days working with local responders.

In 2002-03, an on-going Homeland Security Grant was awarded to HOSC’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP, to help expand disaster response efforts with local communities. At that time, HOSC began a partnership with the Palatine Emergency Management Agency/Citizen Corps which currently has nearly 200 active volunteers. Forty-five members of HOSC’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program serve with the local Palatine Citizen Corps and its CERT team in skills-based leadership roles.

Also deployed to the Harrisburg area were Barrington Deputy Fire Chief John Feit and Bob Dunne, Emergency Management Coordinator at Northfield Township.

Some information above was taken from a Palatine Patch story and submitted by Northern Illinois Emergency Management Consortium. Click here to see full story.

While the total damage is not yet compiled by Federal Emergency Management Agency, this community of 9,000 residents needs your help. Your donations will help the community start to rebuild and provide directly for those community members now in need. 

Monetary donations for the disaster relief should be directed to the following organizations:

• Southern Illinois Community Foundation, Harrisburg Disaster Relief Fund
  (All contributions collected will be paid to the Southern Illinois Community Foundation, Harrisburg Disaster Relief Fund. All donations are tax deductible.)
• The Salvation Army/ 10 West Locust/ Harrisburg, IL 62946
• Christian Compassion Care Center/ P.O. Box 422/ Harrisburg, IL 62946
• American Red Cross, Little Egypt Network/665 N. Airport Road, Suite 112/ Murphysboro, IL 62966

 Thank you and please indicate “Disaster Relief” on your donation.

Non-Monetary Donations

Those that wish to contribute in addition to monetary donations have been asked by Saline County officials to limit their donated goods to cleaning supplies, trash bags, rakes, and gloves. These donations will begin to be collected at the former “Mad Pricer” Grocery Store starting Wednesday, March 7. It is located at 701 N. Commercial, in the Arrowhead Shopping Center in Harrisburg. Donations contact information in Saline County is:

• Dan & Lisa Masters
  Ministerial Alliance
  618-449-1050
• or Chris Winkleman
  618-841-4456

For further information on the Harrisburg tornado or Illinois Emergency Preparedness and Planning for Emergencies and Disasters, go to:

ready.illinois.gov