Palatine Park District | Volunteer Voice Newsletter (Spring/Summer 2018)

VOLUNTEERVOICE

SPRING/SUMMER 2018 • PALATINE PARK DISTRICT

Gratefully acknowledging the many individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference in our community.

EARTH DAY WEEKEND

Making the World a Better Place Showing Mother Nature a little love on Earth Day weekend, groups of children and adults spent the day cleaning garbage and debris, plus removing invasive plant species from Palatine Park District’s Plum Grove Reservoir.

Armed with garbage bags, metal grabbers, plastic gloves, and safety vests, community members spent the morning picking up trash that was collected in and around the reservoir, removing anything that didn’t fit with the natural scenery.

Our 49 volunteers included individuals, families, girl scout troops, a brownie troop, and a corporate service group from Target!

This group demonstrated their role as caretakers of our natural environment, reminding us that we all have responsibilities that extend beyond our own backyards.

If you’re interested in assisting during our next environmental clean up project, we will be hosting a Public Lands Day Clean Up on Saturday, September 29. For more information, contact Alissa DePue at adepue@palatineparks.org or 847.496.6212.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Hometown Fest Booth, June 30 Hometown Fest Parade Clean Up, June 30 Canine Carnival, July 26 Family Day at Arlington Park, July 29

Sign up online today!

Feet Fest Family Adventure Run, August 26 Public Lands Clean Up Day, September 29

Spring Volunteer Highlights Thank you to the many volunteers who have provided service to our community over the winter and into spring.

Below is a collage of the wonderful works done in our community at the following events: Frosty Family Fun, Date Night, Indoor Drive-In Movie Night, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Earth Day Clean Up, Musical Matinee, Allegro Community Chorus Spring Performance, Head to the Hills, goody bags and pizza, and Big Trucks.

Many thanks to all our volunteers for providing services which have included mascots, mascot handlers, concession workers, craft table attendants, game leaders, photo printers, photographers, coat check attendants, greeters, goody bag stuffers, environmental stewards, ushers, raffle table attendants, golf course marshals, and more!

If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering at Palatine Park District, and the roles available, visit palatineparks.org.

Top 3 Performed Volunteer Activities

11.3% Food Servicing (Collecting, Preparing, Distributing, or Serving)

9.2% Teaching

9.0% Fundraising Source: United State Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO GIVE

Volunteer Recognition Luncheon Saturday, February 3, 2018 Each February, Palatine Park District hosts an annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to recognize and celebrate the generous individuals who provide service to affiliate groups and associated organizations. Volunteers are chosen by each organization for their service during the previous calendar year.

The 17 individuals named 2017 Volunteer of the Year include

On Saturday, February 3, 2018, Palatine Park District recognized 17 volunteers for their service to affiliate groups and associated organizations. Additionally, one volunteer was inducted into the Volunteer of the Year Honor Roll.

Joe McBride, Penguins Lacrosse

Volunteers were chosen by each organization for their service during the 2017 calendar year and were recognized during a luncheon held at Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive, in Palatine.

“Volunteers are special people who do things because they believe in missions,” said guest speaker Jerry O’Brien, a retired Township High School District 211 educator. “They are zealous missionaries that make personal sacrifices not because of what they will get, but because of what they will be able to give to others.” O’Brien spoke on his experience in the community and the importance of volunteering and “community building.”

Jesper Michelsen, Palatine Rugby Club Linni Pesch, Palatine Historical Society Joyce Booker, Palatine Gymnastics Club Emil Borre, Palatine Tiger Sharks Swim Team Donna Epton, Partners for Our Communities Susan Stoga, Palatine Stables Tanya Tyska, Palatine Amateur Football Association Dave Barnett, Palatine Youth Baseball/ Softball Tammy Hulsebosch, Rolling Meadows Renegades Hockey Dan Stockwell, Palatine Hills Golf Association Karla Monroe, Palatine Celtic Soccer Club Gail Artrip, Bike Palatine Club Pete Napientek, Palatine Baseball Association Mel Quinn, Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council Rick Hollander, TesserAct Theatre Ensemble Tim Thompson, Palatine Baseball Association

In addition to these volunteers, Gary Gray was inducted into the Volunteer Honor Roll for his 23 years of service and significant contributions to Palatine Baseball Association. To be considered for the Honor Roll, a volunteer must have held a leadership position in an organization (or organizations) for a significant number of years. Honor Roll members must also have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their organization. Annually, the Volunteer Honor Roll Committee reviews all past and current volunteers of the year and provides recommendations to the Palatine Park District Board of Commissioners for consideration.

The Volunteer Honor Roll Committee includes Donelda Danz, Alissa DePue, Linda Fleming, Dennis Hanson, Jim Lennon, Carolyn Mangold, Gus Panos, Don Torgersen, and Keith Williams.

“We’re very fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers enhancing our programs in such diverse roles,” said Alissa DePue, Palatine Park District Volunteer Coordinator. “We celebrated them today by highlighting their service, which is purposeful, appreciated, and makes a positive impact on our Palatine community.”

STUDENT VOLUNTEERING

PPD Volunteer sets sights on service abroad!

Nicaragua Service Trip

By Trenton Prokop Volunteering brings people together.

During the weeks of June 15 through June 22 of 2017, I volunteered with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) USA in Nicaragua. NPH USA transforms the lives of vulnerable children with homes, health care, and educational programs. My group volunteered at the NPH home and school in Nicaragua to help build sidewalks, horticultural gardens, and assist NPH representatives with construction on a new chapel for the facility.

By my group volunteering at the NPH home in Nicaragua, we were able to cut down costs for labor big time. By the end of the week-long trip, we were able to finish a major portion of the sidewalk we had been working on. This experience was an amazing opportunity for me and I highly recommend that everyone try participating in a service trip!

WE CAN HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT CORPORATE SERVICE PROJECT Corporate Social Responsiblity: A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in the interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.

Employees who volunteer their time to company service projects believe their service: • Benefits them personally • Improves their ability to perform their work duties • Improves their ability to cope with job challenges • Develops contacts and skills that can be used on the job

How Palatine Park District can help: We can assist in organizing company service projects which demonstrate your company’s mission, values, and philosophy.

• Environmental Beautification Projects (plantings, landscaping, etc.)

• Stable Stewardship Programs • Corporate Clean Up Projects (graffiti, trails, parks) • Health and Wellness Events • Special Event Assistance

• Improves self-esteem and sense of pride

Benefits of demonstrating corporate social responsibility: • Altruistic intentions—good global citizens • Means of recruiting, motivating, and retaining employees

Alissa DePue Volunteer Coordinator Email: adepue@palatineparks.org Phone: 847.496.6212

• Customer and public relations

Volunteer Voice is a publication of Palatine Park District, 250 E. Wood Street, Palatine, IL, 847.991.0333, palatineparks.org.

Would you like to submit a comment or question or suggest an article idea to the editor? Contact Alissa DePue at adepue@palatineparks.org or 847.496.6212. For more information about the volunteer program, or to sign up, visit palatineparks.org/rccms/volunteer.