"One of our greatest duties is to help those who are in need," said Governor Quinn. "The Governor's Home Town Awards are one small way we can honor those who have selflessly gone above and beyond the call of duty to help those around them and improve their communities."
The Governor's Home Town Awards recipients were chosen by a group of volunteer judges who reviewed and ranked applications based on local need, volunteer participation, use of resources and results. The judges then selected one project from each population category to compete for the coveted Governor's Cup. The Governor's Cup is a traveling silver trophy presented to the community whose efforts were deemed most representative of Illinois' spirit of volunteerism.
The Community for Christ Assistance Center was chosen as the 2010 Governor's Cup award winner. The center serves the Villages of Camp Point, Clayton, Golden and Coatsburg. In 2009, the center sponsored a back-to-school fair where approximately one-third of area students received school supplies ranging from pencils, paper, backpacks and shoes to free physicals, immunizations, dental exams and haircuts.
The projects were judged within their population category as well as within an assigned project category, such as services and mentorship, memorials and monuments, parks and recreation, beautification and sustainability, and history and historic preservation. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the Governor's Home Town Awards Program.
Each of the award-winning communities receives a road sign and plaque recognizing its efforts. The Governor's Cup winner receives the traveling trophy and a unique road sign that proclaims its status as the overall winner.?
The 26 projects recognized represent the work of almost 3,000 volunteers who devoted more than 91,000 hours of their time. Nearly $2.3 million in donated materials or in-kind services were provided and more than $3.1 million in private funds were raised for these projects. A complete list of winners is attached.
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