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USO of Illinois Salutes Army Golden Knights and Bill Murray
The Army Golden Knights are a valiant representation of all the brave men and women who serve our nation! At the Chicago Air & Water Show, it was a privilege to witness their precision and skill on the Homefront that they then apply when called back to duty on the frontlines. USO of Illinois thanks and honors them for their service! Thank you also to Bill Murray for doing the jump in honor of the USO of Illinois and taking the mission to new heights!
~Lisa Moeller, President & COO, USO of Illinois
Actor Bill Murray, foreground, makes a tandem jump with US Army Golden Knights Staff Sgt. Joe Jones from 13,500 feet over Lake Michigan for the Chicago Air and Water Show in Chicago, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008.
(AP Photo/US Army Golden Knights, SFC Bryan Schnell) (Sfc Bryan Schnell - AP)
USO of Illinois Thanks the following for their Above & Beyond Support
Gov. Blagojevich recognizes women advocates with PATH Awards in honor of Women's History Month
State officials present awards to several women for their outstanding contributions and efforts to help members of Illinois' communities
CHICAGO – On behalf of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich and in commemoration of Women’s History Month, administration officials today honored several women with the Governor’s “People Are Today’s Heroes” (PATH) Awards in recognition of their tireless efforts to help people in their community. Deputy Governor Sheila Nix presented the awards during an event held at James R. Thompson Center, Chicago.
“Through their hard work, these selfless women have helped children and adults with disabilities, victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, military members and their families, and have empowered thousands of women to become self-sufficient. Today’s PATH award recipients are history makers and we are proud to honor them,” said Gov. Blagojevich.
“Women’s History Month is a time to remember the many contributions women have made throughout the course of American history. Today, on behalf of Governor Blagojevich, I am proud to recognize these individuals as their efforts to help others in their community are an inspiration for all to follow,” said Dep. Governor Nix.
The Governor’s PATH Award recognizes groups or individuals who, through their hard work and commitment, have improved the lives of their community and have helped Illinois move forward in health care, public safety, education, environment, economic development and affordable housing.
The following individuals received PATH Awards:
Ann Ford, Executive Director, Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL), Springfield
Ford has dedicated her life to empowering persons with disabilities to become full participants in society. A tireless advocate and strong leader, Ford worked for the National Spinal Cord Injury Association and served as Executive Director of two Centers for Independent Living in Illinois. As Executive Director of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living (INCIL), Ford is perhaps one the most significant advocates for Illinoisans with disabilities. Health care policy is a critical advocacy issue for Ford and is personally and professionally vital to her. After contracting polio at age five, she overcame countless challenges as she moved through the world.
Since its enactment in 2003, Ford has served as the Co-Chair of the Disabilities Services Committee-- which enhances the state’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the implementation of the Olmstead v. L.C decision. In this capacity, Ford has shown a unique ability to bring stakeholders from a wide variety of backgrounds together to make substantial policy changes for people with disabilities.
Ford was also instrumental in the passage of Illinois’ Medicaid Buy-In program and serves on the program’s statewide advisory committee advocating for expanded Medicaid coverage and universal health care in Illinois. INCIL recently introduced "Money Follows the Person" legislation in Illinois which channels long-term care funds into community services for people with disabilities.
Cindy Housner, Founder, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA), Lake Forest
Housner has dedicated her life to helping disabled children participate in sports because she firmly believes that the quality of life should never be limited by a physical or visual disability. GLASA actively supports and encourages the integration of individuals with disabilities and that these individuals should be encouraged to participate fully in both competitive and recreational sports. GLASA recognizes the importance of family and friends, so every effort is made to provide programming which allows options for the disabled participant to include these individuals in his/her leisure pursuits. Housner’s also seeks and develops dedicated personnel and facilities to support the delivery of GLASA programs. Through GLASA, Housner has striven to remove boundaries, elevate expectations and enhance self-worth in individuals with disabilities through participation in athletic competition and recreational activities.
Maria Socorro Pesqueira, CEO and President, Mujeres Latinas en Acción
(Latin Women in Action), Chicago
Pesqueira oversees Mujeres Latinas en Acción, a social service agency in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood that assists upwards of 7,000 families. Founded in 1973 to help runaway teens, it developed into an organization that assisted victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Today, as one of the nation’s longest standing Latina nonprofit organizations, it also offers child care, after-school tutoring, parenting classes, a variety of health resources and other assistance programs.
Pesqueira has made great efforts to help the Pilsen community. When she joined Mujeres Latinas en Acción in 2000, she had already spent eight years as development director of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, leading a capital campaign that raised $7.5 million-enough to build a new wing and establish an endowment. In February 2006, after Pesqueira revitalized the organization's fundraising, Mujeres Latinas en Acción moved into a new 14,000-square-foot, $3.4-million facility.
Pesqueira introduced a number of new programs: a mother-daughter leadership course, designed to help put the brakes on the burgeoning Latina teen-pregnancy rate; and Project Sanctuary, which provides a safe space for non-custodial parents to hold child visitations. There's a new satellite office in Cicero, and the staff has converted the organization’s former headquarters into a youth facility. Pesqueira serves on the boards of the National Council of La Raza, the Community Memorial Foundation and the Aetna Medical Advisory Board. She is also the co-founder of Latinos in Development.
Beth Piccolo, Director, United Service Organizations (USO), Great Lakes Naval Station, Great Lakes
Piccolo is a reserve Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and a true inspiration among female military personnel. Piccolo made history in her early years in the Marine Corps by becoming one of the first females in her assigned Ordinance Specialty (MOS). In that capacity, she helps assemble and dissemble multiple different types of weapons alongside her male counterparts. Her superior performance led to her being named Ordinance man [woman?] of the Year which led to Marine of the Quarter and finally a meritorious promotion to Corporal.
Today, Piccolo serves as the Director of the United Service Organizations (USO) Center at Great Lakes Naval Station. In this capacity, she works a job that demands well over 40 hours a week and still maintains her reserve drilling status with the Marine Corps. As a Family Readiness Officer for her Marine Unit she is responsible for planning and coordinating overseas deployment send offs, homecomings, pre-deployment information gatherings, family days, Return and Reunion Briefings and handles media/press queries. For many years she has worked with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, assisting in making the Holidays better for thousands of children. Piccolo fosters discussions with children’s groups about various topics from desert survival, respecting others and American Flag History and Etiquette.
As Director of the USO Naval Station Great Lakes Center, Piccolo works tirelessly to connect military families in need with the USO of Illinois Assistance Programs. For the last four years Piccolo has organized the shipping of hundreds of care packages to troops serving overseas. During the Gurnee Flood in August of 2007, Piccolo spent two days providing water, snacks and pizzas to the hundreds of volunteer sand baggers. Piccolo has served her country for almost 25 years and will continue to do so for many years to come through the USO of Illinois.
Janet Williams, Program Coordinator, Illinois Support, Training, & Employment Program (ISTEP) for Displaced Homemakers, Rock Valley College, Rockford
Williams is the Program Coordinator for the Illinois Support, Training, & Employment Program (ISTEP) for Displaced Homemakers at Rock Valley College in Rockford. The center empowers individuals who have experienced the loss of family income due to divorce, separation, loss of a spouse or a disabled spouse by facilitating them towards achieving economic self-sufficiency and independence. A displaced homemaker herself, Williams has volunteered numerous hours to the cause and identifies with the needs of others in similar situations
Since Williams joined ISTEP in January 2007, Rock Valley College has seen a tremendous turnaround in the counties of Winnebago, Boone, and parts of Ogle. Williams has assisted over 250 displaced homemakers with their education and employment goals and has successfully provided displaced homemakers with employment assistance, access to education and training and life skills development.
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Gov. Blagojevich announces landmark Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder program for Illinois Veterans First in the nation program to provide TBI screening for state’s returning Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, mandatory screening for returning Guard members and 24-hour PTSD helpline
Dear Illinois Veteran:
I believe that healthcare is a fundamental right. And when someone puts their life on the line to defend their country, I find it shocking that they could even go one day without health insurance. And yet the federal government has let more than one million veterans go without health insurance, including approximately 70,000 in Illinois.
Every veteran should have access to affordable, quality health insurance, and that’s why we created Veterans Care – a new program from the State of Illinois that offers access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare to veterans across Illinois. Under this program, veterans will pay an affordable monthly premium of $40 or $70 and receive medical, limited dental and vision coverage. Veterans who enroll will not be required to pay a monthly premium for the first two months of coverage, until January 2008. Illinois is the first state in the nation to create a program like this.
For the first year of the program, we are seeking to serve those veterans who have limited incomes. Next year, we will seek funding from the General Assembly to expand the program, and our ultimate goal is to ensure that every veteran in Illinois has the healthcare he or she needs. For additional information on Veterans Care, please visit illinoisveteranscare.com or call us at 1-877-4VETSRX. Our Veterans Service Officers all stand ready to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for your service to our country.
Sincerely,
Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor
Thanksgiving with the USO of Illinois
USO Thanksgiving Volunteer Salute
Thank you! What better words can the USO find to say to each of you who served those who serve on Thanksgiving Day! Our heartleft thanks and appreciation is extended to each of you for your exceptional teamwork, hospitality and leadership that resulted in successful Thanksgiving events on all fronts!
Highlights of the holiday included:
~ 300 served by the AMVETS Women's Auxiliary at the USO O'Hare Thanksgiving Luncheon. ABC 7 News covered the story.
~ 90 Navy Recruits were hosted by 20 volunteers for a traditional Thanksgiving Meal, free phone calls home and tours at the Museum of Science and Industry.
~ Exceptional volunteer photography at MSI by Navy Veteran Hal Burke.
~ Over 200 beautiful hand crafted Thanksgiving dinner place mats inspired and created by Victoria Torres, her daughter Brianna and the 6th grade class at Hadley Junior High School, Glen Ellyn, IL.
~ Unforgettable U-505 stories and USO experiences shared at MSI by WWII Veteran Charles Ettner and Vietnam Veteran Kimo Williams.
~ Col Jim Pritzker's motivational comments and send off for the Sailors as they returned to complete Navy Boot Camp and deploy for service.
~ An inspirational message and Thanksgiving Wartime Prayer by Illinois Freedom Run Founder Tony Cutrano, his son Chance and the Sailors of Team Integrity.
~ Over 1300 Sailors served at another extremely successful Thanksgiving event at Pier 525 aboard the Great Lakes Navy Base, well over the 950 served last year. That 1300 does not include the Sailors that brought food to Sailors on duty or Sailors that went through the line again. The USO Great Lakes volunteers did an excellent job organizing the entry and access to the buffet so that within 2 hours we had everyone signed in and served. The volunteers hadall of the Sailors served by 2PM and spent the next hour serving the rest of the food to the stragglers and after the food was gone continued serving dessert. Some of the USO volunteers had brought additional desserts and so there was a lot of desserts leftover that was transported to the Center. Everyone left with more then just a full stomach thanks to the great work of the volunteers!
~ Also at Great Lakes, 6 Sailors won Sony digital cameras playing "Thanksgiving Trivia", 10 Sailors won $50.00 NEX gift cards spinning the Wheel of Fortune.
Hundreds of Sailors left with Chicago Bulls memorabilia, t-shirts, hats etc. The USO Great Lakes Center was packed all day also with volunteers serving pie and ice cream to over 600 customers!
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USO Operation Send Support: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Date: Nov 27 2007
 The donations have been tallied and the results are in! By all counts your selfless service was instrumental in raising $5,647.45 for USO Holiday Programs that will benefit thousands of Illinois Service men, women and families around the world during the 2007 Holiday Season! Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation is extended to each of you for your exceptional teamwork that resulted in a truly successful event on all fronts.
Our sincere thanks goes out to the McCormick Tribune Foundation and McCormick Tribune FreedomOperation Send Support group Museum staff for their generous hospitality in hosting Operation Send Support and for matching dollar for dollar every financial donation received from the community up to the first $5,000!
Collectively your efforts provided $10,647.45 of much needed resources required to support our men, women and families in uniform serving in Illinois and abroad through Sweet Home Chicago Care Packages, Families on the Homefront Holiday Meals and USO Thanksgiving programs at Great Lakes Navy Base and the Museum of Science and Industry for Sailors unable to travel home for the holidays. Thank you for:
T remendous fundraising in the cold and inside
H appy Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen receiving Holiday Cheer
A beautiful Yellow Rosebud Boutonniere for everyone who served or donated
N oble and generous service by over 60 volunteers!
K nowing how to boost the troops morale
Y our bright and selfless service lighting up the Freedom Museum
O peration Send Support: Mission Accomplished
U nbelievable teamwork that warmed hearts and raised over $10,000!
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