Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

Waterloo wins big in Governor's Home Town Awards

WATERLOO -- Waterloo was awarded four Governor's Home Town Awards on Friday for ambitious volunteerism at the Executive Mansion in Springfield.

Waterloo won four of the 46 awards for volunteers' dedication to improving their community.

"I'm extremely proud of the citizens of Waterloo for winning these awards," Mayor Tom Smith said.

The four groups given the awards are: The Santa float, Gibault Catholic High School World War II Veterans project, The City of Waterloo World War II Veterans Memorial Service and the History Museum of Monroe County construction project.

The Santa float is sponsored by the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the City of Waterloo. It won first place in the General category for the awards.

Smith said that they are probably one of the only ones to have something like the Santa float.

"It is a Christmas float that is decorated in Christmas lights and runs through every neighborhood in Waterloo every night (for eight nights) from 6 to 9 p.m.," said Debbie Ruggeri, executive director of Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Ruggeri said gifts are given to children from the float. People can also bring their dogs out to the float to receive a bone. Every night a different chamber member plays Santa.

"It's just a way to spread holiday cheer." Ruggeri said.

This is the fifth year the float will make its way through Waterloo, starting Dec. 17 and ending Dec. 24.

The Gibault Catholic High School World War II Veterans Project, won first place in the Youth Involvement category. The goal of the project was to allow Waterloo men and women to be remembered for their services.

The students collected wartime stories from Waterloo veterans, along with letters and questionnaires. They compiled the information into a binder that was sent to the Library of Congress.

The City of Waterloo World War II Veterans project was awarded second place in the Veterans Involvement category.

The city of Waterloo, American Legions representatives, Oak Hill Nursing Home, and Waterloo Park District, compiled a list of World War II veterans from Waterloo. A recognition ceremony was held in November 2008. At 10 a.m. Saturday, there will be a ceremony for veterans of the Korean War.

The History Museum of Monroe County construction project won second place in the Senior Citizen Involvement category.

The museum was completed in 2007 with the help of many volunteers. It was created to display the collection of Colonel Edd and Violet Kueker.

"The history museum was just built and they are already adding onto it," Smith said.

The Governor's Home Town Awards are chosen by a group of volunteer judges who rank the applications. The criteria include: Volunteer participation, project continuity and results. The categories are also divided by the population of the community.

"I salute the citizens across Illinois who dedicate their time and energy to improving their communities," Gov. Pat Quinn said in a news release.

"The Governor's Home Town Awards are one small way we can recognize the contributions of these outstanding citizens," he said.

Other regional towns awarded:

* Hecker: The Vietnam Veterans Tribute, first place for Veterans Involvement.

* Lebanon: Lebanon's Winter Wonderland, first place for Parks and Recreation.

* Mascoutah: Mascoutah Senior Services Program, first place for Senior Citizen Involvement.

* Worden: The American Legion Post 564, second place for Veterans Involvement.

* Greenville: American Farm Heritage Museum, second place for Parks and Recreation.

* Bethalto: Village of Bethalto Charities Committee, second place in the General category.