From the Heart Newsletter for the Nutrition & Public Transportation Programs of VAC May/June 2018 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Letter from the Director....1 Employee Anniversaries... 2 Staff Spotlight....3 May Calendar of Events.....4 June Calendar of Events...5 VAC Events and Fundraisers... 6-8 VAC in the Community... 9. LaSalle News.... 10-11 Reach out to VAC..12 VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER MISSION STATEMENT VAC is committed to providing high quality services that address the basic transportation and nutrition needs of its community. Find us on Social media: Letter from the Executive Director ~Ellen Rogers Every May, the Administration on Aging, part of the Administration for Community Living, leads our nation s observance of Older Americans Month. The 2018 Older Americans Month theme is, Engage at Every Age, which emphasizes that you are never too old (or too young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and celebrates the many ways older adults make a difference in our communities. Certainly each day at VAC we see the impact of engagement by our volunteers, staff and supporters in the work we do. It is fitting that this celebration of age and engagement coincides with two opportunities to support the work of the VAC. On May 3 rd Give DeKalb County will be hosted by the DeKalb County Community Foundation. This event provides the opportunity to donate to not for profits throughout DeKalb County. Information on the Give Dekalb County is on page 6. Last year this effort raised $466,878 with VAC receiving $22,298.99. On May 7 th we will be hosting the Meals for Moms annual luncheon. The event, featuring a delicious luncheon, served by community leaders is in its 11 th year. Close to $100,000 has been raised since its beginning. On page 7 of the newsletter is the complete details for the event. We will continue to celebrate Mom with our special delivery of Meals on Wheels on Mother s Day. The meals sponsored through a generous donation by longtime Meals on Wheels volunteer Barbara Hiort. As this month of celebration of aging concludes, we will begin our Summer Meal Program. With many community partners, VAC will provide almost 30,000 meals to children in need throughout the summer. Interested in how you can engage with VAC? Contact Colleen Bredeson at 815-758-3932 or cbredeson@vacdk.com. ~Ellen
Page 2 VAC Board of Directors Keith Foster President Melody Mitchell Vice President Chad Henry Treasurer Sue Willey Secretary Linda Wiggins Immediate Past President Elizabeth Bass Dave Bavido Pam Blickem Brad Copple Dalena Kemna-Kahn Jerry Maring Joel Maurer Mary Lynn McArtor Suzettte Murray Amy Polzin Alice Schmidt Richard Stipher Beverly Waite Ellen Rogers, Executive Director Paul LaLonde, Assistant Executive Director Anita Mullen, Administrative Assistant to the Board Anniversaries!! Happy Anniversary! May Colleen Bredeson, Community Outreach Coordinator, 16 Years Larry Weaver, Vehicle Operator, 11 Years Erich Pohlman, Vehicle Operator, 8 Years Carol Byers, Vehicle Operator, 8 Years Scott Shockley, Vehicle Operator, 4 Years Tara Sprinkle, Dispatch Manager, 3 years Brendon O Higgins, Maintenance Director, 2 Years Jimmie Harris, Vehicle Operator, 2 Years Neil Van Ostrand, Vehicle Operator, 2 Years Cade Blackburn, Kitchen Assistant, 2 Years June Kelly Nelson, Inventory Manager, 27 Years Mary Alessi, Kitchen Assistant, 21 Years Ronda Toepper, Cook, 12 Years Jeri Schick, Scheduler, 7 Years Larry Sorenson, Nutrition Driver, 7 Years Jeff Schwartz, Lead Server, 4 Years Mike Neuenkirchen, Associate Director, 4 Years Molly Bredeson, Server, 4 years Jim Paulin, Nutrition Driver, 3 Years Robert Unger, Vehicle Operator, 3 Years Ashley Billings, Dispatcher, 1 year Doug Harkness, Vehicle Operator, 1 year Brian Hodges, Vehicle Operator, 1 year
Page 3 STAFF SPOTLIGHT Name: Joyce Heagy Position: LaSalle Cook Been with VAC since: April 2008 General Duties: Cooking and driving for Oglesby Meals on Wheels Before working at VAC, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had? Bartending & waitressing at a Supper Club What is your favorite part about working for VAC? Making new friends and meeting the clients. What are your hopes for our agency? That funding is continued to be met so VAC can continue operations. What do you like to do in your spare time? I love to spend time with my kids and 10 grandchildren as well as going on the casino boats. What have you gained from working at VAC? About 20 pounds What have you always wanted to try and never did? To go on a vacation to Europe. The RTAC Roadeo is held annually in New Berlin. Contestants participate in four events: written test, wheelchair securement, pre-trip inspection and driving. The first, second and third overall winner is presented with a trophy and a cash award. The first place winner also receives an all expense paid trip to participate in the National Roadeo that is sponsored by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA). This year the National Roadeo is in Pittsburgh. VAC is very proud to announce our very own Ashley Billings took 1st Place Overall & received the Novice Award. Joe Pasteris took 2nd Place Overall & received Wheelchair Tie-down Award. Thank you to all the staff that represented VAC down in Springfield: Ashley Billings, Joe Pasteris, Brian Hodges & Jessica Rangel! Thank you to our trainers and Rodeo Judges, Brad Gibbs & Deb Salisbury!
Page 4 VAC Luncheon Sites Calendar of Events May Events SANDWICH SATELLITE FACILITY @ FOX VALLEY OLDER ADULT SERVICES 1406 Suydam Road, Sandwich, IL Sign up with Sallie Craig or call 815-786-9404 with questions. Men s Breakfast Every Tuesday 8:00-9:00 a.m. Suggested Donation of $5.00 Open to any men 60 years and older. Great food and fellowship Bingo with Sallie Monday May 14th & 21st 12:15 p.m. Fee $1:00 Mother s Day Celebration with entertainment by Deena Norris Wednesday May 9th, 11:30 a.m. Lunch Entertainment @ Noon Serving a Pork Roast Dinner. Suggested Donation of $6.00 DEKALB LUNCHEON SITES Call Nancy at 815-758-1678 to make reservations Grove St-330 Grove St. Lunch Served Wed & Fri @ 11:30 a.m. Call Nancy at 815-758-1678 for reservations. Mother s Day Party Friday May 11th, @ 11:30 a.m. Memorial Day Party Friday May 25th @ 11:30 a.m. Taylor St. Plaza-507 Taylor St. Lunch Served Mon, Tues, & Thurs @ 11:15 a.m. Boxed Lunch on Fridays Breakfast on Wednesdays at 9:00 am Mother s Day Party Thursday May 10th, @ 11:30 a.m. Bingo Thursday May 17th @ 10:00 a.m. Join Nancy as she calls Bingo. Prizes will be awarded. Early Memorial Day Party Thursday May 24th @ 11:30 a.m.
Page 5 VAC Luncheon Sites Calendar of Events continued... June Events SANDWICH SATELLITE FACILITY @ FOX VALLEY OLDER ADULT SERVICES 1406 Suydam Road, Sandwich, IL Lunch Served Monday Friday @ 11:30 a.m. Sign up with Sallie Craig or call 815-786-9404 with questions. Men s Breakfast Every Tuesday 8:00-9:00 a.m. Suggested Donation of $5.00 Open to any men 60 years and older. Great food and fellowship. Bingo with Sallie First and Third Monday of June at 12:15 p.m. Fee $1.00 Hawaiian Party with John Van Theil as Elvis Wednesday, June 13th, 11:30 a.m. Lunch. Suggested donation for lunch $6. Ticket for show which follows lunch is $16. Advance purchase required. DEKALB LUNCHEON SITES Call Nancy at 815-758-1678 to make reservations Grove St-330 Grove St. Lunch Served Wed & Fri @ 11:30 a.m. Call Nancy at 815-758-1678 for reservations. Father s Day Party Friday, June 15th, @ 11:30 a.m. Bingo Wednesday, June 20th, @ 11:45 a.m. Join Nancy as she calls Bingo. Prizes will be awarded. Taylor St. Plaza-507 Taylor St. Lunch Served Mon, Tues, Thurs @ 11:15 a.m. Boxed Lunch on Fridays Breakfast on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. Father s Day & Flag Day Party Thursday, June 14th, @ 11:30 a.m. Bingo Thursday, June 21st, @ 10:00 a.m. Join Nancy as she calls Bingo. Prizes will be awarded.
Page 6 UPCOMING FUNDRAISER VAC is committed to improving the quality of life for our community by providing meals and transportation to those in need. Please consider supporting Voluntary Action Center during Give DeKalb County! Visit https://www.givedekalbcounty.org/organizations/voluntary-action-center $25 Donation Provides 5 home delivered meals or 2 TransVac/MedVac $50 Donation Provides 10 home delivered meals or 4 TransVac/MedVac $100 Donation Provides 20 home delivered meals or 8 TransVac/MedVac $250 Donation Provides 50 home delivered meals or 20 TransVac/MedVac $500 Donation Provides service for one person from the Meals on Wheels waiting list. CHOOSE YOUR OWN AMOUNT
Page 7 UPCOMING FUNDRAISER
Page 8 UPCOMING FUNDRAISER Hosted by Voluntary Action Center of Dekalb County June 10th, 2018 2 PM 7 PM @ Fox Valley Older Adult Services 1406 Suydam Rd, Sandwich Il 60548 Help support VAC's Congregate Meal and Meals on Wheels Programs. Cash Bar provided by FVCC Silent Auction Games for kids Raffles And More!!! Adults: $12.00 (presale)/$15.00 (at the door) Kids 10 and under $6.00 (presale)/$8.00 (at the door) Call Sallie or Arline for more information. 815-786-9404 ext. 212
Page 9 Upcoming Events DeKalb County TRIAD s Senior Picnic A Hawaiian themed picnic with fried chicken, potato salad, and ice cream provided by VAC. There will be door prizes and a friendly game of Bingo with prizes. Available to anyone 60 years or older for a $5 suggested donation. Seats are reserved! TransVac will provide Transportation by request when making your reservation. When: June 14th, 2018 11 AM 1 PM Where: Hopkins Park, Terrace Room, 1403 Sycamore Road Please R.S.V.P. by June 1, 2018 to: The Family Service Agency @ 815-758-8616
May/June 2018 Page 10 VAC in the Community VAC hosted a table and provided transportation to the Permanency Action Team s Resource fair on April 24 held at DeKalb High School. 86 families learned of free or low cost resources available in our community and received a free meal and free groceries! VAC s Community Outreach Coordinator and Volunteer Wendy Hamilton share information on all of VAC s programs at the DeKalb & Sycamore Chamber Expo. A big Thank you to NIU students for coming out on NIU Cares Day to help start our community garden. Your help makes it possible to provide fresh produce to our homebound seniors.
Page 11 VAC in the Community THIS EVENT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Page 12 VAC-LA SALLE EVENTS Delivery Dinners Bring in Funds for VAC s #LetNoSeniorGoHungry Campaign March Delivery Dinner 91 People Served $567.00 Raised Save the Date for The next Delivery Dinner June 28th 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Serving BBQ Chicken and Fixins! La Salle County Senior Luncheon Sites are open to Seniors 60 years of age or older and include: Fox Hi Rise Voluntary Action Center Fornof Manor Robert Hewitt Towers 906 Canal St. 210 N Lewis St 606 E Morell Street 1020 Second Street Ottawa, IL 61350 Oglesby, IL 61348 Streator, IL 61364 La Salle, IL 61301 (818) 434-0110 (815) 883-3630 (815) 672-7352 (815) 220-1090 Meals on Wheels Home Delivered Meals are available to residents of La Salle, Putnam, and Bureau Counties who are 60 years of age or older and their spouses.
Page 13 VAC-LASALLE EVENTS
Page 14 Reach Out to VAC Voluntary Action Center 1606 Bethany Road Sycamore, IL 60178 815-758-3932 Sandwich Satellite Location 1406 Suydam Road Sandwich, IL 60548 815-786-9404 Voluntary Action Center- La Salle-Bureau-Putnam 210 N Lewis Avenue Oglesby, IL 61348 815-883-3630 Voluntary Action Center- Kendall Area Transit 109 W Ridge Street Room 002 Yorkville, IL 60560 630-882-6970 Voluntary Action Center receives Title III Older Americans Act and State of Illinois General Revenue Funds in support of its senior programs through the Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging and the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Voluntary Action Center is a United Way Partner Agency. The Fine Print: VAC newsletters are published by the VAC main office in Sycamore, Illinois. The opinions, findings, and recommendations expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the VAC or the counties served.