Gov. Quinn proclaims Senior Corps Week in Illinois

[May 09, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Pat Quinn proclaimed May 7-11 as Senior Corps Week in Illinois. Senior Corps connects volunteers 55 and older with people and organizations to serve as mentors, coaches or companions to those in need.

"Senior Corps members continue to show that volunteerism and service lasts a lifetime. These volunteers dedicate themselves to service and making a difference throughout the great state of Illinois. On behalf of the people of our state, I thank the Senior Corps for their service and applaud them for their hard work and continued commitment to strengthening neighborhoods and communities every week of the year," said Scott McFarland, acting executive director of the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

Senior Corps was conceived during the John F. Kennedy administration and currently links more than 500,000 Americans to service opportunities. In Illinois, more than 17,000 seniors contribute to three Senior Corps programs: Foster Grandparents, serving one-on-one as tutors and mentors to nearly 5,000 young people who have special needs; Senior Companions, helping more than 820 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes; and RSVP, providing a wide array of volunteer service to more than 2,500 groups.

The following are a few projects happening around the state during Senior Corps Week:

• Tuesday, in Chicago -- Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion program volunteers and staff assembled and delivered care baskets to the Ronald McDonald House.

• Wednesday, in Arlington Heights -- RSVP will participate in Senior Celebration Day, which is open to all seniors. Information about volunteer opportunities will be available. Other activities include free health screenings, "Ask the Doctor" panel and entertainment.

• Thursday, in Rock Island -- RSVP of the Quad Cities will participate in a Salute to Seniors event.

For more information or to find volunteer opportunities, visit www.serve.illinois.gov. To learn more about Senior Corps, visit www.seniorcorps.gov.

[Text from Illinois Department of Human Services file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]