Lake Zurich volunteer honored for dedication to environment

The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund recently announced that it is recognizing retiree Scott Garrison for his important volunteer work in Lake Zurich. Garrison is the fourth of seven volunteers IMRF will honor in 2015.

All seven were nominated for recognition as part of IMRF's Year of the Volunteer contest, which spotlights volunteerism within IMRF's membership. IMRF will celebrate all seven volunteers in December at its Oak Brook headquarters, and announce one "Volunteer of the Year." A staff donation of $1,000 will be made to the winner's preferred service organization.

"Mr. Garrison is a great example of an IMRF retiree who uses his professional expertise to give back," said IMRF Executive Director Louis W. Kosiba. "His example challenges all of us to consider how we might leverage our unique skills to help others."

A Lake Zurich resident, Garrison served in the forestry division of the village of Arlington Heights Public Works for 35 years. During his tenure, he developed an affinity for the environment. Now, in retirement, Garrison volunteers for Lake Zurich's Ancient Oaks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation.

Its mission is to restore Lake Zurich's oak woodlands, wetlands and natural areas. Garrison's volunteer efforts particularly focus on Lake Zurich's Oak Savannah site, with the goal of restoring the site to its natural habitat and clearing out the invasive species.

"Providing a valuable service preserving and enhancing the urban forest in Lake Zurich for present residents and future generations gives me a sense of satisfaction," Garrison said. "Because of my IMRF pension, I was able to retire and have time to focus on these endeavors."

The Illinois Senate has declared 2015 the "Year of the Volunteer" in Illinois. The statewide initiative, sponsored by dozens of Illinois organizations, including the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Generations Serving Generations and the Illinois Department on Aging, aims to increase volunteerism and strengthen Illinois' network of service organizations.

IMRF is supporting the effort through promoting the "Year of the Volunteer" and available service opportunities; through an online survey that gathers data on volunteerism in Illinois; and through IMRF's "Year of the Volunteer" story profile contest.

For details, visit www.imrf.org.

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