Judson seeks nominations for 2018 D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award

Judson University in Elgin is seeking nominations for the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award, which is presented each year to the candidate who has contributed to the greater good in the Fox Valley community by voluntarily serving others' physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual needs.

The award is given annually during Judson University's Community Prayer Breakfast, which will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, in the Lindner Fitness Center, 1151 N. State St., Elgin.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the prayer breakfast event, and the 15th anniversary of the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award. To commemorate this occasion, Judson will extend a scholarship to a deserving high school student as well.

Last year's D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award recipient was Rev. Henoch Fuentes, outreach pastor for the Evangelical Covenant Church of Elgin. Fuentes has served as a chaplain and counselor in DuPage and Kane County jails; helped to form the Woman of Grace and Dignity service group; led Elgin firemen to his homeland of Chile; served as a Bible teacher with Judson's Spanish-English Ministry Studies (SEMS) program; and he was instrumental in opening a home for medical services in Chile.

Past recipients of the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award have included: Jeff Turner, Velma Sept, Dr. Risé D. Jones, Mary Rees Freeman, Edward Hunter, Donna Anderson, Nancy Schueneman, Jack and Marlene Shales, Trinka Waters, Floyd Brown, Murna Hansemann, Dr. Clare Ollayos and Carl Flaks.

Beginning this year, a special youth award and scholarship will be offered.

To recognize the 30th anniversary of Judson hosting the Community Prayer Breakfast and to honor the 15th year anniversary of the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award, Judson University has created a new award and scholarship to recognize the community service work provided by high school-aged youth in the Fox Valley. It will be called the Bea Wilson Youth Volunteer Service Award, in honor of Beatrice Joy (Daffer) Wilson, wife of the former Judson trustee D. Ray Wilson. Bea Wilson, who passed away in March 2017, was a community champion of hope, service and hospitality.

The award will recognize freshmen through juniors in high school for voluntarily performing community work that serves others' physically, emotionally, intellectually or spiritually. The winner also will receive a $3,000 scholarship annually to attend Judson University.

For a nomination form for the Bea Wilson Youth Volunteer Service Award, visit www.JudsonU.edu/youthaward.

For a nomination form for the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award, visit www.JudsonU.edu/communityaward.

All nominations must be submitted by the deadline, Friday, April 20.

Any questions about the Community Prayer Breakfast or the awards can be emailed to julie.schmidt@judsonu.edu.

All nominators and nominees are invited to attend the prayer breakfast. General admission tickets are $30. Table sponsorships are $500 per table and $350 for individual or nonprofit organizations. Find out more information at JudsonU.edu/prayerbreakfast.