Schaumburg Park District recognized its golden volunteers

Schaumburg Park District continued to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the April 23 “Volunteers are Golden” annual recognition reception.

The District honored Bob Mannion as recreation volunteer of the year. He began volunteering 14 years ago in the District's Senior Center. Mannion is the dedicated BINGO caller every Wednesday for the game loving seniors.

“Bob is a dedicated volunteer and the seniors appreciate him calling the games,” said Lisa Perrone, senior center supervisor for the District. “Despite games becoming heated, he always goes by the rule that whoever calls BINGO is the boss and Bob really is one sweet boss.”

Spring Valley named Sandy and Tony Meo, dedicated volunteers at Spring Valley Nature Center and Volkening Heritage Farm, its volunteers of the year. The duo has amassed over 7,000 hours of service since they began volunteering in 1983 when the Nature Center first opened to the public. They have helped with a multitude of projects including conservation work, prairie burns, special events assistance, education program support, farm interpretation, building clean-up and repair, and care tasks of the Farm's artifact collections.

The husband and wife team have also benefitted Spring Valley by providing first-hand recollections and memories of the site's history and changes.

“Their cheery dispositions and smiling faces are always a welcome sight to staff, volunteers and visitors,” said Judy Vito, volunteer coordinator for Spring Valley.

This year's reception at Chandler's Banquet Hall also featured vocal performances from the Schaumburg High School Choraliers.

For more information, call (847) 985-2115 or visit www.parkfun.com.