St John UCC's Children's Ministry Wins Award
December 16th was an exciting day for St John UCC Palatine. Their Children's Ministry won big. Darren Cooley and Cassie O'Campo each won the Insurance Board art contest for their age category. Each prize awarded $1,000 totaling $2,000 to the St John's Children's Ministry. Shawn Maxon from the Insurance Board said they received hundreds of entries for the three age groups from churches all over the country for this National contest. Never before had any church won two of the three awards given in a year.
The contest was to raise fire safety awareness and the artwork needed to depict what they had learned. Because the 1885 St John church building is a rebuild of the previous structure that burned down from a lightening strike, they had a special interest in fire safety.
The Insurance Board surprised the whole congregation with the announcement and presentation of the award. Shawn presented both winners with their winning artwork returned beautifully matted and framed and the giant check for the St John Children's ministry.
The surprises continued when the Palatine Fire Department # 36 arrived to congratulate the kids
personally. Lt. John Thalman brought his team, Seth Myers, Tim Strok and Jacob Smith. They helped to make the celebration extra special.