HEALTH CARE
Hospice of Southern Illinois became a national partner of We Honor Veterans, an awareness campaign developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The campaign aims to improve end-of-life services. Hospice of Southern Illinois is currently implementing veteran-centered education for staff and volunteers, developing veteran-centered policies and strengthening partnerships with local veterans organizations like the VFW, American Legion and health care centers.
CONSTRUCTION
• The new Southern Illinois University Edwardsville indoor softball structure recently completed by Holland Construction Services Inc., is now providing practice space for the Cougars softball team. The $820,000 project provides a 11,664 square-foot space for practice, athletic camps and other activities. It has a synthetic turf infield and bases, two batting cages, pitching areas, suspended nets and three practice mounds. Oates Associates of Collinsville was the architectural firm for the project. Holland Construction Services is a contracting and construction management firm based in Swansea.
• SIUE and Oates Associates of Collinsville received a merit award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois for improvements at the Roy E. Lee Field at Simmons Baseball Complex on the school's campus. Construction on the field began in 2005, and thus far Oates has provided the design and construction engineering services for the new synthetic turf field, a new clubhouse and parking lot equipped with bioswale, a natural means of collecting stormwater runoff.
NONPROFIT
Several Metro East Relay for Life chapters were recognized at the Relay Leadership Summit in Itasca. The Troy and Collinsville Relay for Life groups received the Relay All Star Award and the All American Award. The awards recognized the groups for fundraising, participation growth and increased public diversity and awareness of volunteers. In 2011, Troy Relay for Life raised $96,894 with 325 participants; Collinsville Relay for Life raised $72,762 with 290 participants. The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon and SIUE Relay for Life groups both received the All Star Award. Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Relay raised $155,809 with 375 participants and SIUE Relay raised $34,518 with 455 participants.
SMALL BUSINESS
Wish Upon a Star with Us, an authorized Disney vacation planner, will open in Collinsville on Feb. 23, at 126 Vandalia St. The business has operated an O'Fallon location for three years and specializes in planning vacations to the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line.
AWARDS
• Rick Gaudreault, of Collinsville, was named the 2011 Termite Technician of the Year by Pest Control Technology Magazine. Gaudreault is a termite technician for Orkin. He has worked for 12 years in the pest control industry. The award recognizes three standout service professionals in commercial, residential and termite categories.
• Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Assistant Manager Bill Iseminger won the Delta Award for his book "Cahokia Mounds: America's First City." The Delta Award recognizes an individual or organization that has written or published about Southern Illinois with distinction or added cultural life to the area. Iseminger will receive the award in a ceremony on April 25 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
LIBRARY
Local libraries received more than $100,000 in state funding as part of the Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid grants. The Per Capita Grant provides funding for expenses like materials, personnel, equipment, electronic access, telecommunications and technology. The Equalization Grants assist libraries that have low library tax bases ensure a minimum funding for services.
The following institutions received funding: Caseyville Library, $4,894; Mississippi Valley Library District, $36,025; Edwardsville Public Library, $24,912; Glen Carbon Centennial Library, $13,264; Maryville Community Library, $10,165; and Tri-Township Public Library District, $13,552.
