Stephanie Wilson of Gigi’s Playhouse Awarded for Outstanding Leadership

The Illinois Jaycees and Illinois JCI Senate are proud to announce the 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois Honors Program.  This is the 47th year that the Illinois Jaycees have selected and honored outstanding young people throughout the state.                                       

Among those individuals to be honored this year is Board President Stephanie Wilson of Gigi's Playhouse Bradley/Bourbonnais. Stephanie was selected for her campaign to open a Gigi’s Playhouse in the Bradley/Bourbonnais area after her daughter was born with Down syndrome and she was unable to find suitable support and educational resources in her community.

 The awards program will be held at the Springfield Hilton on May 12, 2012 in Springfield Illinois.  Honorees will receive a medallion and special photo plaque recognizing their selection.  Following their personal presentation, each of the honorees will address the attendees.

 The other honorees selected this year include:

 *Renee Charles (Metamora) Director of Public Affairs & Media Relations, *Yonas Hagos (Plano) Franchisee, *Amy Hoose (Danville) Sales and Staffing Firm Area Manager, *Adam Kinzinger (Manteno) US Congressman, *Aaron Meador (Maroa) Store Manager, *Michael Pruitt (Round Lake) Entrepreneur, *Joseph Sharpe (Peoria) President, Sharp Payroll, *Chris Surdenik (Frankfort) President, Call One, *Jeff Turner (Elgin) Business Owner

 Recipients, who must be between the ages of 21 and 40, have exemplified themselves in areas of endeavor such as personal improvement, economic innovation, social improvement, voluntary services, and moral and religious leadership.  Individuals are nominated for this honor throughout the state and a panel of distinguished judges then selects those to be honored.

 A fundraiser has been set up at Aurelio’s Pizza in Frankfort on March 27 from 6pm to 8pm to support Gigi’s Playhouse Bradley/Bourbonnais. The center will be closest location to the Lincoln Way area, and will provide free support and educational services to people with Down syndrome and their families. The cost of the event is $20 per person and includes salad, pizza, pop/coffee, and dessert. Stephanie Wilson will be the guest speaker and will give a short presentation about Gigi’s Playhouse and the services it will provide. To attend, please call me at (708) 244-3906 by March 24 or RSVP via email to chevycounty13@yahoo.com with the number of people who will be attending. Payment is due at the time of arrival. (Cash only please)

 The Junior Chamber (Jaycees) is a volunteer organization for men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 that promote individual development and personal growth through community involvement.  The Jaycees are a constructive action organization of young persons who devote a portion of their time to community service in the public interest, developing young persons as leaders of their community.  To learn more about the Jaycees or to find a chapter in your area, visit the Illinois Jaycees web site at www.iljaycees.org

 The Ten Outstanding Young Person’s Program is open to the general public.  If you wish to attend the banquet on May 12, you may do so for the cost of $40, which includes dinner.  Hotel cost for the night is $116.50 plus tax.

Please contact me via email at chevycounty13@yahoo.com if you have any questions or would like to attend the program.  Deadline for registering is April 15.