Voluntary Action Center Marketing Director Cami Loving shares an overview of the services offered by the non-profit agency during this week’s Rotary meeting. Loving explained that their outreach includes meals to shut-ins and the disabled in DeKalb, LaSalle, Putnam, and Bureau Counties through the Meals on Wheels program (a Rotary supported program), gathering centers for seniors, and food for inmates of the DeKalb County Jail. VAC also provides rural transportation and special reserved rides for those in need in DeKalb and Kendall Counties.
Marketing Director for the Voluntary Action Center (VAC), Cami Loving, spoke about their services to seniors, those with disabilities, and people with special transportation needs during this week’s Rotary meeting. Loving grew up on a farm in rural LaSalle County near Leonora. She said that early on she developed an interest in helping non-profits and also a passion for fitness through running. Her original work history led her to various assignments at the Kishwaukee YMCA until joining VAC after the pandemic. She is a volunteer member of the Sycamore Park District Foundation board. She resides in Sycamore with her husband and young son.
VAC was formed fifty years ago and has expanded beyond DeKalb County. It currently offers Meals on Wheels in DeKalb, LaSalle, Putnam, and Bureau Counties. Sycamore Rotarians volunteer to deliver meals on a local route in Sycamore. More than 300 meals are prepared daily in the main DeKalb County kitchen at Bethany and Peace roads, with another 100 prepared in Sandwich. The meals are available for both short term and extended term durations to help seniors, those with disabilities, and others who may be recovering from an injury or illness. Besides the home delivery of meals, VAC provides service to senior gathering sites in these counties and also the DeKalb County Jail.
The VAC transportation system is composed of both regular as “needed routes.” Regular routes cover rural Dekalb and all of Kendall counties. Prearranged dial-a-ride services are available for the elderly and disabled and can also be scheduled by members of the general public.
Loving said VAC is reviewing a need for expanded services from the many baby boomers reaching retirement age. She noted that by 2029, all people from the baby boom generation will qualify for retirement. She also noted inconsistencies with federal and state reimbursements for food assistance. For example, 92% of meal costs in LaSalle County are considered reimbursable, but only 45% of costs are covered in DeKalb County. Complete details of VAC services and ways to donate may be found at their website: www.vacdk.com
November 17,1887 – British Field Marshall Bernard “Monty” Montgomery is born in London. A veteran of World War I, he led the British army to a major victory over the Germans in North Africa in 1943 and commanded all ground forces during D-Day.
November 19, 1831 – James Garfield, the 20th U. S. President, is born in Orange, Ohio. He was shot by a disgruntled office holder and died after being in office just a little over six months.
November 20, 1889 – American astronomer Edwin Hubble is born on Marshfield, Missouri. He pioneered the concept of an expanding universe and the Hubble Space Telescope was named in his honor.
November 23, 1804 – 14th U. S. President, Franklin Pierce, is born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. A total of 29,670 square miles of territory that now makes up southern Arizona and New Mexico is purchased from Mexico for $10 million during his administration.
November 17, 1558 – Queen Elizabeth I ascended the throne of England at the age of 25 (reigning until her death at age 69).
November 17, 1869 – The Suez Canal was formally opened after more than ten years of construction.
November 19, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln delivers his Gettysburg Address dedicating 17 acres of the Gettysburg battlefield as a National Cemetery.
November 20, 1886 – The first Sherlock Holmes' story, “A Study in Scarlet”, is accepted by publisher Ward and Lock. Struggling doctor Arthur Conan Doyle is paid 25 pounds (equivalent to $31.75) for rights to the story.
Happy Thanksgiving! REMEMBER: NO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27!
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2024-2025
President – Steve Wilder
President Elect – Jonelle Bailey
Director (President Nominee) – Becky Springer
Director (President Designee) - Matt Nelson
Past President – Brandon Diviak
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Pat Shafer
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Keicher, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Phil Meyer
December: Larry Berke, Ray Dembinski, Riley Oncken
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Larry Berke, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Pat Shafer
Foundations:Paul Stromborg, Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Bob Hammon, Jeff Jacobson, Steve Kuhn, Phil Meyer, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer, Steve Wilder
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Scholarships:Tim Neubert, Don Clayberg, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn, Julie Sgarlata
Service: Brandon Diviak, Alicia Cosky, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson
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