1st Annual WPL Volunteer and Outreach Awards

Community Volunteer Awards

Business Partner Award
Charles Matthews, Matthews Employment
Many individuals in the community supported the fundraising drive for the library’s Early Learning Center. However, Charles Matthews, of Matthews Employment led the charge. It was his generous donation that acted as a catalyst for many others to give. Charles Matthews showed a true sense of generosity by giving back to the community that has supported his business through the past 40 years.

Community Partner Award
Waukegan Park District
Executive Director, Greg Petry
Claudia Freeman, Superintendent of Cultural Arts
The Park District has been a valuable partner of the library for years, starting with programs like Rec ‘n Read, the branch in the Hinkston Park Field House and through their generous donation as the sponsor of the Early Learning Center’s Nature Wall.

Advocacy Award
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Principal Nicole Fishman
Knowing the importance of owning a library card, Principal Fishman made a Waukegan Public Library Card a back to school supply, along with all the other school supplies her kids were required to have when they reported for their first day of class. That’s 873 6th, 7th, and 8th graders that have their library cards due to her efforts.

Library Ambassador Award
Sally Zeit, Community Member
Raising the $225,000 funds for the Early Learning Center was a community project that was simply coordinated by the library. Individuals such as Sally Zeit were responsible for not only helping us raise the funds, but to spread the word.

Library Volunteer Awards

Fantastic Friend
Mary McCoy
The Friends of the Waukegan Public Library are tireless volunteers who give of their time. Mary McCoy, a board member of the friends, was honored for her hard work this past year in sorting through the library’s 20,000 withdrawn books for the Friend’s Bookstore!

Power of One
Harvey Biddlecom
Harvey, like a lot of our volunteers, has been faithfully coming in to help out for decades. Harvey’s been singled out this year because, well, somebody had to get this award and he exemplified the concept of what can be accomplished by the hands of one person…and he always had a joke to tell.

Volunteer of the Year
Mary Ann Laza
Another volunteer with decades of service, Mary Ann worked “more Sundays than the Pope.” Mary Ann has an enthusiastic spirit and stands at the core of our quest to provide exceptional customer service. In 2007 the Lake County Area Planning Council reported that there were 37,606 adults with less than a high school diploma and 29,127 adults with less than ninth grade in Lake County. Our adult literacy volunteers volunteer one-on-one time on a regular basis to help another person learn. What is more important than that?

Adult Literacy Advocacy Award
Mike Mattson
Literacy Volunteers of Lake County Board President The Adult Literacy Advocacy Award is being presented to Mike Mattson, President of the Literacy Volunteers of Lake County Board. Mike helps to generate support within the community for the literacy program which serves over 200 families a year. Mike is a Waukegan business owner who recognized the need for the literacy program and he works tirelessly to support the program.

Adult Literacy Volunteer of the Year
Jalonta Jackson
Jalonta Jackson has tutored for the literacy program for about 1 ½ years. She is being recognized as Adult Literacy Volunteer of the Year because she exemplifies qualities that are important for literacy tutoring. She is patient, flexible and continues to learn about ways to help adult literacy learners. We appreciate the time that she gives for tutoring adults in our community.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Joe Rose
Joe Rose, volunteer literacy tutor since 1995, is receiving our Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to all of his tutoring, Joe has been a faithful supporter of the annual Walk for Literacy fundraiser which is held every year in the fall. Joe made the decision to retire from tutoring a few months ago. While we are sorry to lose him, we think that at age 90 he has earned his retirement!