An Annual Tradition - Volunteer Recognition Picnic

On Sunday, June 28, Sangamon Auditorium staff and volunteers celebrated the conclusion of a successful season with the annual Sangamon Auditorium Volunteer Association (SAVA) recognition picnic. Each year, a picnic is held to thank our many volunteers who have helped make the season a success. As with any Auditorium event, it takes a lot of volunteers to make the picnic run smoothly. Many thanks to all who played some part in this day!

This year’s theme was the Lincoln Bicentennial, so the décor included stovepipe hats and red-white-and-blue splashes, as well as a log cabin that adorned the food table. Thanks to Barbara Wiese for all her hard work chairing the decorating committee.

While we ate, we were treated to musical entertainment by The Melody Men. That’s SAVA house manager Bob Oseland on the accordion!

The big moment of the event was the awarding of the I. Lawrence Camp Volunteer of the Year Award. The award went to Connie Speck, who has been a volunteer at Sangamon Auditorium for 7 years. Connie’s nomination forms, submitted by fellow volunteers, included comments such as: “She is very personable and interested in people”; “Always willing to help at any time and always smiling”; “She steps forward and does whatever is needed without hesitation”; “Always on time and ready to fulfill her duties”; and “Her positive attitude is obvious and a real attribute to the Auditorium”. Our many thanks go to Connie for her outstanding service to the University and the Auditorium.

We also recognized volunteers for landmark years of service. Volunteers recognized for completing 10 years of service were Kathy Blasko, Larry Edwards , Chuck and Judy Frank, Don Kinsel, and Larry Wassell.

Volunteers recognized for completing 15 years of service were Janice Catalano, Norma Duerr, Coletta Herrmann, Judith Hutchings and Rita Nortrup.

Volunteers recognized for completing 20 years of service were Susan Becker, Ed & Helen Brooks, and Pauline Denzer.

Volunteers recognized for completing 25 years of service were Charlie Becker, Wayne Huckabee, and Shirley McConnaughay.

Summer is a great time to join our volunteer corps; new volunteers can participate in annual training in August and join us as ushers beginning with the fall season. Please call the SAVA hotline at 206-8288 to indicate your interest, email us at audfohga@uis.edu or simply mark your calendar and plan to attend one of the two New Usher trainings scheduled for August:

Thursday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, August 30 at 3:00 p.m.

Each session will be approximately 2 ½ - 3 hours in length and begins in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby. New volunteers need only attend *one* of the two sessions. Thanks to our many volunteers who have already encouraged their friends to join us. Word of mouth is our best way to recruit new volunteers!