OREGON — The Village of Progress hosted its 48th annual banquet on at St. Mary’s Learning Center on Oct. 18.
During the banquet many of the consumers were rewarded for the achievements they have made during the past year.
The John Herrmann Personal Achievement Award is presented to the consumer who is enrolled in the regular work program and demonstrates improvement in many areas.
This year’s recipient was Stacy Mitchell. Stacy first joined the Village of Progress in September of 2009 as a transition student. From her first days at VOP, she was immediately surrounded by her friends, other transition students that had graduated before her. It didn’t take long for her to increase that circle of friends. On the job she is willing to try new tasks. With the use of a jig that helps hold the cardboard in place, she has learned to fold together display trays for Wahl Clipper boxes.
The Bob Moehle Personal Achievement Award is presented to the consumer enrolled in the developmental training program and in spite of obstacles, exhibits persistence and a willingness to succeed. This year’s recipient was Mike Siddens.
Siddens attended our Day Care Center as a young boy when schools were not yet mandated to provide services for children with special needs. He left VOP in the 1970s to attend public school. Mike graduated from public school in 1985 and returned to the Village of Progress for adult services. In April 2017, he moved into an Oregon residential, and he has not only adjusted, but he has flourished. He has seen many major life changes over his lifetime and has persevered and adjusted to each change.
Volunteer award
The Janie Etnyre Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to the individual(s) who volunteer at the Village or provide volunteer assistance to someone in Ogle County who has a disability. Their involvement is to be freely given and without any motivation for reward or attention. This year’s winner is Ceri Woodworth.
Woodworth’s involvement began in November of 2015 when she first filled out a volunteer application. Being a retired elementary school teacher after 35 years and having worked two years with the Rockford Literacy Council makes her a perfect match for tutoring individuals we serve who reside at the Oregon residentials. She is fulfilling her desire to help others while able to enjoy her retirement doing what she love.

Employment award
The Fred Smith Competitive Employment award is given to an individual who works either full time or part time in the community. Criteria include length of employment, dependability, attitude, flexibility and quality of work.
This year’s winner was Deanna Gregory. Shortly after graduating from school in 1993, Gregory began attending Village of Progress where she practiced and sharpened many social skills and work skills. She has shown great success in cleaning and as a kitchen aid. She takes her work seriously and usually chooses to stay on the job rather than go on outings. She is currently working at the Village Bakery where she busies herself with the tasks at hand.
In May 2002, Don and Kathi Heller, along with their daughter, Marni, presented the Village of Progress with a memorial gift honoring their daughter, Carly, who was killed in an automobile accident in February of that year. She had shared with her family how gratifying her volunteer experience with Special Olympics had been and her family selected the Village Special Olympic Program as the recipient of her memorial.
Each year the Carly Heller Special Olympian Award is given to and athlete who demonstrates a love for athletics and puts forth a consistent effort to comply with the demands of competition. This year the award goes to Nick Kavala.
Kavala began attending the Village of Progress in July of 2008. He works on the Wahl Clipper production, with in house janitorial and on arts and crafts. He currently competes in bowling and team basketball. He shows great sportsmanship. He has exhibited great attitude this year, improving himself, his team and the level of sportsmanship.
The Robert Stahl Friendship Award is given to the consumer who exemplifies Bob Stahl’s eagerness to befriend everyone. A stranger was just a friend Bob had yet to meet. This year’s recipient was Jerry Rinehart.
Rinehart enrolled at the Village of Progress in 1969 when he was 11 years old and stayed several years in the program until his mother wanted him to remain at home. After more than 20 years, his brother became guardian and he returned to the Village of Progress adult program in 1999. He is friendly and warmly greets his friends as well as visitor and new comers. He is interested in everyone and sees a stranger as a new opportunity to welcome someone to the VOP.
Scholarships
The Village of Progress awarded three $500 scholarships to applicants who reside in Ogle County and either has a disability or pursuing studies related to the disabled.
The first scholarship was made possible by a $500 gift from Larry Young and Friends Charities and was awarded to Addison Kitzmiller.
The second winner of a $500 scholarship made possible y the generosity of Wanda and Pete Cacciatore was Anakin Weston.
Melinda Egli of Oregon High School received the Village of Progress Foundation scholarship.
The Rick Hahn Industry of the Year award is presented to an area establishment, which has played a significant roll in the agency’s job training programs. This year’s recipient is Direct In Supply. When Direct In Supply’s owner, Bob Scheffler, heard about our need for office space following the flood this summer, he immediately suggested that the VOP’s administrative staff move in with them.
Since moving in, Scheffler and his staff have been very generous, allowing our employees to use the kitchen, break room and even their internet service. Throughout the cleanup process, Direct In Supply has donated their staff and even a large Zomboni-looking floor scrubber to clean the workshop floors. We are proud and grateful to present them as Business of the Year.
The Robert Stouffer Special Recognition Award is presented each year to an agency, organization or individual who is helpful to the agency by way of donated time, money or gifts. This year’s recipient is Rob Zimmerman. It was almost two years ago when the VOP first began looking for places to start building its bakery. Who it would choose to help with the construction would be key. Rob’s name was recommended from several sources. In addition to his guidance, Rob repeatedly donated his time and labor to help make the bakery a reality. When the village suffered major flood damage this summer, Rob bought new power tools and then let us borrow them, so we could more quickly cut out the damaged walls. He was instrumental in helping us secure new drywall and recommending contractors to help us with the reconstruction.