Around 180 people gathered at the Annawan Banquet Center on October 25, 2023, to support Abilities Plus and help the organization celebrate another successful year helping people in need. The Annual Awards Dinner recognized individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities and delays in Henry and Stark Counties. The 2023 award winners are:
Civic/Community Award – Kewanee Knights of Columbus. The Kewanee Knights of Columbus have been supporting Abilities Plus for over 30 years. They continue to support us yearly through a donation from their annual Tootsie Roll drive. Along with this wonderful donation, they also allow many of our clients to help sell the Tootsie Rolls at businesses around Kewanee, which in turn helps us to achieve our mission of promoting independence to those we serve. We appreciate all that the KOC does for Abilities Plus each year.
Volunteer Award – Roberta Cinnamon of Toulon. Roberta began volunteering at our Resale Shop in 2015 and in 2017 stepped into the role of one of our Agency Board members. And if those two important roles were not enough, Roberta is one of the first people in to donate an item, usually one of her beautiful handmade quilts, to any Agency event including our Open House, Golf Outing and most recently our employee appreciation weeks. We are so grateful for her continued support for what we do and know that we cannot do this without her.
Gary German Memorial Award – Andrea Millner, Kewanee. The Gary German Memorial Award was established in 1997 in memory of Gary German and is given to one Special Olympic Athlete each year. Gary was one of the original clients to receive services from the agency 59 years ago, and he loved participating in our Special Olympic program, often assisted and cheered on by past agency founder, volunteer, and his mother, Jean German. The award goes to one athlete each year who exhibits good sportsmanship, enthusiasm & encouragement with other athletes, has good attendance at practices & events, and abides by the Special Olympic motto: “Let me win. But, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Andrea was chosen as this year’s recipient because of her positive team attitude. She is always encouraging to her teammates and she exudes a joyfulness that makes others happy to be around her. Her kind & gentle spirit is inspiring.
Business Award – Big River Resources, Galva. Each year in our Work Services program we like to recognize a business that has provided substantial and meaningful work training for the people we serve. It is our belief that performing real work for businesses and fulfilling expectations for meeting deadlines and doing the job correctly provides the people we serve with the skills they need to obtain a job in the community some day and to be good employees for the business that hires them. This year we would like to recognize Big River Resources. Since May of 2019 Big River has brought their confidential documents to our workshop to be shredded. This has given the people we serve the opportunity to improve their work skills and provide a service to the community. Big River has brought us over 3300 pounds of confidential documents to shred. We appreciate how helpful and friendly the Big River staff have been.
Achiever of the Year – John Selman, Kewanee. Each month our Client Council meets to receive information, discuss issues important to them and to recognize a peer for something that they have done. In October 2022 the Client Council selected John Selman as the Achiever of the Month. John was selected because he always has a smile on his face and makes everyone smile. John was an original client attending Abilities Plus when we first started in 1959. He has been here through many changes. He comes in every day in a good mood. In his favorite chair, he enjoys the interactions with the staff and friends. His favorite class is music. He enjoys going out to eat pie and has all the staff trained to bring him books. We are privileged to have him at Abilities Plus!
Posthumous Award – Dale Dykstra, Kewanee. Dale was an active supporter of many community organizations. He volunteered his time with: The Boy Scouts as a Troop leader, Kiwanis Club, The Cancer Society, Library Boards, Masonic Lodge, served as an Election Judge, and held a volunteer position as a committee member of the Human Rights committee at Abilities Plus. The Human Rights Committee serves as an advisory board assisting the agency to affirm, promote and protect the human and civil rights of the individuals we serve. The Committee must promote the idea that self-determination and the right to take reasonable risks are essential for dignity and self-esteem, thus should not be impeded by excessively cautious caregivers. Dale served on the committee for 10 years and upheld the rights of the clients as well as demonstrating his commitment to being a caring and dedicated volunteer. Dale provided insight and ideas to the committee as well as compassion and understanding. Dale’s generosity of spirit is a gift that will live on for all of those whose lives he impacted.
Special Recognition Award – Kim Wolf, Annawan. The Special Recognition Award is given to an individual who has made significant contributions to our agency. Kim started working for Abilities Plus on September 7, 1993, and provided 30 years of dedicated service until deciding to retire in April of this year. During her long career, she held several positions including Health Specialist for the children services program, CPR and 1st Aid instructor and respite worker. She was always someone you could count on to do her job and do it well. Kim developed very good relationships with the individuals she worked with, and it was obvious that they liked and respected her as well. Kim has certainly left her mark on the organization and the individuals and families we serve.
Directors Award – Deb Kubinsky, Kewanee. The Directors Award is given to an individual who has made a significant and substantial impact on the agency and/or improved the quality of life of the people we serve. It is with great pleasure that I present this year’s Directors Award to Deb Kubinsky. Deb has worked for Abilities Plus for 40 years. In that time, she has had many roles including Workshop Coordinator, Safety Officer and her current role as Director of Day Services. Deb is very knowledgeable about all aspects of the agency and the multiple services we offer. She is my right-hand man and someone I depend upon daily. She always has the best interests of the agency and the individuals we serve in mind when making decisions. She is dependable and dedicated to the mission of the agency. We are very lucky she applied to work here 40 years ago!
