IMRF Honors Carterville Retiree's Commitment to Volunteerism
Third of seven volunteers to be honored by IMRF during 2015
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) announced today that it is recognizing retiree Sherron Nance for her outstanding volunteer work in downstate Illinois. Nance is the third of seven volunteers that IMRF will honor in 2015.
All seven were nominated for recognition as part of IMRF's Year of the Volunteer contest, which is spotlighting volunteerism within IMRF's membership. IMRF will celebrate all seven volunteers in December at its Oak Brook headquarters, and announce one "Volunteer of the Year." A staff donation of $1,000 will be made to the winner's preferred service organization.
"Nance is a great example of an IMRF retiree who shows that there is no age limit when it comes to volunteering."-IMRF Executive Director Louis W. Kosiba
Nance, a Carterville resident, has been volunteering her entire adult life and even more so since her retirement in 2008 from the Carbondale Middle School, where she worked for 24 years. Nance volunteers through multiple organizations to use her time during retirement effectively and efficiently. As a volunteer for the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale (MHC) and Herrin Hospital, she contributes her time at their gift shops by performing day-to-day duties. She also serves as a Vice President for the Auxiliary & Volunteer Program for MHC. As their vice president, she is in charge of planning the Spring and Fall General Auxiliary meeting, raising funds and organizing various activities to help support the auxiliary’s scholarship program.
In addition to her volunteer work at the two hospitals in Carbondale, she also volunteers at the First Baptist Church in Carterville by leading the Senior Adult Department in Sunday morning worship and devotion. In addition, she also visits seniors affiliated with the church frequently at their nursing homes, hospitals and skilled care units.
"I enjoy everything about volunteering. Even though I am 75, I enjoy giving back to the community and volunteering helps me get out of the bed, gives me a reason to get dressed up and greet the world with a smile,"Nance said. "Also, my secure IMRF pension allows me to help others in need and it has also opened up new opportunities for me during my retirement."
IMRF Executive Director Louis W. Kosiba thanked Nance for her dedication to helping others. "Nance is a great example of an IMRF retiree who exhibits the idea that there is no age limit when it comes to volunteering,"said Kosiba. "Volunteering can provide ways to ensure that your retirement becomes fulfilling."
The Illinois Senate has declared 2015 the "Year of the Volunteer" in Illinois. The statewide initiative - sponsored by dozens of Illinois organizations including the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, Generations Serving Generations, and the Illinois Department on Aging - aims to increase volunteerism and strengthen Illinois' network of service organizations. IMRF is supporting the effort through promoting the "Year of the Volunteer" and available service opportunities; through an online survey that is gathering data on volunteerism in Illinois; and through IMRF's "Year of the Volunteer" story profile contest.
About IMRF
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) was created by the Illinois General Assembly. Since 1941, IMRF has partnered with local units of government to provide retirement, disability and death benefits for public employees. With a funded status of about 93.1 percent and nearly $34.7 billion in assets, IMRF is well-funded and sustainable. Today, IMRF has more than 405,000 members and serves nearly 3,000 different units of government, including towns and villages, libraries and park districts, and counties and school districts (non-teaching personnel). The average member who retired in 2014 is receiving a monthly pension of $1,439. For more information, visit this page.
