The Monee Emergency Management Agency recognized eight members as recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA). Four of the volunteers were recipients of the prestigious Gold Award.
The PVSA is a national program that recognizes exceptional volunteers whose work makes real and sustainable differences in their communities. The program honors volunteers as young as five years of age, as well as teens and adults. To earn a PVSA, volunteers must be part of a certifying organization, such as the Emergency Management Agency.
To receive a Bronze Medal in Monee, adults must give 100 – 150 hours of EMA community service. A Silver Medal requires 200 – 250 hours, and a Gold Medal requires 500 hours or more.
EMA Director Randy Ulaskas presented the awards, along with Mayor Therese Bogs and Trustee Scott Youdris during the June 11 village board meeting.
EMA members earning certificates from the Presidential Volunteer Council for their volunteer hours for 2024 included: Connie Montalvo, Bronze – 139 hours; Mike Poteete, Bronze – 110 hours; Brian Glim, Bronze – 128 hours; Jared Holetzky, Silver – 216; Sgt. Norm Flaig, Gold – 644 hours; Mike Larson, Gold – 763 hours; Chad Simpson, Gold – 752 hours; and Tracey Henson, Gold – 1,192 hours.
“Over half our agency received these awards,” Ulaskas said. “Their volunteer hours are from calls, details, training, and meetings.
“If we put a dollar amount on it, their total hours were 3,944 hours, at a savings to the village of $78,880. So, I couldn’t be more proud of this group and their dedication.”
During the presentation, Ulaskas cited Chad Simpson for his Gold Medal, adding, “I’m blessed to have Chad help me out. He gets a lot of stuff thrown at him. I throw a lot at him. We wouldn’t be where we are today without Chad.
“And then there’s Tracey Henson. There’s a Lifetime Achievement Award with this group and that is 4,000 hours. This year Tracey Henson had 1,192 hours. So, she accomplished more than 25 percent of the Lifetime Achievement Award in one year. That’s awesome. That’s truly amazing. She’s a role model employee. When I ask Tracey for anything at any hour, it’s done.
“And with this group, this is 24/7, 365 days, year round, in all weather conditions. So, thank you guys for all that you do.”
Mayor Bogs also voiced her appreciation.
“A huge thank you to all our EMA volunteers,” she said. “Thank you so much for the time, the commitment, and the dedication. It’s really amazing.”
Trustee Youdris commented during his public safety report.
“To our EMA recipients tonight, I talk about this a lot. I just want everybody to remember, again, you listen to those hour totals that were given, those are hours they are giving in addition to working jobs, in addition to raising families. And they do it because they care about Monee. They do it because they want to keep us safe. Those are hours spent away from home, sometimes on holidays, sometimes missing birthday parties. Whatever needed to be done for the village, they were there. And I think I can say on behalf of the village, thank you for your dedication.”
The Emergency Management Agency incorporates planning, preparedness, response, and recovery activities relative to emergencies or disasters, whether natural or man-made.
Duties include: Developing and maintaining the village’s emergency operation plan, which promotes a framework for the coordination of emergency response across a broad spectrum of disciplines and agencies; developing and maintaining emergency communications and warning equipment; promotion of mitigation activities; traffic control; emergency lighting; severe weather spotting; and public education and information
For more information or to become a volunteer, contact Ulaskas at 708-534-8305.