It’s National Volunteer week and, if there’s one thing I’ve learned since moving to Barrington, it’s that ours is a community filled with endless opportunities to help others. There are hundreds of organizations championing countless causes, powered by thousands of volunteers who are changing lives. It reminds me of a beautiful image from one of my great grandmother’s favorite poems, Drop a Pebble in the Water, about words and deeds that make a difference.
Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea,
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be…
There are many who pitch in, but is there ONE PERSON in Barrington who inspires you most with their outstanding contributions to our community? Do you know anyone who gives of themselves generously, tirelessly and without expectation? If you do, then here’s a great chance to reward their work with the recognition they never seek, but so deserve. Barrington’s 2011 “Citizen of the Year” will be named next month. And the group that selects that person is asking us all to help by nominating worthy recipients.
That non-profit group is called the Barrington Area Development Council. Over the years, they’ve helped start dozens of volunteer organizations in Barrington like the H.E.R.E. in Barrington Coalition, the Barrington Area Council of Governments, the Barrington Area Council on Aging and Citizens for Conservation.
They’ve been naming a Barrington “Citizen of the Year” annually since 1975. Last year, the BADC presented the award to Richard and Roxy Pepper of Pepper Construction for their role in opening the new Pepper Family Hospice Home and Center for Care in Barrington. The 2009 Citizen of the Year Award was given to local volunteer and environmentalist, Tom Vanderpoel and in 2008, the organization honored local volunteer and philanthropist, Kim Duchossois. Here’s a look at some of the past award recipients, courtesy of Barrington photographer, Bob Lee.
Barrington’s 2011 Citizen of the Year will be kept top secret until the Barrington Area Development Council hosts its Annual Dinner Meeting on the evening of Wednesday, May 11th. We’re all invited to this event when the new recipient will be revealed, with a keynote address by Norval Stephens, founder of the Barrington Area Community Foundation, BADC board member and 1999 Citizen of the Year. The evening will begin with a “Showcase of Community Organizations” reception from 6-7PM where you can learn more about some of the different organizations and volunteer opportunities in Barrington. If you’d like to nominate someone to be the 2011 Barrington Citizen of the Year, the deadline is April 22nd and you’ll find the form and instructions at this link:
CLICK HERE for The 2011 Citizen of the Year Nomination Form
If you’d like to attend, the Citizen of the Year dinner will take place at the Hidden Pond Estate in Barrington Hills. The cost is $60.00 per person and the RSVP date is Friday, May 6th. For more information, email the Barrington Area Development Council at info@The-BADC.org or call 847-382-HELP (4357). You can quickly and easily RSVP by sending a check for $60 per person made payable to BADC, to: BADC Annual Dinner, P.O. Box 72, Barrington, Illinois 60011. Please include a list of attendee names along with your phone number and email address. The net proceeds will benefit BADC programs and initiatives, causing “half-a-hundred ripples” right here in Barrington.
Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea,
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.
Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute, you forget;
But there are little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute, it is gone;
But there are half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.
Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute, you forget;
But there are little waves a-flowing and there’s ripples circling yet.
And perhaps in some sad heart, a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy, ere you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash, and it is gone;
But there are half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave,
Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute, you forget;
But there’s gladness still a-swelling and there’s joy a-circling yet.
And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water, just by dropping one kind word.
by James W. Foley, 1874-1939
