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Springfield Center for Independent Living’s 22nd Annual Meeting was held this year on November 1, 2007 at the Inn at 835 in Springfield. The program included a meeting with awards ceremony, and hors d’oeuvre buffet and music by local band Second Harvest.

SCIL presents annual awards to honor individuals who have made valuable contributions to SCIL and people with disabilities in the community, Awards presented this year: The Jack Genskow Personal Assistant of the Year Award to recipient Demetria Gardner; The Youth Advocate Award to recipient LaRon Meek; The Tom and Dolores Kraus Award to recipient Ingeborg Lundh for outstanding services as a SCIL board member; The Employer Recognition Award to Recipient Amanda Funk; and a special SCIL Advocacy Award to recipients Jane Ford and Kathi Eads in recognition of their efforts in advocating for evening bus service in Springfield. A presentation of the “There’s No Place Like Home” plaque was made with the reading of the names of the 11 individuals who have chosen to leave nursing homes to live independently in their own homes during this past year.

Ingeborg Lundh was announced as SCIL’s incoming Board President for the 2007-2008 year. Cheryl Chauncey, Danny Maurer, Deborah Johnson-Small and James Solenberger were introduced as newly elected members to the Board of Directors. Fern Pinkley, Board President for the 2006-2007 year, was honored with plaque of appreciation for her service. JoAnn Bayer, Johnny Bray, Diana Braun, Kathy Conour and Kim Phipps, retiring board members, were also honored with star shaped clocks engraved with words of appreciation for their years of service to SCIL.

SCIL is a not for profit service and advocacy agency that promotes the independent living philosophy. Its mission is to increase opportunities for equality, integration, personal choice, and independence for all people with disabilities.