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Local business news: June 30, 2010
June 30, 2010, 10:29 am
The Daily JOURNAL: Kankakee
BRAIDWOOD
Exelon employees Mary Ellen Papesh
and Ray Phelps, both of Braidwood, have received a national public
service award for their efforts on behalf of Operation MOMS Cookies of Wilmington.
Papesh, a systems analyst,
and Phelps, a senior engineer analyst at the Braidwood plant, were recognized as Jefferson Awards champions at a June 22 ceremony
in Washington, D.C.
Papesh and Phelps organized
community events where volunteers assembled thousands of care packages and mailed them to U.S. troops serving overseas. They then arranged homecoming and sendoff ceremonies
for Illinois service members and their families according
to Exelon spokesman Neil Miller.
Known as the "Nobel Prize
for public service," the Jefferson Awards were established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and U.S. Sen. Robert Taft
Jr., R-Ohio.
June 21, 2010
Mary Ellen Papesh & Ray Phelps
2010 Exelon
Excellence Award Winners
In Washington, D.C. and
Receive the Champion Award
For Nation Public Service at
Jefferson Awards Ceremony
For outstanding leadership in
Community Service!
As the top honorees, MOMS Volunteers, Mary Ellen Papesh
and Ray Phelps represented Exelon at the National Jefferson Awards Ceremony and Gala in Washington, D.C., June 21st and 22nd.
The Jefferson Awards are an annual celebration of volunteerism hosted by the American Institute for Public Service.
In honor of the work Mary Ellen and Ray have accomplished at MOMS on
behalf of our brave men and women of the
U.S. Armed Forces who put themselves in harm's way to
protect the liberties and freedom we each enjoy,
Operation: MOMS Cookies is the recipient of a
$20,000.00 Gift, Granted from Exelon.
MOMS extends its great appreciation to Exelon for their outstanding support
to their employees in their volunteer initiatives and for the many benefits this gift will bring to our Military Men
and Women, honoring more than 665 hours of expertise and selfless hours of volunteerism by Exelon's "Team Braidwood". Exelon's committment to education, environment, arts and culture and neighborhood development programs through
their philanthropic and employee volunteer efforts is above and beyond as it provides
"Energy for our Communities"!
THANK YOU EXELON!
Above, posing for a photo to
mark the presentation of Exelon’s Excellence Awards are, from left, Joe Trippiedi (Operation: MOMS Cookies, Inc.), Deborah
Trippiedi (Operation: MOMS Cookies, inc.), Ray Phelps (Braidwood Engineer), Mary
Ellen Papesh (Braidwood IT), John Rowe (Exelon Chairman and CEO), Zoraida Sambolin (NBC-5 Chicago), Amir Shahkarami
(Braidwood site vice president), and Susan Landahl (Sr. Vice President Midwest Operations)
For the complete story,
click on the Picture above!
Wilmington Community Band announces 2010 Summer Concert Series
June 7, 2010
The
Wilmington Community Band looks forward to presenting five concerts this summer. Under the direction of Tracy Smith,
the band is in its fourth year and has about 35 members. All concerts will be held in the Memorial Park at the
corner of Vine and Williams, just east of Oakwood Cemetery. Guests are encouraged
to pack a picnic, come early and enjoy food, fellowship and music! The band will also be offering
some fun events as a part of the performances.
The
program for Sunday, June 13 is a patriotic celebration of Flag Day and includes
the following selections:
Star Spangled Banner
Washington Post March
America the Beautiful
Star Spangled Spectacular
Coast Guards March
God Bless the USA
*Intermission*
Liberty Bell March
God Bless America
Civil War Suite
American Journey
Sousa - The March King
Once
again, the band is being supported by the Wilmington Rotary Club. At each concert a local charity will be highlighted. For the June 13 concert, Wilmington based MOMS Cookies will be featured. MOMS Cookies Inc., NFP is a non-partisan, 501(C)(3) Public Charity. It supports all branches of the United States Armed Forces Service Members deployed and stationed overseas. In
addition to monetary donations to support their work, donations of granola bars, individual sized toothpaste and individually
wrapped hard candies can be brought to the collection box at the concert.
MOMS Cookies will be offering drinks and other snacks for purchase at the event.
The
remaining concerts will be June 27, July 11, July 25 and August 8. With the exception
of July 25, concerts will start at 6:00 p.m. The July 25 concert will start at
2:30 p.m. and be followed by the Joliet American Legion Band at 4:30. In the
event of rain, concerts will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 401 E. Kahler Road.
The
Community Band has enjoyed the support of the local community. If you would like to make
a donation to support their work (and for the American Legion Band), checks can be made payable to the
Wilmington Rotary Club and sent to Chris Breyman, Grundy Bank, 120 S. Main, Wilmington, IL 60481.
A great fish story
May
25, 2010
By
Jo Ann Hustis -jhustis@morrisdailyherald.com
BRACEVILLE - Saturday was a great day for
fishing for Braidwood Generating Station and its employees.
For the
first time in its nine-year history, Braidwood Station’s Fishing for a Cure Tournament
went over the top, raising $28,000 for Operation: MOMS Cookies, a Wilmington-based charity that sends care packages to military
personnel serving overseas.
In another first, the tourney reached its maximum number of 100 entries several weeks
before the May 22 event at Braidwood
Lake .
"Someone was watching over Operation: MOMS," State Senator Gary Dahl, R-Granville, noted as the anglers
returned with their catches.
"It’s all from the heart for the service personnel overseas. They’re the
ones making it possible for us to be out here, doing what we’re doing. "
A three-fish total of 9.19 pounds snared
first place and the top prize of $4,000 for brothers Jerry and John Luehrs of Lansing and Manhattan, respectively.
The
brothers also won the tourney two years ago.
Second place, which netted them $2,500, went to Josh Hubbard of Wilmington
and Kenny Sheets of Joliet, with 8.04 pounds of fish.
Catching third place, with 7.41 pounds of bass, was the team
of Dan Marcoloni and Mitch Deland, who garnered $1,000 in prize money.
Seven other teams split another $2,500 in prize
money.
Andrew Kiesling, an employee of Byron Generating Station in Byron, and his brother, Rob, snared the day’s
biggest bass, at 4.51 pounds. Rob Kiesling’s son is a Marine. Byron Station has cooling towers instead of a lake.
Mike Dement of New Lenox netted a trip onto the stage with his catfish, which weighed
in at about four pounds.
"I was surprised because, for one, we caught him on a lure, and we got him while we were
kind of trolling in the middle of the lake," he said. "We weren’t fishing off shoreline or anything."
"It was
my first time for the tournament," he added.
A semi-retired tax and accounting consultant, Dement was lured into the
tournament by a client, Ron Lindstrom, who also happened to be the first-place winner in the 2009 tourney.
"I went
crazy when I heard about it, and I was happy to get in," Dement said. "And yes, I will be back next year."
Freshwater
fishing just may have made a convert of Amir Shahkarami, an avid salt water fisherman
back at his home in Louisiana .
"This is different," said Shahkarami, site vice president at Braidwood Station. "The
bait is different, and casting is different, and so I’m learning. I’m a good learner."
In the process,
he snagged the art of spinning freshwater fish tales.
"I had a four and a half pound fish on my line, according to
my partner," Shahkarami said. "And then he (the fish) went down in the water. "
Braidwood Station employee Ray Phelps
took a different angle. Instead of going out in a boat to fish, he volunteered to register the fishing boats as they arrived at the entry gate.
"I’ve been up since 2:45 a.m., and there were a bunch of us Exelon folks standing out there at the gate at 4
a.m., registering the boats for our tournament," he said.
"We were two boats short. We had two no-shows. But that’s
OK. They’d paid their $100 entry fee, and we’re OK with that."
Phelps noted Operation: MOMS Cookies seems
to be very popular with the employees at Braidwood Station.
"Everybody seems to catch on and get involved," he said.
"They’ve been so generous in our fundraising attempts that this is going to break the fishing tournament record today,
absolutely."
Phelps attributed the success of the record-breaking tourney to the work of the Exelon volunteers.
"They
came out today, and they’ve got deep pockets as well. We’ve been raising money the past five to six months for
this, with raffles and all kinds of things."
Braidwood Station spokesman Neal Miller believes the reason for the great
turnout was because of the goal - to support the nation’s deployed military troops.
Tim Carmichael of Tinley
Park is a member of the Braidwood Station team that puts the annual tournaments together. His post was at the boat launch,
checking the craft going out and others coming in.
"We have to make sure they get off the water by the 3 p.m. deadline,
and also make sure that they do get off the water," he noted. "We don’t want anybody left out there."
A great
part of the tourney was the food. Grilled pork chops, ribeye steaks, hot dogs, and jalapeno-cheese-bacon appetizers. Fish
were out of the loop there.
The charcoal grill was like nothing else - a 10-foot long iron pipe with hinged doors
on the sides and vents on the top. A huge sign on the side read, "Freedom."
"They built this whole thing from scratch.
They started with a piece of pipe, and built the stand for it. It’s at every MOMS event," Phelps said of the three-chef
team operating the grill.
"They really are master chefs. They have their food license, and they’re good to go.
They’re not connected with Braidwood Station, just Operation: MOMS. They come to every one of our events and serve food,
and they don’t charge us nothing ... nothing ... nothing. They’ve got big hearts. "
Winners in their respective
age groups in the children’s fishing
derby at the Godley Park District pond included first-place winners Eva Pelecky of Naperville, Matt Baker of Yorkville,
and Brendan Wiggens of Godley.
Second-place winners were Alyssa Norton of Channahon, Cade Stevens of Ransom, Alyssa See of Morris.
Third-place
winners were James Wyatt of Joliet , Tim Matecki of Lockport , and Gloria Baker of Yorkville.
At 22.5 inches, Matt
Baker’s catfish was the longest fish in the tournament. The shortest fish was a bluegill caught by Brandon Abbott, at
5.5 inches.
Chauncey Niziol was host for the tournament and derby. Lee Kuusisto of American
Bass Anglers was tournament judge.
Copyright (c) 2010 Morris Daily Herald.
Exelon honors Braidwood residents for work with OPERATION: MOMS
Cookies
Posing for a photo to mark the presentation of
Exelon’s Excellence Awards are, from left, Joe Trippiedi (Operation: MOMS Cookies, Inc.), Deborah Trippiedi (Operation:
MOMS Cookies, inc.), Ray Phelps (Braidwood Engineer), Mary Ellen Papesh (Braidwood
IT), John Rowe (Exelon Chairman and CEO), Zoraida Sambolin (NBC-5 Chicago), Amir Shahkarami (Braidwood site vice
president), and Susan Landahl (Sr. Vice President Midwest Operations)
May 7, 2010
BRACEVILLE – Exelon honored employees and Braidwood residents Mary Ellen Papesh and Ray Phelps with the companywide
first-place Excellence Award for their volunteer work with OPERATION: MOMS Cookies Inc.
The volunteer recognition is part of the company’s annual “Energy for the Community Volunteer
Awards,” and comes with a $20,000 cash grant to the nonprofit organization. OPERATION:
MOMS Cookies promotes patriotism, activism and encourages the community to uplift the morale of all deployed U.S.
service members.
Papesh and Phelps, an IT analyst and a senior engineering analyst, respectively, at Braidwood Generating Station,
created “Team Braidwood” in 2009. This team has since volunteered 665 hours of community service in support of
OPERATION: MOMS Cookies’ work. Papesh and Phelps organized community events
that resulted in thousands of care packages being assembled and sent to American troops serving overseas. They also arranged
several homecoming and sendoff ceremonies for Illinois service
members and their families. Both volunteers assumed leadership roles in project
management, outreach programs logistics and fundraising campaigns for OPERATION: MOMS Cookies. They also were instrumental in locating a bigger packing center, which enables the organization to
increase the number of care packages it assembles and hold additional volunteer events.
“Americans generally take their freedoms
for granted and seldom think about what it takes to maintain and achieve them,” Phelps said. “This is our way
of giving back to the troops that defend our freedoms.”
John W. Rowe, Exelon chairman and CEO, presented Papesh and Phelps with their award at a luncheon held in
Chicago on May 3. “I am proud of our employees for their extraordinary efforts to improve the quality
of life in the communities we serve,” Rowe said. “I congratulate Mary Ellen and Ray, and thank all of our employee volunteers who go above and beyond in their commitment
to community service.”
“We want our service members to know they are not forgotten and that we care about them and appreciate
all the sacrifices they make for all of us,” Papesh said.
“Mary Ellen and Ray set an example not only as outstanding volunteers, but professional and trustworthy
individuals,” said Deborah J. Trippiedi, OPERATION: MOMS Cookies president. “Each
has delivered an exceptional extension to MOMS’ vision, while fulfilling our mission with their volunteer work and serving
as advocates for the men and women of the military.”
Exelon developed its Energy for the Community Volunteer Awards program in 2007 to honor employee community
service and to encourage more volunteerism. Papesh and Phelps are among the 12 employees who received volunteer awards
and grant donations for the nonprofit organizations they serve. Exelon donated a total of $100,000 in cash grants to
the nonprofit organizations.
As the top honorees, they also will represent Exelon at the National Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C., this spring. The Jefferson Awards are
an annual celebration of volunteerism hosted by the American Institute for Public Service.
Exelon’s Energy for the Community Volunteer Awards were open to all eligible employees from the Exelon
family of companies who volunteered at least 50 hours of community service in 2009. Last year, nearly 1,800 Exelon employee
volunteers gave more than 58,000 hours of their time to community nonprofit organizations, which is equivalent to 1,450 work
weeks or almost 28 years of full-time service.
The awards are part of Exelon’s “Energy for the Community”
corporate citizenship program, which encourages and supports the development of environmental causes, education, arts and
culture, neighborhood development and diversity in the communities it serves.
Exelon
volunteers assemble care packages for soldiers
April 27, 2010
WILMINGTON,
Ill. — Exelon employee volunteers Thursday, April 22 assembled dozens of
care packages destined for American troops serving overseas in observance of National Volunteer Week.
Approximately 23 Exelon employees participated in the community service project at Operation MOMS Cookies
Inc. operations center, where they put together care packages containing items that ranged from phone cards and personal items
to snacks.
Operation MOMS Cookies is a non-profit organization that promotes patriotism, activism and encourages local
communities to uplift the morale of all deployed service members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
“This is one way Exelon is honoring the bravery of our military service members, thanking them for their
patriotism, and sending our collective wishes for a safe return home,” said Amir Shahkarami, Braidwood Station site
vice president and senior vice president, Exelon Nuclear. “It is their sacrifices that make it possible for us to enjoy
the freedoms we do.”
The event was one of more than 70 community service projects Exelon employee volunteers are leading in recognition
of National Volunteer Week. More than 1,000 Exelon employees, family members and friends are expected to provide approximately
4,000 total hours of volunteer service for the projects, which take place in Exelon’s service territories of Illinois, Pennsylvania and Texas.
“I commend Exelon’s employees for their commitment to volunteerism and continuous work to improve
the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said John W. Rowe, Exelon chairman and CEO. “They deserve much
credit for building a corporate culture at Exelon that emphasizes the value of community service.”
National Volunteer Week, which was from April 18 to April 24, is an annual, nationwide observance of individuals’
and organizations’ contributions to their communities. Exelon volunteers assemble care packages for soldiersxelon recognizes National Volunteer Week by empowering employee
volunteers to design their own service projects and recruiting others to participate. In 2009, more than 1,800 Exelon
employee volunteers gave more than 58,000 hours of their time to community nonprofit organizations. The donated hours are
equivalent to 1,450 workweeks or almost 28 years of full-time service.
Exelon
Nuclear's Fishing for a Cure Bass Tournament Sold Out
Don Dziedzina on 04.16.10 at 2:21 PM
Been involved
in the outdoors for 40 years. I have been writing outdoor columns for over 25. I am the producer and host of the Illinois
Outoors TV Show and CoHost of the Fishing Line and Outdoor Radio Show.
Good news for Operation MOM's Cookies. Sad news for those who
want to fish the tournament. This just came in. Please consider brining the kids out for the kids tournament where
there is still plenty of room.
BRACEVILLE, Ill. (April 16, 2010) - For
the first time in tournament history, Exelon Nuclear's "Fishing for a Cure" reached its maximum participation limit of 100
boats, which guarantees Operations MOMS Cookies, Inc. a minimum $10,000 donation. Although space in the bass fishing tournament is sold out, organizations and individuals can still make a donation
to support American troops. There's also still plenty of room for young anglers at the children's tournament being held that
same day (Saturday, May 22) at the Godley Park District.
"This year's event has generated a lot of excitement," said
Braidwood Site Vice President Amir Shahkarami. "Selling out five weeks in advance of the tournament shows how anxious the
anglers are to support our deployed American troops."
Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc. is based in Wilmington, Ill.
and is a not-for-profit organization that strives to promote patriotism and community activism in programs aimed at uplifting
the morale of deployed service members of the U.S.
Armed Forces. Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc. coordinates welcomes and send offs, phone home programs and "Box of Home" and "Buddy
Box" care package mailings for American troops.
The "Fishing for a Cure" tournament will be held on Saturday,
May 22. The bass tournament will commence from Braidwood Lake's Kankakee Road
(South) Ramp.
The children's tournament is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Registration
will begin at 9 a.m. The entry fee is $5 per child. More information on the children's tournament is available on the Internet
at www.exeloncorp.com/programs/fishing.
Braidwood
Team Wins Top “Energy for the Community” Award
DATE: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Earlier today, the company announced
the 2010 Energy for the Community Awards. Receiving the top
award was “Team Braidwood” for their service with Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc.
Led by Ray Phelps (Engineering)
and Mary Ellen Papesh (IT), “Team Braidwood” (pictured above in MOMS Shop) donated 665 hours of community service
to MOMS through volunteerism and advisory board positions.
Ray and Mary Ellen championed
a number of initiatives to benefit Operation MOMS including the organization of community events that resulted in thousands
of care packages being mailed to troops serving overseas. They also help
bolster the morale of Illinois troops and their families by arranging several homecoming and send-off ceremonies.
In addition, both Ray and Mary
Ellen have taken leadership roles in project management, outreach programs, logistics and fundraising campaigns for MOMS.
“I would like to congratulate
Ray and Mary Ellen on winning this award,” said Braidwood Site Vice President Amir Shahkarami. “They are extremely
dedicated to helping our deployed American Troops and their hard work is paying off in a big way.”
Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc. is the benefitting charity for the 2010 “Fishing for a Cure”
tournament slated for May 22 at Braidwood Lake .
“We expect this to be one
of our best fundraising events ever,” Shahkarami said. “I can’t think of a better cause then helping those
who serve our Country.”
As the top honorees,
Phelps and Papesh will represent Exelon at the National Jefferson Awards in Washington , D.C. , this spring. The Jefferson
Awards are an annual celebration of volunteerism hosted by the American Institute for Public Service.
Operation MOMS Cookies will receive a $20,000
grant from Exelon.
*********************************************
March 4, 2010
Announcing
the “Energy for the Community” Volunteer Award winners;
Exelon to donate $100,000
to winners’ not-for-profit organizations
In its fourth year, the Exelon
“Energy for the Community” Volunteer Awards program will honor 12 employees for exemplary
community service. The winning entries are a testament to the dedicated community service of the 1,800 Exelon employees
who donated more than 58,000 volunteer hours in 2009. This year’s honorees continue to bring to life our values and
our corporate citizenship goals.
An external selection committee
representing local and national not-for-profit organizations, media outlets, and civic, cultural and educational institutions
chose the 2010 honorees, who will be recognized in May during award ceremonies hosted by Exelon Chairman and CEO John W. Rowe in Chicago and Philadelphia. All employees also will be recognized by the American Institute for Public Service as
part of the organization’s local program of the National Jefferson Awards.
"On behalf of all Exelon employees,
we are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of these winners. Please join me in congratulating these honorees and all
our colleagues who have made volunteer service and giving back to the community a central part of their lives,” Rowe
said.
The
Honorees
Excellence
Award: This is the top Energy for the Community Volunteer
Award; the winner’s nonprofit will receive a $20,000 grant from Exelon.
· Ray Phelps, a
senior engineering analyst at Braidwood Station, and Mary Ellen Papesh, an IT
analyst at Braidwood, will receive the company-wide first place Excellence Award on behalf of “Team Braidwood’s”
service with Operation: MOMS Cookies in Wilmington, Ill. MOMS
(Men/Women Of Military Service) promotes patriotism and activism and encourages the community to uplift the morale of all
deployed service members. Last year, “Team Braidwood” donated 665 hours of community service to MOMS through volunteerism
and advisory board positions. Phelps and Papesh organized community events
resulting in thousands of care packages being mailed to troops serving overseas. They also bolstered the morale of Illinois
troops and their families by arranging several homecoming and send-off ceremonies. Both have taken leadership roles in project
management, outreach programs, logistics and fundraising campaigns for MOMS.
As the top honorees, Phelps and Papesh will represent Exelon at the National Jefferson Awards in Washington, D.C., this
spring. The Jefferson Awards are an annual celebration of volunteerism hosted by the American Institute for Public Service.
Achievement
Awards: Five employees have won regional Achievement Awards.
Each of the nonprofit organizations they serve will receive a $10,000 donation
from Exelon. These regional awards are named after two inspirational employees known for their exemplary contributions to
the community and leadership as volunteers: Douglas C. Larsen, the late ComEd public
affairs director, and Cherrie E. Cooper, the late PECO public affairs director.
Merit Awards:
Six employees have won Merit Awards, with an accompanying
Exelon donation of $5,000 to the nonprofit organization served by each employee.
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Bass tourney to benefit Troops
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Photo: Nicholas Holstein
Debbie Trippiedi, founder of the Wilmington-based Operation
MOMS Cookies Inc., readies supplies for Illinois service men and women stationed overseas. Operation MOMS will be the beneficiary
of the May 22 "Fishing for a Cure" Exelon bass tournament at Braidwood Lake.
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Feb. 19, 2010, 11:11 am
By Bill Byrns
bbyrns@daily-journal.com
815-937-3304
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Maybe it should be "Fishing for a Cause," since
this year's Exelon-sponsored bass tournament at Braidwood Lake aims to bring some cheer
to Illinois troops stationed overseas.
Each year,
Exelon designates a different charity to benefit from its "Fishing for a Cure" tournament.
All proceeds from this
year's tournament -- including 100 percent of the $100-per-boat entry fees -- will benefit Operation MOMS Cookies Inc., of
Wilmington. The MOMS acronym stands for supporting our Men/Women
Of Military Service.
Helping families connect
Bass fishermen can help MOMS send a 1,000 or more military phone
cards to Illinois servicemen and women stationed overseas this year simply by entering the May 22 tournament.
Last
year, the tournament raised $20,000 for Autism Speaks, an agency assisting families with autistic children. Two years ago,
the tournament raised a record $26,000 for FAAN, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.
"Twenty thousand would
let us buy 1,278 more military phone cards," said MOMS founder and executive director Debbie Trippiedi.
"Families
here often buy the international phone cards, only to learn that they don't work the opposite way -- from Afghanistan or Iraq, back to the United States.
"We provide military phone cards that
cost $15.65 each and are good for around 78 minutes of calls," Trippiedi said. "Can you imagine just how invaluable it is
for a soldier to get to a phone center and be able to hear a loved one's voice?"
$10,000 in cash prizes
"The
Braidwood Power Station is putting up $10,000 in cash prizes for competing fishermen," said Exelon spokesman Neal Miller.
"The first place team will reel in an impressive $4,000, with second and third place netting $2,500 and $1,000, respectively.
The fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place finishers will win $500, and teams finishing seventh through tenth will win $250."
To
receive an entry form by mail or for more information, contact Miller via e-mail at neal.miller@exeloncorp.com or by telephone at (815) 417-3184. |
Anglers can compete for $10,000 in prize money
BRACEVILLE, Ill. (February
12, 2010) – For the ninth consecutive year, Braidwood Generating Station will host Exelon Nuclear’s
“Fishing for a Cure.” Anglers are invited to cast a line for charity in the team bass tournament on Saturday,
May 22 at Braidwood Lake in Braceville , Ill.
The station is putting up $10,000 in cash prizes for competing fishermen. The first place team will reel
in an impressive $4,000, with second and third place netting $2,500 and $1,000, respectively. The fourth, fifth and sixth
place finishers will win $500 and teams finishing seventh through tenth will win $250.
This year’s tournament proceeds will benefit Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc. The Wilmington , Ill.
based not-for-profit organization strives
to promote patriotism and community activism in programs aimed at uplifting the morale of deployed service members of the
U.S. Armed Forces. They do so through a variety of programs including their “Box of Home”
and “Buddy Box” care package mailings. The organization also coordinates welcomes and send offs and phone home
programs for American Troops.
“It’s great that
our charity tournament will benefit the men and women who serve in the armed forces,” said Braidwood Site Vice President
Amir Shahkarami. “We are looking forward to a day filled with fun, camaraderie and competitive fishing.”
The tournament will commence from Braidwood Lake ’s Kankakee Road (South) Ramp. The entry fee is
$100 per team with all proceeds,
including 100 percent of all tournament entry fees, going to Operation MOMS Cookies, Inc.
“We
are humbled and very appreciative to be the Beneficiary of Exelon's 2010 Fishing for a Cure tournament,” said Debbie
Trippiedi, Executive Director and Founder of Operation MOMS Cookies. “It is an honor to be a part of the wonderful history of
Exelon and its dedicated employees whom with pride and commitment make our communities a better place for so many.
We extend our heartfelt thanks for helping MOMS to fulfill our mission for and in support of our military men
and women.”
Rules and entry forms are available on the Internet at www.exeloncorp.com/programs/fishing.
Also
on May 22, a children’s tournament will again be held at the Godley Park District pond from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Registration
will begin at 9 a.m. The entry fee is $5 per child.
To receive an entry form by mail or for more information, contact Braidwood
Generating Station Communications Manager Neal Miller via e-mail at neal.miller@exeloncorp.com or by telephone at (815)
417-3184.
###
In The News...
Dedicated Women of Marshall
County Kentucky and Marshall County Judge Executive Mike Miller
Sponsor Christmas Charity Contest ...FOR THE TROOPS!
Kentucky MOM, Karen Duchoslav spurs awareness and giving in
her many works of heart for the Troops...
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|
GO!
Grundy County's Own Magazine...
To the Staff of the Morris Daily Herald, MOMS extends its thanks and appreciation for the wonderful
feature story by Michael Farrell with Photo's by Adam Nekola. The hearts and hands of many from our community work
each day to send a smile and provide requests for our deployed Service Members...making a difference with their labors of
love and you told their story. To see the December Go Article, just click on the magazine page at left!
THANK YOU to the Morris Daily Herald and to our communities for your support of our Military Men and Women
and the Mission of MOMS!
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Posted: Wednesday, 09 December 2009 4:27PM
Operation MOMS Cookies Needs You
Lisa
Fielding Reporting
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|
JOLIET, Ill. (WBBM) -- Operation MOMS Cookies is
a hometown charity that has been sending care packages to soldiers overseas since 2002.
"It started when my son was
in the military and he told us that a lot of his friends didn't receive even a letter from home...
READ THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON WBBM above to connect! |
|
Contents of this Article are Copyright 2009 by WBBM.
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Their
New song "Not Alone"...a Holiday Gift for our Troops!
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-------------------------------
Local Band
Teams with MOMS Cookies to Send TRIBUTE SONG overseas...
The
New Lenox Patriot
~by Laura Michaels
18November2009
---------------------------
|
|
| The Righteous Hillbillies of Joliet... |
|
|
| Click Above to Connect! |
Click ABOVE to connect to The New
Lenox Patriot to read the Story and hear
"NOT ALONE"!
|
November 17, 2009 | 12:33 AM
No politics, no sides, just a soldier's perspective.
This is what Kevin Wright and
Brent James had in mind when they wrote "Not Alone." And not alone is exactly what they hope soldiers feel when they listen
to the song at their bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After getting hooked up with Wilmington-based organization Operation: MOMS Cookies Inc., Wright and James, lead guitarist
and lead singer respectively for local band the Righteous Hillbillies, will have their song sent in nearly 1,500 care packages
to troops serving overseas.
"This thing is just blowing up before my very eyes," said Wright, a New Lenox resident.
"We
wanted to create a ballad. We don't want to take any political side and instead write from the soldiers' perspective," he
continued. "What are they thinking? Is everyone against me, am I forgotten?"
After Wright and James composed the song earlier this year, the band recorded it over the summer and performed
it in front of a live audience in October when the Righteous Hillbillies opened for the Charlie Daniels Band at the Rialto
Square Theatre in Joliet.
"It brought the house down," Wright said. "Everyone was on their feet, people were crying, it was just incredible."
But
months before the show it was a chance meeting with MOMS Cookies Founder Debbie Trippiedi at the Joliet Race Fan Rally that
really made the band's goal of reaching soldiers come true.
"Our booth was just a few down from where the band was,"
Trippiedi explained. "We got to talking and they performed at an event we had in August.
"[Kev] had e-mailed the lyrics
[to 'Not Alone'] and oh my God here go the tears. The song shows a whole new realm to the meaning of service."
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| At the UPS Freight AuroraTerminal, MOMS is presented a $10,000.00 Grant Check! |
A Holiday Miracle...
In the midst of growing submissions for assistance
of deployed Military Men and Women from Illinois and across the Globe, MOMS established the Operation Forward Support
Project Fund for troop basic need requests and other substantiated requested items. In a difficult economic climate
and with dwindling resources occurring at precisely the time when the need is growing, the corporate spirit of giving with
overwhelming generosity of UPS Freight has become a Holiday miracle for MOMS.
A $10,000.00 Grant was presented to MOMS at the Aurora UPS Freight Terminal from
the UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of United Parcel Service. "Without this, numerous basic need requests would be
left unfilled", said Founder Debbie Trippiedi. "We are very grateful for the overwhelming generosity of UPS with this Grant
and so appreciative of the wonderful UPS Freight family for remembering our Service Members who work each day on
behalf of each of our freedoms".
"The UPS Foundation is committed to funding impact programs that make a meaningful difference in our communities - so
we are proud to support OPERATION: MOMS Cookies efforts to provide for our U.S. Armed Forces Service Members deployed and
stationed overseas," said Ken Sternad, president of the UPS Foundation.
On behalf of the Board and Staff of MOMS, we extend our appreciation and deep thanks to the entire UPS Community for
their overwhelming corporate spirit in caring and support! A Holiday Miracle!
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“Mom’s
Cookies” sweeten service for troops
Girl Scouts and other volunteers put together packages for Operation Moms Cookies.
November 19, 2009
- November 25, 2009
NEWS The Times Weekly
“The need
is great and with the holidays approaching, it’s even greater.” Those were
the emphatic words of Debbie Trippiedi, founder of Operation: Mom’s Cookies, a volunteer organization dedicated to sending a boxed ‘hug’ from home in the form of care packages filled with much-needed personal items
for U.S. service men and women abroad. “I got the idea in 2002 from my experience with my own son, who is serving overseas in the
Army,” Trippiedi told The Times Weekly, “You’d be surprised to
know that even though
these men and
women are risking their lives to protect the freedoms we have here at home, many
of them do not even get so much as a postcard from home.” At least seven times a year, Operation Mom’s Cookies sends from 7 to 10 thousand care
boxes
to men and women
serving in units abroad. “We’re not just talking Iraq and Iran,” she emphasized,
“but globally.”
Local sponsors,
such as First Community Bank of Joliet, Comcast, Exxon and UPS have
joined the growing
list of local sponsors who have rallied to the call. “Our corporate sponsors have been an inspiration. We have UPS coming out to one of the local community
centers to create personalized Christmas stockings for our service men and women
and First Community Bank of Joliet has purchased CDs of
the
song “You
Are Not Alone” written by the local Joliet
group, the Righteous Hillbillies to put in each one of the gift boxes we send out. Even the Girl Scouts of America are big contributors. They give a portion of the proceeds of every box of cookies
that they sell to help out!” Gift boxes will go to military units including
Iraq, Afghanistan,
Germany, Bosnia, Japan,
Arab Emirates and 14 naval vessels. “With our global commitments and the numbers of troops that are being deployed from reserve units
in Illinois, the need is greater this Holiday Season
than ever!” Hundreds of volunteers have been helping to get care boxes
ready for the Holidays. “The need is especially great this year. We’ve
had to move into a new facility in an industrial park in Wilmington, because of the space requirements that we now have.” Personal items are the greatest need. “We need everything
from personal wipes to cosmetics for our
servicewomen,
personal medical supplies, global calling cards, knee pads, writing materials
and, yes, homemade cookies, to send to our service men and women to make sure
that they feel loved and supported by those of us at home. ”This holiday season, Operation Mom’s Cookies is asking that individuals not
only volunteer their time, but also send cash donations. “It’s
going to cost us at least 25 thousand dollars to send
out gift packages
for the holiday, ”Trippiedi said. “We also need a number of personal-sized
items such as hand sanitizers, personal wipes, individually packaged tooth
brushes and travel-sized
toothpaste and mouth wash. Granola bars and snack bars are also high on the list...
For more...connect
to the Times Weekly!
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