ABOVE: Jim Anderson welcomes everyone to the 2025 BOV Community Impact Awards “Christmas in March” Program at the Fischer.
THE FOLLOWING IS A BALLOONS OVER VERMILION RELEASE
Anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero to me – Fred Rogers
March 11, 2025
In 2024, Balloons Over Vermilion NFP, launched its eighth year of presenting the summer’s hottest festival, as well as presenting for the fourth year Vermilion County’s holiday kickoff event, the Festival of Trees! The Community Impact Award celebration highlights several of the wonderful contributions that these events bring to Vermilion County throughout the year.
These events are made possible each year through the hard work of a team of dedicated steering committee members and the generous support of hundreds of sponsors and volunteers. “We are always amazed at the outpouring of support we receive each year for these two events. While Vermilion County’s love affair with hot air ballooning began back in the 1980’s, the Festival of Trees will be celebrating its 28th anniversary in 2025. “Every year supporters from Vermilion County, along with guests from throughout the Midwest, turn out for these wonderful family events and we sincerely appreciate that support. Everyone who buys a ticket, enjoys a snow cone or a beer, strolls through the decorated trees, visits the Festival raffle house or brings their family out to witness the splendor of a balloon launch and glow, all become members of our Balloons Over Vermilion family,” stated Pat O’Shaughnessy, Balloons Over Vermilion NFP Board Chair. “The support these events receive from everyone involved grows stronger each year. We are excited to announce that the total of Community Impact Awards presented today to 23 different organizations is $151,000, bringing our donation total over the last eight years to $685,000!” he added.
(1st Picture) Red Mask Players’ Lisa Lovelace accepts donation for Red Mask’s Teen Program. (2nd Picture) Danville High School’s Madrigal Singers wrap up program with a pair of songs. (3rd Picture) Pat O’Shaughnessy addresses BOV Community Impact Awards crowd.
2024 Balloons Over Vermilion, NFP Impact Award Recipients
⦁ Balloon Federation of America – Provide summer camp scholarships for aspiring young pilots – contact Dean Carlton (217-304-2365) – Grant of $1500
⦁ Oakwood Grade School – Our 2024 Student Ambassador Class – contact Tiffany Johnson (217-354-4221) – Grant of $2500
⦁ Danville Municipal Band – Provide support for family quality of life events / recruit young band members – contact Brian Klett (217-474-15490) – Grant of $2500
⦁ Vermilion County Museum – Sponsor Museum tours for county youth – contact Sue Richter (217-442-2922) – Grant of $3000
⦁ Red Mask Players – Sponsor youth arts programs / plays – contact Lisa Lovelace (217-442-5858) – Grant of $3000
⦁ Danville High School Music Department – Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Madrigal Singers program – contact Jeff Thomas (217-444-1000) – Grant of $5000
⦁ Miss Piggy Project – Support Georgetown/Ridge Farm Teachers group raising funds to address a variety of student needs – contact Heather Douglas (217-662-8488) – Grant of $5000
⦁ St. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry – Support local food pantry addressing family food insecurity – contact Nancy O’Kane (217-260-1230) – Grant of $5000
⦁ Salvation Army – Support increased nutritional food options for their family food pantry – contact Lt. Katherine Reid (217-442-5911) – Grant of $5000
⦁ Food For the Children – Support weekend/summer food program for Dist. 118 students under the United Way umbrella – contact Angie Lazzell (217-442-3512) – Grant of $5000
⦁ Winterview Youth League – Support field upgrades to mitigate safety issues – contact Taryn Owens (217-474-5632) – Grant of $5000
⦁ Hoopeston Youth Baseball – Support dugout replacements at McFerren Park – contact Michael Silver (217–504-1796) – Grant of $5000
⦁ Boys and Girls Club – Support upgraded security system equipment – contact Rob Gifford (217-446-4315) – Grant of $7500
⦁ Center for Youth and Family Solutions – Support adoption and foster child placement programs in Vermilion County – contact Jess Firmand (217-443-1772) – Grant of $7500
⦁ Danville Christian Academy – Support gym floor replacement for pre-school and community family activities – contact Pastor Doug Knapp (217-442-1371) – Grant of $7500
⦁ Vermilion County Conservation Foundation – Support playground equipment projects at county parks – contact Jaime Pasquale (217-442-1691) – Grant of $7500
⦁ From Your Heart to Their Soles – Support county-wide program to provide shoes to needy students – contact Tricia Keith (217-443-8273) – Grant of $7500
⦁ Feed My Lambs – Support weekend/summer food program for Hoopeston students – contact Pastor Kathy Murphy (217-283-6738) – Grant of $7500
⦁ East Central Illinois Athletic Association – Support new, safe and ADA compliant athletic playing and practice facilities across the county – contact Brian Hensgen (217-304-2761) – Grant of $10000
⦁ Danville Art League – Support equipment upgrades to this group which provides classes for youth and sponsors art exhibits for Dist.118 students – contact Nancy Meeker (217-918-1950) – Grant of $7500
⦁ Crosspoint Human Services – Support Summer Resiliency Project and That’s What Teens Say event – contact Michelle Nelson (217-442-3200) – Grant of $10000
⦁ Fair Hope Children’s Ministry – Support new clothing inventory and free pack ‘n plays for pregnant teens and young families in need. – contact Karel Volpert (217-497-1571) – Grant of $10000
⦁ OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center – Provide support for the OB area renovation project – contact J.T. Barnhart (217- 443-5000) – Grant of $21000
After the presentation of all grant recipients, Jaclyn Vinson, Balloons Over Vermilion Event Co-Chair and Board member, introduced the 2025 Host Student Ambassador classes; the Third, Fourth and Fifth grade classes at First Baptist Christian School in Danville (below). Mrs. Seest will be coordinating the Ambassador activities and classroom lessons for the three classes.
O’Shaughnessy stated, “Both events owe a huge thank you to Julius W. Hegeler II and his foundation. His vision of what his hometown could be inspires us even today.”
