Through their partnership with the OSF Healthcare Foundation, Balloons Over Vermilion has expanded over the last couple of years from running an annual balloon fest at Vermilion Regional Airport to also running the annual Festival of Trees every November at the David S Palmer Arena.
And the final piece of that new chapter came through loud and clear Tuesday morning at the Fischer Theatre. With a Christmas atmosphere all around and Mr. and Mrs. Claus present, a total of $150,000.00 in “Balloons Over Vermilion/Festival of Trees Impact Awards,” were handed out to some important community programs. Combined revenues from both events will be allowing these programs to serve area residents even more.
Balloons Over Vermilion Co-Chair Jim Anderson looked upon this day as the end of the 2021 journey, with so many more to come.
AUDIO: This is probably our, I want to say our third favorite day of the year. The first and second being the kickoff dates of the events that we host each year. But, when we see the smiles that we put on the faces of the recipients that we award impact grants to each year, it makes all the difference in the world and all the work worthwhile.
Co-Chair Pat O’Shaughnessy agreed: Saying this special day is what they’ve been imagining, and more.
AUDIO: Well it’s one that we certainly have circled since about year two or three of the balloons, when we reached one of our goals and that was to be able to give back to the community. As we sat around the table, I’m going to say that today, as we sat around the table eight years ago I don’t think any of us expected us to be at this level; which to me is just the begining of the level of contributions we can give back to the community on an annual basis. So it’s just exciting. It is the third best day of the year for us.
(Left) Rossville Alvin Elementary School Class stands for recognition as 2021 BOV ambassador class. (Right) Abby Carlton joins her Garfield School 3rd graders for recognition as the 2022 BOV ambassador class.
The opening recipient was Rossville Alvin Elementary School, with the class who served as last year’s Balloons Over Vermilion ambassadors in attendance. Also there was Abby Carlton’s third grade class at Garfield School, recently named ambassadors for this year’s event. The final impact award of the day was a $65,000.00 check, presented to OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center President and CEO Ned Hill for the Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center.
OSF President and CEO Ned Hill accepts $65,000 check for Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center
The complete list of 2021 Balloons Over Vemilion / Festival of Trees Impact Awards is as follows:
- Rossville Alvin Elementary School – Host Student Ambassador Grant
- Danville Area Soccer Association
- Fair Hope Children’s Ministry
- DACC Athletic Department
- Vermilion County Museum
- Winterview Youth League
- Gateway Services of Illinois
- Trinity Lutheran School
- Vermilion County Child Advocacy Center
- Vermilion Heritage Foundation / Fischer Theatre
- Danville Symphony Orchestra
- Food For The Children Backpack Program
- The Dwelling Place
- Danville Chapter AMBUCs
- Mustard Seed Christian Daycare
- FINAL TWO ITEMS: Award of $65,000 check to OSF President and CEO Ned Hill for Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center; and recognition of Abby Carlton’s third grade class at Garfield School for serving as the 2022 Balloons Over Vermilion Ambassador Class
