District News
Saverino, Jr. honored again as volunteer of the year
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| Frank Saverino, Jr. (top left) with members of fallen Marine Sgt. Jean Claude Nolan. |
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| BPD Executive Director Carrie Fullerton (left) with 2012 IPRA Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award winner Frank Saverino, Jr. |
Bloomingdale resident and Parks Foundation member Frank Saverino, Jr., was honored as the Illinois Park & Recreation Association Citizen Volunteer of the Year at the 2012 IPRA/IAPD Soaring to New Heights Conference held Jan. 26-28 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency.
The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service and contributions to their community. Saverino was previously honored as the Illinois Association of Park Districts' Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year in October, 2011.
"Passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated are three adjectives people use to describe his volunteer efforts," said Carrie Fullerton, executive director of the Bloomingdale Park District. "He has a special talent that allows him to get others excited about being involved."
Saverino's work with the Bloomingdale Baseball & Softball Association, Bloomingdale Park District and Bloomingdale Parks Foundation have directly benefited the community.
"I'm very fortunate to work in a family business that allows me the time away from work to help the young boys and girls in Bloomingdale," Saverino said. "In all honesty, these kids have no idea what I or the Park District does for them, but I'm convinced this is the best part of volunteering my time. What I have done for the Park District, Foundation and BBSA is solely because I can, and I realize and appreciate all they do for the community."
"The Bloomingdale Park District is incredibly thankful for the many contributions by Mr. Saverino," Fullerton said. "He is deserving of both honors."
In Season Winter/Spring Brochure is Out!
The Park District's In Season Winter/Spring brochure was delivered to residents Nov. 25-Dec. 2. The guide features 30-plus new programs and classes in addition to annual special event favorites and a bevy of benefits-based programming.
A new rewards program for frequent Park District participants, Rec Rewards, is now incorporated into the registration system. Every enrollment in a participating program earns points and, ultimately, rewards! Other highlights for winter/spring include new yoga classes, an Annual Report preview, ways to keep kids active this winter, new birthday party options and the completion of the JRC Improved Accessibility Project.
Open registration for all residents and non-residents begins Dec. 22. Anyone placed on a wait list during open registration will be contacted to see if alternative arrangements can be made.
Keep Movin' Bloomingdale!
Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious issue in America today, causing many health and social consequences for our youth. The Bloomingdale Park District provides a variety of athletic and recreational programs to keep children active and healthy. The list below provides ways in which to keep children active over the winter.
- Discover Indoor Facilities
Visit the Johnston Recreation Center or Westfield Gymnasium for open gym! Westfield also
features a walking track. Join the 500 mile club! - Dance Your Heart Out!
Encourage your child to pick the music, crank it up and then dance away! March, box step,
bounce, spin, shake it. It is a great way to burn calories. - Take it Outside
Get the whole family outside to do some sledding or ice skating at Westlake Park. Climbing
back up the hill after each run gets hearts pumping. - Walk the Mall
When it's too cold to venture outdoors, take the family for a brisk walk around Park District corporate partner Stratford Square Mall. Walk up the stairs versus taking the escalators. - Keep it Clean
Recruit your kids to help with the house cleaning. Pick jobs based on age and capability: younger children can pick up toys while older kids can vacuum, sort laundry, or scrub the bathtub. - Leap frog!
This is a game that can go on and on and on, all the way around the house. It works best with at least three or four, but other items also can be used as frogs to jump over. If they get tired of jumping over each other or there are one too many crashes, make lily pads for them to jump to. - Visit Springfield Park's Wetlands Area
Take a winter walk through the Springfield Park Wetlands. Even though it's chilly and cold, there are plenty of birds and animals to see foraging for food. - Obstacle Course
Use toys, pillows, blankets, chairs, the laundry basket and couch cushions and anything else to make them jump over, crawl under and pick up. It's amazing how jumping over couch cushions and stepping up and of off chairs can get those little hearts racing! - Sign 'Em Up
Enroll your child in a Park District class or program! Try anything that will get him or her excited about staying active. - Find Middle Ground
If it's impossible to pry kids away from the TV, encourage them to do jumping jacks, sit-ups or push-ups while watching or during commercial breaks. If it's video games keeping them busy, attempt to incorporate active game consoles such as the Wii.
