Chair Phillipa Leon-Thompson and Vice Chair Jackie Riffice of the Community Relations Commission of Flossmoor gave a recap of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the Flossmoor village board meeting Feb. 3.
“We’ve been at this for 10 years, and over the last several years we’ve cast a very wide net to find willing hosts who would offer projects that would appeal to most everyone,” Riffice said. “MLK Day of Service is a springboard for other volunteer efforts throughout the year.”
The presentation showcased the highlights from events led by local Jack and Jill Chapters, philanthropic sororities and fraternities, Girl Scouts, National Honor Society chapters and others.
Riffice said the CRC is proud to work with the two chapters of Jack and Jill making their mark of MLK Day of Service.
“The South Suburban chapter conducted a food drive, invited young kids and teens to dream by creating vision boards and handed painted a mural that will be shared at the Jones Memorial Center” in Chicago Heights, Riffice said.
The Monarch Chapter of Jack and Jill collected and donated food and hygiene supplies for Jones Memorial Center and New Life Centers.
“This Monarch Chapter collected and donated 625 food items to the Jones Community Center and almost 1,000 hygiene products and blankets to New Life Center,” Riffice said.
The CRC collaborated with members of the local chapters of fraternity and sorority organizations known collectively as the Divine Nine that again hosted a blood drive. Riffice thanked the Chi Lambda Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Lambda Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for their efforts.
“Who would think that donating blood and platelets would be so much fun,” Riffice said. “The music was blasting, the snacks were plentiful and the love was there.”
The H-F Wrestling Team joined to read to children from local elementary schools for the third year.
“H-F’s wrestling team partnered with District 153 for a day of buddy reading while also collecting books to be donated to a high school in need,” Riffice said. “Coach Sokoloski and his wrestlers had a great time together with our future Vikings.”
Younger children also participated in the MLK Day of Service. Riffice said Girl Scout service unit 627 made no-sew blankets for the Cancer Support Center. Service unit 60194 collected hygiene supplies at the Homewood Science Center and donated them to the non-profit organization Open Access.
“Right here in Flossmoor, we had a mention of You Matter 2 and founder Destiny Watson,” Riffice said. “You Matter 2 returned for the sixth year at Heather Hill School and made 440 lunches for South Suburban PADS and 50 no-sew blankets for Project Kennedy.”
Project Kennedy is a local organization that provides support to cancer patients. It is named for the late Kennedy Parker.
The Infant Jesus of Prague School Junior National Honor Society collected baby products to donate to Aid for Women, Riffice said, and the Homewood-Flossmoor High School National Honor Society members extended their help wherever needed.
Other events highlighted in the presentation included a classical music concert hosted by Mayor Michelle Nelson at the Flossmoor Community Church. The event raised money for the Center for Food Equity in Medicine.
“There were collaborations and community partnerships. Public buildings and businesses opened their spaces,” Riffice said. “We should not underestimate the value of these relationships and their generosity of spirit.”
Riffice stepping down
Leon-Thompson spoke highly of the work done by everyone, especially of Riffice, who is stepping down as vice chair of the commission. Leon-Thompson read a letter of gratitude for all the work Riffice has done in the community.
“Jackie had been a steadfast advocate for fostering strong, meaningful relationships within Flossmoor,” Leon-Thompson said. “Her leadership in spearheading the Martin Luther King Day of Service has transformed it into a cornerstone initiative for Flossmoor.”
Thompson said Riffice set a high standard for building a healthy community and proper volunteer work.
“Jackie always sought to cast a wide net to see who else would engage in our effort to build community relations,” Leon-Thompson said. “These contributions will continue to enhance relationship building and strengthen the sense of unity within our village for years to come.”
More information on the Community Relations Commission can be found in the Village of Flossmoor website.
