But even as the attacks continued, they brought out the best in all of us. Ordinary Americans became heroes helping the injured, comforting the dying, and assisting with rescue efforts. First responders selflessly hurled themselves into burning buildings and remained there even knowing that they might never leave. And then there were those aboard United Flight 93 who refused to stand by while more damage was done. Instead, unarmed, they heroically fought back and spared our nation greater injury.

In the days, weeks, and months that followed, we came together as a people to grieve, to care for the survivors and to rebuild. We showed that the spirit of the American people cannot be broken. We showed that we are a people who are indeed, as the Pledge of Allegiance says “under God, indivisible” and who strive for “liberty and justice for all.”

The horror we all felt that clear Tuesday morning will forever be the first emotion we experience when we recall the events of 9/11. Let’s make sure that we never forget how much that tragedy revealed about the strength of the American spirit.

Eric J. Johnson
Supervisor
DeKalb Township

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a not for profit organization, who hopes to collect over 1 Million cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.  There will be no additional costs to the Township for providing the services associated with providing the new program. Cell Phones for Soldiers pay the shipping costs for the discarded cell to be sent to a recycling center.

Johnson said the idea for the program came when he was doing some house cleaning. “I was cleaning out an old desk drawer and discovered I had four old cell phones that I needed to get rid of but I did not want to throw them in the trash.” After doing research into various cell phone recycling companies Johnson decided to partner with Cell Phones for Soldiers. “I was impressed with the work the Bergquist family was doing and wanted DeKalb Township to be a part of this great service.”

“This program benefits everyone who is involved,” said Supervisor Johnson “We will be able to keep harmful cell phone waste from getting into our landfills while providing calling cards for the brave men and women serving in our armed forces.” “All of this happens while not costing the taxpayers any additional money.”

“Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue.” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Massachusetts, with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has raised millions of dollars in donations and distributed millions of prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.

Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $10 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow troops abroad to see their families on a regular basis. The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – the money is used to purchase prepaid calling cards which are sent to troops.

Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:

• Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
• Copper wiring from phone chargers
• Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
• Plastic from phone cases and accessories

Any make and model of cell phone can be recycled. However, cell phone accessories, such as chargers, cases, and hands free devices will not be accepted. Everyone is invited to recycle their old cell phones. Cell phones may be dropped of at the DeKalb Township offices located at 2323 S. Fourth Street, DeKalb Illinois Monday – Thursday 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and Fridays 8:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

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About ReCellular Inc.:

With offices in the United States and Hong Kong, ReCellular Inc. is the world’s leading electronics sustainability firm. We provide solutions for the collection, reuse and recycling of used personal electronics that generate financial return for our partners, quality products for our customers, funding for charity organizations, and protection of the environment. Corporate and wholesale information is available at www.ReCellular.com. Charity fundraising and consumer information, including the Cell Phone Data Eraser® tool, is available at www.wirelessrecycling.com.

DeKALB – Friends of Pat LaVigne shared funny and touching stories in her memory Friday at a tree dedication ceremony at the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center.

A group of about 25 family members, friends and co-workers gathered to honor LaVigne, who died in November at age 65 after dealing with a long-term illness.

She served on the DeKalb County Board for more than 10 years, was the DeKalb Township supervisor from 1989 until her death and was active within the county Republican Party.

Those who knew her lauded her political and church activities, as well as other community involvements, and remembered her as a true public servant who cared deeply for her community.

A white oak donated by the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District will be planted and marked by a memorial stone in her honor next to the nature trail by the rehab and nursing center. The rain held off long enough Friday afternoon for the group to gather around the tree as DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said a prayer.

After friend Mary Simons, chairwoman of the DeKalb County Republicans, noted LaVigne’s son, Cory, and his partner Joel Gingrich were the family members in attendance. Cory LaVigne said that wasn’t true.

“You’re all family,” he said to those gathered.

As friends shared stories, current DeKalb Township Supervisor Eric Johnson called LaVigne his “political godmother.” Others recalled her quick generosity and affinity for Christmas decorations.

“Public service was her life, and it gave her so much satisfaction,” friend Cheryl Nicholson said.

Russ Josh said LaVigne would tackle the dirty jobs just as readily as the important tasks, and that’s what he liked about her.

Jodie Peterson, DeKalb Township office manager, remembered “how wonderful she made me feel” and called LaVigne a “lioness” who fought for her co-workers.

Scott said he appreciated LaVigne as a neighbor, and fondly mentioned how she looked out for his children. Friend Pat McKinley, who knew LaVigne since age 7, said she still hears of certain community news and thinks “ ‘Oh, wait ‘til Pat hears about this.’ ”

“Like many of you, I worked with Pat in many different facets, and that’s one of the things that impressed me about Pat,” said state Rep. Robert Pritchard, R-Hinckley, who said LaVigne lobbied strongly for township issues.

Friend Jack Bennett said each time he saw LaVigne, she was pleasant and had a positive comment.

“Seemed like to me I’d always known her,” he said of meeting her.

DeKalb County Circuit Clerk Maureen Josh choked up as she said she would not be circuit clerk if it hadn’t been for LaVigne, who tirelessly helped Josh campaign.

“Just keep doing the work that she did with you,” Cory LaVigne said to the group after prayer. “That’s the important part.”

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2011/04/22/lavigne-remembered-at-dedication/atbswn7/

In recognition and celebration of Mother’s Day 2011, Mothers & More of DeKalb County is working with local organizations that give mothers and their children a hand up, and out of poverty and/or abuse. The Power of a Purse Campaign is designed to raise awareness of mothers’ economic issues through the act of collecting new or gently used purses, along with items to fill the purses, for moms in need.

For more information on how you can participate use the following link. Power of a Purse.

Genoa Township will reimburse DeKalb Township for direct expenses associated with the general assistance applications and pay a processing fee for each case.

Because DeKalb Township has full time, professionally trained, general assistance staff, Genoa Township now  joins the 14 other townships who have contracted with DeKalb Township to process their general assistance applications and cases.

The Township Officials of Illinois Risk Management Association (TOIRMA) has voted to pay a dividend.  All TOIRMA members who joined the program from June 1, 1986 through May 31, 2005 and continue to be members in the current year received a dividend.

TOIRMA is a self-funded intergovernmental pool established to provide coverages exclusively for Illinois townships that are members of the Township Officials of Illinois.

This is the twentieth year a dividend has been paid to eligible members.  A total of 1, 311 member townships will be paid $1,849,889, which represents approximately 15% of their annual contribution for the 2005-2006 program year. The dividend is applied to the township’s annual contribution.