Peoria Friendship House Nominated the Webbers and Receives $10,000 Donation
(Distributed on behalf of Humana Inc. by Clark Marketing)

Patricia and Philip Webber of Morton were announced as the co-recipients of the 2010 local Humana Starlight Award at an evening presentation ceremony August 4 at the Embassy Suites East Peoria. The event honored the efforts of 30 senior citizens, including the Webbers, who volunteer in Central Illinois and were nominated for the award.

In recognition of the Webbers’ service, Humana (NYSE: HUM) awarded a $10,000 grant to Peoria Friendship House, where the married couple has served as volunteers for over a quarter of a century.

In presenting the award to the Webbers, Humana was joined by East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus and Ed Bantz of Galesburg, the inaugural Central Illinois Humana Starlight Award winner in 2009. All 30 volunteers who were finalists for the award were also presented certificates of appreciation and commemorative pins to honor their efforts in helping others in their communities.

In nominating the Webbers, Friendship House cited the couple’s dedication to volunteering and serving their community, with Friendship House the benefactor of more than half of the Webbers’ approximately 1,800 hours of combined service.

The Webbers’ efforts at the Friendship House include everything from serving on the Board of Directors and the Women’s Auxiliary Board, to dishing out food in the soup kitchen and tutoring children in after-school and summer reading programs.

Patricia has focused her efforts on sharing her passion for reading with the many children who participate in programs at the Friendship House, while Philip has used his engineering skills to assist with needed building repairs. Together, their leadership has inspired volunteers and staff at the Friendship House to higher levels of service.

The Webbers’ volunteering also extends to more than a dozen additional nonprofit organizations in the community. For example, each Tuesday, Patricia reads the Peoria Journal Star on Radio Information Services for the blind and print handicapped to more than 500 program listeners. While in one year’s time, Philip logged nearly 24,000 miles making blood deliveries throughout the state for the Red Cross.

“We are so proud that Phil and Pat are receiving the recognition that they deserve for their contributions to the Friendship House as well as the greater Peoria community,” said Dr. Barbara Hartnett, executive director of the Peoria Friendship House. “Given all they do, we continue to be amazed at the hours, variety and level of leadership the Webbers have provided.”

“Humana is pleased to once again provide the opportunity to recognize the many volunteers in our community that are so critical to the success of our local nonprofit agencies,” said Elaine McKenna, manager of Medicare Operations for Humana’s Central Illinois market. “We congratulate Pat and Phil Webber – they are an inspiration and their passion is contagious. We’re pleased that the $10,000 donation will help the Friendship House continue its mission of providing relief and respect to those most in need in our community.”

Nonprofit organizations in Knox, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties were invited to nominate their most dedicated volunteers age 65 or older for the area’s 2010 Humana Starlight Award. To nominate a senior citizen volunteer who served in 2010, nonprofit organizations in Central Illinois had to be classified as a 501(c)(3). Judging criteria set by the Humana Foundation focused on three categories:
1) Childhood health and education. Specifically projects or initiatives that seek to improve health and academic achievement of children through education.
2) Family wellness and active lifestyles. Including projects or initiatives that strengthen the health of family through physical, social, mental, emotional or environmental support.
3) Health literacy for diverse populations, including seniors. In general, this category covers projects or initiatives dedicated to improving people’s ability to access, understand and use health information, especially low income populations, including seniors.