Nicor Completes 23 Hands-On Community Projects, One in Chicago Heights

On Saturday, May 21, more than 1,200 Nicor employees, family members, and friends performed a variety of hands-on service activities to benefit 23 local community organizations in 20 cities and towns across Illinois. This was a special Volunteer Day for Nicor employees and the organizations served, as it marked the 15th anniversary of this annual day of giving.

“This Volunteer Day is particularly special as we are proud to be celebrating 15 years of service to charitable organizations in Illinois,” said Russ Strobel, Chairman, President and CEO for Nicor, Inc. and Nicor Gas. “Our company and our employees are committed to strengthening local communities throughout the year, and Nicor Volunteer Day is just one way in which we are able to work together as a company to improve the lives of many children and families throughout the state.”
 
This year, Nicor employees participated in 23 different projects in their communities, from building a wheelchair ramp for an individual with limited mobility and sorting food at food pantries to beautifying outdoor community spaces with new landscaping.
 
“In the south suburbs, Nicor volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to work on outdoor improvement projects for two important local organizations,” said Pat Eaves, Community Relations Director for Nicor. “We were pleased to be able to help Respond Now – an organization that provides essential community relief services to Chicago Heights – prepare for spring through outdoor beautification projects, and also to revitalize trails at the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights with new native wetland and prairie plants.”  
 
In addition to the volunteer activities that took place and in honor of its 15th anniversary of Volunteer Day, Nicor also presented a $15,000 capital grant to the DuPage Habitat for Humanity at the site of five home building projects in West Chicago where Nicor employees volunteered on Saturday. The DuPage Habitat for Humanity provides opportunities for homeownership to limited-income individuals and families.
 
“Creating a home for a family helps strengthen lives and communities,” said Strobel.  “Nicor is proud to support the DuPage Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing quality, affordable housing for local residents.”
 
The grant will be used for housing construction and rehabilitation.
 
Volunteer Day is an important part of Nicor’s broader tradition of giving back to the communities it serves. In addition to the thousands of volunteer hours donated on May 21, Nicor has contributed more than $2 million in corporate and employee donations to more than 1,200 organizations and causes in communities throughout northern Illinois over the past year.