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April 26, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For
more information, contact Ibis Antongiorgi, Press Secretary to Cook
County Board President Todd H. Stroger, at 312-603-0396 or by email at
iantongiorgi@cookcountygov.com.
President Stroger, County Volunteers Beautify Homes on National Rebuilding Day
CHICAGO,
April 26, 2008 – Cook County Board President Todd Stroger was
joined today by Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims, Markham Mayor
David Webb and other local dignitaries at 16540 Ashland in Markham,
Illinois – the home of 74-year-old homeowner Joan Simon –
in celebration of National Rebuilding Day.
“Each year, County employees volunteer their time and talent to
rehab, spruce up and beautify the communities we serve through the
largest volunteer home repair program in America,” said President
Stroger. “I am proud to continue this tradition and spirit of
collaboration among civic partners to help improve the neighborhoods of
disadvantaged residents.”
The home of Mrs. Simon was one of 26 area homes targeted for
rehabilitation by the County as well as a park and five non-profit
facilities in south suburban Markham and Chicago’s Englewood
neighborhood. In addition, the Cook County Highway Department and Cook
County Forest Preserve District is planting flowers along Kedzie
Parkway.
The annual event, organized by Rebuilding Together/Metro Chicago,
dispatched more than 3,500 volunteers from more than 100 government
agencies, corporations, skilled labor unions and service organizations
to improve the homes and neighborhoods of the elderly, disabled and
low-income residents.
The annual event has its roots in Cook County’s outreach in 1991
for support from the City of Chicago and private corporations to launch
the rebuilding partnership locally.
Today, Cook County’s volunteers and their departments
– including Highway, Capital Planning, Facilities Management and
the Forest Preserve District, along with the Sheriff’s Office
– once again provided crucial support in logistics, funds,
materials and sweat equity to make the effort possible.
In the decade and a half since Cook County jump-started this effort
locally, the annual rebuilding effort has been hailed as one of the
most cost-effective housing programs in the metropolitan area –
one that makes a visible and sustainable impact in partnership with the
communities where volunteers serve.
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