2008.05.21: May 21, 2008: Headlines: COS - Jamaica: Older Volunteers: Awards: River Forest Leaves: Jamaica RPCVs Zig and Irma Sokolnicki on May 15 received the President's Volunteer Service Award for their participation as older Peace Corps volunteers
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2008.05.21: May 21, 2008: Headlines: COS - Jamaica: Older Volunteers: Awards: River Forest Leaves: Jamaica RPCVs Zig and Irma Sokolnicki on May 15 received the President's Volunteer Service Award for their participation as older Peace Corps volunteers
Jamaica RPCVs Zig and Irma Sokolnicki on May 15 received the President's Volunteer Service Award for their participation as older Peace Corps volunteers
Zig and Irma served a two-year stint in Jamaica from 1996 to 1998 as business development advisers, program organizers and fund-raisers for the Montego Bay YMCA and YWCA. Additionally, they taught math and swimming and served on the board of the Montego Bay United Way.
Jamaica RPCVs Zig and Irma Sokolnicki on May 15 received the President's Volunteer Service Award for their participation as older Peace Corps volunteers
Couple honored for Peace Corps service
May 21, 2008
By DEBORAH BAYLISS dbayliss@pioneerlocal.com
Oak Parkers Zig and Irma Sokolnicki on May 15 received the President's Volunteer Service Award for their participation as older Peace Corps volunteers.
The pair, now in their 70s, joined the Peace Corps 10 years ago.
"Volunteering is something we both wanted to do," Irma said.
Zig and Irma served a two-year stint in Jamaica from 1996 to 1998 as business development advisers, program organizers and fund-raisers for the Montego Bay YMCA and YWCA. Additionally, they taught math and swimming and served on the board of the Montego Bay United Way.
"You serve two years at a time," said Irma, who is retired from real-estate development management. "You go through training and sometimes you have to learn a different language."
Christine Torres, Peace Corps spokeswoman, said the Sokolnickis are stellar examples of how volunteers can make a difference.
"They show us that compassion combined with the fortitude to take action can change lives. We are proud to have them among the Peace Corps ranks," Torres said, adding that the Sokolnickis also volunteer at home.
Irma is a court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected children with the Department of Children and Family Services, and Zig, an attorney and retired school teacher, does pro bono legal work.
"We're waiting for our next (Peace Corps) assignment," Irma said. "I would like to go to Africa, but due to my health, they are not able to accommodate us. We are limited because of age in terms of where we can go now."
"We'll go anywhere we're needed," Zig said.
The couple will receive their award May 22 at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center in Chicago.
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Headlines: May, 2008; Peace Corps Jamaica; Directory of Jamaica RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Jamaica RPCVs; Older Volunteers; Awards; Illinois
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Story Source: River Forest Leaves
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Jamaica; Older Volunteers; Awards
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