The Stars of Light Theatre Troupe from Janet Wattles Center received the Group Volunteer of the Year Award from the United Way of Rock River Valley at a ceremony Monday, June 27, at Klehm Arboretum.
For more than16 years, the troupe has presented more than 200 shows in which they educate audience about mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it using skits and telling personal stories. The Stars presented their 200th performance March 30 at the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus. They are set to perform in Chicago July 9 at the national conference for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Sang Capone and Dr. Peter Thomas both were nominated for the “Frank Ware Award of Excellence,” a new award that United Way of Rock River Valley established to honor the Frank Ware, longtime Janet Wattles CEO who died in February 2011. Capone is Corporate Compliance Officer at Janet Wattles Center, and Thomas is a child psychologist working at Mildred Berry Center. Both received framed certificates for their nominations.
Staff at Mildred Berry Center also nominated volunteer Markesha McDaniel for her work in the Compeer program. She was unable to attend the ceremony. Compeer coordinator Amanda Penney accepted the certificate on McDaniel’s behalf.