Events

Jean Wilson Receives Our First Wayne Smith Award

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Jean Wilson will be our club’s first recipient of the Wayne Smith Medal at the annual meeting on Nov. 13th. She sets a high example of respect, understanding and humanitarian service for our club. Jean Oller Wilson has been and still is the heart of the Friendship Force of Northern Illinois. She is a 1984 founding member and the second club president. Jean has been incoming and outgoing exchange director numerous times and participated in more exchanges than anyone can count. Jean has also been secretary, newsletter editor, program and social chairs. Her skills as a Spanish teacher and translator are frequently used. She was honored by the senior center of Libertyville several years ago.

Jean compiled the booklets celebrating our 20th and 25th anniversaries; she also compiled and printed the exchange booklets for incoming and outgoing exchanges for many years. Last year Jean traveled with our Mystery Exchange. This year Jean has home hosted San Antonio and Rio de Janeiro exchanges. She is on the committee forming a new member mentoring system. Jean still recruits new members and brought five guests to our International Food Festival in September.

Most important, Jean has a heart as big as her smile! At age 84, Jean is a vibrant, joy-filled member who listens, laughs, shares, cares, helps and is a dear friend to everyone in the Friendship Force of Northern Illinois. Jean truly is a force of friendship. We love Jean Wilson and are proud and honored to present her the Wayne Smith Medal.

The donation given to the Friendship Force Legacy Fund in Jean’s honor both supports the vision of club founder, Wayne Smith, and honors the achievements of Jean Wilson in furthering the mission of the Friendship Force.

2015 Wayne Smith Award: Tom and Sally Coyle

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Our recipients for 2015 have been members for 17 years. They have held many board positions including each serving as President. They have served as Exchange Directors for six international exchanges; Ambassadors for 18 exchanges both incoming and outgoing international and domestic. They have day hosted, dinner hosted including Welcome dinners for Romania, Brazil and many others. They have driven, assisted, and actively supported every major project and have opened their home beyond the stated Exchanges to welcome personal guests they previously hosted as ambassadors.  All this reflects their conviction that the firm friendships they establish through this organization truly make a difference.  Congratulations TOM AND SALLY COYLE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our 30th Anniversary

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Friendship Force of Northern Illinois celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2014.  We met on May 1 at the Magnolia Room at Lambs’ Farm in Libertyville for a delicious luncheon.  Charter member Jean Wilson presided at the program, which featured a video showing highlights of the events, exchanges, and friendships that have transpired since 1984.  Friendship Force International was represented by Pallie Savoie, who gave a brief talk about the accomplishments of Friendship Force around the world.  All of the past presidents who were present spoke and told annecdotes about their tenure as president and their feelings about our club.  Current president Marlene DiBrito also presented her thoughts about our past and future.