Collinsville resident gets recognition for her selfless efforts in the community

By Devese “Dee” Ursery

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COLLINSVILLE — A Collinsville resident dedicated to helping throughout her community has been awarded the Community Service Award, by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Cahokia Mounds Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Barb Kusmierczak, a member of the Collinsville Junior Service Club, with the award the evening of Nov. 30. While volunteering at the Collinsville Food Pantry Kusmierczak was presented the award while JSC members witnessed the presentation during their shift at the soup kitchen where she’s chairperson.

The award is a non-competitive recognition to a worthy individual or organization for outstanding voluntary service. The individual or organization must have contributed to the community in an outstanding manner. This can be done through voluntary heroic, civic, or benevolent service, or by organizing or participating in community activities. The achievement must have taken place within the past five years with no compensation.

Kusmierczak also chairs organization’s like the “Italian-fest” committee, Smokin’ on Main committee, plant sales fundraiser, and the Spirit of Sharing Soup kitchen. She describes her early beginnings with JSC and how she got involved.

“I started with the Collinsville Junior Service Club in 2003. I became involved when a secretary at Collinsville Junior High who happens to be a JSC member as well helped her to get involved with the After Prom and JSC,” Kusmierczak said. “She thought that since my daughter was  going to the high school and my son was already in high school that I needed something to do and she thought Junior Service would be something good for me.”

Additionally, Kusmierczak volunteers at St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville on their Community Care Board. She also is able to contribute to Homework, Help and Hoops Summer Camp, and the “Tote Me Home” program. Besides that, she is the Vice-President of the Collinsville Food Pantry governing board as well.

Cahokia Mound Chapter NSDAR was organized in March 1920 and is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer service organization. Membership in the DAR provides many opportunities to cherish our American heritage of freedom, to preserve family and local histories, to promote the celebration of our national holidays, to live patriotically, to support our national defense, and to further the DAR motto of “God, Home, and Country.”

Kusmierczak said she has been volunteering throughout the City since before her children were in school. She has a special needs child who started out in early childhood classes and they liked to have the parents come in and help out with the classes which she always did.

On receiving the award Kusmierczak said, it is a very nice compliment.

“It lets you know that people are recognizing what you do in the community and that somebody thought enough of you to apply for the award in my name,” Kusmierczak said. “I don’t do any of these activities by myself. I have a lot of people who help and these activities wouldn’t get done without their help so I kind of feel like I’m  sharing with everybody else that helps out with these things.”

During times of leisure Kusmierczak enjoys spending time and hanging out with family and friends.

“When I’m not volunteering I take care of my son, who is autistic. I have a daughter who currently lives in Iowa, so we visit her and do things with family and friends,” Kusmierczak said. “My son and I like to do Trivia Nights with friends, all those things are things that keep us busy.”

With grace and humility Kusmierczak said that she is grateful for the award and the people who afforded her the recognition to achieve such an accomplishment.

“You get just as much out of volunteering as what you put into it and I think it’s a great way to meet people and get involved with your community,” Kusmierczak said.