Beautiful Weather, Generous Volunteers, and lots of Good Deeds by a Nice Company..thank you NICOR.
by Ed Vincent

Senior Communications Specialist Steve Grzenia, along with nearly 100 volunteers from NICOR made it a better day
for the sloth bears.  While some of the workers were clearing
wild bushes from the property, others were constructing
behavior enrichment toys for the sloth bears.  The toys were made of destructable materials and filled with food treats
to amuse and delight the bears.

Working, riding to and fro, and dining in pleasure round out a productive fun day for all.
© Suburban Journals of  Chicago Inc. photo

Nicor Employees Demonstrate Commitment to Volunteerism, Assisting Brookfield Zoo as Part of the 11th Annual Volunteer Day

Hundreds of Nicor employees, families will give back to Illinois communities

BROOKFIELD – Nicor employees and their families will fulfill the company’s commitment to volunteerism as part of the 11th Annual Volunteer Day on May 19th.  Assisted by community members, hundreds of employees will serve 19 communities by completing 26 projects, including outdoor maintenance at Brookfield Zoo.

“Nicor’s Volunteer Day embodies the spirit of giving back to the communities we serve,” said Russ Strobel, Chairman, President and CEO for Nicor Inc. and Nicor Gas. “Now in our 11th year, Nicor’s Volunteer Corps is again assisting on a number of Volunteer Day projects throughout northern Illinois.  Volunteerism is an integral part of Nicor’s corporate culture; our employees are connected to their communities and committed to doing their part in making our world a better place for everyone.”

Nicor volunteers will help spruce up the zoo for spring by removing buckthorn that has invaded the property.  Younger volunteers will get involved by constructing behavior enrichment objects for animals.

Sean McCarthy, Community Relations Director for Nicor, said, “Nicor families have been coming out to Brookfield Zoo on Volunteer Day for years, helping maintain the beauty of this regional institution.  Not only can children learn the spirit of volunteering from their parents by participating in this project, they also have the opportunity to see animals from throughout the world right in their backyard!”

Volunteer Day at Nicor is an annual celebration of the company’s year-round commitment to communities. The company contributed more than $1.7 million to philanthropic efforts throughout Northern Illinois in 2006.  Nicor employees contributed financially, but also donated their time to numerous worthy causes throughout the year.

Nicor’s 11th Annual Volunteer Day will span 26 sites in 19 different communities across Illinois (starting early, on May 5th, was Carthage with a revamp of The World of Wonder Park). 

·    Nicor Volunteers will sort food at local pantries in Aurora, Capron, DeKalb, Rockford, and Woodridge.

·    Outdoor cleanup will take place at senior citizen homes in Bloomington and Phoenix, two community service sites in Woodstock, one of the Aurora Centennial House/Housing Authority buildings, as well as the Pay It Forward House in Sycamore.

·    Volunteers will beautify the landscape by removing buckthorn and honeysuckle at the Brookfield Zoo.

·    Local waterways will also benefit as volunteers perform cleanup along the Fox River in Batavia and Aurora, as well as at Lake Katherine in Palos Heights.

·    As energy efficiency has never been more important: efficiency kits will be given to senior citizen homes in Bloomington and Wilmington as well as two United Cerebral Palsy of Will County group homes in Joliet. Volunteers will also do some landscaping and painting at the United Cerebral Palsy Headquarters.

·    The Northwest Suburban United Way in Mount Prospect will receive a new coat of interior paint.

·    Gardening and landscaping will bring a new light to several sites in Naperville at the DuPage Children’s Museum and the Conservation Foundation’s McDonald Farm.

·    In Bellwood, volunteers will beautify the interior and exterior of two sites run by Aspire, an immediate care facility for individuals with disabilities.

·    Nicor Volunteers will perform outdoor repair work and park cleanup at Coal City’s Lions Hall.

SATURDAY, MAY 19TH
NICOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP TAME THE
BROOKFIELD ZOO LANDSCAPE

What:    Nicor volunteers will help tame the Brookfield Zoo’s landscaping by pruning unwanted vegetation and construct behavior enrichment objects for animals.
   

All of the locations provide plenty of great photo opportunities. Many volunteers make this day a family event, with people of all ages working to help others.
   
When:    Saturday, May 19
8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Who:    
Nicor employees, families, community volunteer groups, municipal leaders and community volunteers

Where:   
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
Brookfield, IL



Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation’s largest natural gas distribution companies.  Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses.  For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com.

Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies.  Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for more than 50 years.  The Company serves more than 2.1 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicorgas.com.