The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), in partnership with the Rockford Register Star and the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE), is pleased to announce the names of the 2024 Excalibur and Excelsior Awards selection committee members. An independent selection committee, comprised of Northern Illinois residents from across the region and representing diverse communities and perspectives, will review the applications and select finalists and recipients (four Community Champions and the Excalibur and Excelsior winners).

MEMBERS of the 2024 SELECTION COMMITTEE:

-    Judge Rosemary Collins, Retired, 17th Judicial District Court
-    Corina Curry, Rockford Register Star & Freeport Journal-Standard
-    Faith Dabbs-Moscato, Union Savings Bank
-    Gina DelRose, City of Belvidere
-    Francisca French, City of Rockford
-    Lynn Knodle, Serenity Hospice & Home
-    Connie Kraft, United Way of Northwest Illinois
-    Andrew J. Mertzenich, The Law Office of Andrew J. Mertzenich
-    Tiffany Niema, OSF HealthCare
-    Sarah Parker-Scanlon, Shelter Care Ministries
-    Vic Rivera, Collins Aerospace
-    Rudy Valdez, Retired, Kaney Aerospace
-    Sharon West, Community Advocate

Learn more about each of the committee members at https://excaliburexcelsior.com/nominate#selection-committee

The Excalibur Award, created and launched by the Rockford Register Star in 1971, honors an individual who exemplifies excellence in community service. It was joined by the Excelsior Award, which honors an organization of the same merit, in 1979.

In addition to the Excalibur and Excelsior Awards four new awards honoring “Community Champions” from each of the four counties of our region (Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago) will expand the celebration. Each recipient will receive a cash prize which individuals may donate to the charity of their choice and organizations may use to further their mission and support their work.

Finalists will be honored, and the 2024 recipients announced at the 2024 Excalibur and Excelsior Award Ceremony to be held Thursday, December 12th, 2024. Registration for this free event will open in early November; keep an eye on ExcaliburExcelsior.com for more information!

Find full details about the history of the awards, the nomination and selection process, and the 2024 Award Ceremony at the website dedicated to these awards: https://excaliburexcelsior.com