<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1B4pF9_1GzPI7ny00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1B4pF9_1GzPI7ny00" width="1803" height="1200" ><figcaption>The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has announced the finalists for this year’s Excalibur and Excelsior awards. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)</figcaption></figure>Rock River CurrentROCKFORD — The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois announced on Wednesday the finalists for this year’s Excalibur and Excelsior awards, a 55-year tradition that recognizes people and organizations for their service to the region.The finalists for the Excalibur Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies excellence in community service, are: Penny Wirtjes, founder of GiGi’s Playhouse, longtime mental health therapist and community volunteer Kathy Kwiat-Hess, and Phil Rada, who raises 2,500 pounds of produce a year for the Rock River Valley Pantry.The finalists for the Excelsior Award, which goes to an organization that demonstrates a commitment to serving others, are: the Rockford Park District, Superhero Center for Autism and the Greg Lindmark Foundation.“The Excalibur and Excelsior Awards recognize people and organizations who give their time, talent, and resources to improve the lives of others,” James Patterson, president of the Community Foundation, said in a news release. “This year’s finalists represent the very best of northern Illinois. Their commitment to service above self has strengthened our communities, inspired others to lead, and created positive change that will be felt for years to come.”The Excalibur and Excelsior awards were started by the Rockford Register Star, which organized the honors for decades before passing the torch to the Community Foundation in 2023. The foundation now runs the awards in collaboration with the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence. The Register Star continues to be a partner in the awards.The Excalibur Award was first bestowed to Bill O’Donnell in 1971, and the first Excelsior Award went to Illinois Growth Enterprises in 1979.Winners of this year’s awards will be announced during a ceremony Dec. 10 at Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St. in downtown.<h2>Past Excalibur Award winners</h2><ul><li>2025: H. Cyrus Oates, DDS</li><li>2024: Antonio Ramirez Jr.</li><li>2023: Armando Cardenas</li><li>2022: Event Not Held</li><li>2021: Gary Anderson</li><li>2020: Linda Zuba</li><li>2019: Mike Broski</li><li>2018: Rosemary Collins</li><li>2018 Posthumous Award: Ruthie Fairchild</li><li>2017: Peter Provenzano</li><li>2016: The Rev. David E. Beauvais</li><li>2015: Kathy Velasco</li><li>2014: Roger Reithmeier</li><li>2013: Rudy Valdez</li><li>2012: Paul Logli</li><li>2011: Jim and Pam Keeling</li><li>2010: Kent Mallquist</li><li>2009: Richard Rundquist</li><li>2008: Dick Kunnert</li><li>2007: Richard Nordlof</li><li>2006: Dan Loescher</li><li>2005: David Rydell</li><li>2004: Chuck Uram</li><li>2003: Dr. David and Christine McCarty</li><li>2002: Terry Ingrassia</li><li>2001: Harry Ritter</li><li>2000: Webbs Norman</li><li>1999: C. Gordon and Mary Ann Smith</li><li>1998: Margaret Mary Kennedy</li><li>1997: Arthur Anderson</li><li>1996: Lawrence Gloyd</li><li>1995: Jack Packard</li><li>1994: Gwen Robinson</li><li>1993: Carl Dargene</li><li>1992: Dr. John McHugh</li><li>1991: Dan Nicholas</li><li>1990: Harry Stonecipher</li><li>1989: Mary Allen</li><li>1988: Howard Bell</li><li>1987: Bill Downey</li><li>1986: Chet Kobel</li><li>1985: Irene Marshall</li><li>1984: Ray Wood</li><li>1983: Dr. Mildred Berry</li><li>1982: John Holmstrom Jr.</li><li>1981: Roland Olson</li><li>1980: Dr. LeBaron Johnson</li><li>1979: Jeannine Wortmann</li><li>1978: Richard Norberg</li><li>1977: Margie Sturgis</li><li>1976: Benjamin Behr</li><li>1975: Eugene Abegg</li><li>1974: Seth B. Atwood</li><li>1973: Burt Way</li><li>1972: Johanna Lund</li><li>1971: Bill O’Donnell</li></ul><h2>Past Excelsior Award winners</h2><ul><li>2025: Vets Roll, Inc.</li><li>2024: University of Illinois College of Medicine – Rockford</li><li>2023: Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford</li><li>2022: Event Not Held</li><li>2021: Rockford Symphony Orchestra</li><li>2020: GoRockford (then referred to as Rockford Area Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau)</li><li>2019: Shelter Care Ministries</li><li>2018: Rockford Local Development Corp.</li><li>2017: Rockford Sharefest</li><li>2016: Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling</li><li>2015: Rock River Valley Food Pantry</li><li>2014: Ken-Rock Community Center</li><li>2013: Kiwanis Clubs of Freeport, Loves Park, and Rockford</li><li>2012: Children’s Home + Aid Society</li><li>2011: Winnebago County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)</li><li>2010: YWCA</li><li>2009: Habitat for Humanity</li><li>2008: Barbara Olson Center of Hope</li><li>2007: Carpenter’s Place</li><li>2006: Boys &amp; Girls Club</li><li>2005: Family Counseling Services</li><li>2004: Lifescape Community Services</li><li>2003: MELD</li><li>2002: The Abilities Center</li><li>2001: La Voz Latina</li><li>2000: Rosecrance Health Network</li><li>1999: Janet Wattles Center</li><li>1998: Center for Sight and Hearing Impaired</li><li>1997: RAMP</li><li>1996: Hunger Connection</li><li>1995: Rockford Rescue Mission</li><li>1994: Visiting Nurses Association</li><li>1993: Opportunities Industrialization Center</li><li>1992: Milestone Inc.</li><li>1991: St. Elizabeth Community Center</li><li>1990: Zion Development Corp.</li><li>1989: Northern Illinois Hospice Association</li><li>1988: Junior League of Rockford</li><li>1987: Family Advocate Inc.</li><li>1986: CONTACT</li><li>1985: Crusader Clinic</li><li>1984: Phantom Regiment</li><li>1983: Children’s Development Center</li><li>1982: Rockford Area Crime Stoppers</li><li>1981: Goldie B. Floberg Center</li><li>1980: Rockford YMCA</li><li>1979: Illinois Growth Enterprises</li></ul>This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas</div></body>

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ROCKFORD — The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois announced on Wednesday the finalists for this year’s Excalibur and Excelsior awards, a 55-year tradition that recognizes people and organizations for their service to the region. The finalists for the Excalibur Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies excellence in...

2026 Excalibur and Excelsior award finalists announced

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ROCKFORD — The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois announced on Wednesday the finalists for this year’s Excalibur and Excelsior awards, a 55-year tra

2026 Excalibur and Excelsior award finalists announced

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