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Shawnee Alliance recognized by the state for helping seniors navigate the pandemic

Illinois Department on Aging Director Paula Basta, far right, and members of the Shawnee Alliance and The Egyptian Area Agency on Aging at the recent award ceremony on December 2, 2021.
Illinois Department on Aging Director Paula Basta, far right, and members of the Shawnee Alliance and The Egyptian Area Agency on Aging at the recent award ceremony on December 2, 2021.

The Shawnee Alliance, which helps seniors in an 18-county area in southern Illinois, was recently awarded the Governor's "Engaging Aging" Award for their work on behalf of seniors.

Carol Aronson with the Alliance says she was surprised, but happy for her group.

"It absolutely was quite a surprise and a great honor....an honor to know that I can have the recognition for all the staff and all of the people who helped make this work, for older adults who are frail and homebound."

Illinois Department on Aging Director Paula Basta says the Shawnee Alliance does great work, especially during the recent tough times.

"Amazing, amazing, and as they talked about the whole food insecurity issue was huge, statewide. And I know that for a fact, that they have responded. And, just not even have responded but have gone above and beyond the response."

The Shawnee Alliance was also praised for their continued work in helping seniors get vaccinated against covid-19.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island to a military family, Kevin Boucher traveled the country and the world at a young age before his family settled in Murphysboro, Illinois in 1976. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Radio-Television at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale and worked in commercial radio before becoming the Traffic Manager at WSIU Public Television. Boucher has since earned a Master's degree in Professional Media & Media Management Studies from SIU's College of Mass Communication & Media Arts. He is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys gardening and exploring the flora and fauna of the Shawnee National Forest and other beautiful natural areas across southern Illinois. Kevin is embarking on a new path with WSIU as the Community Engagement Producer for WSIU Radio. Look for Kevin's work on air and on line.
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