ROCKFORD, IL — The Rockford region will pause this week to honor some of the people and organizations that make northern Illinois a special place to live, work and play.
Organizers have assembled a stacked field of finalists for the 2025 Excalibur and Excelsior awards, presented for excellence in community service.
Hundreds are expected to fill the banquet hall at the Prairie Street Brewing Co. on Dec 11 for the annual Excalibur & Excelsior Awards ceremony where the winners will be announced.
The awards are presented by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois in partnership with the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence and the Rockford Register Star — a partnership formed in 2023 that has rejuvenated and expanded the program.
Now, in addition to the Excalibur and Excelsior awards, four Community Champion awards — one each from Boone, Ogle, Winnebago and Stephenson counties — are presented that night.
Who do you think will walk away with the Excalibur and Excelsior awards this year?
Excalibur Award finalists
Dr. Cyrus Oates: A renowned Rockford dentist since 1981, Dr. Cyrus Oates has for two decades worked to bring high-quality dental care to area children who otherwise would not have had access. Oates has worked with other dentists and the Rockford Public Schools since 2005 to bring basic dental care to 12,000 children a year who don’t have insurance and is now working to expand those services to include restorative dental care for more serious issues.
Karen Tilly: A retired nurse and nonprofit leader, Karen Tilly has spent a lifetime uplifting those in need through her professional work and extraordinary volunteer efforts. A driving force behind the Alpine Kiwanis Club’s annual Brat Days, Tilly has spent nearly five decades making Rockford a better place from working with pregnant teens to raising money to fund programs benefiting at-risk youth.
Penny Wirtjes: Recognizing a lack of resources and support in the area after grandson was born in 2009 with Down syndrome, Penny Wirtjes spearheaded an effort to bring a Gigi’s Playhouse resource center to Rockford. Wirtjes’ tireless volunteerism has touched the lives of thousands of people for the better.
Excelsior Award finalists
Rockford Promise: A location-based scholarship program helping to make the dream of a college education and a brighter future a reality for Rockford students since 2006, Rockford Promise is helping 518 active students attend four partner institutions – Rock Valley College, Northern Illinois University, Rockford University and OSF Saint Anthony College of Nursing. So far, 146 students have graduated with the help of Rockford Promise and 100 more expected to graduate each May.
The Superhero Center for Autism: Founded in 2015 to create a safe and all-inclusive space for children on the autism spectrum, The Superhero Center for Autism serves as a hub for play, education and resources. About 600 families are registered with the Center, creating a close-knit community offering support, education and resources for individuals with autism and other special needs and their families.
VetsRoll, Inc.: Founded in 2010, VetsRoll Inc. provides America’s most-senior veterans and “Rosie the Riveters” an all-expenses paid journey of healing and celebration to Washington D.C. VetsRoll takes 220 veterans and 180 assistants on 11 charter buses each May for the trip with stops at museums, memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in Arlington National Cemetery. Veterans are given hundreds of cards written by families, friends and students at an emotional mail call event.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Excalibur & Excelsior: Celebrating what’s good in the Rockford region
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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