Looking for ways to volunteer in the Peoria Area? Look no further!

Join YPO members on April 28 from noon to 1pm at the Heartland Partnership (located at 100 SW Water St., Peoria, IL 61602) for YPO's Community Connection's Get Connected.

Get Connected will feature Katy Moon, Manager of Volunteers with the Peoria Park District and Becky Cassidy, Peoria Area Community Events (PACE).

Katy will be discussing summer volunteer opportunities with the Peoria Park District. The Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria, organized in 1894, was the first park system formed in Illinois. Seventy years later in 1963, the City of Peoria Playground and Recreation Department merged with the Park District, thus expanding the potential program and facility responsibilities of the Park District. The Peoria Park District is seeking volunteers for special events and coaching opportunities.

Becky will be highlighting volunteer opportunities at the many the events PACE hosts. These events include Steamboat Days, Taste of Peoria Brown-Bag It Series, Santa Parade, Labor Day Parade, Gospel Jubilee, and Yule Like Peoria and a few others. PACE was formed in 1989. Prior to PACE, TPIP (Take Pride in Peoria Commission) coordinated the Taste of Peoria and the Mayor’s Rib Bib events for the City. The Peoria Convention and Visitors Bureau coordinated Steamboat Days, Brown Bag-Its, Friday Fests and Santa Parade activities. These events/activities were combined under PACE after the City of Peoria decided to delegate the operation of these events to one organization to better facilitate event planning. Pace was formed with several volunteers from TPIP, the Convention Bureau, and additional community volunteers. Events were added as needed to accomplish PACE’s mission.