Elmhurst Jaycees Honor Resident With Award

ELMHURST, IL - William "Bill" Shanklin has been announced as the recipient of the 65th annual Elmhurst Jaycees Distinguished Service Award.

According to the Jaycees, this award was first given in 1950, and is a way of recognizing a citizen for his/her long-term dedication to making Elmhurst a better community.

Shanklin is best known throughout Elmhurst for his active involvement in various community organizations. For more than 15 years he has been a prominent member of the Elmhurst business community. He is an Elmhurst resident, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Champion Container Corporation located in Wood Dale, formally of Elmhurst.

Shanklin is the current chair of the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission, member of the Elmhurst Public Library board, board member of the Elmhurst American Legion, and current member of the Veterans Military Commission in Elmhurst.

According to a release from the Jaycees, through his work with the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission, Shanklin has worked to energize the commission to make a difference in the economic success of the Elmhurst community.

The Jaycees said Shanklin is one of the most active Life Members of the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187, and was most recently the chair of their inaugural Military Ball fundraiser. The event was a great success and helped to raise funds while bringing awareness of the Post to the Elmhurst community. Shanklin also represents the Post on the City of Elmhurst’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day remembrances, while serving as Master of Ceremonies for the Post-Parade and Veterans Day Military ceremonies in Wilder Park.

“Bill is truly one of a kind. He is the person who cares about his family, his friends and his community. He is kind, but not afraid to be direct when he feels strongly about something. Bill Shanklin epitomizes what the Elmhurst Jaycees Distinguished Service Award represents,” Richard Reichert, who wrote a letter of support for Shanklin, said in a release.

Shanklin was nominated by 2007 DSA recipient, Ken Bartels, Senior Vice President & Director of Community Bank of Elmhurst with supporting letters received from John R. Quigley (2012 DSA recipient), Richard Reichert and Mike Kopp.

The Jaycees will hold a dinner banquet to honor Shanklin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 at the Normandy Banquet Room of the Elmhurst American Legion. The cost per person is $60.

If you would like to attend, registration and payment can be completed online through the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry‘s website at www.elmhurstchamber.org. The registration deadline is Friday, April 21.

For more information regarding the Jaycees visit www.elmhurstjaycees.com.

Photo provided by Elmhurst Jaycees.