Published: December 09, 2008 04:48 am      

Ready to lend a hand

O'Shaughnessys value volunteering

DANVILLE — The O’Shaughnessy name and volunteering in the community go together like hand in glove. Ever since they moved to Danville in 1990, Pat and Elaine O’Shaughnessy and their family have been passionate community supporters.

But rather than focusing on their own accomplishments, Pat and Elaine are especially proud that their teenage children have followed their lead by adopting volunteer projects of their own.

“Our kids grew up as community supporters,” Pat said. “Ever since they were youngsters they came with us down to the Palmer Arena to help with the Festival of Trees, and they were always part of Balloon Classic.”

“I remember many evenings spent in those bleachers at the Palmer Arena, helping the kids with their homework while I was setting up for the Festival of Trees,” Elaine said.

Their three teens include Amy, a senior at Illinois State University in Normal, majoring in psychology and studio arts; Ryan, a junior at Illinois State, majoring in economics; and Kelsey, a junior at Danville High School.

Amy has been involved in Relay for Life (walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society) since she was a student at Danville High School, and during all four years at ISU. Last April she headed up the youth relay, which raised $150,000 for cancer research. ISU is one of the top five colleges in the United States when it comes to raising funds for the American Cancer Society.

“It was pouring rain last year on the weekend of the relay, so they moved it to Redbird Arena at ISU,” Elaine recalled. “I remember walking into the arena that evening and seeing those several thousand glow sticks. It was an awesome sight, and I was so proud that Amy was part of it.”

“Volunteering is just what I do,” Amy said. “Maybe it’s because I always saw my parents helping other people,” she added. “I just love my volunteer projects.”

Amy also went on several ISU alternative spring break trips, which focus on cleaning up the environment around the United States. Some of the places she went include Philadelphia and the Everglades National Park, which was still strewn with debris after Hurricane Rita.

After she graduates in May, Amy plans to move to Des Moines, Iowa, where she hopes to work at a residential treatment center for children.

Ryan has also been involved in Relay for Life at ISU, and he and Amy have worked in the children’s area at the Festival of Trees for a number of years. Several years ago Ryan was the lasagna chef at the festival café. “I love to cook,” he said. “Mom’s a good cook and taught me all I know about it.”

Ryan has also been involved in the “Lose the Training Wheels” camp each summer in Danville. This is an adapted bicycle program for people with disabilities. The Danville camp is one of almost 50 across the country.

Pat was already involved with the camp, and Ryan soon picked up on his dad’s enthusiasm. “It’s neat because you work with the same kid all week long,” he said, “and by the end of the week they all can ride a bicycle without assistance. Working with these kids and making them smile really means a lot to me.”

Kelsey helped with the youth tours at this year’s Festival of Trees and also helped decorate the children’s area. She’s a member of the DHS National Honor Society, which sponsors a number of volunteer projects, including trick or treating for canned goods that are donated to a local food pantry.

She’s also in the youth group at St. James United Methodist Church and has helped with their food pantry and leaf raking service projects.

Kelsey is also a member of the DHS Delegation Show Choir, plays girls tennis for DHS, and is on the school’s student advisory board.

Both Amy and Ryan work as counselors in the summer at Camp Ondessonk in southern Illinois.

The parents

Elaine and Pat got married in 1962 after dating in high school. “I’ll never forget the 16 yellow roses that Pat gave me for my 16th birthday,” Elaine said with a smile.

Elaine teaches mathematics at Jamaica Junior High School. Her real treat is stopping before work to visit her mother, Mary Puzey, 86, who packs her a lunch every day and puts it in a Longaberger basket.

“I can’t put a value on seeing my mother every day,” Elaine said.

Elaine is also scholastic bowl and student council sponsor at the school.

She especially likes getting hugs from her students when she sees them out in public. “I try to make math fun for them,” she said, “and I think they appreciate that approach.”

Elaine has been in charge of the bakery at the Festival of Trees since the beginning. The bakery sold a record 6,600 cookies this past year. She has been involved with the annual event for the past12 years, serving as chairperson of the festival for two years.

She also loves to decorate their home for every season. “I string lights for every holiday —Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas.”

Pat, who is one of nine children, is a native of Catlin. His mother, Sharon, who lives in Arizona, and his late father, Bill, spent their life helping others. “Even with all of us kids, Mom still found time to serve as secretary for the school board,” Pat said.

“All of us kids learned a valuable lesson from Mom and Dad,” Pat said. “Sometimes you do things just because you’re supposed to. And that’s how I feel about volunteering. After you get into volunteering it just becomes a way of life, and you start to love it,” he added.

Pat has served as chair for the Festival of Trees for eight years and has been on the committee since the event was in the planning stages 13 years ago. He was involved with Balloon Classic throughout its lifetime. Pat has been part of the Danville United Way for many years, serving as chairman and now as president of the board. He’s also been on the Danville Planning and Zoning Board for five years.

The family hosts a Danville Dans baseball player each summer, and Pat has sponsored the same little brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters for the past four years.

Pat has been owner of Vermilion County Title for nearly 12 years. “I’m fortunate that my job affords me the opportunity to become involved in the community,” he said.

Pat also enjoys golfing, and he and Elaine describe themselves as huge football fans. Being of Irish descent, Pat’s college team of choice has always been Notre Dame, and Pat and Elaine are usually in the Notre Dame stands at most of their home games.

“I feel that some people shortchange Danville,” Pat said. “We have some of the greatest volunteers you will ever find right here in this town, but we need more people to become involved. In my experience, people in Danville always step up to the plate when you need them to help out.”