The Hoffman Estates Park District (HEParks) announced today that it will be honored with two prestigious statewide awards at the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Best of the Best Awards Gala on Friday, October 9, at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.
The annual event celebrates extraordinary citizen volunteers, community partners, and park agencies that go above and beyond to enrich the quality of life across Illinois communities. HEParks secured honors in two key categories:
Honored for her dedicated community volunteer service, Oluremi Odediran will receive the Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award. She contributes over 130 hours each year assisting with daily recreation operations, marketing support, facility operations, and local ecological initiatives.
Recognizing HEParks’ 20-plus-year alliance with Ascension Medical Group (Ascension St. Alexius), the nonprofit healthcare system, will receive the Partnership Award. Their collaboration has provided more than $1.3 million in funding to deliver free clinical services, preventative health screenings, and accessible wellness events to the Hoffman Estates community.
- Honored for her dedicated community volunteer service, Oluremi Odediran will receive the Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award. She contributes over 130 hours each year assisting with daily recreation operations, marketing support, facility operations, and local ecological initiatives.
- Recognizing HEParks’ 20-plus-year alliance with Ascension Medical Group (Ascension St. Alexius), the nonprofit healthcare system, will receive the Partnership Award. Their collaboration has provided more than $1.3 million in funding to deliver free clinical services, preventative health screenings, and accessible wellness events to the Hoffman Estates community.
“We are deeply honored to see both Oluremi and Ascension Medical Group recognized at the state level by IAPD,” said Craig Talsma, Executive Director. “Our agency relies heavily on the passion of our volunteers and the strength of our community partners. Oluremi’s selfless dedication and Ascension’s unwavering commitment to community wellness embody the very best of Hoffman Estates. These awards are a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together.”
Since May 2022, Oluremi Odediran has served as a pillar of reliability and community spirit at HEParks. A mother of four who moved to the U.S. from Nigeria, Oluremi volunteers during the school year at the Triphahn Center & Ice Arena, supporting administrative operations, recreation programs, and special events like Winterfest, Unplug Illinois Day, and Kids to Parks Day. She also actively participates in environmental initiatives such as Earth Day cleanups and seed bombing. Her extraordinary service has previously earned her two “Best of Hoffman” awards from the HEParks Board of Commissioners.
Beginning in July 2005, and recently renewed through July 2029, the partnership between HEParks and Ascension Medical Group bridges public recreation and clinical healthcare. Ascension serves as the Title Sponsor for HEParks’ Community Fitness Days and Kids to Parks Day, helping to eliminate cost barriers for thousands of residents. Ascension clinicians regularly conduct free monthly blood pressure checks, flu vaccination clinics, senior health seminars, and athletic safety education for youth sports coaches and parents. Oluremi and representatives from Ascension Medical Group will officially receive their awards alongside fellow honorees from across Illinois during the Best of the Best Gala on October 9.
