VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR STORIES

JOHN HILLLIARD - 2011 Recipient Clarence Troyer Volunteer of the Year Award

For 25 years John Hilliard has worked as an Auctioneer specializing in Estate, Consignment and Antique Auctions. When he began doing benefit auctions, like many auctioneers, he charged for this service. In August 1995 an event changed his focus forever.
John and his wife Susan, owned an Auction House in rural central Illinois. When their neighbor’s son, Brandon age 14, was diagnosed with a brain tumor with a doubtful prognosis, the whole community was devastated. In a short period of time Brandon’s family accumulated huge medical bills. That’s when the neighbors decided to help by holding a benefit auction at the Hilliard Auction House.
Although Brandon died a few months after the Auction, that event changed John’s focus in auctioneering. He had been amazed at the amount of good that was generated by Brandon’s auction and he determined to use his auctioneering skills to enhance the service he had been giving through Lions for 35 years.
When a fellow Lion and Spectrios volunteer heard John auction at a Lions District 1J Convention and learned that he often donated his skills as an auctioneer to non-profit organizations, our Director of Development recruited him. After his first auction for us John felt an immediate comfort and identity with Spectrios because of the philosophy and caring attitude of the doctors, staff and volunteers. The testimonials of current and former patients were inspiring and John’s heart was especially touched by “Seeing Is Believing”, the Spectrios program for school children who struggle daily with severe vision loss.
Since the Bartlett Lions had been long time supporters of Spectrios, the decision to donate his services here was not difficult. John Hilliard has become a welcome presence to the Spectrios GALA each spring and the Spectrios Golf Outing every autumn. We are proud to honor him as the 2010 Volunteer of the Year.

2009 Volunteer of the Year Story: BONNIE SOKOL

2008 Volunteers of the Year Story:  JACKIE & BOB ANDERSON

2007 Volunteer of the Year Story: DOROTHY V. TROYER