Local pastor selected to receive honor as Illinoisan of the Day

A Union County resident is among 11 people from throughout Illinois who are being honored for making a difference in their communities.

Eleven individuals from across the state have been named as Illinoisans of the Day for the 2009 Illinois State Fair in Springfield.

Pastor Bill Vandergraph of Alto Pass is among those being honored.

Vandergraph is being honored for his dedication to a life of ministry and more particularly for "his dynamic leadership" in the effort to restore and repair the Cross of Peace atop Bald Knob Mountain near Alto Pass.

The 11 Illinoisans who will be honored were recognized Saturday in Springfield at the first Corndog Kickoff presented by the Illinois State Fair Museum Foundation and the Illinois State Fair.

A news release from the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois State Fair stated that the winners are being honored for making a difference in their community, "displaying a true Illinois spirit through their hard work and dedication to helping others, and for making the state of Illinois a great place to live."

Each of the 11 people who are being honored will receive their own day of recognition during this year's Illinois State Fair.

The recognition will include an awards presentation at the fair's Commodities Pavilion Stage, serving as grand marshal of the daily parade, VIP parking, gate admission, hotel accommodations and grandstand show tickets.

Pastor Vandergraph will be the Illinoisan of the Day at the state fair Monday, Aug. 17.

Vandergraph is president of the Friends of the Cross organization. The group is working to raise funds for restoration of the Cross of Peace.

Vandergraph took on the responsibility for ensuring that one of Illinois' most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions would be saved and restored for all people.

Under his leadership, the Friends of the Cross have raised $200,000 for use in the restoration of the landmark. The organization has set a goal of raising $300,000 by June 2010.

Vandergraph said receiving the honor came as "a total surprise."

"I appreciate it very deeply," he added, noting that he had never received such as honor.

The Alto Pass pastor said he is looking forward to Aug. 17. He and his family plan to enjoy the activities planned for the Illinoisan of the Day.

Vandergraph emphasized that he is not alone in doing the work needed to restore the Cross of Peace.

"There are many people behind this work," he said.

He is hoping that the recognition which comes with the Illinoisan of the Day honor will bring even more attention to the work being done to restore the Union County landmark.