R. Dale Evans, Sr.
R. Dale Evans, Sr. is a 2009 recipient of the J. D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award. Evans, who is the social services coordinator at the Joliet Housing Authority, has volunteered for the Joliet Alliance for Youth, First Tee of Joliet, and Joliet Region Easter Seals. He is a member of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, the NACCP, and Silver Cross Hospital Community Trustees.
Evans, of Joliet, is the president elect of the Community Services Council, a co-chair for the Voices for Illinois Children Joliet committee, and the founder and executive director of A Boost Up Coalition Inc., a not for profit community service organization.
Rainbow Push recognized Evans with the Martin Luther King Leadership Award in 1996. He has also received proclamations from former State Senator Larry Walsh, the City of Joliet, and Joliet Township for his active roles in the Lights on After School Rallies.
Mohra Gavankar
Mohra Gavankar is a 2009 recipient of the J. D. Ross Extraordinary Service Award. Gavankar, who is president of RoCo Productions and vice president of Rockdale Controls, has volunteered for Joliet Township High School, Easter Seals, and the Guardian Angel Home. She is a member of the Hospice Guild, The Woman's Club of Joliet, and the Silver Cross Community Trustees.
Gavankar also serves on the boards of the Will County Community Foundation, Lewis University, and the Joliet Area Historical Museum. She is a past president of the Woman's Club of Joliet, Joliet Junior Woman's Club, and Zonta Club of the Joliet Area.
Recently, she was honored for her volunteer work by Lewis University with the Christian Brother's Midwest District LaSallian Award. She has also been awarded the Congressman's Medal of Merit for Volunteer Service, the Joliet Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, and the Book of Golden Deeds Award by the Exchange Club.