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I grew up in Clinton, Illinois, and I was always close with my family, especially my grandparents. I spent a lot of time with my paternal grandfather, who retired from the Clinton Fire Department the year I was born. We had so much fun together, and he was truly a special person in my life. He was a servant of his community through and through, spending his free time delivering meals to the elderly and giving sermons at local nursing homes. But beyond that, he was just a delight. His outlook on life and his sense of humor shaped me in ways I still carry with me today. Whenever someone asked how he was doing, he'd say, "I'm finer than frog hair!" That's the energy I try to tap into whenever challenges come my way.
Outside of work, my world centers around my family. My husband, Will, our son, Jack, and I live in Williamsville with our two dogs, Lana and Ethel. Every summer, we take an annual trip with my mother-in-law, Mary Beth, to Leech Lake in northern Minnesota. We stay for two weeks and truly unplug, playing cards, spending time on the lake, fishing, reading, and just reconnecting with one another. It's one of my favorite parts of the year.
I also love to cook, read, and visit art museums whenever I get the chance. SLAM (the St. Louis Art Museum) is a favorite, and I'm looking forward to a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan this fall to visit their museum and botanical gardens. Closer to home, our son is in the school band and takes lessons, so our house is often filled with the sound of drums and guitar. It's one of my favorite kinds of noise.
As I celebrate another birthday this year, I find myself full of gratitude, for my family's health, for the travels ahead, and for the privilege of doing work I love in service of our community here at United Way of Central Illinois.
-Alicia Sparks, Director of Donor Engagement