Marge Penwarden
On June 4, 2010 Affordable Painting Services, Inc. began work on the home of Marjorie Penwarden in Rockton, Illinois. Mrs. Penwarden is a dedicated volunteer who has been a tremendous source of support and generosity for her community and they are honoring her with a fresh coat of exterior paint.
Affordable Painting Services, Inc. assembled assistance for this project to show Marge that the community she has selflessly served appreciates her generosity. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, Affordable Painting Services, Inc.’s employees were the only individuals allowed to paint the home due to lead based paint hazards. These safety standards were created by the Environmental Protection Agency and are strictly adhered to by Affordable Painting Services, Inc.
Labor expenses related to the repair and painting of the exterior of Mrs. Penwarden’s home were paid for by the employees and Alan Carlson, owner of Affordable Painting Services, Inc.
However, there were opportunities available to express your appreciation for Marge’s kindness during this beautification process such as gardening, yard work, general labor, providing boxed lunches for the volunteers, financial donation, material donations, or the publication of Marge’s story of generosity.
Her volunteering is never complete and she is always ready to assist anyone in need. Our community needs more citizens like Marge Penwarden and the best way to ensure future generations of volunteers is to inspire them with her story.
Born in Kirkland, Illinois and raised in Belvidere, Illinois Marjorie (Marge) Culvey married Ray S. Penwarden and became whom we know today as Marge Penwarden, a loving and giving wife and mother of seven.
After her husband passed away in 1972, she joined the American Legion Auxiliary Post 332 in Rockton, Illinois at the suggestion of Letha Preston for what Letha called “adult company”. Through her membership Marge distributes poppies to assist with the funding of veteran’s programs. Each year she serves food and hugs the athletes participating in the Special Olympics in Normal, Illinois. Marge has had the honor of serving in EVERY position within the local Rockton Post 332. Feel free to wave “hi” to Marge during the next Memorial Day parade in Rockton (end of May), Fourth of July parade in Shirland, or Old Settler’s Days parade in Rockton (middle of July) as she will be with the American Legion Auxiliary Color Guard as she has for the last 38 years.
Marge taught adult GED and English as a Second Language classes with the Rockford School District for 35 years. She also tutored ANY child that had ANY issues with schoolwork, no matter what the subject or school they attended. Because of her efforts to enrich the lives of young minds there are countless individuals who are in debt to Marge’s kindness and amazing teaching abilities.
Marge’s ability to mold and enrich the lives of those around her does not stop with the persons that she meets, but also those she has never met. Her articles and wealth of information have been published in the Rockton Herald since 1960. In fact, she still composes interesting and insightful articles which inspire readers to this day. She compiles the minutes from the organizations she volunteers with for persons who are unable to attend. Of course, she also writes community news as keeping the community informed is her true passion.
Faith knows no bounds and Marge’s faith has lead her down many different roads including those towards persons that she could help the most, especially when it came to education. Forest City Baptist, located at 4241 Pepper Dr, Rockford, Illinois has welcomed Marge for over 50 years as a devoted follower of the Lord’s teachings. Three of her seven children have been married at this church and she enjoys the community she receives from its members. It is no surprise that she has also directed the junior choir and played piano for many years.
The Illinois Association for Home and Community Education is an organization which promotes social and economic well being by teaching community members how to enrich their lives with new skills. For example, they recently taught classes on healthy cooking techniques, container gardening, and estate planning. Marge has been a member since 1974 and continues to assist with educating her community through volunteer efforts such as teaching then assisting one class per year, and providing continued public relations to seek out interesting skills that can be taught to the community.
Owen Blue Bonnets 4-H Club has honored Marge with the Outstanding 4-H Service Award for 36 Years of Service. She began her service with the club in 1962 as a 4-H Mother when her children were contestants at the fairs. During those times she volunteered at the food areas and became a leader which included keeping the records and filing for grants to assist with funding the organization. To this day she still assists with the food areas, but she stays with the veggies and lets the younger moms handle the busy lines.
As you can see Mrs. Marge Penwarden is an active and amazingly dedicated member of our community. When it was brought to Affordable Painting Services, Inc.’s attention that her home looked the way it does they had to ask the simple question, “Why Marge?”. Her response was in true selfless fashion, “I didn’t work on the house because I was too busy spending time with my grandchildren and helping others.” That is the best answer to not work on your home. So, with the assistance of a very appreciative community her home was repaired and is beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.