GENEVA – Longtime community volunteers First Ward Alderman Sam Hill and his wife, Carolyn Hill, received the 2009 Geneva Chamber of Commerce Wood Community Service Award Tuesday night.

The award, which is kept secret until the presentation, took the Hills by surprise.

"I'm at a loss for words," Carolyn Hill said. "I'm overwhelmed."

Carolyn Hill said she thought her husband deserved the award, not her. But in his remarks,  Sam Hill said his wife did.

"She deserves it for putting up with me for 50 years," Sam Hill said.

Chamber Board Chairman Scott Lebin presented the award, detailing the couple's professional contributions and community involvement at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva. The annual award is presented to an individual who has made significant community contributions in the areas of business, education, youth involvement, civic organizations, art, recreation, charity or government.

Residents of Geneva since 1977, the Hills have been active in many aspects of the community.

An alderman since 2001, Sam Hill previously served on the Geneva Park District Board, Geneva Planning Commission, Beautification Committee, Park District Foundation, Mid-Valley Neighborhood Improvement System and the Jaycees. 

Hill was also a key figure in obtaining the acquisition of Peck Farm for the Geneva Park District. Hill serves as liaison for the city on the chamber board. 

Hill recalled retired Geneva Park District Director Stephen Persinger driving in a sleeting rainstorm to Springfield to lobby for funding to acquire Peck Farm and maintain its history and open space for the community.

"He wanted to turn around. I said, 'We're going to Springfield and get that money.' " Hill said. "In Bloomington, they said we'd never make it. But after living in Lincoln, I knew all the back roads. By golly, we made it and I think we got $137,000."

Carolyn Hill is on the Geneva's Cultural Arts Commission Board. She headed last year's successful Dancing with the Stars fund raiser and is chairwoman for the 2010 event.

Carolyn Hill was a former president of Geneva PTO Council, organizer and past president of the Geneva High School Music Boosters, president of the Community Chest for two years and board member for 14 years, past board member of the Geneva Academic Foundation. A local Realtor, she is a member of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.

The award is named in honor of Bill and Elise Wood, and Nell and Burton Wood—four individuals who have all contributed to the growth and health of the city of Geneva.