Just in time for holiday decorating and gift-giving, the 2018 Official City of Springfield Ornament was recently unveiled at a press conference in the Governor’s Mansion. Springfield Mayor James Langfelder; Maxine Bergman, executive director of St. Joseph’s Home; and Justin Blandford, curator of the Governor’s Mansion, participated in the unveiling event.

This year’s ornament features the recent renovation of the Governor’s Mansion and the Illinois Bicentennial. It is the 26th ornament in the City of Springfield series that celebrates hometown landmarks and events. This 2018 ornament is unique because it is the result of a partnership between St. Joseph’s Home and the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association. Therefore, the proceeds from the sale of the ornament will benefit both organizations.

St. Joseph’s Home is a non-profit nursing home that has been serving the aged and the infirm in the Springfield area for the past 115 years. Through the support of generous benefactors, the Home serves residents with both compassion and individualized care. The ornament project has been a fundraising and outreach program for St. Joseph’s Home for over a quarter of a century.

The Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association is a non-profit group responsible for the two-year renovation project of the Governor’s Mansion, which was funded entirely with private dollars. The update focused on needed structural repairs and a significant upgrade to the visitor experience. Called “The People’s House,” it now showcases Illinois history and art and is open daily for docent-guided tours.

The ornaments are now available for the purchase price of $29 at St. Joseph’s Home (both at the Home or on-line at www.saintjosephshome.org), at the Governor’s Mansion and at these Springfield area businesses: Ace Hardware (three locations), Bank of Springfield, Daisy Jane’s, Heartland Credit Union (three locations), HSHS St. John’s Hospital gift shop, Pease’s Candy (two locations), Pleasant Nursery, Vono Medical Supplies and Wild Birds Unlimited.