Sandrock Named 2018 Grand Marshal

The Pekin Marigold Festival Committee is happy to announce Dale Sandrock as the 2018 Marigold Festival Grand Marshal. The Kiwanis Club of Pekin nominated Dale and made the surprise announcement at one of their weekly meetings. They wrote in their nomination that Dale “cares deeply for his community and is consistently doing what he can to make the world around him a better place.” 

It has always been important to Dale to help others. It is no secret that he assists his neighbors by cutting grass and removing snow. After the North Pekin tornado, Dale spent many hours using his heavy equipment to clean up the area. He makes himself available to encourage friends and family and to provide advice and support.

Dale sees the value in investing in the future and finding ways to enrich the youth. He & his wife, Lela, were host parents to foreign exchange students thru Youth For Understanding (YFU) and volunteered as area representatives for the YFU by interviewing families interested in hosting as well as chaperoning students safely back to their home country. Dale recently started a recognition program to encourage and honor members of the Boys and Girls Club of Pekin for honesty, leadership, good decisions, and volunteering. He once helped a troubled young man get back on track by acting as a mentor, paying for college, and ultimately helping the young man land a job. This relationship led to the formation of The Dale and Lela Sandrock Scholarship which provides two graduates of PCHS, who are in the top 50% of their graduating class with financial need, the opportunity to earn a four-year college degree.

Dale is involved in many community organizations and his contributions don’t stop with his time and talents. He has been an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Pekin for 22 years & currently serves on the board. He recently purchased a kettle corn maker that will help in the club’s fundraising efforts for years to come and made a generous donation through the club for the “Fund a Ride for Austin and Jackson” project which provided a handicap accessible van for two brothers with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Dale has served on the Pekin Public Library board, the Pekin Concert Association and as a Deacon & youth leader at First Christian Church. He has been a member of the Pekin Barbershop Chorus and the Tazewell County Museum and Education Center. He donates to the University of Illinois Foundation for trophies at the 4-H Fair, summer band concerts in Mineral Springs Park, the Salvation Army of Pekin, Carol’s House of Hope, AMBUCS, and to many more.

The nomination for Dale Sandrock described him as “very humble and never seeking praise or attention, which is why he is so deserving of this honor.”

Congratulations, Dale Sandrock - our 2018 Pekin Marigold Festival Grand Marshal!

You can see more pictures from this event at:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/q2YijGtgbYneaiM23

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