Quincy Neighborhood Federation honors Del Mitchell with Theda Jansen Award

QUINCY, IL -- The Quincy Neighborhood Federation on Tuesday recognized longtime Quincy attorney Delmer Mitchell with its 31st annual Theda Jansen Award.

"Delmer is the main person behind the scenes that keeps our organization running," said Rocky Murry, president of the neighborhood federation, who presented the award to Mitchell during the group's yearly banquet at the Eagles Alps.

"Delmer has been the chairperson for Quincy Area Project for 37 years. He is the person who sees to it we have everything we need to be successful during the year," Murry said.

"He has always been an advocate for our program. And not only does he take the time to oversee the program, he contributes to it in many other ways for us to be successful. He has been a strong supporter, a solicitor, a problem-solver and many other roles during his tenure as chairman."

The Theda Jansen Award is given each year to a person who does things to help underprivileged children in the Quincy area. The award is named after a former Quincy Police Department juvenile officer and neighborhood booster who watched out for the welfare of disadvantaged kids. The award was created in Jansen's honor after she died in 1983.

Murry said Mitchell exemplifies the giving spirit for which Theda Jansen is remembered.

"Delmer is an example for everyone in this community when it comes to giving and not asking for anything in return," Murry said. "His compassion for what we are trying to accomplish is unmatched, and he is a role model for individuals of all economic backgrounds."

Mitchell is a longtime member of the Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell law firm, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014. Mitchell was the firm's chairman for about 30 years before he relinquished that post this year to Hal Oakley. Mitchell remains on the firm's executive committee.

Mitchell said he has enjoyed being involved with the Quincy Area Project, an umbrella organization that formed the Quincy Neighborhood Federation to oversee the operation of three neighborhood centers.

Mitchell said many influential Quincyans have been involved behind the scenes with the organization for years, striving to provide the funding that helps the neighborhood groups work to serve local youths.

"Of all the organizations I've belonged to over the years and been involved in, this is my favorite because it does more good than any other," he said.

by Edward Husar Herald-Whig