On September 15, 2024, a sea of people flocked to the Peoria riverfront for GO DAY. It was like the ultimate block party but with a lot more* sports, arts and inspiration. Our region’s most talented artists showed up. So did the best athletes, including a special appearance from Curley “Boo” Johnson, the legendary Harlem Globetrotter. Even Greg Batton, radio personality and local celebrity, took the stage to MC the inaugural event.
But the real stars of the show were the Emerging Leaders — kids and organizations who make Greater Peoria even greater. That’s why we dedicated a chunk of GO DAY to recognizing and celebrating the unsung heroes of our community. (They don’t call us the City of Gratitude for nothing.)
Let’s take a look at who stole the spotlight on that gorgeous September Sunday.
Kickin’ Cancer in the Knolls Lemonade Stand
You think your lemonade stand was impressive as a kid? Wait till you hear about these pint-sized powerhouses. For 14 straight years, local families have teamed up to run the Kickin’ Cancer in the Knolls Lemonade Stand, raising boatloads of cash for St. Jude. And by boatloads, we mean $30,000 this year alone! These kids are serving up hope one cup at a time, and let’s just say they’ve got the recipe down.
Delnonta Stewart and Peoria Friendship House
Once upon a time, there was a Peoria sports prodigy named Shaun Livingston. After graduating from Peoria High, Shaun went straight to the NBA and eventually captured three championships with the Golden State Warriors.
Could Delnonta Stewart be the next P-Town prodigy?! A triple-threat athlete (football, basketball, baseball), Delnonta is a star on and off the court. He’s chasing straight A’s, a college education and eventually a pro sports career. But what makes Delnonta special is his natural leadership. According to the folks at Peoria Friendship House, he’s a guy who motivates others with positive affirmations — basically a walking pep talk. His mentor is Marcellus Sommerville, another Peoria basketball legend, who Delnonta calls “a second father.” Talk about leadership goals.
Delnonta Stewart. Remember the name.
Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rayniah’s Rock Star Aura
Meet Rayniah, a Richwoods High School freshman doing more before her sweet 16 than most of us do in a lifetime. She’s taking enriched courses, killing it in pageants (first runner-up at the Heart of Illinois Fair) and attending New York Fashion Week. All this while still finding time to study and crush her academic goals. With the help of her Big Sister Toni from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Rayniah is proving you can have both brains and beauty. We’re just waiting for her to conquer space travel next.
Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)
Nothing but respect for HISRA, ensuring everyone in Peoria, regardless of their abilities, gets to join in on the fun. HISRA makes it happen in the most supportive way possible, whether it’s sports, arts or anything in between. Think of them as the team captains who make sure no one gets left on the sidelines. At HISRA, it’s all about widening the circle.
Big Picture Peoria
You want a vibrant community? You call the artists. Big Picture Peoria uses art and creativity to fuel social change, economic development and general awesomeness. Whether through art education or arts-based solutions, the folks and kiddos at Big Picture Peoria are painting a future where Peoria thrives. And it’s looking like a masterpiece.
Relive GO DAY ’24
The vibes were extremely high, as seen in the photos below.
Final Thoughts
GO DAY ‘24 was a blast. It also made us realize Greater Peoria’s future is in very good hands. Whether they’re are selling lemonade for a cause, hitting home runs on the field or strutting down the runway, one thing’s for sure: these young trailblazers are just getting started.
We can’t wait to see how far they’ll GO.