If you go to Jehan Gordon-Booth's website, click the about Jehan tab, and at the very bottom of her bio it says, "If there's anything her mother, Annie Jo Gordon, taught her, it's that bettering a community takes everybody's help."

Her mother was right, like most mothers are.

It's a simple sentiment, but it's spot on.

And it got me thinking about all the ways we've bettered our community just in the last year or so.

When you zoom out and actually look at what's been done, it's hard to ignore the wins.

And as the host of a late-night show that highlights the very best of this region, I'd be remiss, irresponsible really, to not point 'em out for ya, so let me do that.

We talked about it earlier, but it's worth mentioning.

The Peoria Stadium Dome opened this year, state of the art, over 140,000 square feet of year-round space for kids to train, to compete, to grow.

Another awesome win, as you saw in the "Vibe Check," the Golf Learning Center got a full makeover, two levels, 21 bays, Toptracer technology, a new bar and restaurant.

Even if you suck at golf, which a lot of us do, you'll leave saying, "Wow, that place is great.

What an awesome asset for our community."

Speaking of awesome community assets, did you know the Steamboat Classic, aka SC415, hosted the United States of America track and field four-mile championships last summer and will do so again this summer?

We're talking Olympic hopefuls coming to our city, boosting our economy, running in our streets.

I don't know about you, but that makes me very proud to be from Peoria.

Something else that makes me very proud is everything our community does for St.

Jude Children's Hospital.

Last year, the St.

Jude telethon raised a record 12.1 million United States dollars.

Central Illinois is widely recognized as leading the nation per capita in support for St.

Jude.

In fact, in its 48-year history, the Peoria-based telethon has raised over $200 million for St.

Jude in their mission to cure childhood cancer.

There are many more wins I wish I could tell you, but for the sake of time, I'll share just one more.

Some of you know WTVP had their federal funding cut last year.

Obviously, that was not ideal, but our community stepped up and helped WTVP reach its goal of $1 million through the We Believe in WTVP campaign, 1,500 new donors, just one more example of how this community not only cares but comes through when it really matters.

When you add up all those wins, you know what that's called?

Momentum, real momentum, and it's undeniable if you're paying attention.

People like Jehan have dedicated their life to fighting the good fight, to bring nice things to our community because we deserve it.

And there are many other people in the 309 also fighting the good fight, and to them, I tip my cap.

(upbeat music) Just like Annie Jo Gordon said, bettering a community takes everybody's help.

I've said it before.

I'll say it again.

I believe our community is second to none, and that's a hill I'll die on.

And that's my take.

So thanks for tuning in, ladies and gentlemen.

It has most definitely been a vibe.

(audience cheering and applauding)