Celebration of the Century

Event will include Juliette Gordon Low biographer, archives and memories

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois invites all alumnae and anyone interested in Girl Scout history to its Celebration of the Century, an event in honor of the 100 th anniversary, on Saturday, April 28.

The council-wide alumnae gathering and archives display will be from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, 300 E. 9th St., Coralville.

Remember your old uniform? What was your favorite badge, skit or song? What was your most memorable camp experience? Did you travel overseas with your troop? How did Girl Scouts affect your life?

"Come and talk with your fellow Girl Scout alumnae - tell stories, laugh and remember the experiences that taught the leadership skills that last a lifetime," said Kim Hull, a Girl Scout alum and council staff member. "We also will have pictures, books, uniforms and countless other things from the past on display."

The featured speaker will be Stacy Cordery, critically acclaimed biographer of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low. Cordery will speak at 3:30 p.m. A historical skit will be performed at 4:30 p.m.

The event is free. No RSVP is required. Refreshments, including Girl Scout cookies, will be served.

The day also includes the council's annual meeting and volunteer recognition, beginning with a social hour at 5 p.m.

The council will recognize dozens of volunteers who devote countless hours to building girls of courage, confidence and character. Eight girls will be honored for achieving excellence, as well.

The keynote speaker for the evening is Pegine Echevarria, a former Bronx girl gang member turned Girl Scout. Cost for the evening event is $15. Tickets are available by calling 800-798-0833 by April 18.

To learn more about the Celebration of the Century, visit www.GirlScoutsToday.org or call 800-798-0833.

The Steve's Old Time Tap Spring Chaser, a 5K run/walk led by two Rock Island women, is set for April 30 at 9 a.m. in downtown Rock Island. The goal is to reach 500 participants and to raise $5,000 with the fifth-annual run benefitting the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area.

Since the race's inception in 2007, it has raised more than $10,000 for the organization.

"Our race started with 260 people in 2007. Last year, we reached just more than 400 participants," said Holly Sparkman, race co-director with Jayna Gallagher. "Our goal of 500 participants will mean more support for one of the most valuable organizations in the Quad-Cities."

The American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area serves Scott, Muscatine, and Louisa counties in Iowa and Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Bureau, and a portion of Whiteside counties in Illinois.

Every day, on average, the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities Area works to reunite one family through the Armed Forces Emergency Services and International Social Services programs; reaches more than 107 people with lifesaving training in CPR, first aid, and water safety; and trains 28 youth and adults to be prepared and ready for potential disasters.

In 2010, 148 families in the area received assistance after a disaster threatened to destroy their lives.

"On average, it costs $1,100 to assist a family of four following a fire," said Leslie Anthony, chief advancement officer for the Quad Cities chapter. "The $5,000 goal for the Spring Chaser could help five local families recover after a fire."

Steve's Old Time Tap is the lead sponsor of the race. Other sponsors include, Stern Beverage, Gas & Electric Credit Union, Cruz Plumbing, Meridian Title, CBS 4, Jumer's Casino, Crawford & Company, Huckleberry's, Cumulus Quad Cities and Nehlsen Communications.

Sparkman is the communications director for the Rock Island School District. Gallagher is the marketing coordinator at Nehlsen Communications in Moline. They are lifelong residents of the Quad Cities.

"This event started as a result of two Rock Islanders looking for a downtown race in their hometown," Gallagher said. "We've been fortunate enough to have the Quad City area support our event, and more importantly support a great cause. There is no better time to make a donation. With the disaster in Japan and the threat of flooding right here in the Quad Cities, please consider helping us reach our goal of raising $5,000 for the Red Cross."

To register or to get more information about sponsorships, go to www.springchaser.com, or visit www.facebook.com/springchaser5k.

Programs help defray costs for qualified families with young children

Davenport, Iowa - Scott County Kids, a public-private partnership that helps families raise happy and healthy children, announces an initiative to award more than $250,000 in child care scholarships for Scott County families who are working, attending school or looking for work.

The first program, funded by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has approximately $230,000 available to assist with the care of children from birth to 24 months. The second, funded by the state of Iowa, has $22,000 in scholarships for second/third shift and weekend care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

"The money must be used by June 30," said Marcy Mendenhall, executive director of Scott County Kids. "Right now, just six families are taking advantage of the programs."

"These scholarships help parents to secure quality, loving child-care for their young children while they work, go to school, or in some cases, look for a job," Mendenhall said. "They can most certainly play a vital role in helping families during these difficult financial times."

Birth to 24 months scholarships

The federal stimulus money is for children whose parents are: working at least 28 hours a week; in school or training full-time; in a combination of work and school for at least 28 hours a week; or unemployed within the last six months and actively seeking employment.

The amount of the award, paid directly to the care providers, depends on income. Families are required to pay for some of the care. Detailed information about the grant levels can be found at bit.ly/gJqf0v.

To qualify, the child must be between birth and 24 months old, a U.S. citizen and living with parents or individuals acting in a parental role. A family's income must be within certain guidelines (see below). The child care providers must meet certain standards and be on contract with Scott County Kids.

Home-based and center providers in Scott County who are approved to accept children with this grant are: Children's Village Hoover; Children's Village West; Creative Beginnings; Barb DeWispelaere; Hand in Hand; Debra Haskins; Kiddie Karrasel; Kindercare, Bettendorf; Daphne Ramirez; Scott County Family Y - Downtown & Palmer; Shining Light Learning Center; Skip-A-Long.

The home-based providers must have an Iowa Quality Rating of 3, 4 or 5 or accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care. Child care centers must also have an Iowa ranking of a 3, 4 or 5 and be recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Scott County Kids is one of 24 organizations in Iowa participating in the effort, called the Infant and Toddler Quality Child Care Program. Clinton, Jackson, Louisa, Des Moines, Johnson and Iowa counties in Eastern Iowa are also taking part.

Statewide, nearly $2.4 million was available as of November 2009. Scott County received $251,772.

"One challenge, Mendenhall said, "is that many of the providers who qualify and are under contract have waiting lists for infants and toddlers." She hopes more providers will step forward to qualify.

"We want families to be able to use this stimulus money," Mendenhall said.

Second/third shift and weekend scholarships

Scott County Kids also has approximately $22,000 in scholarships available to help pay for second/third shift and weekend care, while parents work and/or go to school.

The scholarships are $300-$400 a month for full-time care, and $150-$200 a month for part-time care for children ages birth through enrollment in kindergarten. To qualify, parents cannot be eligible for any other child care assistance; must work and/or attend school for at least 28 hours a week; and live in Scott County.

The challenge is getting the money into the hands of families who can use it. This fiscal year, just $3,000 of the $25,000 has been awarded.

The family-chosen child care providers must be either a home registered with the Iowa Department of Human Resources or a center licensed with the agency. The providers must also supply proof of insurance and complete the requirements of a child care compliance audit.

"The vision of Scott County Kids is that every child, beginning at birth, will be healthy and successful," said Jennifer Kakert, parent and president of the Scott County Kids board. "One component of this includes ensuring access to quality child care. One barrier for many parents is the cost of quality child care. The scholarships are provided on a sliding income scale to help defray some of that cost. This helps ensure that working parents can secure quality care for their children."

To find out more about the grants and scholarships from Scott County Kids, to get an application, or to qualify as a child care provider, contact Renee Rankin at the Friendly House, (563)323-1821, ext. 11 or at reneerankin@friendlyhouseiowa.org.