Gift will help feed the hungry in the Quad Cities

Modern Woodmen of America's top field managers recently donated $5,000 to Quad City-area food pantries. The food pantry at The Center, Davenport, and River Bend Food Bank, Moline, each received $2,500.

The donation included nearly $2,500 collected during Modern Woodmen's Leadership Career Institute, which brought more than 100 of Modern Woodmen managers from across the country to the Quad Cities in early August. The donation was matched by Modern Woodmen.

"Giving back is an important part of what these managers do across the country, so they also wanted to make a difference here," says Steve Van Speybroeck, fraternal director at Modern Woodmen. "These donations to local food pantries can fight hunger and help local families."

As a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment* products not to benefit stockholders but to improve quality of life for our members, their families and their communities. This is accomplished through social, charitable and volunteer activities. Annually, Modern Woodmen and its members provide more than $26 million and 1 million volunteer hours for community projects nationwide.

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Dress for Success Quad Cities Helps Put More Local Women to Work with Implementation of Successful

Job Preparation Program

The Going Places Network by Walmart was created in response to the demands of today's challenging economic climate and serves as a safety net for local women who have been unable to acquire a job. The program launched in 60 affiliates across the U.S. in 2011 and enjoyed great success during its first year. Highlights include :

  • Nearly 3,000 women participated in the Going Places Network by Walmart in 2011.
  • At least 41% of women who completed the program secured employment by the conclusion of their cohort.
  • All of the women who participated in the program gained valuable skills, knowledge and experiences to assist them with searching for employment, attaining their individualized personal and professional goals, and ultimately achieving self-sufficiency.

Walmart donated $2 million to help Dress for Success Worldwide support The Going Places Network and its 60 participating affiliate locations across the U.S. This program gives disadvantaged women across the country the added confidence they need to better compete in this challenging job market by providing women with very specific tools and resources that they need to successfully land a job.

Dress for Success Quad Cities is one of three new affiliates that is considered a "top performing" affiliate and was invited to join in the second year of the national program. Dress for Success Quad Cities is currently reaching out to recruit local unemployed women to join the first cohort group. The Going Places Network by Walmart will meet twice a week for six weeks starting in September 2012 and two cohort groups are planned.

The program is not available to the general public. Women must either be one of their previously "suited" clients who remains unemployed or be referred by one of Dress for Success QC's approved Referral Partnering agencies. Referral Partners are nonprofit organizations or institutions that are helping low-income or displaced women with training, rehabilitation, transitional housing, or could be a local workforce development program such as Promise Jobs or Iow@ Work.

Dress for Success has more than 120 affiliates globally and served an estimated 65,000 women last year through its nationwide efforts. The Going Places Network by Walmart helps disadvantaged women gain professional skills, accelerate their job search and build confidence.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to funding opportunities that provide workforce training and development. Read more about the Walmart Foundation's efforts to help people get back to work.

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About Dress for Success Quad Cities

 

Dress for Success Quad Cities initiative was started in July 2010 by Regina Haddock of Davenport, Iowa. Regina has an M.S. Ed degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and has worked in student support and career services, as well as program development and management. She was working part time as an advisor for the lia sophia jewelry company, a major corporate sponsor of Dress for Success, and was inspired to start an affiliate in the Quad Cities!

On November 1, 2011, doors opened to low resource women who were entering or re-entering the workforce. Referrals from agencies started to trickle in. We received a $2,500 equipment grant from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend and were later awarded a $30,000 grant from the Scott County Regional Authority for supplies and equipment. In December 2011, our founder was awarded Royal Neighbors of America's Nation of Neighbors award for $7,500, to allow her to continue to develop this new affiliate.

Community support continues to grow! Early grants were followed in 2012 by a generous $30,000 match grant from the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation of Davenport, Iowa, and smaller grants by the following: Alcoa Community Chest, Modern Woodmen of America, Moline Foundation, King's Daughters Jane Addams Circle, and others.

 

Volunteers are always welcome and new board member positions are available. Visit our website for more information: www.dressforsuccess.org/quadcities

 

 

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

What:              Dress for Success Quad Cities Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Reception

Date:               Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012

Time:               5:15 p.m. (with a reception between 4 and 6 p.m.)

Location:        Union Arcade Building, 111 E. 3rd St., Ste. 710, Davenport

Description: Dress for Success® Quad Cities, the new local affiliate of the international not-for-profit organization, will host a Grand Opening reception and ribbon cutting event with the Quad Cities Chamber Ambassadors and the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The new affiliate opened its doors in November and now is inviting the business community to celebrate its mission to empower women toward economic stability. Dress for Success has served more than 600,000 women internationally by providing them with business-appropriate clothing, mentoring and professional development programs.

Royal Neighbors of America will be recognized for its donation of 200 "Totes for Hope." These totes will be distributed to women completing the Dress for Success Quad Cities program. The colorful bags, which include a daily planner, will serve as a functional accessory for the women in their new roles.

The organization's relationship with the business community will serve to further assist its clients.

"It's a natural fit to invite local businesses to learn who we are and what we do," said Regina Haddock Clewell, founder and executive director of Dress for Success Quad Cities. "As our clients work toward economic independence with the support we provide along the way, a relationship with area businesses is that essential next step."

About:            Dress for Success® Quad Cities is one of more than 115 affiliates around the globe. Each Dress for Success client receives one interview suit in her first visit, and once she finds work, receives additional attire, and an invitation to join the Professional Women's Group (PWG). The PWG program, along with career center and mentoring services, provides ongoing support to clients as they grow professionally, strive to turn their jobs into successful careers and journey towards economic independence.

www.dressforsuccess.org/quadcities

For additional information, contact:

Regina Haddock Clewell, Founder/Executive Director

563.322.1010 office

563.449.4020 cell

Modern Woodmen commits $30,000 to send military children to summer camp

 

America's youngest heroes may not serve in a traditional sense, but they make sacrifices as well. Modern Woodmen of America has committed to donate $30,000 to support Operation Purple camps in 2011. This will be completed by fundraising by members across the country and a donation from the organization.

 

To help military families, the National Military Family Association launched Operation Purple camps in 70 locations across the nation. At camp, children of deployed military parents come together to make friends and experience the great outdoors.

 

Modern Woodmen adult chapters and youth service clubs across the country are assisting in the fundraising effort by selling patriotic window clings in January, February and March 2011. To support the effort, patriotic window clings are available for a donation by contacting Ann Held at 786-6481, ext. 7427.

 

"This is a way we can thank our nation's military for their sacrifice," says Steve Van Speybroeck, Modern Woodmen's Fraternal Director. "We are grateful for the opportunity to support the children while these men and women bravely serve our nation."

 

In what other ways does Modern Woodmen support our troops?

Modern Woodmen members across the country support veterans through chapters and youth service clubs. Members donate to and visit VA hospitals, collect items to send to troops overseas and raise money for veterans in need. Veterans are also honored along with other community members through Modern Woodmen's Hometown Heroes program.

 

How did Modern Woodmen support Quad-Cities area veterans and active military in 2010?

o  Modern Woodmen sponsored an entire Honor Flight, sending 100 World War II veterans who are also Modern Woodmen members to Washington, D.C. The veterans visited war memorials, enjoyed time with other Modern Woodmen members and were honored during a special program at Modern Woodmen's 41st National Convention.

o  Modern Woodmen employees partnered with AmeriCorps and the River Bandits to assemble 300 America Cares packages for veterans and their children at the VA Hospital in Iowa City. These bags included items that many veterans desperately need, including snacks, personal care items and phone cards.

o  Modern Woodmen employees beautified the Eagles Nest Veterans Home, a Davenport home for homeless veterans. The volunteers cleared the yard, planted nearly 100 plants and a tree, and covered graffiti.

o  Modern Woodmen members wrote thank-you cards to Honor Flight veterans. More than 200 of these messages were delivered to the World War II veterans on the Honor Flight.

o  Modern Woodmen sponsored WQAD's flight to Egypt, where reporters told the stories of local military men and women and taped video messages to loved ones at home.

 

What are other ways Modern Woodmen gives back to the Quad Cities community?

o  Modern Woodmen employees donate more than $100,000 annually to area organizations including United Way. All donations are matched by Modern Woodmen.

o  Annually, the Quad Cities received more than $221,000 through fraternal programs - including chapters, youth service clubs, fraternal benefits and youth educational programs.

 

As a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment products not to benefit stockholders but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders - members, their families and their communities.  This is accomplished through social, charitable and volunteer activities.  Annually, Modern Woodmen and its members provide more than $23 million and nearly 1 million volunteer hours for community projects nationwide.

120 volunteers will join hands to assemble 300 "America Cares" bags will be donated to veterans on Saturday.

 

At least 120 volunteers from area organizations and businesses are collaborating to assemble 300 gift bags to distribute to veterans and their children at the Iowa City VA Hospital. The project will take place on Join Hands Day, a national day of service scheduled for Saturday, May 1.
The bags for veterans will include phone cards, snacks and personal care items. Children's bags will include stuffed animals, games, book and snacks to provide a diversion for children and grandchildren of veterans at the hospital.
Your coverage of the local impact of Join Hands Day is invited and appreciated. This project will offer visual and interview opportunities.
What: At least 120 volunteers will assemble 300 "America Cares" bags to be delivered to veterans and their children at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.
Participants:
Modern Woodmen of America employees, Modern Woodmen camp (local chapter) and youth service club members, AmeriCorps volunteers, Quad Cities River Bandits staff, Disabled Veterans of America and Auxiliary members
When: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport
Modern Woodmen of America sponsors Join Hands Day, along with other fraternal benefit societies. Join Hands Day is the only national day of service designed to bring youths and adults together to plan and implement service projects in their communities. As the generations work side by side, they learn more about each other, sparking a new level of understanding and respect.
Throughout the Quad Cities, more than 2,000 area youths and adults are teaming up to complete 50 volunteer projects. Locally, Modern Woodmen sponsors these local initiatives and gives each project a $50 grant to offset project expenses.
Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.
For more information about local Join Hands Day projects, contact Kim Woodward at 309-793-5660, or visit modern-woodmen.org.

The Sparkles cheer team, a partnership between Pleasant Valley High School cheerleaders and Davenport's Hand-in-Hand, are being recognized for gathering to give back.


In November, a story submission from Sarah Herr of Bettendorf was named one of five national finalists in Modern Woodmen of America s Gatherings with Purpose giveaway.


The story received the most votes in the online contest, earning more than 4,600 votes over the two-week voting period.


Hand-in-Hand and the Sparkles will each receive $2,500 as contest winners. The presentation will take place during the Sparkles cheer practice. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.


When: Monday, Dec. 21, 5:45 p.m.


Where: Pleasant Valley High School cafeteria


Herr shared the story of a wonderful, and perhaps unlikely, partnership between a high school cheerleading squad and Hand-in-Hand, a non-profit organization providing critical services for families with special needs. The Pleasant Valley High School cheerleaders decided to create a high school-based cheerleading squad specifically designed to include students with special needs. To find potential participants, the squad volunteered to gather and cheer at Hand-in-Hand's annual Family Fun Walk fundraiser. The group dressed in uniform and spent the morning managing the games and painting designs on eager little faces. During the walk, the girls cheered on the participants with Hand in Hand, yes we can!


Through this gathering, the cheerleaders met several young girls and their families who enthusiastically supported the idea of starting a new cheer squad to include students with disabilities. Within two weeks, 10 girls with disabilities from Down Syndrome to autism signed on to be the first Spartan Sparkles! Since this time, the Sparkles have cheered through two football seasons and one basketball season in front of packed crowds and standing ovations. To express gratitude to Hand-in-Hand and more tangibly support its programs, the cheerleaders again gathered on a Saturday afternoon over the summer collecting donations for Hand-in-Hand. The group raised both awareness and $2,000 in donations for Hand-in-Hand. Two weeks later when they attended the next Family Fun Walk, the Sparkles had much to cheer about!


Nearly 100 stories were entered in the online contest and five finalists were chosen. The stories spotlighted families and friends who volunteered together to meet a community need, raise money for a local cause or add a volunteer activity to a social gathering.


Modern Woodmen members nationwide gather for good through local camps (chapters) and youth service clubs. The giveaway was launched to complement national efforts to bring people together to help others and meet needs in their local communities. Modern Woodmen sells financial products not to benefit stockholders, but to support its stakeholders members, their families and their communities. How? Through social, charitable and volunteer events where members gather.


Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

Modern Woodmen will award $5,000 to a volunteer and his or her cause

 

Vote to reward a local resident and group who gathered to give back.


A story submission from Bettendorf was named one of five national finalists in Modern Woodmen of America's Gatherings with Purpose giveaway. The Gathering with Purpose entrant earning the most votes in the online contest at GatheringswithPurpose.com will win the grand prize - $2,500 in cash, plus a $2,500 donation for the worthy cause described in his or her submitted story.


Visitors can vote daily through Dec. 6.


Sarah Herr of Bettendorf shared the story of a wonderful, and perhaps unlikely, partnership between a high school cheerleading squad and Hand-in-Hand, a non-profit organization providing critical services for families with special needs. The Pleasant Valley High School cheerleaders decided to create a high school-based cheerleading squad specifically designed to include students with special needs. To find potential participants, the squad volunteered to gather and cheer at Hand-in-Hand's annual Family Fun Walk fundraiser. The group dressed in uniform and spent the morning managing the games and painting designs on eager little faces. During the walk, the girls cheered on the participants with "Hand in Hand, yes we can!"


Through this gathering, the cheerleaders met several young girls and their families who enthusiastically supported the idea of starting a new cheer squad to include students with disabilities. Within two weeks, 10 girls with disabilities - from Down Syndrome to autism - signed on to be the first Spartan Sparkles! Since this time, the Sparkles have cheered through two football seasons and one basketball season in front of packed crowds and standing ovations. To express gratitude to Hand-in-Hand and more tangibly support its programs, the cheerleaders again gathered on a Saturday afternoon over the summer collecting donations for Hand-in-Hand. The group raised both awareness and $2,000 in donations for Hand-in-Hand. Two weeks later when they attended the next Family Fun Walk, the Sparkles had much to cheer about!


Nearly 100 stories were entered in the online contest. The stories spotlighted families and friends who volunteered together to meet a community need, raise money for a local cause or add a volunteer activity to a social gathering.

Visit GatheringswithPurpose.com for complete rules and details.


Modern Woodmen members nationwide gather for good through local camps (chapters) and youth service clubs. The giveaway was launched to complement national efforts to bring people together to help others and meet needs in their local communities. Modern Woodmen sells financial products not to benefit stockholders, but to support our stakeholders - members, their families and their communities. How? Through social, charitable and volunteer events where our members gather.


Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.


For additional information, contact:

Kim Woodward, Corporate Communications

Direct: 309-793-5660

Email: Kim.Woodward@modern-woodmen.org

GatheringswithPurpose.com giveaway will award $5,000 to a lucky volunteer and his or her cause!


Doing good for others just became even more rewarding. As many Americans face a holiday season of hardship in a struggling economy, Modern Woodmen of America is looking for those who have given the gift of time.

Families and friends who have volunteered together to meet a community need, raised money for a local cause or added a volunteer activity to a social gathering are eligible to win a grand prize totaling $5,000. Through Modern Woodmen's Gatherings with Purpose Giveaway, one winner will receive a grand prize of $2,500 in cash, plus a $2,500 donation for the worthy cause described in a submitted story.

Stories can be submitted online at GatheringswithPurpose.com by 11:59 p.m. CST on Nov. 12, 2009. Submissions should be 400 words or less and describe who gathered, who was helped and how it touched lives.

Five finalists will be chosen from submissions entered online. Finalists' stories will be posted, and the public will vote online for a favorite beginning Nov. 19. The Gathering with Purpose earning the most votes will win the grand prize - $2,500 for the entrant and $2,500 for the purpose described.

Visit GatheringswithPurpose.com for complete rules and details.

As a membership-based organization, Modern Woodmen launched the giveaway to complement national efforts to bring people together to help others and their communities. Modern Woodmen sells financial products not to benefit stockholders, but to support our stakeholders - our members, their families and their communities. How? Through social, charitable and volunteer events where our members gather.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

 

For additional information:

Kim Woodward
Corporate Communications
Modern Woodmen of America
1701 1st Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
309-793-5660

In May, volunteers from Modern Woodmen, Genesis and other local organizations put together hundreds of Jared Boxes at Modern Woodmen Park. These Jared Boxes were donated to hospitals and included toys and games for ill children.

We were recently informed that this volunteer project won a national award from the National Fraternal Congress of America, who organizes the national Join Hands Day efforts. Only 10 project were chosen nationwide, so this is wonderful news.

In addition to a plaque, we will receive $1,000 to use for next year's Join Hands Day project.

Join Hands Day project in Quad Cities receives national recognition

 

Local group receives $1,000 for making "Jared Boxes"


A group of volunteers in the Quad Cities was recognized by the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) for its exceptional volunteer project on May 2, 2009 - Join Hands Day. This was one of only 10 projects nationwide honored as Excellence Award winners.


The 10 awardees were selected from hundreds of volunteer projects that emphasized youth and adult partnerships on Join Hands Day. Each award-winning project will receive $1,000 and a plaque. The award money will be saved to use as seed money for a Join Hands Day 2010 project in the Quad Cities.


At Modern Woodmen Park, Modern Woodmen members were joined by Quad Cities River Bandits, Genesis Health System, Scott County DAV/Auxiliary, Cub Scouts, 4-H, Girl Scouts, St. Paul the Apostle School. More than 151 youth and 209 adults made 425 Jared Boxes, shoebox-sized containers filled with toys, games and crafts for children who find themselves in hospitals, bereavement and trauma support.


A panel of independent judges selected this year's top projects. The judges selected the winners based on the project's uniqueness, its youth involvement, recruitment, publicity and the value of the project to people and the community.

Sponsored by Modern Woodmen and America's fraternal benefit societies, Join Hands Day is designed to bring youth and adults together to plan and implement volunteer service projects in their communities. As the generations work side by side, they learn more about each other, sparking a new level of understanding and respect.


"In its 10 years JOIN HANDS DAY has really come into its own. Communities are developing this year's event based on previous projects to further enhance the community and relationships begun a year ago," said Joseph J. Annotti, NFCA President and CEO.

Since its conception in 1999, JOIN HANDS DAY has awarded 100 Excellence Awards. This is the final year for this award program.


About the NFCA

The 123-year-old NFCA unites 65 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.  The association represents 9.3 million fraternalists in 37,000 local chapters, making it one of America's largest member-volunteer networks.  Fraternal benefit societies provide their members with leadership, social, educational, spiritual, patriotic, scholarship, financial and volunteer-service opportunities.  Combined, the NFCA's member-societies maintain more than $353 billion of life insurance-in-force and, in 2008 alone, contributed almost $424 million to charitable and fraternal programs, and volunteered nearly 94 million hours for community-service projects.  These statistics demonstrate the commitment that fraternals make to those in need and exemplify the true meaning of the NFCA signature phrase:  Joining Hands to Touch Lives.  For more information, visit the NFCA's Web site at www.nfcanet.org.

Modern Woodmen of America has recently earned the Excellence in Education Award from the Life Office Management Association. Of 1,200 member companies worldwide, only 85 organizations earned the recognition in 2009.


This is the seventh time Modern Woodmen has received the award.


The Excellence in Education Award recognizes companies developing human resources through the use of LOMA's professional education and learning programs.


To be eligible for this award, an organization must be a member of LOMA and enroll in a minimum of 20 examinations during the calendar year. Other criteria include :


· Exceptional pass rates for LOMA examinations (historically an average of 85 percent or higher)


· Growth in LOMA examination enrollments from the previous year


· Ongoing support and promotion of LOMA educational programs


At Modern Woodmen, 48 percent of employees hold the Fellowship Life Management Institute designation, a 10-course, professional development program for the insurance and financial services industry.


Modern Woodmen will be honored during the LOMA Annual Conference Sept. 13-15, 2009. Gerald P. Odean, retired National Secretary of Modern Woodmen, will accept the award.


Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

 

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