Revitalized camp will accommodate more outdoor adventures, year-round programs and people with disabilities

BETTENDORF, Iowa–Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois kicked off the public phase of its capital campaign at its annual meeting today. The campaign will fund improvements and expansion of the council's most centrally-located camp in New Liberty, Iowa. The organization announced that $1.6 million has been raised to date, with a lead gift coming from the John Deere Foundation.

Girl Scouts has been empowering girls to be leaders and confident young women since 1912. The capital campaign, "Outdoor Odyssey," will help fund the infrastructure Girl Scouts needs to expand their outdoor programming and continue its mission of "building girls of courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place."

"We couldn't be more appreciative of the campaign's lead donor, the John Deere Foundation," said Marie Ziegler, campaign chair. "This generous donation, combined with strong contributions from the Riverboat Development Authority and the Hunt and Diane Harris Family Foundation, shows unyielding support from the community for the work we do to build tomorrow's leaders."

"The John Deere Foundation is delighted to provide a lead gift in support of the Girl Scouts' capital campaign and their mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We're pleased that with our support, the Girl Scouts can continue to provide unique and educational outdoor experiences at Camp Conestoga for girls of all backgrounds." Mara Sovey, president, John Deere Foundation.

"We are also incredibly grateful for the 100 percent giving participation in the campaign by members of our board of directors, the campaign steering committee and our staff," said Diane Nelson, CEO, Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. "By enhancing the current facilities and making the camp accessible to all girls, we ensure every girl has the opportunity to embark on the odyssey to becoming a strong leader."

Because of its proximity to 75 percent of members, the camp in New Liberty was chosen to be the premier residential camp for the council, providing year-round activities and experiences.

To make sure girls start their outdoor journeys with strong, confident steps, the organization will renovate and develop the New Liberty camp in three phases:

• Phase one includes building a new, climate-controlled lodge for year-round use; building adjoining cabins; updating facilities for American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and safety; updating the equestrian area; and providing an entry road, parking lot and accompanying infrastructure
• Phase two includes building cabins and a troop house and updating pavilions and activity areas
• Phase three includes building new activity areas and improving the lake and zip line

For the thousands of girls enrolling in outdoor programs, there aren't enough overnight facilities to meet the demand. And, the New Liberty camp currently does not have the buildings and resources needed to provide year-round programs. With these renovations, any girl or parent can enjoy camp regardless of climate or accessibility.

The council has a total of four camps that serve as starting points for girls to begin their leadership development. The other three camps will continue to be used for day camps, troop activities and council events.

"Girl Scouts has a long, rich history of outdoor programming. Experiences such as zip lining, canoeing and horseback riding are fun, but more than that, they build courage; they build confidence; and they build character," said Nelson. "Through the outdoors, girls are exposed to challenges that require teamwork, problem-solving and decision-making to overcome obstacles and build character."

"We are very thankful for all of the donations we have already received," said Ziegler. "By kicking off the Outdoor Odyssey campaign today, we hope the excitement will continue to build and will motivate others throughout our council to give."

Ziegler encouraged people to consider creative ways to give to the project, stating that people can make cash gifts or pledges, gifts of grain, stock or life insurance, or explore utilizing IRA rollover funds.

For more information, or to make a donation to the Outdoor Odyssey capital campaign, please call 800-798-0833 or visit www.GirlScoutsToday.org.

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Jazzercise Instructor Celebrates 30 years of teaching!

WHAT:  Celebrating 30+ years of Jazzercise in the Quad Cities and Emma Stader's 30^th anniversary as an instructor!

WHEN:  Saturday, April 18, 2015.  Class begins at 8:30am.

WHERE:  Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3775 Middle Road, Bettendorf (up the street from Whitey's)

Cost:  Free! Please bring canned goods for the local food pantry.  Jazzercise wants to give back to the community!

Come dance to songs from the 80's, 90's, and the present.  See how our attire has changed over the years, too. Enjoy snacks and door prizes.

All Jazzercise classes will be cancelled at the Bettendorf and East Moline Centers on April 18.

http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-bettendorf-fitness-center

http://jcls.jazzercise.com/facility/jazzercise-east-moline-fitness-center

Moline, Illinois. (April 10, 2015) -- The Annual Rock Island County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner to be held April 17th at University Club, Moline.

The Annual Rock Island County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner will be held April 17, 2015 at the University Club, 1518 5th Avenue, downtown Moline, Illinois. Mr. William Bloom, Rock Island County Republican Central Committee chairman will be the master of ceremonies. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with a social hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and dinner following at 6:30 p.m. Music during the social hour will include music by David Holcomb, a well known local pianist.

"This year's Lincoln Day Dinner is an outstanding opportunity for people to meet, dine, talk to elected officials and meet newly elected officials. We are pleased that Senator Neil Anderson, Illinois' 36th Senate District will be delivering the keynote address." states Mark Archibald, Lincoln Day Committee chairman. The event will begin with an invocation by Rev. Thomas Janikowski, Trinity Anglican Church, Rock Island and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Captain William Albracht. Immediately following, Quad City singer Nancy Jahn Mielke will perform an opening song "God Bless America".

Other speakers for the evening are Mr. Michael Lucci, Director of Jobs and Growth, Illinois Policy Institute; Captain William Albracht, Silver Stars Recipient and author of Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate; Congressman Bobby Schilling, Former U.S. Representative Illinois' 17th Congressional District. In addition there will be a Rock Island County Board update by Drue Mielke, Rock Island County Board Minority Caucus Leader.

The Tom Getz and Dr. Lois Frels Young Republicans Award will be presented as well as a silent auction and raffle. Tickets are $40.00 per person and be purchased online at www.ricogop.org/lincoln-day-dinner and are available at the door.

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Rock Island, IL: From April 12 to 18, the Rock Island Library will join libraries nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, and the unlimited possibilities available through libraries.

The week recognizes the work that libraries and librarians do to transform lives with innovative educational resources and forward-thinking programming. At Rock Island, much of that work has been guided over the past year by a strategic plan that emphasizes creating young readers, enhancing literacy among all ages, stimulating imaginations and exploring personal interests, and improving library spaces.

Recent examples of the library's work to create young readers and enhance literacy includes a new well-baby and well-child literacy kit partnership with Community Health Care, the introduction of the My First Library Card for ages under five, and the expansion of Hug-A-Book early learning programs.

Free public programs that show those strategies in action next week include :

• ·        Monday's Read with Rover program at the 30/31 Branch, which encourages kids to read to therapy dog,
• ·        Tuesday and Saturday kite art crafts at the Southwest Branch that allow families to create and imagine together,
• ·       Engaging local history programs for adults, including a Monday program on the life of a World War I flying ace from Illinois and a Wednesday event that uncovers treasures from Rock Island Library history,
• ·        a Wednesday Marshmallow Engineering program in the Main Library Children's Room that teaches geometric shapes with a sweet reward,
• ·        A Thursday Teen Superhero program at Main featuring a superhero movie, trivia, crafts, and button-making for ages 12 to 18, and
• ·        A Saturday Community Shred Day at the Main Library that provides a money-saving way to securely shred personal papers and protect your financial identity.

In a living example of the work libraries do to level the playing field and respond to community needs, the library will be hosting dozens of English Language Learning (ELL) students on Wednesday as part of an ongoing partnership with the Black Hawk Family Literacy program.

"Libraries level the playing field by providing free access to information and technologies that many in our communities would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Whether it's offering eBooks and technology classes, resources for job seekers, or introducing children to the joy of reading, libraries have always been places of unlimited possibilities," said Angela Campbell, Rock Island Public Library director. "Whatever your interest or need, the library and the library staff are here to provide you the resources you need to accomplish your goals and dreams."

For information on any of the programs and services mentioned, visit library locations or the website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow Rock Island Library on Facebook or Twitter or call 309-732-READ (7323).

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

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