Organizer, Sheila Burns, reports the group received an additional $10,000 since the bike give away earlier this month so there were able to buy more bikes!!!

"Because of the generosity of our donors, we were able to gift 21 additional children this year.  That makes the 2012 total number of bikes and helmets given a whopping 133! Thank you to our faithful donors," said Burns.

For more information contact Sheila at 736-1111.

The Family Museum will be closing at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012 due to weather. All classes for Thursday are cancelled, but Drop-In programming will still be held until closing.

GALESBURG, IL (12/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Christmas is coming early for approximately 115 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Kuwait and will return to Illinois this weekend. The homecoming ceremony for the 444th Chemical Company will be Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Galesburg National Guard Armory, 362 N. Linwood Road in Galesburg.

The Soldiers were mobilized in February and trained for a brief time at Camp Shelby, Miss., before deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Stationed at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, the unit operated as a base command cell supporting units stationed at the base and operations in the region.

The command cell implemented base improvements that saved more than $500,000 in government contracts and increased the billeting capability of Camp Virginia by more than 4,000 Soldiers. The 444th was instrumental in transitioning Camp Virginia from a short-term stop for Soldiers heading into theater into a long-term billeting area.

The 444th also conducted more than 3,000 patrols and secured 71 unexploded ordnances without loss of life or equipment.

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One of the things I love the most about our annual Holiday Giving Catalog is that there truly is a gift for everyone on your list.

We offer such a wide range of gifts every year because so many people rely on us for help. Here are a few incredible gifts that will help us meet our biggest needs in 2013:
  • When a violent tornado forces a family to seek shelter, a hot meal can go a long way in making life feel a little more normal. Give 3 hot meals now ($30).
  • Members of the military wounded in battle face a long, uncomfortable journey home, often without any personal items - that's why our military comfort kits include phone cards, shower shoes, toiletries and more. Give a military comfort kit now ($50).
  • After facing disaster, people come to us exhausted, scared, and carrying nothing but the clothes on their backs. But a day in a Red Cross emergency shelter - including food, blankets, a cot, a toothbrush and more - can give them the strength and support they need to face the challenges to come. Give two full days of emergency shelter now ($100).

When it comes to the holidays, it's the thought that counts - and a gift that honors your loved one's compassion and kindness is the most thoughtful gift of all. Visit www.redcross.org/gifts today and give a meaningful, tax-deductible gift this holiday season.

Sincerely,

Gail McGovern
President and CEO, American Red Cross

Closure of Empty, Half-Empty and Unnecessary Facilities Will Save Taxpayers About $100 Million Annually 

 

CHICAGO - December 19, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that his administration is now able to proceed with closing empty, half-empty or unnecessary state facilities, which will save taxpayers about $100 million a year when combined with consolidations and help restore fiscal stability to Illinois. Following a recent Illinois Supreme Court order, the Circuit Court for the First Judicial Circuit today dissolved an injunction that was preventing the state from completing closure of the facilities. The delay in keeping the facilities open since August 31 has cost taxpayers approximately $7 million a month.

"The taxpayers of Illinois are the real winners today," Governor Quinn said. "Our state is facing unprecedented financial pressures and closing these facilities is one part of the long-term solution. The next and perhaps most critical part of fixing our state's financial problems is to pass comprehensive pension reform when the state legislature reconvenes in January."

Two juvenile centers will be closed, including Murphysboro in southern Illinois which has had no juveniles since July 9. The second juvenile center, Joliet, which was built to house 350 youth, currently houses 149. The overall population in Illinois' juvenile justice system has dropped from 1,700 in 1999 to 943 this year with a shift toward more community-based programs.

Two prisons are also covered by the order, including Tamms in southern Illinois, where about 236 prisoners are left in a prison built to house 700. Tamms was the state's most expensive prison, running at three times the cost of other prisons. Dwight women's prison, southwest of Chicago, will be closed and most of the prisoners transferred to Logan. The order also includes three Department of Corrections adult transition centers.

Inmates who are currently at the closing facilities will be transferred to other facilities. Guards and other personnel have been offered jobs at other facilities. The closures will be completed in the coming weeks.

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has taken many steps to restore fiscal stability to Illinois after decades of mismanagement. In addition to enacting pension reform for future employees that will save taxpayers billions, Governor Quinn has reduced the state's discretionary spending to below 2008 levels and implemented many efficiencies. The governor and Lt. governor Sheila Simon also cut their own office budgets by nine percent this year. Governor Quinn proposed and signed legislation to reduce the state's Medicaid liability by more than $2 billion. In April, Governor Quinn proposed a plan that would fully fund the pension system by 2042 and prevent skyrocketing pension costs from eating up core services like education and healthcare.

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U P C O M I N G  E V E N T S

Fun For All

Free with the purchase of a Museum exhibit hall ticket

Have fun each day with themed activities, all while exploring the Putnam Museum's Exhibit Halls

Wednesday, December 26 -  Winter Wonderland Wednesday

Thursday, December 27 - Think Tank Thursday

Friday, December 28 - Fun Flight Friday

Saturday, December 29 - Save a Life Saturday

Sunday, December 30 - Build a Structure Sunday

Monday, December 31 - Mad Science Monday

Explorers Jr.!

Let Putnam Explorers Jr. program take your young scientist on an adventure in science through stories, songs and exciting hands-on activities that are sure to spark curiosity and engage the imagination. Each month we'll dabble in a different dimension to bring science to life with engaging experiments, fun activities, games and surprises!
Putnam Explorers Jr. is a once-a-month science club for kids Pre-K through 1st Grade (must be age 4 by September 30). We'll meet one Saturday each month from 9 - 10:30 a.m., October through April. 

Spring Season:
Saturday, January 5: Build it Bash! Jr.

Saturday, February 2: Blast Off! Jr.

Saturday, March 2: The Universe Within! Jr.

Saturday, April 6: Eggstravaganza Jr.

Purchase the spring season package of four classes for $28. Individual class sessions may be purchased for $8. Putnam members pay $6/class session or $20/season package.

Call 563.324.1933, ext. 266 to register today or visit www.putnam.org for a registration form!

 

If you went to check right now at rushlimbaugh.com you would see "From Melanie Morgan at Move America Forward" at the top of the page. Rush Limbaugh has noticed our plight after care packages intended for the troops were stolen just days ago.

Rush has always been a big supporter of the troops, and of Move America Forward as one of the premiere organizations out there providing support for the men and women on the front lines. He's also been a huge supporter of other troop-support groups such as the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation. Rush has helped us every year by appearing on our Troopathon event which we broadcast every summer.

Having support from Rush to help us recover from this unfortunate crime is an amazing benefit for MAF as well as our troops in Afghanistan. Thank you Rush!


If you haven't already heard, Grinches tried to ruin Christmas for some of our brave troops in Afghanistan, stealing already packed and ready to deliver care packages in the dark of the night. But thanks to public outcry and the overwhelming generosity of everyday Americans like you, we are making up for the stolen care packages and working on another shipment as we speak.

There are only 6 days left until Christmas. Our brave men and women in Afghanistan need your support.

BETTENDORF, Iowa - As 2012 draws to a close, taxes are in the news and on our minds. At the same time, many individuals are making their year-end gifts to their favorite charities.

In 2011, Quad Cities area taxpayers enjoyed $400,000 in tax credits in addition to their federal income tax charitable deduction for certain year-end gifts. For donors looking to maximize the tax benefits of their year-end giving in 2012, there are more than $1.5 million in Endow Iowa Tax Credits still available.

The Endow Iowa Tax Credit is administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and gives Iowa taxpayers a 25 percent Iowa tax credit in addition to normal federal charitable income tax deductions for charitable gifts to endowments held at the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, its affiliates, and other community foundations located in the state of Iowa. A total of $4.5 million in credits were available at the start of 2012. The credits are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

To qualify for the tax credit, the Iowa legislature requires that gifts be made directly to qualified community foundations, which are defined as those that have met rigorous national standards set forth by the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C. The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend was the fifth of more than 700 community foundations in the country to meet those standards in 2005.

Community foundations are tax-exempt public charities serving thousands of people who share a common concern ? improving the quality of life in their area. In a community foundation, individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable endowed funds that provide ongoing support for the important needs in the community. The community foundation invests and administers these funds.

Since its inception in 2003, the Endow Iowa Tax Credit program has resulted in more than $110 million in endowment to benefit Iowans through charitable organizations served by community foundations. The donors have enjoyed the tax credits immediately.

Here's how it works. Charitable gifts must be made:
· Through the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend or one of its affiliates.
· To a permanent endowment, which makes annual distributions for charitable causes benefitting Iowans in Iowa.
· By individuals, corporations or financial institutions or any Iowa tax-paying entity.

Tax credit rules:
· Tax credits of 25 percent of the gifted amount are limited to $227,590 per person or $455,180 per couple if both are Iowa taxpayers.
· All qualified donors have five years to use their tax credits.

Giving through the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend will benefit Iowans in a number of ways. Not only will you receive the benefit of a tax credit, but you are also actively working to improve the quality of life in our community and stimulating resources to help address emerging issues to better prepare our area for the future.

You can contribute your assets in 2012, yet postpone the specific giving decisions. This separation of the timing of asset contributions and tax credits with the actual gift decisions is a benefit of working with the Community Foundation. Visit or call the Community Foundation to find out more about making a year-end gift and the impactful way you can support your favorite charity now and in the future.

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend can be reached at (563) 326-2840 or visit our website at www.cfgrb.org.

For more information about the Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program, visit http://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/endowiowa/ and click on "Endow Iowa Tax Credit Report for the latest update on credit availability to date.

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend is a nonprofit organization that exists to better our community by connecting people who care with causes that matter. CFGRB meets the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations as established by the Council of Foundations. Visit CFGRB on the web at www.cfgrb.org.

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Where:
Jardine Auditorium, Trinity Medical Center
2701 17th St
Rock Island, IL 61201
When:
January 9th, 2013
1-3pm
Cost:
Free
During this event sponsored by Jason's Box, the Robert Young Center and Vera French Community Mental Health, speaker Rev. Scott Fluegel, Army Chaplain, will discuss PTSD & TBI in the Church in an effort to provide Clergy with a basic definition of Combat Trauma/PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as an understanding of the needs that Combat Veterans and their families face upon return from duties overseas.  This presentation will also offer insights into the appropriate interventions and an understanding of the Clergy person's role in PTSD Management, in addition to stating how their local Congregation can also help meet those needs.

Reservations: Contact Stephanie Burrough at burrouss@ihs.org or call(309) 779-3077 to reserve your spot.  Seating is limited.  Reservations recommended.

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