WHO: Individuals served, staff, board members, organization members and family of individuals
served will be in attendance. The Arc's Board of Directors, Staff, and Quad Cities
Chamber representatives will conduct the ceremony. Mayor John Thodos and
Alderman Gary Almblade of the City of East Moline have been invited, as well as
project contractors. The event is by invitation only and is open to the media.

WHAT: Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony celebrating the licensing of The Arc's newest
Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA group home). Additionally the
home will be dedicated and named the "LaSalle House," in grateful memory of
Manita LaSalle, lifelong Moline resident and special friend of The Arc. A reception
offering light refreshments will follow.

WHY:

WHEN: Wednesday, October 17, 2012
1 pm

WHERE:

Publicly announcing this major program expansion of The Arc's residential services.

4013/4015 Kennedy Drive
East Moline, Illinois

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area serves more than 300 individuals with intellectual and other
disabilities. Programs foster the highest degree of independence possible, offering residential
services, developmental and vocational skills training, supported employment, and respite
care. From its humble beginnings in the home of a privately-hired teacher in 1952, The Arc has
evolved to a $13.5 million non-profit which employs a staff of more than 250.

The Arc is a CARF-accredited organization and a United Way partner agency.

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
4016 9th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

309-786-6474 - www.arcqca.org

SEAL Team 6 Author Discusses Value of Legit Nonprofits

With the war in Afghanistan set to end in 2014, and the Iraq war having ended two years ago, charities that help veterans and their families may be busier than ever - but without the public awareness generated by an ongoing conflict.

Support for the war effort in Afghanistan is on par with the unpopular Vietnam War during the early 1970s, according to a recent Associated Press-GfK poll; only 27 percent of Americans support the effort in Afghanistan. A fundamental difference between then and now, however, is Americans' nearly unanimous support of U.S. troops, says J. L. Narmi, author of SEAL Team 6, bin Laden and Beyond (www.narminovels.com).

"The vitriol expressed toward our Vietnam veterans by many was disgusting, but I think we learned from that injustice, and most Americans think the troops deserve much more support than they're getting," says Narmi, who comes from a military family. All proceeds from his book sales will go to support veterans' charities.

"The problem is that funding, whether it's through government or private charities, doesn't match the expressed support," he says. "And I worry that will only get worse as these soldiers move out of the public eye and try to take up peace-time lives."

Narmi cites some good resources for Americans looking for quality charities that support the troops:

• The Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org): With advances in protective gear and life-saving medical technology, fewer troops are coming home in coffins than in previous wars, but more are coming back with lifelong injury. This charity seeks to foster a generation of well-adjusted wounded service members, and to raise public awareness about their needs and how fellow military men and women can help each other.

• The Navy SEAL Foundation (www.navysealfoundation.org): As detailed in Narmi's novel, SEALs are among the most physically and mentally talented individuals in the world. But they, along with their families, endure enormous stressors, many of which are never discussed due to the nature of their duties. This charity supports these elite warriors and their families.

• Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org): Whether or not you think you know about the legitimacy of a charitable organization, it doesn't hurt to take a few minutes to verify an organization's status. This site is widely recognized by investigative reporters to be a reliable resource in reporting a nonprofit's activity. The above two groups, in which Narmi has donated money, have been verified via Charity Navigator.

• Still not sure? ... Skepticism is understandable. It seems the more we hear or read about charities, the more we learn that we shouldn't simply take their word for how donations will be spent. Media coverage spotlights those outlier groups that are clearly fraudulent; however, most charitable organizations are absolutely streamlined, with workers donating their time or receiving a minimal wage. It has never been easier to verify a charity's reputation. Additionally, for those with the time and willingness, individuals may create their own nonprofit. Narmi is working to set up his own, called Hire the Vets!

"If everyone who said they support the troops gave just a modest amount to help a veteran that has risked his or her life for our freedom, we would come across far fewer tragedies on the news about vet-related joblessness, homelessness and suicide," he says.

About J. L. Narmi

J. L. Narmi comes from family with deep roots in the military; his brother, retired Rear Admiral Ronald E. Narmi, worked closely with SEAL teams throughout his career. Narmi's fascination with the Navy SEALs resulted in ""SEAL Team 6, bin Laden and Beyond," which was completed just eight days before the real-life mission that resulted in bin Laden's death. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and earned his MBA from Creighton University. Narmi is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute of the Wharton School - University of Pennsylvania.

Rep. Bobby Schilling a "No Show" Per Usual

Freeport, IL - Residents of Congressional District IL 17 thanked candidate Cheri Bustos for visiting 'Bainport' today and for her continued support of Sensata workers' fighting to save their jobs from outsourcing to China by Bain Capital.

Sensata has emerged as a flashpoint in the controversy over Romney's ties to Bain with the company's employees asking Mitt Romney to intercede on their behalf and save their jobs. Their cries go unanswered and Romney seems to be simply ignoring these workers.

For months, residents too have been calling on Rep. Bobby Schilling to stop the export of these U.S. jobs overseas and their pleas have obviously fallen on deaf ears.

"We now know firsthand what a Romney/Schilling economy looks like, losing good U.S. jobs," said Deborah Johnson a voter in IL 17. "We need someone to speak for us in Washington D.C. and Cheri Bustos has shown us time and time again that she is a leader and speaks for the 99% instead of the richest 1%. Cheri needs to win this election and I will not rest until she is elected."

In September, the workers began to camp outside the plant to protest Bain's decision to ship their jobs to China and increase the pressure on Mitt Romney. Romney still receives income from Sensata Technologies. The workers say will they stay on-site in until they are heard and in the hope of illustrating the dangers of re-electing Bobby Schilling and of a Romney economy.

Join us as we recognize 30 years at the Davenport Public Library Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center (321 Main Street) on Saturday, October 20th from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a celebration that includes genealogy and history guest speakers, historical film footage, and more.

The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center opened in 1982 in a small area on the first floor of the Main Library. Donations and grants have allowed the Center to expand its collection and relocate to the roomier basement of the Main Library. Over the years, the support of our city and county personnel, volunteers, genealogical society members, library directors, staff, and generous donors have culminated in one of the finest genealogy and local history collections in the Midwest.

The schedule for the 30th Anniversary Celebration and Conference will be as follows:

9:45 a.m. -Welcome.

9:50 - 10:50 - Researching at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin by George Findlen.

10:50 - 11:20 Break.

11:20 - 12:30 - Draper Manuscripts - George Findlen.

12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch Break. You may either eat in local restaurants or bring a lunch to the library. Water and coffee will be provided for those who wish to eat at the library.

1:30 - 2:30 - Screening of local film footage from the SC Collection - SC staff will present with Bob King from Classic Films.

2:30 - 2:45 - Break.

2:45 - 3:45 - Civil War Camps - Jim Jacobsen of History Pays!

3:45 - 4:30 - Davenport 1857 Map: Conservation and Content by Amy Groskopf.

Participants are welcome to stay the whole day or attend the programs of interest. The Special Collections Center will be open for research as well. This event is free and registration is not required. For more information or questions please call (563) 326-7902.

 

***