Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for issuing an agriculture disaster declaration for 9 counties that have seen extensive damage to crops and farm land.  Last month, Loebsack urged Secretary Vilsack to support the designation.

"I applaud the USDA for their decision to assist the farmers and rural areas that were greatly affected by the early freeze this spring," said Loebsack.  "As Iowans continue to struggle to recover, our rural areas and farmers need this assistance to help assure they are well-positioned to contribute to our economic recovery."

Specifically, the counties of Audubon, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Johnson and Lee are included in this declaration.

Benefits are also available for the contiguous counties of Adair, Allamakee, Benton, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cedar, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Guthrie, Henry, Howard, Iowa, Jones, Linn, Louisa, Mitchell, Monona, Muscatine, Pottawattamie, Shelby, Van Buren, Washington, Webster and Winneshiek.

DECORAH, IA (07/13/2012)(readMedia)-- The Launching Luther Leaders program announced the recipients of Luther College's Student Leadership Awards to individuals and groups for their contribution to the college's mission of service.

Award recipients for 2012 were honored at the second annual L3 Student Leadership and Service banquet held May 6. During the banquet, certificates were also presented to students who completed the Leadership Certificate program.

Award recipients include : the Friends Organization, Outstanding Student Organization; Beta Theta Omega's "It Only Takes One" event, Outstanding Event or Activity; Student Athlete Advisory Committee's second grade mini clinic, Outstanding Service Project; and Jonathan Grieder, Outstanding Student Leader.

The Friends Organization, created and led by 2012 Luther graduate Andy Peck, is a student led organization that focuses on establishing long lasting relationships between Luther students and local children with special needs. Friends Organization participants include children ages 5-19 afflicted by mild, moderate and profound developmental disabilities.

The organization facilitates monthly large group events and encourages pairs to participate in independent activities. By partnering with Luther faculty and other community leaders, the Friends Organization provides children with unique opportunities they might otherwise never experience.

Beta Theta Omega's "It Only Takes One" event, organized by student leader Briejeswari Chauhan and organization advisor Wintlett Taylor-Brown, was a series of all-day workshops and activities for Upward Bound students. Junette Maxis, guest speaker and BT? alumna, spoke to UB students about individuals - old and young, daring to take the risk to stand up for a cause and made a difference.

Student Athlete Advisory Committee's 16th annual All-Sports Second Grade Mini Clinic, organized by Shari Huber and Mackenzie Pierson along with 60 student athletes, brought in approximately 120 second graders from the Decorah community to experience a variety of Luther sports. The clinic promotes sportsmanship and wellness and allows the students to interact with positive role models.

Jonathan Grieder, a 2012 Luther graduate from Council Bluffs, Iowa, demonstrated strong leadership skills through his many roles on campus. He was president of Student Senate and Believing and Achieving, a mentoring program for elementary school children in the Decorah community. He served as a student representative to many events and activities throughout the year, most notably to the Luther Board of Regents and to the King and Queen of Norway.

Award winners were selected by members of the L3 selection committee, including Luther student Alexander Tomesch, 2012 Luther graduate, Mandy Wubben, residence life representative, Brad Chamberlain, associate professor of chemistry, Wintlett Taylor-Browne, director of student services in the Diversity Center, Mary Weis, administrative assistant for student activities, Ann Highum, former dean of student life, and Jane Hildebrand, assistant dean for student life.

Nameplates have been added to the plaques in Williams Lounge, Dahl Centennial Union on the Luther campus to honor the award recipients.

The Launching Luther Leaders program is designed to provide a wide variety of opportunities for students to learn about leadership theories and practices, to apply and develop their leadership skills, and to reflect on the significance of leadership and service experiences across campus. The L3 program supports students as they use their talents to unite career with vocational calling.

Students who work toward a Leadership Certificate complete and document learning in four areas: organizational leadership, service to others, leadership skill building and education, and personal development.

Churches United is a Christian Organization who in part helps feed the hungry and shelter women and children in the Quad City Area.  To date this year they have served 45,531 individuals by way of emergency food pantries, served over 12,000 people at 3 meals sites, and sheltered 1527 lodging to a total of 128 women and children.  Winnie's Place stands for Women In Need Nurtured Into Excellence. The program is designed to not only provide shelter, but to help women to survive on their own once out of shelter.

Thank you Quad Cities for your many years of financial and volunteer support as Churches United has worked to meet the rising needs of hunger and shelter in the Quad Cities communities.  As you can imagine, it takes significant financial resources to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.  The community has been generous through donations to the various programs to address human need in the area.  Yet with a decrease in grant income has placed a decided pressure on other areas of income.  We are asking our communities for assistance to assure that families are able to continue to find food when they need it; that women with or without children can find a safe place to re-start their lives in a safe environment. Currently Churches United is facing a $30,000 short-fall in important income areas so the question arises:  Will you, the community help Churches United provide the food and the shelter that is so desperately needed?

Here are some thoughts about the importance of Winnie's Place, the Women's Shelter of Churches United, from someone who found hope within its walls.

I was invited to come back to Winnie's so I could get my kids back.  Well, I moved back in on a Tuesday and by Friday, I got my first weekend with 3 of my children.  Then I got to keep the youngest forever!  The twins came only on weekends for the next three weeks - now they are with me forever as well.  As for my oldest, he is back in town and is staying with my mother.  I'm not allowed to keep him overnight yet but soon I hope.  I also found a 3 bedroom, 2 baths plus a garage for 'low' through section 8.  YEAH!  We move on the 4^th, which is today.  I thank God and Winnie's Place so much because without their belief in me I couldn't have done it!  I remember when I first came here - I was so unsure.  Ya'll made it possible for me to start getting' my babies back.  Thank you.  I am forever grateful and couldn't have done all this without your support, through all my yelling, and crying to you.

Will you, the community, help Winnie's Place continue the ability to provide the hope that is so desperately needed in this community and the world?  Will you, the community, provide the resources to see that those who are hungry find the food that is needed?  We invite you to consider helping us meet the needs for the next 50 years and beyond.  It is easy to donate simply go to the Churches United website - www.cuqca.org - and utilize the "donate" button.  A Donation can also be made by mailing a check to:

Churches United

2535 Tech Drive

Suite 205

Bettendorf, IA 52722

Rev. Ronald C. Quay, Executive Director

563/332-5002

In April, Hardee's launched its Stars for Heroes in-store fundraiser benefiting military charities, including The Mission Continues and USA Cares. Thanks to your readers' generous donations, we're happy to announce more than $750K raised thus far (by CKE Restaurants - Carl's Jr. and Hardee's) to assist military families and veterans.

To participate, restaurant guests donated $1 in support of military charities. For each $1 donation, guests received a commemorative "Stars for Heroes" cut out to personalize and place on display in the restaurant; in addition, they received restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future purchases.

While the in-store fundraiser has concluded, consumers are able to continue backing the nation's military communities through a special donation page housed on the Stars for Heroes Facebook page (www.facebook.com/starsforheroes).