Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) introduced legislation today that would make it easier for veterans to obtain the benefits they deserve. The Compensation for Combat Veterans Act would eliminate requirements within the Veterans Administration stipulating that soldiers injured in combat zones must provide official military documentation proving they were injured in a specific battle before qualifying for disability benefits.

"Common sense doesn't have to be lost in the fog of war," Braley said. "If an American veteran has been injured in a combat zone, they shouldn't have to worry about proving their injuries occurred while serving our country in a specific battle.  The Compensation for Combat Veterans Act would remove the bureaucratic red tape at the VA that currently delays wounded warriors from getting the disability benefits they deserve."

VA documentation barriers often cause unnecessary delays in providing veterans with the benefits they deserve and, in some cases, prevent combat veterans from receiving compensation for their disabilities altogether.  Currently, injured veterans must produce combat medals, unit reports, or even news reports as "official documentation" of their involvement in a battle before they're awarded benefits.

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Attention Quad City high school students!  Planning for college?  Confused about financial aid?  Plan to attend a free presentation offered by Rivermont Collegiate and the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN)!   This presentation is extremely helpful for seniors and their parents, reducing the confusion that often accompanies the financial aid process.  Families will learn how to complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as information on a variety of financial aid concerns.

How do I apply for financial aid?  How is it decided how much aid I will receive?  What are the application deadlines?  Why types of assistance are available?  Get answers!  Plan to join us Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium on the Rivermont campus, located directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.  This event is free and open to the community.

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate contact Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

Scott County Family Y/McCarthy-Bush Turkey Trot Offers Something For Everyone!

Thanksgiving Day Tradition Brings Out The True Meaning of the Holiday In Many

DAVENPORT, Iowa - November 2, 2009 - For many local families, the Turkey Trot is as fundamental to Thanksgiving as stuffed turkey and cranberry sauce. This year will be no different, as more than 1,500 participants are expected to lace-up for the Scott County Family Y/McCarthy Bush's 23nd annual run/walk.  The Turkey Trot is on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, with the one-mile family fun run beginning at 8:30 a.m., and the 5-mile Run/Walk at 9 a.m., at the Davenport Family YMCA.

"It's truly incredible to see all the different types of people and families who have made this a part of their traditional holiday activities," said Adam Sampson, race director and interim-executive director of the Davenport Family YMCA.  "We see entire families walking the course, pushing strollers, with their dogs on a leash. We see young kids sipping hot cocoa volunteering with their grandparents. And we see some pretty great, elite runners, too."

The Turkey Trot is presented by McCarthy-Bush and is sponsored by the Quad City Times; Iowa American Water Company; Clear Channel Radio; the Cornbelt Running Club and Creative Marketing. The support of these companies ensures that every dollar raised to goes directly to area children, families and individuals who are in need of financial assistance for the YMCA's character-building programs.

Registrations are being accepted at any Scott County Family Y branch, or on-line at www.GetMeRegistered.com.  Prior to race day, the cost for the 1-mile event is $20 per person and $25 per person for the 5-mile run/walk.  Race day registration is $30 per person for the 1-mile and $35 per person for the 5-mile.

Packet pickup and registration will be held at the Davenport Family YMCA, 606 West Second Street, on Wednesday, November 25, from noon to 7 p.m. and on Thanksgiving morning from 6:30 until 8 am. The first 1,500 participants will receive a free Turkey Trot t-shirt and chip timing will be available for all who register for the 5-mile event up through 8:15am on race day.

The Scott County Family Y is one of the area's largest community service organizations.  Serving more than 2-million people in 2007, the Scott County Family Y offers a variety of programs and services focused on the holistic development of children and youth, family strengthening and health and well-being for all.  The YMCA unites adults and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels - proudly serving the Quad Cities for nearly 150 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. For more information visit the Scott County Family Y website, www.scottcountyfamilyy.org.

Bettendorf, IA - Mel Foster Co. is committed to community involvement and loves a challenge.  They participated in their second annual 2009 Student Food Drive Corporate Challenge and held an internal competition within each office to help the efforts.  The internal competition contributed to Mel Foster Co. receiving a Clunky Award from the Student Food Drive for having the most creative event.

Mel Foster Co.'s Commercial division partnered with Mulligan's Valley Pub in Coal Valley and collected over 900 pounds of canned food items during the event for the Student Food Drive.  The commercial division teamed up with Mel Foster Co.'s property management division and the marketing department to win the overall internal competition at Mel Foster Co.  They collected over 2,000 of Mel Foster Co.'s 10,273 pounds.

Kris Ratigan, Marketing Director for Mel Foster Co., says "Mel Foster Co. is thrilled to receive the Most Creative Event Award from the Student Food Drive.  With the help of Pieter Hanson, owner of Mulligan's Valley Pub, we are proud to have contributed to helping the Corporate Challenge top last year's collection for food shelves.  It's truly exciting."

Being in the top five for Division A (151 or more employees) of the 2009 Student Food Drive's Corporate Challenge, Ratigan added "we are very proud of our agents and staff for their strong participation in this year's Student Food Drive.  We collected 4,000 more pounds this year than last year."

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