Clinton, IA (April 1, 2015) -  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clinton hosted another hilariously successful fundraiser, their Night of Laughs dueling pianos event, last Friday, March 27 at Gil's Restaurant and Ballroom.

Clinton area residents stepped up their game this year and helped Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clinton raise thousands of dollars towards their one-on-one youth mentoring programs.  Attendees at this year's fundraiser had a ball requesting and singing along to their favorite hits belted out by the Midwest Dueling Pianos and bidding on great silent auction prizes.

"It's the great generosity of Clinton area businesses and residents that enable us to continue to provide our outcome based youth mentoring programs to Clinton County and Fulton, IL youth facing adversity.  Without their generosity we wouldn't be able to provide support needed to help children succeed in life." Says Executive Director, Kellie Hillis.

On behalf of the staff, Board of Directors and the families we serve, we would like to thank:

  1. Gil's Restaurant and Ballroom for putting together a wonderful appetizer spread, great customer service and allowing us the use of the ballroom.
  2. Toyota, ADM, Ashford University, Clinton National Bank, Citizen's First Bank, Holiday Inn Express, LyondellBasell and Sethness Products for their contributions to our fundraiser. Their continued support shows how involved they are in the community and their dedication to our mission.
  3. All the area businesses that contributed items to our silent auction.
  4. And of course all those who attended the fundraiser.

We at Big Brothers Big Sisters are always looking for children ages 5-17 who could benefit from having an adult mentor in their lives. We also welcome adults and couples, 18 and over, who would like to have the life-changing experience of mentoring a young adult. Mentoring has been proven to help a child with life issues overcome obstacles and improve the odds they will graduate from high school.

Rock Island, IL - What was perceived as bad news has turned to good. Although the Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation has suspended its annual $1 Million Giveaway to Fight Hunger campaign this year, a fundraiser that Christian Care counts on, a local anonymous donor has come forward to help replace that loss.

"One of our loyal donors has committed to match gifts up to $8,000 if received by May 31," said CEO Elaine M. Winter. "This means that your donation of $25, $50, or $100 will really be $50, $100, or $200. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to double our gifts so the needy in the Quad Cities may benefit throughout the year."

Monetary contributions can be mailed to Christian Care, PO Box 4176, Rock Island, IL 61204-4176.  In addition to financial gifts, Christian Care can always use paper products such as bath tissue and paper towels, gently used clothing, new underwear, and personal care items such as razors and toiletries.

Christian Care is transforming the lives of homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illness. Its two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to those in need. Its services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the goal of nourishing the bodies, minds, hearts and souls of the men, women and children who come seeking a new way of life. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care crisis hotline any hour of the day or night at (309) 788-2273.

PRC and Alcoa Foundation's green campaign expanded pilot phase to benefit animals in five states; 300,000 cans collected to date

"Cans for Pets" - an initiative encouraging individuals to aid shelter animals through responsible recycling - has reached the milestone of collecting 300,000 aluminum pet food cans thanks to the support of pet lovers across the United States.  The program, funded by Alcoa Foundation and coordinated by the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), has offered a 5 cent donation to a local animal shelter for every aluminum pet food can recycled through the program.   

Since its launch in Pennsylvania in 2012, the pilot program has expanded to benefit animals at shelters in Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee and Texas and raised more than $15,000 to provide medical care, food and adoption support.  By recycling aluminum, individuals supporting Cans for Pets have made it a win-win model, helping homeless animals while benefitting the environment.  

 

"Thanks to the hands-on support of community members willing to collect and recycle their empty pet food cans, PRC has facilitated the recycling of more than 300,000 aluminum cans during the past 30 months," according to PRC Western Regional Director Justin Stockdale.

 

"As this extremely successful pilot program draws to a close, we're excited to see Cans for Pets become a sustainable effort, which was the primary goal from the beginning," he said.  "Many of our founding partners will continue to collect aluminum pet food cans to generate revenue through local recycling programs.  And it's such an easy fundraiser to establish and manage that we expect the concept to catch on at many other animal shelters throughout the country in the months and years to come."

 

Shelters participating in the Cans for Pet pilot program were Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Lancaster County SPCA in Lancaster, Pa.; Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville, Ind.; Warrick Humane Society in Newburgh, Ind.; Humane Society of Scott County in Davenport, Iowa; Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville, Tenn.; and San Antonio Humane Society in San Antonio, Texas.

A 7th grader from Solon explained why she would give to Camp Courageous if she were given $100,000 to donate. She described how one year, on her birthday, she asked for money to donate to camp instead of presents. "I remember how happy I felt giving for my birthday. It was better than receiving. About 3 weeks after I donated the camp sent me a video of the kids using the things that were bought with the money that I donated. They had huge smiles on their faces and it made me feel so good inside!"

This young woman comes from a family with a tradition of giving. Her grandpa was a volunteer at Camp Courageous. She grew up seeing the value of giving to others. 

On Monday, April 6th Camp Courageous and Hu Hot in Coralville, IA will partner to hold a fundraiser for Camp Courageous. It will be an opportunity to enjoy the delicious Mongolian style grill while helping make sure nearly 7,000 individuals with special needs will continue to experience the unique, year round programming at Camp Courageous. Camp Courageous provides respite and recreation services for people of all ages who have special needs. The camp is run on donations. Camp has been in operation for over 40 years. Many campers look forward to coming to camp all year long.

Camp volunteers will be helping clear tables, answering questions, providing information, and assisting customers as needed. 10% of proceeds and 100% of grill tips between 5pm and 8pm on Monday, April 6th will go to the camp. The event will be held at Hu Hot in Coralville located at 917 25th Ave.

Join us for this fun event to make sure the impact of Camp Courageous continues to be felt by countless thousands of individuals, families, and care givers!
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GALESBURG, IL - A Girl Scout Troop out of Galesburg, Illinois, has collected more than 200 boxes of cookies to send to soldiers overseas.

Troop 8019 has a special connection with those serving since three of the girls have lost a close family member in the service.

For weeks, Girl Scouts have been collecting donations at their booths, online, and through the mail to fund this project.

These Girl Scouts were on a mission to support their troops through the gift of cookies, and with help from across the country, they have been able to spread kindness with cookies to soldiers overseas.

"It has been overwhelming what these girls have been able to do. It's been humbling to read these letters and talk to the families," said Troop Leader Dawn Miller.

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About Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois: Girl Scouts is the premier leadership development program for girls where girls can have fun, make new friends and learn new things in a safe all-girl setting. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois serves approximately 18,000 girls in 38 counties. For more information, visit GirlScoutsToday.com or call your local Girl Scout Leadership Center at 800-798-0833.

A grants submission deadline has been announced by the East Moline Foundation. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply if they serve the citizens of East Moline and the surrounding area.

All materials necessary to receive funds are due in The Moline Foundation offices by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2015 or must be postmarked by or on Thursday, April 30, 2015.

Any non-profit, 501(c)3 organization or governmental entity serving the citizens of East Moline, Illinois, are welcome to apply.

An application should consist of eight copies of a written request stating the name and address of the organization, its mission, names and addresses of Board members, income and expense statement, balance sheet, and the specific purpose for which any money received would be used including a project budget.  The name, telephone number, and email of a contact person must also be included.  The requested materials should be mailed according to the above deadline.  If you need further information, please call Linda Martin at the Moline Foundation at (309) 764-4193 or visit the website at www.molinefoundation.org. and click on the news link to East Moline Foundation.

The East Moline Foundation is an affiliate fund of The Moline Foundation with offices located at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline.

The East Moline Foundation, founded in 2011, is a non-profit group created to build charitable resources dedicated to strengthen our community now and for future generations. The East Moline Foundation also receives and administers charitable gifts and works with citizens to achieve their goals to improve the community.

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Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. (HMHI) will hold its Spring semi-annual Fresh Start Benefit Sale Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25  from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The sale is at the HMHI office and donation center located at 3805 Mississippi Avenue, Davenport.

This sale continues a 25 year tradition of providing a large selection of gently used or new items, all in working condition, including house wares, bedding, toys, jewelry, gift items, furniture, books, games, clothing and much more.  This sale is known for the quality of items, the great values and the friendly staff.

Donations for this sale can be dropped off Monday through Friday any time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Humility of Mary Housing has 47 apartments that are used for families in the program and there is a great need for single beds, dressers and sofas to help furnish these apartments.  These items can also be taken to the office and donation center.    Donations are accepted throughout the year.

Donated items that cannot be used to furnish apartments or by the families are put in the sale and all proceeds are used by Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. to purchase beds and dressers and other program needs.  Through the program lives get turned around, children learn there is a different way to live and parents are provided with opportunities upon which they build the foundation for a greater future for their families.

Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Public Library will host a volunteer coffee for current and prospective library volunteers at 9:30 am on Friday, March 20 at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch bookstore, 3059 30th Street, Rock Island.

The event will include a discussion of current and upcoming volunteer opportunities available at the three locations of the Rock Island Public Library. Opportunities include book sale needs and helping with the library's "Every Hero Has a Story" summer reading program. Coffee and donuts will be served.

For more upcoming library events, visit library locations or the website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow Rock Island Library on Facebook or Twitter or call 309-732-READ (7323).

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Calendar of library programs: http://rockislandlibrary.evanced.info/signup/eventcalendar.aspx

Moline, IL - The Salvation Army Heritage Temple Corps located at 2200 - 5th Avenue, Moline, will be hosting their Annual Surprise Auction on Friday, March 20th.  A Soup Supper costs $5 and begins at 6:00pm.  The auction's admission is free and begins at 7:00pm.

Lieutenants Holly and Gregory Ehler will use the auction proceeds to help fund the programs at the Moline Heritage Temple Corps.  Please call the Corps at 309-764-6996 with any questions.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support local services.

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