19 Dec 2014

VON MAUR Sponsors 4th Annual Red Kettle Match Days

By Holly Nomura

On Friday and Saturday, December 19th and 20th

Quad Cities, USA: The Salvation Army is pleased to announce that VON MAUR, the locally owned fashion department store, will sponsor the fourth annual Red Kettle Match Days this weekend.

On December 19th and 20th, VON MAUR will make a dollar-for-dollar match to Quad Cities red kettle donations at Northpark and Southpark Malls. The five locations include three 4-foot tall red kettles inside the malls and the two regular kettles outside the mall.

There is a great need for the services of The Salvation Army in the Quad Cities. Many of our neighbors hold down one or more jobs, yet struggle greatly to pay monthly bills that provide the very basics for their families. Donations are needed to help meet this campaign's goal of $760,000. The Salvation Army asks the community to take VON MAUR up on their challenge in order to maximize gifts made to The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities.

Jim von Maur states, "We have always appreciated the work of The Salvation Army and are proud to help support their good work in the community again this year."

Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator is "so pleased to partner again with such a notable and admired business in our community. This match is so important to us as we try to close the gap of the remaining $280,000 needed to make our goal."

The Red Kettle campaign provides 60% of the annual budget used by The Salvation Army to provide people with their basic needs, warm shelter and nutritious food, new life skills, character building - anything necessary to help community members achieve healthy, productive living.

16 Dec 2014

The Salvation Army Announces the RED KETTLE Eats & Treats Campaign

By Holly Nomura

Quad Cities, USA: The Salvation Army is pleased to announce the RED KETTLE Eats & Treats Campaign. Generous restaurants, both locally-owned and national chains, will donate a portion of their proceeds to The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign starting December 16th.

The community is asked to dine at the following restaurants in the upcoming days. Diners will be helping someone at a Salvation Army program to have a fresh, hot, nutritious meal. Annually, The Salvation Army's Family Service Center serves 85,000 meals to people in need.

Please remember to mention The Salvation Army when you make your purchase.

 

Tuesday, December 16: Chic-fil-A

2945 E. 53rd Street, Davenport, IA

5% of proceeds 4pm -8pm

 

Wednesday, December 17: Sippis Restaurant

406 West 2nd Street, Davenport, IA

5% of proceeds 11am - 2pm

 

Thursday, December 18: Whitey's Ice Cream

All 8 Quad Cities Locations

5% of proceeds all day

 

Monday, December 22: Buffalo Wild Wings

Both Davenport and Moline Locations

5% of Proceeds all day

 

Tuesday, December 23: Papa Murphy's Take 'N'Bake Pizza

All 5 Quad Cities Locations

10% of Proceeds all day

 

If you are interested in learning more about The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities programs, please call Holly at 563-271-7933.

15 Dec 2014

RIVER BEND FOODBANK HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

By Caren Laughlin

DAVENPORT, IA: River Bend Foodbank is pleased to announce that Michael P Miller, Shaker Heights, Ohio, has been hired to lead the Foodbank as Executive Director. He replaces founding Executive Director, Tom Laughlin, who is retiring after 33 years of service. Mike will start at River Bend January 19.

Mike has an extensive background in food bank management, previously serving as Vice President of Operations for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Prior to that, Mike was COO for the Gleaner's Food Bank of Indiana.   He grew up in Indianapolis and holds degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering and an MBA, both from Purdue University.  He has served not-for-profit organizations for the past 10 years, first as a church administrator, and for the past six years in food banking.

"I am excited to be joining River Bend Foodbank," Mike said. "I am convinced that if a community comes together to get all available food to those in need, no one would go hungry.  River Bend has been a symbol of hope for over 300 feeding programs throughout a 22 county service area in Iowa and Illinois."

Mike has family in the Quad Cities area. His father is the retired pastor of First Congregational Church in Moline and currently serves as Chaplain of the Moline Police Department.  Mike and his wife, Andrea have three children, two of whom are adult and one who will be moving to the area.

"The Board could not be more pleased that the Foodbank will be under the leadership of someone as experienced and passionate about solving hunger as Mike is," says John Weber, River Bend Foodbank Board President.
10 Dec 2014

ANGEL TREE TOYS still urgently needed

By Holly Nomura

Quad Cities, USA: The Salvation Army is desperately seeking enough toys to save Christmas for thousands of less fortunate children in the Quad Cities. The 2014 Angel Tree Toy Drive ends in just 7 days on Monday, December 15th. Only a small fraction of the toys needed have been collected.

The Salvation Army encourages people to add just one more child to their Christmas list...a child living in poverty.

ANGEL TREE Toy Collection Trees are located at all four Quad Cities Wal-Marts, Schnucks Market, NorthPark Mall (JCPenney Court) and SouthPark Mall (JCPenney Court) and ends December 15th. Mall times are 11am - 8pm daily, and 11am -- 5pm on Sunday.

Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator for The Salvation Army, states that "Close to 1,500 families are depending on us. Every child in our community should wake up Christmas morning to a new toy. This final week's hard work will hopefully be enough so we can let children know they are special on Christmas morning!"

Last year, thousands of toys were displayed at The Salvation Army's Toy Shop on the Christmas Assistance distribution days. Parents are able to "shop" for their child's gift, and also receive a food box with the ingredients for a Christmas dinner. This program has been in the Quad Cities for decades.

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09 Dec 2014

GIRL SCOUTS TO SPEND SATURDAY SPREADING HOPE TO LESS FORTUNATE

By Shelley Skuster

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Area Girl Scouts plan to spend this Saturday, December 13, 2014, handing out donated food and clothes to people who are less fortunate.

As part of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois' Year of Service challenge, the 12 year-old girls have recognized a need to help people in their community.

Since September, the Bettendorf troop has been collecting money, food and clothes to donate to area families. The girls have spent weeks making fleece pajamas for boys and girls.

This Saturday from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., the troop will hand out items as part of a Christmas Giveaway at King's Harvest Church located at 824 W. 3rd Street in Davenport, Iowa.

"We are thrilled to showcase the troop and the love and kindness they show to those who come to our giveaway," said Assistant Director of King's Harvest Ministries Margot Hary.

The hours the girls spend with this community service project will be reported online at GirlScoutsToday.org and count toward the council's 100,000-hour Year of Service challenge.

"We believe each hour spent helping others makes our world a better place," said Diane Nelson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

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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 over 17,000 girls in 38 counties. For more information, visit GirlScoutsToday.com or call your local Girl Scout Leadership Center at 800-798-0833.
04 Dec 2014

WQAD Anchor, Jason Fechner, attempts 24-Hours of Continuous Bell Ringing this Friday

By Holly Nomura

Davenport, IA: Quad Citians are invited to pay a visit to the huge red kettle on 2nd and Main in downtown Davenport when WQAD's Anchor, Jason Fechner, will be ringing the bell and asking for donations to The Salvation Army's Red Kettles.

Jason will do a 24-hour bell ringing marathon beginning Friday, December 5th at 6am and ending on Saturday morning, December 6th at 6am.

This year's Red Kettle Christmas Campaign goal in the Quad Cities is $760,000, an ambitious goal needed to sustain year-round programming for critical programs and services to help individuals, families and children in need.

Various media personalities and community leaders will join Jason at the red kettle throughout the day. Please stop by and encourage him as he gives up warmth, comfort and a good night's sleep to care for people in need.

The Salvation Army is preparing now for the Christmas Assistance Program that provides 2,000 families with a Christmas Food Box and toys for the children. There is still time to donate toys at an area Angel Tree, or make a donation, or to volunteer to bell ring.

"The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in this community. Jason is an extraordinary person who figured out a way of making a difference in people's lives. And when he makes it to 24 hours, he will be the Iowa Record Holder for longest continuous bell ringing," said Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator.

TO VOLUNTEER: Call Patty Mixdorf at 563-570-2072 or go to ringbells.org

TO DONATE A TOY: Go to any area Wal-Mart or the malls at JCPenney Court to pick up an Angel Tag.

IF YOU HAVE THE MEANS: Donation checks can be sent to: 301 W. 6th Street, Davenport, IA 52803 or credit card gifts can be made at 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

04 Dec 2014

Lagomarcino's to Give $8,500 Check to Boys & Girls Clubs

By Rick Martin

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The 5th Annual Lagomarcino's Cocoa Beano 5K race took place on October 25, with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley (BGCMV). Over the past five years of the race, Lagomarcino's has given a total of $36,500 to the BGCMV. This year, a check for $8,500 will be presented to youth members of the Clubs and Tim Tolliver, Chief Executive Officer of the BGCMV, at 4:30 p.m., December 4, at Lagomarcino's, 1422 5th Ave., Moline, IL. 

"We thank Lagomarcino's for their ongoing support," said Tolliver. "We truly appreciate their incredible generosity and community spirit."

Almost 3,000 runners and walkers participated in the 2014 Cocoa Beano 5K, which started in the Village of East Davenport, went through surrounding neighborhoods in Davenport and Bettendorf, and ended back in the Village. A race completion celebration took place in Lindsay Park, where participants enjoyed hot chocolate and received awards.

This year, eight youth members of the BGCMV participated in the 5K, and other youth members volunteered during the race packet pick-up on October 24 and 25. During the packet pick-up, the members also sold race jackets from previous years of the Cocoa Beano race. Altogether, the youth members sold over 150 pieces of clothing and gained skills in selling items, invoicing sold products, and making change in cash exchanges.

Lagomarcino's contribution will support sports, fitness and recreation programs offered by BGCMV as a component of the Five Core Values emphasized by the Boys & Girls Clubs. These Values are Character and Leadership Development; The Arts; Sports, Fitness and Recreation; Education and Career Development; and Health and Life Skills. The BGCMV serves more than 200 young people daily in the Quad-Cities area.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, as a chartered member of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, is a tax-exempt organization, duly qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with Federal law. For more information on the BGCMV and their work in the community, call (309) 757-5777 or visit www.bgcmv.org.

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04 Dec 2014

SUSAN G. KOMEN AFFILIATES IN IOWA ANNOUCE THEY ARE JOINING FORCES

By Derek Johnson

DES MOINES AND OTTUMWA, IOWA - December 3, 2014 - Susan G. Komen Iowa, based in Des Moines and Susan G. Komen Southeast Iowa, based in Ottumwa, announced today that they are joining forces and will now operate as one entity. The new combined organization, which became effective on December 1, 2014, will retain the name of Susan G. Komen - Iowa, but will incorporate the volunteer leadership, grant making relationships and fund raising capacities of both organizations.

"We are delighted to create this opportunity for our volunteers to focus on the most important aspect of our work; translating the generosity of the people of southeast Iowa into funds for programs that will save lives and end breast cancer forever," said Gayla Harrison, a breast cancer survivor and most recent Board President of Komen Southeast Iowa. "The demand for accountability from our supporters can best be managed through the type of full-time professional support that Komen Iowa can provide. Our volunteers want to concentrate on raising funds and providing help through local community involvement. This agreement gives us the opportunity to do just that."

"We all know what a friendly state Iowa is," said Greg Edwards, current Board President of Komen Iowa. "We have a strong commitment as Iowans to help our neighbors. For that reason, it made great sense to us to combine our resources and support our neighbors in southeast Iowa. Together we can strengthen our presence and impact throughout the state."

"We know that many of our friends and supporters in southeast Iowa want to know when (and if) the Race for the Cure will return to Ottumwa," said Roger Dahl, Executive Director of Komen Iowa. "Rest assured we are committed to hosting a Race in Ottumwa. It is important that we continue to earn the trust and support of our partners in southeast Iowa and we know that the Race is one of the best ways to engage our communities in the fight against breast cancer. We are in the planning process right now and hope to be able to announce a date for the next Race in Ottumwa very soon."

About Susan G. Komen®, and Susan G. Komen - Iowa

Susan G. Komen Iowa is an Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, the world's largest breast cancer organization, which annually funds more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $847 million in research and provided $1.8 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life. Komen Iowa has invested more than $5 million in recent years for community breast cancer programs within our 91 county service area. Over 80% of those funds come through events such as Race for the Cure, which last year attracted around 10,000 participants to downtown Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, call (515) 309-0095 or visit www.komeniowa.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

03 Dec 2014

Give Purple this Holiday Season

By Alzheimer's Association

Holiday shopping is in full swing! If you're in search of unique, thoughtful gifts,  look no further than Shop for the Cause, the Alzheimer's Association® online store. Purchase items that will delight family and friends while making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's disease

2014 Alzheimer's Association Ornament  This shatterproof ornament - emblazoned with the Alzheimer's Association logo and a custom snowflake depicting the care, support and research elements of the Association's mission - is a great way to show support.  Price: $5.99

Silk Necktie:  This fashionable silk necktie featuring the Association's brand symbol is the perfect accessory for stepping out to advocate for the Alzheimer's cause or to attend a holiday party.  Price: $26.99

Café Mug:  This 24-ounce coffee mug featuring the Alzheimer's Association logo is a great gift for those hard-to-shop-for people on your list.  Price: $5.99

Pashmina Shawl:  This super-soft purple pashmina shawl is embroidered with the Alzheimer's Association logo and makes raising awareness for the cause even more fashionable.  Price: $36.99

25 Nov 2014

Camp Courageous 26th Annual Fruitcake Sales

By Charlie Becker

Monticello, IA–This is the 26th year Camp Courageous, which began serving campers with special needs in 1972, has been making fruitcakes. Over 75 locations sell these delicious fruitcakes. Posters are generally displayed in the windows of participating businesses or one can go online to get the latest location updates at www.campcourageous.org.

These scrumptious one-pound cakes sell for $10.00. They do not contain citron or alcohol and make wonderful holiday gifts. They need to be stored, sliced and served frozen. Fruitcakes will be sold at various outlets from November through December. The cakes are also available at Camp Courageous or can be ordered online at the camp website. Camp will ship anywhere in the United States.

Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities. The camp was built and continues to run on donations, without government support, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fundraisers. The camp will serve nearly 7,000 individuals with special needs this year.

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