07 Oct 2014

Rotary Club of Davenport Charitable Giving Committee Awards Over $16,000 to Non-Profit Organizations

By Rick Best

October 1, 2014 (Davenport, IA) - On Monday, October 6 at the general membership meeting,
The Rotary Club of Davenport Charitable Giving Committee in partnership with the Davenport
Rotary Board of Directors will award over $16,000 to fund projects and support organizations in
the community and abroad that provide basic human services, serve youth, and meet community
needs. Proceeds generated from the 2nd Annual Rotary Club of Davenport WingFest presented
by M.A. Ford this past June, funded the awards. The following organizations were recommended
by the Charitable Giving Committee and approved by the Board of Directors to receive funding:


Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley
Project Title: Triple Play-Team Sports Program
Project Description: Using a nationally proven curriculum, BGCMV will expand their physical
fitness programs for some of the most at-risk youth in the Quad Cities.
Amount Funded: $2,500


Friendly House
Project Title: Childcare Kitchen Update
Project Description: Purchasing a new freezer will provide the opportunity to increase the
quality and delivery of food they offer to their youth program participants
Amount Funded: $2,500


Vera French Community Mental Health Center
Project Title: Hot Meals for Chronically Mentally Ill Persons
Project Description: Hot meals are made and served to adults with chronic mental illness living
in Scott County that attend the Vera French Carol Center.
Amount Funded: $2,000


Camp Shalom
Project Title: Purchase of Mini Van
Project Description: Camp Shalom is in need of a mini van to carry small groups of campers
and staff.
Amount Funded: $1,000

Salvation Army
Project Title: Homeless Shelter Community Bathroom Hand-Dryers
Project Description: Purchase and installation of three electric hand dryers for the Family
Service Center Homeless Shelter's community meal site and community handicap accessible
bathrooms.
Amount Funded: $1,000


Special Olympics Scott County
Project Title: Uniforms and Equipment for SC Special Olympics Athletes
Project Description: Project will provide team and/or sport specific uniform shirts for Special
Olympics competitions and sports equipment for Special Olympics practice sessions.
Amount Funded: $1,000


Additionally, funds will be used to support Youth Harvest, a partnership between the Rotary Club
of Davenport and the North Scott Rotary that brings together over 200 underprivileged youth to
attend a fall harvest event at Pride of the Wapsi ($1,500). A speaker honorarium donated to
Community Healthcare, Inc. for their Vaccines for Children Program ($1,000), Fire and Medical
Supply Company/H.E.F. ($500), Miles of Smiles Team ($500), Rotary International Grant
($2,500) and the MAC High School Awards ($175).

03 Oct 2014

It's time to put on pink pajamas and raise money for breast cancer awareness and prevention

By Rick Martin
(Davenport, IA)  Tonight at five pm dozens of people will put on pink PJ's and head to the Hotel Blackhawk in downtown Davenport to raise money for breast cancer awareness.  According to an organizer, Sandy Seeley, all the proceeds from the dinner, bake sale, silent auction, raffles and games stay in the Quad Cities.

The proceeds will benefit "Stylin' Against Breast Cancer" and a "Roxanne Kramer Scholarship Fund" for children of cancer survivors.  Seeley says the first year they did the PJ party they raised $12,000.00 and each year they raise more.

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01 Oct 2014

25th Annual Square Dance Benefit for Camp Courageous

By Becky Melchert
Monticello, IA-- On Sunday, October 12, 2014, The East Central Federation and Cedar Valley Callers Association will sponsor the 25th Annual Square Dance Benefit for Camp Courageous. The calling begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. in the main lodge of Camp Courageous.

Callers and cuers from all over eastern Iowa and the surrounding areas are invited. Dance clubs as well as individuals and couples are welcome to enjoy the afternoon dancing or just observing in the spacious camp lodge. Tours will be available for anyone interested in seeing all that camp has to offer. Admission fee is a donation to camp. Participants are asked to bring cookies or a snack to share. Beverages are provided.

Located near Monticello IA, Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with mental and physical disabilities. The camp was built and continues to operate on donations, without government support, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fundraisers. The camp serves nearly 7,000 individuals with special needs annually.

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01 Oct 2014

The Zoofari silent auction is now open and everybody can browse and bid - even if you aren't attending Zoofari!

By Niabi Zoo

Click here to view the silent auction items

Bid from home from your computer, tablet or text your bids with your cell phone. It's easy and fun and gives you a way to support future exhibits at Niabi Zoo.

Here's How It Works

Click here for the auction website

Click the orange Register for Auction button near the top of the screen and follow the simple instructions. You will be asked to provide your cell number and credit card. You will ONLY be charged if you donate or win an auction item. There is no fee to browse or register.

Cool Bidding Features

Receive text messages showing when you've been outbid, reply with a higher bid or set your maximum bid.

To set your maximum bid, enter the item number, your maximum bid amount, and the letter M to indicate the maximum you are willing to bid. The system will automatically bid for you until you win or your max is met. To check the status of your bids, reply to any Qtego text with the word STATUS and send. You'll receive a text showing items on which you are the current high bidder.

Zoofari Attendees

Sign up for the auction in advance or see any Qtego staffer in a bright orange t-shirt upon arriving at Zoofari if you need assistance.

Be sure to fully charge your cell phone!

You can use your cell phone at Zoofari to purchase 2013 Honda Fit Sport raffle tickets for $25 each (donated by Zimmerman Honda), take a 1 in 100 chance to win a $1,500 diamond from Necker's Jewelers for only $40, or fund a need at any level of giving to support future exhibits at the zoo. By registering through Qtego for your purchases, check out is a breeze.

Be sure to check out the live auction items by clicking here. Several group trips are available so contact your friends about bidding together for a fantastic getaway!

Dress is casual for the event and the tent will be heated. Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes for walking on grass.

Bring your charged up phone. Bring your appetite. And bring your friends to Zoofari for a fun night to support Niabi Zoo. The event starts at 6 pm.

Tickets are $100 each and still available by clicking here.

Tables of 8 are $800 and a VIP table with bottle service is $1,000.

01 Oct 2014

The Salvation Army Announces they are Ready for Volunteer Sign Up

By Holly Nomura

Soon you'll be hearing the bells again!

Quad Cities: The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities is seeking energetic individuals and groups to spread Christmas cheer as volunteer bell ringers for the 2014 Red Kettle Campaign. Ringing sites are available in Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Silvis and Milan.

Beginning Wednesday, October 1st, interested volunteers can register by going online to www.ringbells.org or by calling Patty Mixdorf at 563-570-2072. Volunteer shifts are two hours at a variety of ringing locations; some locations offer in-door bell ringing. Bell ringing shifts are available from Nov. 7 through Dec. 24, excluding Sundays.

Those who are unable to volunteer their time as a bell ringer this Christmas season, but wish to support The Salvation Army can sponsor a kettle for $100 per day.

Funds collected at the red kettles go toward The Salvation Army's 2014 Red Kettle Campaign. Donations collected will allow The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities to continue to Do the Most Good® by providing shelter, clothing, meals, and a wide range of programs and emergency services throughout the year to those in need within the community.

To make a tax deductible contribution to The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign:

• Visit www.salvationarmyqc.org

• Call 800-SAL-ARMY

• Send a check or money order payable to The Salvation Army to: 301 W. 6th Street, Davenport, IA 52803

Donations collected during the Red Kettle Campaign are used for the following services: 80,000 freshly prepared meals served and 31,000 nights of shelter provided at the Family Service Center; 2,300 Christmas Food Boxes and 5,000 toys for families and individuals in need; nursing home visits to lonely seniors; and weekly character building programs serving hundreds of Quad Cities youth, and much, much more.

 

26 Sep 2014

Fall Fundraiser for Food Pantry

By QCCVB
As a kickoff to the student hunger drive season, the artists of Bucktown Center for the Arts in Davenport will be hosting a fall fundraiser on behalf of the food pantry on Friday, September 25th from 6-9 p.m.  A percentage of the sales from this night will go to the Central Community Circle food pantry.  There is no cost for the event, but any donations of hygiene products or non-perishable food items will be greatly appreciated. www.bucktownarts.com
25 Sep 2014

BARK FOR LIFE EVENT TAKES A BITE OUT OF CANCER

By Mary Schenck

American Cancer Society plans unique fundraiser for dogs, owners

Davenport, Iowa) - The fight against cancer has gone to the dogs as the American Cancer Society's Bark For Life event takes place this October. Area pooches, with owners in tow, will take to the track to dig up a cure for cancer. Bark For Life adds a twist to the Society's traditional Relay For Life event, serving as a fundraising activity to honor the care-giving qualities of canine companions while supporting the mission of the American Cancer Society.

This noncompetitive walk is planned for October 4, 2014 at Centennial Park, Davenport Iowa and will include an opening ceremony at 9:00am. Our Honorary Dog Team K-9 Deker and K9 Hawk will lead our first lap followed by best dressed contests, vender booths and demos from QC police.

"Many pet owners consider their dogs a part of their family, especially those furry friends who lend a great amount of comfort and support during a loved one's cancer battle," said Mary Schenck. "Bark For Life is the canine counterpart to Relay For Life, a very family friendly movement that celebrates our canine caregivers, just as we honor other family members who support their loved ones who are fighting cancer during Relay For Life."

Event organizers are still recruiting dogs and their owners to take part in this year's Bark For Life. To register, contact Mary at 563-503-0068 or visit www.RelayForLife.org/BarkScottCountyIA.

A special thanks to the generosity of our 2014 presenting sponsor Nestle' Purina as well as the community support for this year's event

Funds raised through Bark For Life support the American Cancer Society's comprehensive cancer-fighting mission to help people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, to help people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis, to find cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery, and to fight back against cancer by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

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The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

23 Sep 2014

Knock Out Hunger campaign is River Bend Foodbank's largest corporate sponsorship to date

By Rick Martin

Modern Woodmen sets the tone for corporate involvement, feeds thousands

Modern Woodmen of America's four-month long campaign to support River Bend Foodbank is the food distribution center's largest corporate volunteer campaign to date. River Bend Foodbank made the announcement after the completion of the campaign during Modern Woodmen's Race to Knock Out Hunger on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization based in Rock Island, Ill., kicked off the Knock Out Hunger campaign in June. Campaign efforts included:

·         A home office food drive.

·         A home office farmers' market.

·         A 'Pack the Truck' event at Modern Woodmen Park.

·         Sponsorship of three mobile food pantries.

·         Sponsorship of 14 after-school backpack programs for local children.

·         A massive meal-packing project, where Modern Woodmen employees packaged 50,000 meals for hungry families in just one day.

·         Quad City community 5K.

Beyond sponsorship of the volunteer projects, Modern Woodmen collected more than 2,500 pounds of food and donated $15,609.49 to River Bend Foodbank. Modern Woodmen employees also spent more than 965 hours volunteering during the Knock Out Hunger campaign.

One of the most impactful projects was Modern Woodmen's sponsorship of three mobile food pantries. "One Mobile Food Pantry distribution costs approximately $1,500 to $2,000 to hold, but that's just operational expenses. That number doesn't cover the cost of food, which has a retail value of $10,000 to $15,000," said River Bend Foodbank marketing director Caren Laughlin. "With Modern Woodmen's help, thousands of families were fed this summer through the mobile food pantry programs."

River Bend Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organization in the Quad Cities and surrounding communities, distributing more than 8 million pounds of food annually to feed the hungry. The Foodbank serves more than 10,000 individuals every week through its distribution network of 300 charitable feeding programs in a 22-county service area in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal financial services organization offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

-end-
22 Sep 2014

Modern Woodmen raises $15,609.49 for River Bend Foodbank

By Amber O'Brien

On Saturday, Sept. 20, more than 300 runners and walkers participated in Modern Woodmen of America's Race to Knock Out Hunger, a 5K charity run/walk to support River Bend Foodbank. In a pre-race ceremony, Modern Woodmen presented River Bend Foodbank with a check for $15,609.49. The donation includes proceeds from participant registration, additional donations and money donated by employees during Modern Woodmen's Knock Out Hunger campaign.

Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services organization, planned the Race to Knock Out Hunger to serve as the grand finale of its Knock Out Hunger campaign to support River Bend Foodbank.

"I am extremely proud of the way Modern Woodmen employees and the community took the initiative to support River Bend Foodbank," said President and CEO Kenny Massey. "This is what being 'Fraternal' is all about."

Modern Woodmen volunteers spent over 865 volunteer hours participating in the summer-long campaign to fight local hunger.

"What Modern Woodman has done to support the Foodbank's mission through the Knock Out Hunger Campaign is fantastic. We know that 40 percent of our food ends up on the plate of a hungry child and without the help of wonderful community partners like Modern Woodmen, we could not do what we do." says Tom Laughlin, executive director of River Bend Foodbank.

 

About the Knock Out Hunger campaign

In 2014, Modern Woodmen selected River Bend Foodbank to support through a Knock Out Hunger campaign. Modern Woodmen employees and members donated time, money and food to the food distribution center.

Some of the efforts included sponsoring multiple mobile food pantry events, a home office food drive and farmer's market and sponsoring backpack programs for local children. In August, Modern Woodmen employees packaged 50,000 meals for hungry families in the Quad Cities in just one day!

River Bend Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organization in the Quad Cities and surrounding communities, distributing more than 8 million pounds of food annually to feed the hungry. The Foodbank serves more than 10,000 individuals every week through its distribution network of 300 charitable feeding programs in a 22-county service area in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal financial services organization offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

For more information about the Knock Out Hunger campaign or the effort to support River Bend Foodbank, contact Amber O'Brien at 309-793-5660 or visit modern-woodmen.org.
22 Sep 2014

Food Pantries Across Iowa to Receive 24 Tons of Pork During Hunger Action Month

By Jen Sorenson
The Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation restock food pantries across Iowa
IOWA FALLS, Iowa (Sept. 18, 2014) – Empty freezers in Iowa food pantries will soon be full as the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation and Iowa Select Farms is donating approximately 48,000 pounds of fresh, boneless pork loins to help feed Iowa families in need. The pork is being delivered this week to local community organizations, food shelves and pantries across Iowa.
"We focus on helping Iowa families who need a helping hand," says Jeff Hansen, President and CEO of Iowa Select Farms.  "The pork loin donation helps bring families together for a good meal, which is especially important with the rising prices at the meat case."
One in eight Iowans, or more than 390,000 individuals, face the risk of hunger every day, according to Cory Berkenes, Executive Director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, so the donation, valued at $125,760, comes at a time when there is a great need. "These are often hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days," says Berkenes.
Each community has their own unique needs, so the Foundation works with local pantries to determine how they can best meet those needs. In total, 800 cases of pork loins will be handed out during this round of donations, and with the great need for fresh pork, pantries exhaust their supply very quickly. Whether the pork is used to meet immediate needs or saved for holiday food baskets, the loins help ease the stress for families wondering where their meals will come from.
"You have no idea how much this donation helps," said Diana Bass, a representative of the food pantry at United Methodist Church in New Hartford, Iowa. "Protein is such an important part of our diets and unfortunately, high meat prices make it hard for many people to access these nutrient-rich foods."
The boneless pork loins are approximately 4.5 pounds and each can feed 24 people a 3-ounce serving of pork. The 800 cases of pork loin roasts donated by the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation and Iowa Select Farms will provide approximately 230,400 servings to Iowa families.
# # #
About the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation
The Hansen's, who founded Iowa Select Farms and New Modern Concepts in Iowa Falls, established the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation in 2006 to work with philanthropic organizations to relieve hunger, support military families and strengthen efforts to find a cure for childhood cancer while improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
About Iowa Select Farms
Iowa Select Farms, based in Iowa Falls, is the largest pork producer in Iowa. The company has been producing high-quality pork for 20 years and is committed to meeting or exceeding all requirements in efforts to protect the environment and ensure proper care and well-being of swine. With nearly 550 swine farms across the state, Iowa Select Farms is one of the leading economic engines to Iowa's rural communities through employing more than 1,000 people, contracting with more than 345 farm families and supporting hundreds of local businesses throughout the state.

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