(Quad Cities, IA) - Pencils and pens and notebooks - oh my!

Jaycees of the Quad Cities volunteers recently assembled back packs filled with school supplies to assist low-income children with starting the school year on the right foot. The volunteers consisted of a dozen members of Jaycees, a young professional service group with a self-proclaimed volunteering problem.

"Our members believe that service to humanity is the best work of life," said Christine Bruce, Vice President of Community Development and the project lead.

With the help of a dozen volunteers, 336 backpacks will be distributed this week and next to children in need at elementary schools in Davenport, Iowa; East Moline, Illinois; and Moline, Illinois.

Jaycees of the Quad Cities invested nearly $5,000 in the project and annually fundraises for this project and others through the upcoming Brew Ha Ha (September 19) and the Bridal Expo (January 30). All projects are completed 100% by volunteer efforts.

This is the 5th year for Back-to-School, a program of the Jaycees of the Quad Cities, which provides free school supplies and back packs to youth in need. Without the Jaycees assistance, many of these kids would go back to school unprepared. Teachers identify students with the most need and deliver their backpacks filled with supplies at unpack your backpack night.

"This is an excellent way to give back to our community," said Jennifer Kincaid, President, Jaycees of the Quad Cities. "There's no reason that a kid should feel like they aren't prepared on day one just because they may not have the financial means to get all they need."

The Jaycees of the Quad Cities supports this and other projects aimed at giving youth a head start on being successful in school and in life. Individuals and groups interested in volunteering with Jaycees of the Quad Cities should contact info@jayceesqc.org or call (563) 484-0041.

Saturday, September 19, 2015, 9am- Walk for Life

2 locations:

Ben Butterworth Parkway, Moline

Veterans Memorial Park, Bettendorf

Over 150 walkers at each location last year raised over $50,000 with sponsors to support this local non-profit ministry.  PRIZES for top winners!

Pregnancy Resources has offered FREE services in the QC since 1990. For 25 years, we've helped women & men in crisis with an unplanned pregnancy. Our 2 locations annually serve over 1,200 people & we are locally funded by individuals, churches, businesses & local foundations & we receive NO government funds.

On August 22, 2015, volunteers in seven cities across the state of Iowa will be hosting the 16th annual Walk for the Future. The purpose of the walk is to bring awareness to sudden infant death syndrome, offer support to families who have experienced a SIDS or SUID death, and to raise funds for the Iowa SIDS Foundation. The Iowa SIDS Foundation is a voluntary health non-profit dedicated to providing grief support to SIDS and SUID families and safe sleep education to Iowa childcare and healthcare providers. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the leading cause of death for infants, 28 days to one year of age. The Iowa SIDS Foundation offers support to approximately 40-45 Iowa families annually.

This year's event will be held on August 22, 2015 in 7 cities across the state of Iowa. Those sites include Ankeny, Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, Le Mars, Mason City, Washington, and What Cheer. The walk previously planned for Creston will not be happening due to unfortunate circumstances beyond our control.

The numerous volunteers who put countless hours in preparing for the statewide event are SIDS families who volunteer their time to honor their baby while benefitting the SIDS Foundation. On line registration is closed, but walkers are welcome to register on site the morning of the walk.

Detailed information for each walk site and on line registration are available at http://www.iowasids.org/Events/WalkInfo.htm or by calling the SIDS office at 866-480-4741. For specific information regarding the walk in your community, please contact the local coordinator, their names and contact information may be found above. This year's gold walk sponsors include Jeneary Dental, Stairway to the Stars, Children's Dental Center of Mason City, Medicap Pharmacy-Ankeny, Blank Children's Hospital, NCMIC, American Bank-Le Mars, Corporate Farmer, Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo, Major Erickson Funeral Home, McCulley Culvert Inc., Primebank-Lemars, and Shelter Insurance-Kathy Corsello. Media sponsors include 93.9 KIA-FM, Super Hits 102.7, and KLEM 96.9. Iowa SIDS Foundation

The Iowa SIDS Foundation is a statewide, 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer health organization committed to helping families that have experienced a SIDS or SUID death, educating the public about SIDS and funding research into the causes of SIDS.

The Iowa SIDS Foundation provides grief services to families through individual peer contacts and support groups. The Iowa SIDS Foundation works with community resources to help provide information to expectant parents and families. The Iowa SIDS Foundation hosts regional conferences and provides safe sleep workshops to educate childcare and health care professionals. The Iowa SIDS Foundation also donates at percentage of its annual proceeds to fund research into the causes of SIDS.

All of the volunteers and staff at the Bettendorf Discovery Shop are hoping that you will be able to join us for three days of wild bargains.  Our summer clearance on Friday, August 14th kicks things off, with all clothing half price.  Then on Saturday, August 15th everything in the shop will be half price.  Lastly, will be our Safari Reveal that starts on Monday, August 17Th.

Lion, tiger, giraffe &zebra prints of every kind, it is going to be a jungle in here! Kicking off on Monday, the store will be full of safari printed clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, household accessories, and more.  With a wide variety of styles, sizes and brands the shop will be full of beautiful items for you to search out.  Safari prints are always a fall favorite so be sure to stop by and pick up your wardrobe additions at wild prices!

Thanks to the generosity of the community, the Discovery Shop raises money by selling gently used items donated by individual donors and local businesses.  Helping to make the shop such a success is the staff of wonderful volunteers that donate their time, if you are interested in joining our volunteer team we are always happy to have extra hands to help.   All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research, education, patient services and advocacy.

Donations needed and welcomed anytime the shop is open and a tax receipt is always available.  Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm., Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm. and Saturday from10 am to 4 pm.