NAMI SEEKS WALK TEAM CAPTAINS FOR KICK-OFF LUNCHEON

 

July 30 Event Features Rock Island and Scott County Sheriffs

DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 23, 2014) - the Greater Mississippi Valley affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will hold a kick-off luncheon for NAMIWalk, a signature fundraising event to support free education and support programs for families living with mental illness. Honorary walk chairs Rock Island County Sheriff Jeff Boyd and Scott County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Thomas Gibbs will be the featured speakers.

The July 30 luncheon is free to anyone interested in organizing a walk team or learning more about NAMI.  The event will be held at Modern Woodmen Park stadium, Davenport, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon. Register for the luncheon by July 18 at NAMIWalksGMV@gmail.com or 563-322-8870. The luncheon is sponsored by Robert Young Center and UnityPoint Health-Trinity.

In its 11th year locally, NAMIWalk will be held Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Centennial Park in Davenport. More than 1,200 persons are expected to attend. Additional information is available at www.namiwalks.org/greatermississippivalley.

About NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley

One in 10 children and one in four adults experience a mental health disorder in any given year. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14. NAMI Greater Mississippi Valley is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This grassroots organization complements the work of mental health professionals by providing support, education and advocacy to individuals and families living with mental illness. NAMI works cooperatively through the Quad Cities Community Mental Health Initiative, serving residents in Muscatine, Clinton, Scott Counties in Iowa and Mercer, Henry, Rock Island Counties in Illinois.

Thousands invited to help "Pack the Truck" to Support River Bend Foodbank

 

On Thursday, June 19 Modern Woodmen of America will bring nearly 5,000 members, family, friends and more to "Modern Woodmen Night" at Modern Woodmen Park.  Modern Woodmen will announce the Knock Out Hunger campaign, a fraternal project designed to support River Bend Foodbank, during a pre-game ceremony.

Gates open at Modern Woodmen Park at 5:30 p.m. with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. Interviews will be available before and during the River Bandits' game.

Volunteers will collect canned food and monetary donations at the front entrance to "Pack the Truck," filling one of River Bend Foodbank's distribution trucks.

Modern Woodmen Night is an annual event to celebrate Flag Day and patriotism. What better way is there to represent this patriotic holiday than bringing the community together to support an honorable cause?

Knock Out Hunger campaign

This year, Modern Woodmen has selected River Bend Foodbank to support through its Knock Out Hunger campaign. Modern Woodmen employees and members will donate time, money and food to the food distribution center throughout the summer. Modern Woodmen Night is just the beginning.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our members and their communities. The truth is, there are many people in our home office community struggling to find enough food to eat. I am confident our Knock Out Hunger project will help ease that struggle," says Modern Woodmen President Kenny Massey.

There are multiple mobile food pantry events scheduled, backpack programs, a "Meals from the Heartland" packing event, and a communitywide 5k run/walk. Each event will support the food bank.

"This kind of effort will make an enormous impact for us at River Bend Foodbank. Our shelves tend to run dry during the summer months," says River Bend Foodbank marketing director Caren Laughlin. "Summer donations are critical because many children no longer have the benefit of their school lunch program."

River Bend Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organization in the Quad Cities and surrounding communities, distributing more than eight 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.

Childhood hunger programs include the Backpack Program which provides up to 1,700 Quad City children with nourishing food to take home on the weekends during the school year, the Kids Café Program providing evening meals to children at three sites, and the Mobile Food Pantry which directly feeds thousands of families each month.

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 Modern Woodmen Night or the effort to support River Bend Foodbank, contact Amber O'Brien at 309-793-5660 (office), 309-798-6704 (cell) or visit modern-woodmen.org.

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MONTICELLO, IOWA - The 40th Anniversary Camp Courageous Staff/Volunteer Reunion is scheduled for Saturday June 21 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in the camp lodge. There will be tours from 1-2:30, a program and open mic from 2:30 -3:00, and socializing from 3:00 - 4:00. Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon. All camp staff and volunteers are welcome to attend.

Camp Courageous is a year- round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with disabilities. Camp served 211 campers during the summer of 1974 and now serves over 6500 campers in a year-round program. It has also grown from 40 acres to 200 and from 5 buildings to 25.

For more information or to RSVP  visit the camp website at www.campcourageous.org or