02 Jul 2013

Teens for Tomorrow Awards Grant to Christian Care

By Ann Ring

Rock Island, IL - Teens for Tomorrow, a youth philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, awarded Christian Care a grant to purchase heaters for children's therapy areas. "Children who have seen or experienced abuse in the home need to be in an accommodating, safe environment to be able to express themselves," said executive director Elaine Winter, Ed.D. "This grant through Teens for Tomorrow will allow Christian Care to provide?literally and figuratively?a warm and inviting atmosphere in which children can begin to heal from the effects of domestic violence, even during our colder months."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men. It serves homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illnesses.

Its community meal site is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on weekdays Monday through Friday, and for breakfast and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m., lunch at 12:15 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Anyone in need is encouraged to call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at christiancareqc.org.

01 Jul 2013

LOCAL CHURCH CONNECTION HOSTS BLOCK PARTY IN CONJUNCTION WITH BACKPACK AND SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY

By Jason Holtgrewe

???On July 13, 2013, Connection Church throws a party. In effort to build neighborhood community and help children in need, Connection will host a Block Party featuring free food, entertainment, and a backpack and school supply giveaway.

At 3pm the party begins with fun and food. Two inflatable bouncers, a dunk tank, bike tune-ups, and raffle prizes will provide a fun, family-friendly afternoon. Sandwiches, chips, popcorn, and freezer pops will be available for free to eat.

The Block Party, now in it's 3rd year, continues it's tradition of giving away backpacks and school supplies to children in need. 2011's Block Party saw 40 children receive backpacks and school supplies. 2012 saw that total reach 150. This year, the goal is to help around 200 children.

Jason Holtgrewe, Associate Pastor at Connection, believes the Block Party is a great way to help those in need. "Not only is this party a way to bring neighbors together for a little fun, it's also an opportunity to be there for others," says Jason. "There are more families in our city than we realize who need help meeting the financial demands of another school year."

Quad City families wanting a free, family-friendly afternoon of fun--and the chance to receive a free backpack and school supplies--are encouraged to call Connection at 563-355-0919 by July 6th. Those who don't call ahead may still attend but, most likely, won't be able to receive a backpack and school supplies as supplies are limited.

Connection is hosting a Block Party on July 13th at 3pm. The location of the party is 4374 State Street, Bettendorf. Please call 563-355-0919

25 Jun 2013

Christian Care Receives Grant from Scott County Regional Authority

By Nicholas Depew

Rock Island, IL - The Scott County Regional Authority has awarded Christian Care a grant to accommodate more homeless individuals at its community meal site, located at 2209 3^rd Avenue in Rock Island, and to purchase a new gas range for its domestic violence shelter. "Christian Care is always looking for ways to improve our facilities and better care for the people we serve," said executive director Elaine Winter, Ed.D. "Thanks to the Scott County Regional Authority, Christian Care will add more seating for individuals who come to us for meals, and we will purchase a much-needed gas range so women can safely prepare meals at our domestic violence shelter. We greatly thank the SCRA for helping us to realize our mission: By providing safe shelter, support and resources, Christian Care empowers both the homeless and survivors of domestic violence to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives."

Anyone in need is encouraged to call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at christiancareqc.org.

21 Jun 2013

NALC Food Drive brings 60,104 lbs! A 20% increase over last year

By River Bend Foodbank

Thanks to every person who donated a can of food, or more, to the annual National Association of Letter Carriers food drive recently held. You have made a difference to a hungry child, senior, man or woman in your community. A special thank you to United Way, all the volunteers and the letter carriers for their extra hard work that makes this possible. The food brought in is greatly needed this time of year.

20 Jun 2013

SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL TEAM SERVING THE LESS FORTUNATE AT KING'S HARVEST MINISTRIES.

By Rick Martin

The Quad City Wolfpack semipro football team is reaching out to the less fortunate by serving at King's
Harvest Ministries on Friday, June 21, 2013. This is their 2nd season playing semipro football in the Quad
Cities and they want to help the community.

The whole football team will be serving hot meals in their football jerseys at the King's Harvest Soup
Kitchen on Friday, June 21, 2013 at noon. King's Harvest serves the poor and less fortunate in the Quad
Cities by providing hot meals, shelter, clothing and free groceries. King's Harvest is located at 824 West
3rd Street in downtown Davenport.

Matt McClean, owner and General Manager for the Wolfpacks, said "The whole team lives in the Quad
Cities and we think it's important to help those in need in our community". King's Harvest will be the
charity of choice for the Wolfpack's 2012 season. A portion of ticket sales will go to King's Harvest.
The first Wolfpack football game will be held at 7:00 pm on June 22nd at the Augustana College Ericson
Field located in the far northeast corner of Augustana College campus in Rock Island, IL.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Matt McClean, owner
and General Manager of the Quad City Wolfpacks, please call 563-590-3985.

20 Jun 2013

The Salvation Army Hosts a Farewell Reception Today for Captains Ronnie and Bridgette Amick

By Holly Nomura

Quad Cities – The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities will bid a fond farewell today to Captains Ronnie and Bridgette Amick. After five years of dedicated service to the Quad Cities community, the Amicks have been assigned to command the Cape Girardeau, MO Corps starting July 1, 2013.

FAREWELL RECEPTION:

DATE: Thursday, June 20, 2013

TIME: 4:00pm - 5:30pm

LOCATION: Heritage Temple Corps, 2200 - 5

The community and press are welcome.

17 Jun 2013

Last chance to donate to the 2nd Fiddle Sale

By QCSO

You are invited to donate your gently used items to the Quad City Symphony Orhcestra's 30th annual 2nd Fiddle Sale today from noon to 8:00 p.m. The 2nd Fiddle Sale has found a new home this year at 2252 24th Street in Rock Island, formerly the Rock Island Country Market and Eagle Country Market.

The 2nd Fiddle Sale accepts antiques and collectables, automotive parts, hardware, tools, books, costumes, children's toys and clothes, electronics, furniture, games, office supplies, stationery, gifts, holiday decorations, house wares, jewelry and fashion accessories, clothing, lawn and garden tools, linens, men's clothing, pictures, plant gallery, sporting goods, and just about anything else in gently-used condition.

The 2nd Fiddle Sale opens for business at 6:00 p.m. this Thursday with a Grand Opening party. Admission is $10 and includes food and live music, along with the first chance to buy from the Quad Cities' largest selection of gently used items.

14 Jun 2013

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley 2013 Golf Invitational to be Held July 9 at Short Hills

By Paul Richardson

MOLINE, IL -The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley (BGCMV) announced today that registrations are still available - but filling fast - for its 2013 Golf Invitational, to be held Tuesday, July 9, at Short Hills Country Club in East Moline.

Now in its 12th year, the Invitational has helped the BGCMV raise more than $1.2 million since 2002. The event offers attendees a full day of golf and networking followed by an evening dinner reception and silent auction.

"For more than a century, the Boys and Girls Clubs have been helping young people realize their potential and develop skills for a better future," said Gregg Ontiveros, Group O CEO and 2013 Invitational Co-Chair. "More than 500 young people attend a Club activity every day in the Quad Cities - and the Invitational is an important part of helping the Club continue to meet the needs of our community. It's a way that all of us can come together to have a great time for a great cause."

Teen Center

Funds raised from the 2013 Invitational will be focused on completing and operating the Club's new Teen Center / Club-Choice. The center is a new concept that combines traditional Boys and Girls Club programs with career and job skills development opportunities.

Located in the Floreciente neighborhood of Moline, the center is based on similar projects in Chicago and Milwaukee. A unique component of the Teen Center will be a full-service bank - open to the entire community - which will provide teens with specific job and career development skills. The Club's bank partner will train 10-12 teens annually and will offer financial literacy education to the entire community.

Title sponsors for the 2013 Invitational include US Bank, Samsung and Group O. Registration pages and more information are available at www.BGCMVgolf.com

# # #

13 Jun 2013

A Legendary Weekend Kicks Off with a Unique Opportunity for QCA Disabled Youth

By Natalie Johansen Murray

Davenport, IA - This weekend, the Quad Cities will welcome back more than 40 former Hawkeye football players to coach and take part in a Legendary weekend, which begins with a special camp for area disabled youth. On Friday, June 14 at 2:30 p.m. nearly 50 disabled youth in the Quad Cities will gather at Brady Street Stadium in Davenport to practice football with the best, play games and experience prime field time.

Highlights of the All Stars Camp include :

One-on-one helmet fitting
Special take home HAVlifeÃ‚â„¢ jerseys for all participants
Skills and games coached by Hawkeyes including current and former NFL players
Autographed take home helmets for all participants

Sponsored by Rock Valley Physical Therapy, CEO Mike Horsfield explains, "Our company has always been a big supporter of the Legends of Iowa Football Camp and the HAVlifeÃ‚â„¢ Foundation. We thought it would be wonderful to provide this experience to our area's disabled youth. For many, this may be their first time to participate in a football camp, a very memorable opportunity for all of us involved."

The Legendary weekend will continue with a fundraiser event at Jumer's Casino & Hotel on Friday evening. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and greet with coaches as well as take photos and get autographs from coaches. The event is open to the public, tickets are $50. Details are available at HAVlife.org. On Saturday, June 15 the 3^rdannual Legends of Iowa Football Camp will be hosted at Brady Street Stadium. The camp will be for all youth entering grades 5 - 10 in Iowa and Illinois. Details are also available at HAVlife.org.

The Legends of Iowa Football Camp program was established by the Iowa Football Club in 2011. The Iowa Football Club is a non-profit organization, whose members are all former University of Iowa football players and football department staff members. The club's mission is to provide a camp opportunity to help youth be successful on both the playing field and in the game of life. For more information visit www.legendsofiowa.com.

HAVlifeÃ‚â„¢ was established in 2007 in honor of Hunter Aaron Vondran, who passed away at the young age of 13 due to injuries sustained in a tragic accident. The organization serves to prevent lost potential of youth through sponsoring participation scholarships in the areas of music, arts and athletic programs for at-risk youth in the schools and community. To date the foundation has raised and granted over $350,000. For more information visit www.havlife.org.

10 Jun 2013

CAMP COURAGEOUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

By Camp Courageous

Officers:

President: Winnie Williams, of Monticello, Retired Fawn Creek Homes, Anamos, IA

President-Elect: Margo Ahrendsen, Farmer, Camper Parent, and Advocate, Olin, IA

Secretary: Mary Van Houten, Banquet Manager, Kirkwood Hotel, Cedar Rapids IA

Treasurer: Randy Faulkner, Pres. Hawkeye Dry Ice/Owner The Firehouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

Those re-elected to a three-year term included:

Jim Foels, Farmer, Brooklyn, IA

Merlin Hulse, Farmer, Clarence, IA

Bob Thoeni, Retired owner of Bob's Pioneer Seed, Monticello, IA

Other board members include :

Dr. John Bailey, Retired Medical Doctor, Anamosa, IA

Steve Carter, Branch Manager, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Cedar Rapids, IA

Aaron Cook, Farmer, Winthrop, IA

Brian Gay, Executive Director, Midwest Free Community Papers, Coralville, IA

Larry Greco, Retired Cedar Rapids Police Department, Solon, IA

Mary Johnson, Retired, Rockwell, Marion, IA

Jim Klinger, Retired, Cedar Memorial Funeral Homes, Cedar Rapids, IA

Phil Martin, Retired United Airlines, Marion, IA

Bill Northup, Wells Fargo Bank, Regional Manager for Private Client Services, Des Moines, IA

Trish Ohlson, GE Capital, Cedar Rapids, IA

Kay Pitlik, Retired Special Educator/Advocate/ Cedar Rapids, IA

Steve Supple, Farmer, Cascade, IA

Dan Vorhies, Newton Sales, Monticello, IA

Mag Welter, Retired Special Educator, Monticello, IA

Chris Wiese, VP Sales LimoLink, Cedar Rapids, IA

Jim Zimmerman, Principal Sacred Heart, Monticello, IA

Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with disabilities. In its 39th year of serving those with special needs, a volunteer board of directors governs the camp. This year Camp Courageous will serve over 6,500 campers with special needs. The camp is run on donations, without government assistance, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fundraisers. What this means is everything that is donated to the camp goes directly to benefit the campers. Camp Courageous is available 24-hours a day, 365-days a year to meet the emergency needs of families with a special needs family member living at home.

Tours of the camp and programs about this unique facility are available by contacting the camp at 319/465-5916 or going to www.campcourageous.org

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