Primitive Cottage is collecting food for the Princeton, Iowa, Presbyterian Church's Food Pantry which is in great need of food donations. They have helped alot of people, and now they need our help.  Donations can be dropped off at Primitive Cottage in LeClaire. Please check the expiration date on items because anything that has expired can't be given away.

Quad Cities, USA: The sound of The Salvation Army bell is already being heard throughout the Quad Cities. The Red Kettle Campaign raises about 60% of the budget used for the services and programs at The Salvation Army.

To date, volunteer bell ringers have registered for 304 shifts throughout the Quad Cities. There are still 7,653 two-hour shifts available.

"We are overjoyed with the support we are receiving this year. It is more important than ever that more people volunteer to bell ring this year so that we can keep our services strong." states Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator for The Salvation Army. "The Salvation Army is extremely blessed to have volunteer-minded neighbors who offer their time and support of programs that help others in need."

Bell ringing season runs now through December 24th at more than 50 kettles sites throughout the Quad Cities.

Easy sign-up is available on line at Ringbells.org (click on Iowa, then Davenport for all of Quad Cities). Or call Patty Mixdorf at 563-570-2072.

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.

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Christian Care Generates Community Action Partnerships

Rock Island, IL November 19, 2013 - Together we can make a difference, and that is exactly what is happening at Christian Care Rescue Mission with the implementation of a new program?A Holistic Approach to Transformation Change. To meet the needs of the program and ensure post program success, community partnerships are being developed to create win-win outcomes for everyone involved. Christian Care and Papa's Helping Veterans, a nonprofit providing furniture for homeless veterans, are working together to bring hope to those who have lost just that.

The partnership that Christian Care and Papa's have formed is beneficial for both non-profits. Papa's has furnished the program meeting room at Christian Care and, in turn, Christian Care is providing him with unemployed Resident volunteer movers to help his non-profit, generating a robust community action partnership. As fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, they have come together to help each other out, while benefitting from each other's services. The need for community engagement and contributions is imperative for both organizations to move to the next level of service. In order to continue offering the services that they do; food, shelter, clothing and furniture for the homeless, financial support must be procured for both non-profits.

In keeping with Christian Care's holistic approach to change, this four month program focuses on building and internalizing new habits for the body, mind, and spirit of each Participant. They engage in daily prayer, exercise, book and film studies, individual life coaching sessions, an arts experience, such as the Quad City Symphony, and in return volunteer their time to meet community needs. High expectations have been set for major life change. While the program began six weeks ago and runs through February 1 the need for athletic gear, program materials, and technology is fact emerging.

Papa's Helping Veterans is a local non-profit providing furniture to Veterans in need. As formerly homeless Veterans transition into permanent housing, Papa's furnishes their new living quarters. Thanks to community donations, they are able to offer services to the hundreds of homeless Veterans in the Quad Cities. As their business continues to grow so do the needs to fund it; they are in need of warehouse space, volunteer movers and financial help to cover gas and overhead expenses.

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Monticello, IA–The silver anniversary has arrived as 2013 marks the 25th year since Leigh Clark entrusted Camp Courageous with his secret fruitcake recipe. Over 75 locations sell these delicious fruitcakes. Posters are 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 are 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 (www.campcourageous.org). 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 over 6,500 individuals with special needs this year.

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