$3.86 Million Raised Toward $6 Million Goal to Support At-Risk Children in Linn County

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Four Oaks today launched the public phase of its TotalChild Commit to a Child campaign, announcing it has raised $3.86 million of its $6 million campaign goal. TotalChild is based on the idea that when children hurdle all obstacles to success, then families, homes, neighborhoods and communities are stronger.

Of the $6 million campaign goal, $3 million will be devoted to Four Oaks' TotalChild programing addressing youth mental health, education, family unit support and safety. The remaining $3 million will go toward housing improvements being made by the Affordable Housing Network, Inc. in Wellington Heights to fulfill children's basic needs of safe and stable homes.

"We are very grateful to the Hall-Perrine Foundation, Campaign Co-Chairs Chris and Suzy DeWolf, Campaign Co-Chairs Kyle and Susan Skogman, Donna Oldorf, John and Dyan Smith, United Fire Foundation, McIntyre Foundation, Aegon  Transamerica Foundation, World Class Industries, Union Electricians and Employers (IBEW #405 & NECA) and two anonymous donors for their lead gifts," said Jim Ernst, Four Oaks President and CEO.  "Their kindness has jump-started this important campaign to help even more at-risk children and their families get on the path to success."

TotalChild is Four Oaks' comprehensive and long-term approach for helping children and families. The approach helps families with skills like parenting, financial literacy, job training, housing assistance and education. TotalChild employs success managers to work with at-risk children and their families to stabilize children's current needs and implement a plan to meet the family's long-term needs and goals.

"TotalChild is a better way to deliver social services, and Four Oaks has helped hundreds of families," said TotalChild campaign co-chair, Chris DeWolf. "TotalChild is different from other human-services approaches that only address one childhood problem at a time and is unique in that we help kids hurdle all obstacles to success all the way into adulthood."

According to Ernst, the $3 million designated for TotalChild programming will help children overcome behavioral and cognitive problems and will connect children with community partners. These resources are coordinated by success managers who work with the children and their families.

"We believe that every child and family can be successful, and our success managers offer encouragement and hope," said Ernst. "They do not judge. When everyone else is telling these kids and families they can't, our success managers are telling them they can and will."

Another $3 million will be earmarked for Wellington Heights renovation.  The Wellington Heights neighborhood initiative will help families eventually become homeowners in a safe and supportive community.                                  

"When we think about the hurdles some of these children face daily, we are compelled to get involved," said Kyle Skogman, campaign co-chair. "Now, we ask community members to give what they can to this important campaign to help get our most vulnerable youth on the right path to become successful adults and strengthen our communities in the long-term."

In Iowa, 100,000 children live in poverty and 25,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect each year. Four Oaks, and its affiliates, serves 14,000 children and families every year in a variety of child welfare, behavioral health and criminal justice programs.

"TotalChild has been a blessing to our family.  We hope it will result in more help for families who live throughout Linn County and in the Wellington Heights neighborhood," said Mariana Hendricks, a TotalChild mother. "Our life has been transformed because of it.  I feel like I have a family partnership that will help me raise my child so he and I can be successful."

There are many ways to get involved and Commit to a Child. Gifts may be made in cash, pledges, securities, bequests, real estate, life insurance or personal property. Gifts can sponsor a TotalChild, a success manager or a renovated home, apartment or home supplies.

The Commit to a Child campaign steering committee is co-chaired by Chris and Suzy DeWolf and Kyle and Susan Skogman. Other steering committee members include : John and Thelma Rife; Kathy and Rex Eno; John and Dyan Smith; Lydia Brown; Steve Allsop; Brian Scott; Dina Dusk; Diane Ramsey; Lisa Rhatigan; Karl Hoffman; Duane Smith; Sally Novetzke; Dan Thies; and Doug Neighbor.

For more information about TotalChild and the Commit to a Child campaign, visit TotalChildIowa.org or FourOaks.org

###

Rock Island, IL-Domestic violence is a pervasive problem in our community.  It is a silent predator that affects one out of every four women and, typically, impacts several generations of family members.  In recognition of national domestic violence awareness this month, Christian Care and Diamonds on the Avenue are teaming up to provide an exclusive offer that is available only in October but will help raise awareness all year long.  Diamonds on the Avenue designed a one-of-a-kind necklace just for this occasion: a purple pendant that changes color in the sun and houses a floating diamond with a very special meaning.

Purple is the color of domestic violence awareness.  The floating diamond signifies the domestic violence survivor who is a diamond in the rough, yet still shining through her pain.  The necklace design pays homage to all who are currently suffering from the effects of domestic violence, those who survived and are thriving, and those who, sadly, did not survive.  This necklace is sure to be a conversation started and, when people ask about it, both Diamonds on the Avenue and Christian Care hope that the story behind the necklace's design will raise awareness for a lifetime. 

Take a stand against domestic violence: join Christian Care and Diamonds on the Avenue by purchasing a pendant from this special collection.  Wear your purple pendant and floating diamond close to your heart.  Pendants start at $49.00.  Diamonds on the Avenue will donate $10 from every purchase of these rare pendants to Christian Care's domestic violence shelter.  

Every dollar donated makes a difference.  98% of the women who complete Christian Care's holistic programs go on to live independent lives, free of their abusers.  Purchase your pendant now at Diamonds on the Avenue located at 3320 East Kimberly Road in Davenport, right down the road from Red Lobster.

Christian Care's services are available in the Quad Cities to a growing number of homeless men and abused women and children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through their two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?they provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to anyone in need. They serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and the mentally ill. Their vision is to transform the lives of those they serve by providing their residents with an opportunity to start a new, more
productive life. For more information contact Lindsey at 309-786-5734 or visit Christian Care's website at www.christiancareqc.org

###

Gilda's Club represents IA as one of 51 Finalists in the Running to Earn $10,000 in Funding Davenport, Iowa, September 16th, 2013 - Gilda's Club Quad Cities has been selected as the only finalist from IA in the fifth annual Tom's of Maine "50 States for Good" community giving program and now has a chance to win $10,000 to grow important community projects and services that will allow us to plant an organic garden and offer workshops on healthy living using local experts. Through a public vote at 50StatesforGood.com now through October 15, supporters can help bring the funding to Davenport with the simple click of a mouse.

The "50 States for Good" program seeks to uncover local nonprofit groups that address community needs and engage volunteers to get the work done. Gilda's Club G.R.O.W. (Giving Resources Organically Within) entails a combination of planting an organic garden as well as providing workshops on healthy living and sustainability. It would be a fulfilling opportunity for volunteers and members alike.

"Gilda's Club Quad Cities is absolutely thrilled to be a finalist in the Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good program. We believe that healthy eating is extremely important however, it can be very expensive. When a family is impacted by a cancer diagnosis sometimes they simply can't afford to buy these things. Winning this money would help us to be able to provide fresh organic vegetables and fruits to our members" - Erin Williams Gilda's Club Program Outreach Manager

Non-profit finalists from each state were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 nominations by an independent panel of judges, featuring including star of "The Vampire Diaries" and non-profit founder Ian Somerhalder, Matt Petronzio, assistant features editor covering social good for Mashable.com, Huffington Post columnist Lisa M. Dietlin and Sam Davidson, president of Cool People Care.

"A desire to do more for a favorite nonprofit can often be hindered by a lack of time to volunteer or financial means to make a donation," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "50 States for Good makes it easy for anyone to have an impact and directly help organizations that are bringing goodness to communities in a variety of creative and inspiring ways."    

-For several decades, Tom's of Maine has donated 10% of its profits back to the community and encourages employees to use 5% (12 days) of paid time off to volunteer every year. For more information visit tomsofmaine.com.

About Gilda's Club Quad Cities

Our mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. Free of charge, Gilda's Club Quad Cities provides support, education, and hope to all people affected by cancer. Visit us online at:www.gildasclubqc.org

www.facebook.com/gildasclubqc

www.twitter.com/gildasclubqc

www.pinterest.com/gildasclubqc

About Tom's of Maine

Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care carrying high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant and bar soap products. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For over 42 years, TOMs has sponsored hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support human and environmental goodness and by encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to volunteer. TOMs employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Most Tom's of Maine products are vegan, kosher, halal-certified and all packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. Tom's of Maine enjoys partnering with its consumers, vendors and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. Visit us online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

###

PORT BYRON, IL - The Nick Teddy Foundation collected nearly 150 teddy bears in August for its Teddy Bear Drive.  Several area locations accepted bears throughout the month.

Bears will be donated to pediatric patients at Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, IL, http://www.childrenshospitalofillinois.org  and to grieving and traumatized children served by Rick's House of Hope in Davenport, IA.  http://rhoh.org

A contest at Riverdale Elementary in Port Byron netted 100 bears for the effort.  Classes competed to collect the most bears, with the winning classroom to be rewarded with its choice of either a root beer ?oat or a pizza party.  Drive coordinator Jamie Rice commented, "I think this is a great way to get the kids involved in giving back to the community."

A "Bear Tree" with a sample of the donations will be on display at the Foundation's 2nd Annual "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k" in Port Byron on Saturday, September 14 in Port Byron.

More information, can be found online at: http://www.NickTeddy.org, on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NickTeddyOrg); on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NickTeddyOrg).

###