02 Aug 2013

The Salvation Army Partners with Habitat for Humanity

By Holly Nomura

Quad Cities, USA - The Salvation Army will be serving the noon meal to the volunteers at the building sites on 5th Avenue in Moline, IL.

Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator for The Salvation Army states, "We are always honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Our missions are interconnected ... we both try to alleviate the despair of homelessness."

House #83, 509 - 5th Avenue, Moline, IL is fully sponsored by the Moline Foundation through the newly established Karen and Tom Getz Award for Excellence.

House #82, 509 - 5th Avenue, Moline, IL is supported by the John Deere Foundation.  Wells Fargo is sponsoring the infrastructure.

 

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from casework and life skills training, providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities is a nonprofit Christian housing organization dedicated to eliminating poverty housing.  Habitat builds simple, decent, affordable housing for low income, working families.  These families not only contribute sweat equity hours to Habitat; but they also purchase their homes on a no-interest mortgage.  Founded in 1993, HFHQC has made the dream of home ownership possible for 80 local families.  . For more information, go to www.habitatqc.org

26 Jul 2013

New Entertainment Company Aims to Give Wing to a Goodwill Movement

By Ginny Grimsley

A team of recognized best-in-class media and marketing professionals joined with a noted philanthropist in May to create Angel Wings Entertainment, LLC, a company on a mission to find and inspire "human angels" across the country.

Angel Wings Entertainment is currently developing a national television series featuring the stories of real-life human angels. These are the everyday people so touched by a need, they devote themselves to alleviating it through personal sacrifice and tireless service. The show will be the lynchpin of Angel Wings Entertainment's multi-media effort to "shine a light on the best of human behavior" and encourage everyone to become an Angel.

"We're all more technically connected than ever today, but we've never been so emotionally separated. We hope to change that," says Angel Wings Entertainment Chairman Jim Lindsey, a renowned brand builder and former vice-chairman of the top advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide, as well as a leader of ad agencies McCaffrey & McCall and Hill Holiday/Wakeman & DeForrest.

Lindsey, also known for directing corporate development and acquisitions for a host of clients, from MGM/UA and Orion Films to Sears, Marriott Resorts, Mercedes Benz, and Epson, says the project will include a significant charitable component. "We have to teach people how to give again," he says.

The company's board of directors also includes CEO Tom Keegan, an entertainment industry veteran who has worked on more than 500 productions for ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and national syndication, including the Emmy Award-winning Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (ABC), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (motion picture for NBC), The Hollywood Reporter, Front Runners and Celebrity Sweepstakes.

"I've waited my entire career to produce a show like this," Keegan says. "This is an opportunity to do something that's good all around - good for everyone."

The production is funded in part by an endowment from John Shimer, a director of the charitable corporation Fortune Family Foundation and a veteran specialist in fundraising for nonprofits.  His work with a "human angel," a woman who established a vocational school in impoverished Uganda, inspired him to launch the Angels Among Us Project, which in turn led to the creation of Angel Wings Entertainment.

"If you want people to be their best, or just better than they are, you need to shine a light on what that looks like," Shimer says. "People tend to become what they see."

The company is actively recruiting nominations for Angels and invites the public to submit candidates for recognition by visiting its website, www.AngelWingsEntertainment.com. Follow it on Twitter: @AngelsNextDoor.

24 Jul 2013

Camp Courageous extends appreciation to Emergency Responders

By Charlie Becker
Monticello, Iowa - Camp Courageous reported a missing 13-year old male camper with severe autism at approximately 7:15 PM Monday.  The camper was last seen walking on a trail headed to a campsite.  Multiple agencies were actively involved in the search and the camper was found at approximately 8:15 AM Tuesday.
Camp Courageous would like to thank area emergency services including but not limited to the Monticello Fire, Police, and Ambulance Services, Jones County Sheriff's Dept., Jones County Conservation, Jones County Emergency Response Team, Emergency Management Agency, the Iowa State Patrol (including their airplane, which found the camper), Cascade Police & Fire, Clinton EMA including Connie Heath and Bill and Lois Hall with search and rescue dogs, Clinton County Conservation, Dubuque Fire, Northern Iowa Cert, Iowa Canine Cert Team, the State's Task Force One, Counselors, Volunteers, and the general public who were on the scene to assist.  Over 200 assisted in the search and many more offered their time and resources.
Camp Courageous is a year round recreational and respite care facility annually serving over 6,500 campers with special needs that is run on donations.
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23 Jul 2013

NICK TEDDY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES TEDDY BEAR DRIVE NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1

By Holly Larson

PORT BYRON, IL - PORT BYRON, IL - The Nick Teddy Foundation, of Port Byron, IL, has begun a teddy bear donation drive at studio, library, and YMCA locations in the Quad City area. 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

New teddy bears, of all sizes and descriptions, in original packaging, can be dropped off at collection boxes at the following locations: Haven Studios, 105 South Chicago St, Suite 5, Geneseo; RIver Valley District Library, 214 S Main St, Port Byron; Cordova District Library, 402 Main Ave, Cordova; Bettendorf Family YMCA, 3800 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf; and Two Rivers YMCA, 2040 53rd St, Moline. Collection ends September 1.

The Nick Teddy Foundation was established in 2012 in loving memory of Port Byron native Nick Strub, who died in November 2011 of complications of Ewing's sarcoma. This pediatric bone cancer currently affects children in the Quad City area.

Last year, the Foundation's 2012 "Nick Teddy Fight Against Ewing's Sarcoma 5k" registered more than 450 runners and raised over $17,000 to be used exclusively for Ewing's sarcoma research. The Teddy Bear Drive is an additional effort to provide support to hospitalized pediatric patients, and to area children dealing with the after-effects of cancer and other distressing family events.

16 Jul 2013

American Red Cross - Day in the life of a chapter

By Gail McGovern

I'm often asked, "How does the Red Cross manage to be everywhere at once?" The answer is simple: our local chapters and volunteers.

Whether it's midnight or noon, rain or shine, your local Red Cross chapter works around the clock to prevent and relieve suffering.

From helping families cope after emergencies to coordinating blood drives, and more, it's your generosity that makes so much possible.

We wanted to show you all of the important and meaningful work you help support every day - and to say thank you.

We're so proud to have you standing with us. Thank you for being willing to roll up your sleeves and for making this all possible.

Sincerely,


Gail McGovern
President and CEO, American Red Cross

P.S. Find your local Red Cross chapter - stop by to say hello!
09 Jul 2013

KING'S HARVEST ANNOUNCES DATE FOR 2013 GOLF TOURNAMENT TO HELP THE POOR AND HOMELESS IN THE QUAD CITIES.

By Rick Martin

King's Harvest Ministries is pleased to announce the date for its second annual golf tournament. The tournament will take place on August 26, 2013 at Short Hills Country Club. It is a four person best ball format with a shot gun start. Included in the registration fee are 18 holes with a cart and dinner. Additional dinner guests are welcome.

Special course contests will be held, including a "hole in one" on hole number seven (7). The winner will receive a two year new car lease, provided by Courtesy Car City.

King's Harvest currently has fifteen local business sponsors in the Quad City area. Major sponsors: Courtesy Car City in Moline and Davenport, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, Sears Manufacturing and Larry Thein State Farm Agency.

Please call Grant Curtis at 563-528-0835 or email: kh-golf@mediacombb.net to obtain more information about the golf tournament or request a registration form.

All net proceeds will be used to support King's Harvest Ministries. Our facility is located at 824 West 3rd Street in Davenport. Our mission includes, but is not limited to; a soup kitchen, food bank, shelters for homeless mothers with children, single men and single women and a pet shelter.

If you're interested in volunteer opportunities please contact Terri Gleize, 563-570-4536 or kingsharvest@mchsi.com


# # #

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 3rd 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."

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.

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.

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