04 Feb 2013

Feinstein Foundation helps fight Hunger in the Quad Cities

By Anne Wachal
It is that time of year again to promote the Feinstein Foundation to help raise money for Churches United's Hunger Ministries.

Last year, $12,000 was raised for Churches United by our local community donations between the dates of March 1 and April 30th, 2012. Our goal this year is $13,000. We hope that you can participate in this endeavor. The Feinstein Foundation is not a match dollar for dollar but he does give a proportion of his one million to each agency that participates. Last year, the average amount received in Iowa and Illinois for groups like ours was $280.00. with a guarantee of $250.00 for very little effort.We can purchase approximately 4300 pounds of extra food simply by participating with the Feinstein Foundation . Won't you please help us and send an additional contribution of any size during this 60 day period to help us participate with the Feinstein Foundation? Thank you so very much!

Churches United of the Quad City Area, 2535 Tech Dr, #205, Bettendorf, IA 52722

For more info on Alan Feinstein simply go to his website at: www.feinsteinfoundation.org
01 Feb 2013

CALLING ALL YOUNG WRITERS AND ARTISTS

By Lora Adams

PBS Kids GO Writers Contest

MOLINE, IL - WQPT-Quad Cities PBS invites young authors and illustrators in kindergarten-third grade to submit their original stories to the PBS Kids Go Writing Contest.

Stories, which must be the original work of the child, may be non-fiction, fiction, prose or poetry. Entries, postmarked by Wednesday, April 10, can be dropped off at WQPT's office at Western Illinois University's 60th Street campus, or mailed to WQPT, 3561 60th St., Moline, Illinois 61265.

Sixteen local winners (four from each grade) will be honored with prizes at a ceremony held at the Butterworth Center in May and will appear on-air in a promotion for PBS Kids programs on WQPT. First place winners will compete for national prizes and their stories will appear on the WQPT website. Finalists and participating classrooms will also receive free books. Each participant will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

For more information, along with guidelines and entry forms, visit wqpt.org/storycontest or contact Ana Kehoe at (309) 764-2400 or AT-Kehoe@wiu.edu.

Funding and support for the writing contest has been provided in part by the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House, Family Museum, Figge Art Museum, Midwest Writing Center and WQPT.

WQPT is a public media service of Western Illinois University-Quad Cities.

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29 Jan 2013

Non-Profit "Brews" New Fundraising Idea

By Rick Martin

Since 2009, government funding to non-profit organizations that provide human services has been in steady decline, forcing these service organizations to change much of their funding strategies or face a reduction in their ability to provide critical services to their communities. Competition amongst non-profits for the "donated" dollar is extreme: How can an individual not-for profit make itself standout from the crowd to garner more support and exposure plus increase donor dollars?

Known for their "outside the box" fundraising programs, senior center CASI (Center for Active Seniors, Inc.) in Davenport, Iowa, has" brewed" the prefect fundraising plan.

CASI has teamed up with a regional microbrewery, Great River Brewery, to create a new beer dedicated to seniors and senior services. The results: Owney Irish Red Ale. Owney, an old Irish name for "elderly" is being released in retail locations throughout the Quad Cities the week of February 4th.

Proceeds from the sale of Owney Irish Red Ale will be used by CASI to fund services for seniors in the Quad City community. Additionally, distributors Vanguard Distributing Co. and Stern Beverages are providing marketing materials used to promote awareness of CASI's programs and services.

Then on March 9, a formal tapping event is planned at Great River Brewery (332 E 2nd St., Davenport) beginning at 1:00 p.m. Area senior centers and the general public are invited to join in the festivities. Food will be provided by The Fountains Senior Living Community of Bettendorf.

We all have a senior in our life that needs our help. So toast CASI with a pint of Owney and support our senior services!

Founded in 1973, CASI is a multi-service nationally accredited senior center providing a variety of social, educational, support and wellness programs and activities designed for adults over the age of 60 and their families/caregivers.

- END -

28 Jan 2013

Annual Super Sunday Sale - Sunday, February 3rd, 12 to 3 p.m.

By Jamie Sons
The American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop in Cumberland Square invites you to bargain shop for a cause!  Sunday, February 3rd will be our annual super clearance sale EVERYTHING in the store will be half price.  

Mark you calendars and stop in to grab all of the bargains that you can find and be back home long before the big game starts.  We are clearing out the floor to make room for all of the new and beautiful donations that we have recently been receiving.  With the new things that we will be putting out on the floor starting Monday, February 4th the bargains will continue long after the game is over.

The Discovery Shop is an upscale resale shop selling gently used items donated by the community and staffed by over 100 volunteers.  All clothing is cleaned and ironed before it is sold and dry cleaning is donated by Burke's Dry Cleaners.  Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research, education, patient services and advocacy.

Donations are accepted anytime the shop is open and a tax receipt is always available.  Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm., Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm., and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Thank you for your help in getting the word out about this event!
26 Jan 2013

Saturday Chili Cook-off

By Mark Smith
JUST A REMINDER FOR SATURDAY:
   
  HAND  IN HAND' S ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF  SATURDAY, JANUARY 26TH, 2012FROM 2;30 - 7:00 P.M. AT THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FAIR'S  NEW FAIRCENTER (WHICH IS ON THE WESTSIDE OF THE FAIRGROUNDS).  IT IS A GREAT HUMAN INTEREST EVENT FOR YOUR VIEWERS/READERS...LOTS OF PEOPLE, CREATIVE BOOTH, AND MANY HUMOROUS STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE "BELOVED CHILI".   OF COURSE, THE CHILI IS VERY TASTY TOO.
LAST YEAR 950 PEOPLE ATTENDED WITH 10,000 CHILI SAMPLES SERVED. IN ADDITION TO CHILI TASTING; THE COOK-OFF ALSO FEATURES RAFFLES,AND SILENT AUCTIONS.  FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE HAND IN HAND CHILI COOK-OFF, CREATING A CHILI TEAM TO COMPETE OR REGARDING HAND IN HAND'S PROGRAMS VISIT.http://www.handinhandqc.org/.  TICKETS ARE $8 AT THE DOOR. MEDIA CONTACT IS MARK SMITH FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AT 332-8010. 
NOTES OF INTEREST:  THERE ARE INTERESTING STORIES RELATING TO OUR CHILI TEAMS.  MEDIC/EMS CHILI (CARDIAC CHILI) HAS A DISPLAY WITH A MANIKIN RECEIVING AN IV OF CHILI.   GUNCHIES BAR AND GRILL HAS A REAL GOAL POST AS PART OF THE DISPLAY FOR THEIR TAILGATING CHILI. WE ALSO HAVE A TEAM FROM DES MOINES CALL "HOG CALLING CHILI" WHO HAS WON MANY COOK-OFF CONTESTS AND WAS INTERVIEWED BY THE "TODAY SHOW". 
HAND IN HAND SERVES QUAD CITY CHILDREN  WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.  WE PROVIDE CHILDCARE, SUMMER CAMPS, BOWLING LEAGUES AND EVEN A SPECIAL NEEDS GIRL SCOUT TROOP FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM, DOWN SYNDROME AND OTHER SIMILAR DISABILITIES.
25 Jan 2013

CHRISTIAN CARE RECEIVES GRANT - TJX Supports Christian Care

By Ann Ring
Rock Island - Christian Care is pleased to announce that it has received a grant
from The TJX Companies, Inc. and The TJX Foundation, Inc. to help support the Quad
City's emergency and transitional housing needs. TJX is the leading off-price retailer
of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide, ranking No. 125 in the most
recent Fortune 500.

"We were thrilled to learn the good news from The TJX Companies and The TJX
Foundation," said Dr. Elaine Winter, Christian Care's Executive Director. "Their generous
support will help us provide food and shelter for the hundreds of men, women and
children who will come through our doors this year."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic
violence shelter for 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.

Christian Care's 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.
If you know of someone in need, call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day
at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at christiancareqc.org.
24 Jan 2013

Christian Care Receives Funding The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation Supports the Hungry and Hurting

By Ann Ring

Rock Island, IL - The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation Board of Trustees has awarded a
$10,000 grant to financially assist Christian Care feed the homeless and hungry.

"We couldn't possibly be able to fulfill our mission without generous supporters like The
Hubbell-Waterman Foundation," said Executive Director Elaine Winter, Ed.D. "This grant will
go a long way toward not only providing food, shelter and services for the hundreds of men,
women and children who will come through our doors this year, but also will help us provide
sustained help in the form of counseling, case management, advocacy and spiritual guidance."

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating two facilities?a domestic violence
shelter for 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 illness.

Christian Care's 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. If you know of someone in
need, call Christian Care's crisis hotline any hour of the day at (309) 788-2273 or visit online at
christiancareqc.org.

 

22 Jan 2013

Quad City Interfaith January Newsletter

By QC Interfaith

Happy New Year!

QCI Trivia Night


Quad Cities Interfaith Trivia Night on March  2nd, 2013 at Knights of Columbus (Downstairs) Doors open at 6:30 pm, Game starts at 7 pm. Bring your own food. ALL beverages to be purchased there. $10 per person. Reserve your table now. Call Beth at 563-322-4910.


Fire of Faith 



In October of 2012, QCI kicked off the Fire of Faith Campaign - Rekindling Congregations, Democracy, and the Economy campaign. Fire of Faith is a three-year campaign that will strengthen member congregations and institutions, increase participation in democracy, and move one million people into jobs and increase economic dignity. Our faith traditions teach us that loving our neighbor cannot be just a sentiment- we must help to shape a world we can be proud to leave to our grandchildren.  "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24)


What's New at QCI

Fire of Faith - A movement to Rekindle Our Congregations!

Quad Cities Interfaith is leading a Fire of Faith campaign for 2013, developing a local Fire of Faith Cohort  of 6-7 congregations that walk together on a year long journey of congregational development and strengthening . Through this Cohort QCI will help lay leaders and clergy assess and identify the needs of a congregation and work to develop leaders for the congregation's ministries. The FOF Cohort will meet and receive training, intensive technical assistance and mentoring . This cohort of congregations will journey together, but each member congregation in the cohort will develop and work on their individual plans.

The purpose of QCI and Congregational Based Organizing, is to identify and develop lay leadership in a cohesive and active congregation so they can fully proclaim their faith in the public sphere, increase membership and engagement and create long term sustainability. Using the arts, attitudes and disciplines of the faith based community organizing, Fire of Faith will strengthen a congregation in ways that are measurable to that congregation. While often it is community issue work that draws and keeps a congregation engaged in QCI, this Fire of Faith process focuses in on what a congregation can do using our tools to build their congregation and make sure they are growing and building community. When congregations are strong , QCI is strong. Curious? Interested in learning more about this process? Call Leslie Kilgannon at 563.322.4910.


Photos from Gamaliel's Fire of Faith Retreat in January in Mundelein, Illinois. 68 leaders came together from Iowa, Indiana and Illinois to chart our course for 2013, Fire Of Faith is a year long journey of strengthening congregations. Clockwise from top. Quad City lay leaders and clergy joined QCI Director Leslie Kilgannon for the two day spiritual retreat and planning session. QCI Director and a leader from Gamaliel of Chicago.Gamaliel of Illinois Director Juan Soto explaining the Fire of Faith Campaign for 2013. 


Please Consider Becoming a Sustaining Donor!

We are trying to diversify our funding. To do this, the breakfast kicked off the individual sustaining donor campaign. The goal is to get 200 individuals donating at least $20 a month.  Any contributions to Quad Cities Interfaith are an investment in the work for justice in our community. Your tax-deductible donation is essential to our future and the work for justice. Making a monthly (or an annual) sustaining donation is easy and convenient through VANCO services on our website. You are able to make a secure payment using your credit or debit card. Sustaining donors make an on-going contribution. Each month or year you will be charged the same amount. You can also decide to stop or change your contribution at any time.

Ready to Become a Sustaining Donor?

It's Simple with these Step by Step Instructions
1.) Visit our website at www.qcinterfaith.org
2.) On the top right hand side of the site, click on donate now
3.) You will be taken to a secured website provided by VANCO Services to the Online Donation Page which has our logo
4.) Go to Donations
Enter the dollar amount you wish to contribute.
Donation Frequency: Identify how often you will be giving i.e weekly, monthly, one time gift
Donation Start Date: Identify the date you want a withdrawal to begin or to be made
5.) Click on Continue
Fill out donation information including how you would like to pay, your name and address, etc.
Review the information carefully
Make sure you click on process
6.) Confirmation. A confirmation page comes up with a thank you, confirming the donation and a confirmation number.
You can print off a receipt of your donation for your records.
It is recommended that you create a profile so that the system remembers you and you can log in and make changes, etc. 

QCI Issue Updates

Transportation and Jobs Equity

As part of  Gamaliel of Illinois, the task force is working to secure a State wide Project Labor Agreement (PLA) from the contractors,unions and Illinois Department of Transportation that will include requirements for diversity in the work force on all transportation projects in Illinois. The Task Force is also looking to build a local monitoring committee in early 2013, that will hold accountable IL DOT on the Community Benefits Agreement principles it agreed to for the passenger rail project coming to the Quad Cities. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 10 am at Church of Peace- 12th and 12th in Rock Island.  Join us! For information, please contact QCI.


Health Equity

Imagine this situation:  Your six-year-old child has a fever and a sore throat.  You're worried, so you take him to the doctor. You say, "I notice he talks little.  Little by little and he has difficulty eating and swallowing."  The doctor asks you, "Does he have a sore throat?" Pretty straightforward, right?

But now imagine the same situation when your first language isn't English, and you have to bring someone, in this case a family friend, to interpret for you, and this is how the friend translates what you told the doctor:  "She says he is talking like, like lazy, whatever he says all the time, and plus he is not eating at all."  Then, when the doctor asks about the sore throat, your no doubt well-meaning friend keeps interrupting and doesn't let you answer the question.
Research is starting to show that medical communication problems caused by language barriers are not only distressing, they are also potentially dangerous.
Medical interpretation and translation are key health care services in reducing health disparities.  There are many other issues of disparity, of course: geography, ethnicity, physical and mental limitations, but the disparities caused by language services in our communities are the current focus of the QCI Health Equity Task Force.

Our next meeting is in Tuesday, February 19th at 4:30pm at the QCI office -111 E. 3rd Street Davenport Suite 423.  We will be refining our plans for 2013.  Please join us.  We hope to have at least one representative from every congregational member of QCI as we address the challenges of improving health equity in the Quad Cities! If your congregation would like more information, please contact QCI at 563.322.4910.

QCI is in the process of developing a round table on education and is looking for clergy and community leaders to join together to establish round table that will identify and advance local issues and connect to regional and national education  issues. If  you are interested please email us at qcinterfaith@gmail.com. QCI staff is looking to connect with the Gamaliel Education Equity Task Force and will schedule a first meeting in February - watch this space.



Community Events

Continuing Series -Race Matters at St. Ambrose University
The Hyphen Matters: Race and Asian-Americans
Thursday, Feb. 7th, 7 pm

Placing Blame: European Racism in an Era of Crisis
Thursday, Feb. 28th , 7 pm

For more info and Race Matters updates visit: www.sau.edu

"Celebration of Life, Honoring Reverend Ron Quay"

On Saturday, February 2nd, 2013 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation for a 2 pm community celebration of  Ron Quay, who passed away in December. Rev. Quay was dedicated to social justice and the area is a more just community because of his work. 

Upcoming Dates

Calling all leaders!!!!!! Quad Cities Interfaith Strategic Planning Session for 2013-2014 is Saturday, February 9th, 2013, 8 am to 2 pm at Church of Peace, 1114 12th Street, Rock Island
Calling Clergy and lay leaders from our member congregations to help chart a course for the next year for QCI. Well feed you, but we need you to RSVP to QCI by February 7th. More details to come.


Quad Cities Interfaith Trivia Night on March  2nd, 2013 at Knights of Columbus (Downstairs) Doors open at 6:30 pm, Game starts at 7 pm. Bring your own food. ALL beverages to be purchased there. $10 per person. Reserve your table now. Call Beth at 563-322-4910.


2013 Gamaliel National Training.........
Teaching ordinary citizens to unleash the power within themselves

February 24-March 2 (7-day): Villa Maria, PA
July 14-20 (7-Day): Mundelein, IL
November 11-17 (7-Day): Western Region
Civil Rights of Immigrants Retreat March, 2013
National Clergy/Team Training April 24-26: St. Mary's, Mundelein, IL
Strategic Campaign Training June 10-14: Gallaudet University, Washington DC
Gamaliel Leadership Retreat June 2013


Tuesday, February 12th - 6:30 pm 

QCI Leadership Assembly 

St Mary's Church , 516 Fillmore, Davenport

22 Jan 2013

West Music Quad Cities to Host Free Restring and Food Donation Event

By Kelly Goerdt

West Music and D'Addario Strings to Host Food Drive and Guitar Restring Event to benefit the River Bend Food Bank

Moline, IL - January 30, 2013 - West Music Quad Cities in partnership with D'Addario Strings and the River Bend Food Bank will be offering a one day food drive and free restring event for acoustic and electric guitars at its Moline location on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. D'Addario will be providing strings at no charge to participants. Participants only need to bring in four canned goods or non-perishable food items, or a $5 donation. Contributions will be donated to the River Bend Food Bank in Moline.

The event will take place during store hours 10am - 8pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at West Music Quad Cities in Moline, IL, 4305 44th Avenue. This offer is limited to one 6-string acoustic steel-string guitar or one 6-string electric guitar per customer, while supplies last. No locking tremolo systems please. Guitars will be restrung with appropriate gauge D'Addario guitar strings; special gauges will not be available. Customers are limited to a free restring of one of these instruments. During the event, West Music will also offer a 10% discount on all in-stock Planet Waves products, made and distributed by D'Addario. Participants will also be able to register to win a free guitar set-up from West Music's extraordinary repair staff. For more information on this event, please contact Kyle Ware, West Music Combo Merchandise Manager at 319-351-2000 or at kware@westmusic.com.

About the River Bend Food Bank

The River Bend Food Bank, located at 309 12th Street in Moline was established in 1982. It is non-profit organization that collects, stores, and redistributes surplus food to other charities that have feeding programs. Last year the food bank distributed over 7 million pounds of surplus food to 300 charitable feeding programs throughout Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. For more information on the River Bend Food Bank, please visit www.riverbendfoodbank.org.

About D'Addario & Company

D'Addario & Company, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets complete lines of strings for fretted and bowed musical  instruments, drumheads, drumsticks, drum practice pads, and guitar and woodwind accessories under the proprietary brand names D'Addario, Planet Waves, Rico, Evans Drumheads, Pro-Mark Drumsticks, and PureSound Percussion. The company also runs theLessonroom.com and Guitar.com. D'Addario products are marketed in approximately 120 countries.

About West Music Company

Founded in 1941, West Music's mission to "Enrich peoples' lives through participation in music" is at the root of its success and continued growth. West Music specializes in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offers music instruction, repair and music therapy services. West Music has six retail locations in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. For more information, visit West Music's comprehensive online website at www.westmusic.com or call 1-800-373-2000.

-#-#-#-

21 Jan 2013

CFGRB Endowment Challenge Raises Over $1 Million in Permanent Support for the Quad City Community

By Natalie Anderson

BETTENDORF, Iowa - Supporters of fifteen nonprofit organizations contributed over $1 million to help those nonprofits succeed in the 2012 Endowment Challenge issued by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (CFGRB). The endowments funded by these donations and $75,000 in matching grants from the CFGRB will create a permanent, consistent source of income, allowing organizations to fulfill their missions for years to come.

Nonprofits that raised $15,000 in new gifts for their endowment at CFGRB received a $5,000 matching grant for their endowment. Alternatively, nonprofits that raised $30,000 in new gifts had the option to add the $5,000 matching grant to their endowment or use it for current operations. Every year, 4.5% of endowment assets held at the CFGRB are distributed back out to the community to support the work of nonprofit organizations, while the principal remains intact as a permanent resource.

Because gifts had to come from at least ten people, organizations had to spread the message of the importance of endowment. Jay Morrow, Superintendent of United Township, had conversations with alumni about how they could support the United Education Foundation, which provides scholarships to students and mini-grants to teachers. "We let them know that they could be significant in the future of our foundation, giving tomorrow's students the same opportunities that they had."

CFGRB Vice President of Programs Matt Mendenhall agrees. "While the $5,000 award is certainly helpful to these organizations, increased stakeholder awareness of endowment as permanent support for a mission they care about will have much greater value over the long run." In total, 397 donors contributed to the 2012 Endowment Challenge.

For all but one organization, the 2012 Endowment Challenge was their first time raising funds specifically for endowment. Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, already an Endowment Partner, took the opportunity to grow their endowment. "In today's economy, a lot of organizational energy is focused on the 'now' - making sure we can provide services today," says George McDoniel, Executive Director. "The Community Foundation through their challenge match encourages us to focus energy on securing our future with endowment."

Both Endowment Partners and CFGRB staff stressed the value of the partnerships they built through this process. Barb Melbourne, Vice President of Development at the CFGRB, says, "I am very proud of our partners who committed to building endowment for a sustainable future." Mark Drake, Executive Director of Youth Hope, says, "We are so excited about our new
endowment with the Community Foundation! We received a generous match, a new partnership, new income, and unlimited long term potential."

Each Endowment Partner who met the match will be featured on the CFGRB Facebook page as "Endowment Partner of the Week" beginning January 28th. To learn more about the impact of these organizations and how you can make a difference, Like our Facebook page.

2012 CFGRB Endowment Challenge

Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation
Catholic Diocese of Davenport
Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities
Eastern Iowa Community College District Foundation
Family Resources, Inc.
German-American Heritage Center
Habitat for Humanity
Handicapped Development Center
Midwest Writing Center
Oakdale Memorial Gardens
Saint Anthony's Catholic Church - Davenport
Scott County Family Y
United Education Foundation
Women's Choice Center
Youth Hope

CFGRB 2012 Endowment Challenge - By the numbers:

Successful Endowment Partners: 15
Total gifts: $956,680.31
Total donors: 397
Total match: $75,000

If you have questions, please contact the Community Foundation at 563-326-2840, or info@cfgrb.org.

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