13 Sep 2011

"LOBSTERFEST" NETS BIG CATCH FOR CHARITIES & STUDENTS

By Rick Martin

Bettendorf Rotary sets October 1st deadline for grant requests from community

Bettendorf, IA - Thanks to funds raised during its 5th Annual Lobsterfest in June, the Bettendorf Rotary Club will be able to offer grants up to a total of $20,000 for area charities and $6,000 in scholarships to graduates pursuing higher education.

The club will award individual grants of as much as $2,500 to any qualified non-profit organization in the Quad Cities. The application deadline is October 1st. Applications are available to download at www.bettendorfrotary.com. Completed requests must then be postmarked by October 1st and sent to: Bettendorf Rotary Club, PO Box 133, Bettendorf, IA, 52722. Applications can also be obtained by mailing a request to the same address.

Grants are not awarded to groups for annual fundraising, organizational endowment funds, deficit financing, grants to individuals, scholarship funds, political groups or activities, Rotarians and their families or for sectarian purposes. Organizations that received funds last year are not eligible for the 2011 funding cycle.

Applications are reviewed and awarded by the Bettendorf Rotary's Charitable Giving Board with funds located at the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. Scholarships are administered through a different fund. Those are provided to deserving students at Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley high schools, Rivermont Collegiate and Scott Community College. Recipients are chosen by the educational institutions.

"Lobsterfest is a tremendous undertaking for our club, but the results speak for themselves," said BRC President Scott Naumann. "By bringing together fellow Rotarians, friends, family and business associates, exposing them to the Rotary message as well as assisting area charities and students, clearly that makes all of our efforts worthwhile."

The Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com), chartered on May 22, 1957, has more than 100 members fulfilling the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" in a variety of local, regional and national community volunteer projects. The club meets each Wednesday at Noon at Fortune Garden Restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf. In addition to the website, you can find the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bettendorfrotary).

Bettendorf Rotary Club is part of Rotary International (www.rotary.org), founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago businessman and University of Iowa alumnus. The international organization, now based in Evanston, IL, has more than one million members participating with 32,000 clubs located in more than 200 countries.

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06 Sep 2011

BP Awards Camp Courageous $6,250.00 Grant

By Charlie Becker

MONTICELLO, IOWA-BP Petroleum in collaboration with their BP Fueling Communities Program, local BP stations, and Fauser Energy Resources has awarded Camp Courageous a grant in the amount of $6,250.00. Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with special needs. Run on donations, without government support, formal sponsorship, or paid fund raisers, this year the camp will serve 6,000 campers.

Camp Courageous' relationship with Fauser Energy Resources began in 1981, when Don Fauser visited Camp Courageous as a board member of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa. During that visit the Petroleum Marketers decided to take Camp Courageous under their wing, at a time when the camp was struggling to survive. Since then the camp has grown from serving hundreds of campers to serving thousands of campers, is open-year round, has grown from 40 acres to 200 acres; and from 5 buildings to over 20.

"Don Fauser, and his son, Paul, have been actively involved in the success of Camp Courageous for over 30-years. They are a good and carrying family of incredible integrity...and those exceptional traits pour over into their work. Camp Courageous feels very fortunate to have BP Petroleum and Fauser Energy Resources come together to make this wonderful gift possible," said Charlie Becker, Camp Director.

29 Aug 2011

THE PROJECT OF THE QUAD CITIES HOSTS "PROJECT CHOCOLATE" FUNDRAISING EVENT

By Administrator

Second Annual Chocolate and Wine Tasting Event to Raise Funds for Mothers and Children living with HIV/AIDS in the Quad Cities

The second annual Project Chocolate With A Splash of Wine fundraising event will take place Sunday, September 25^th, 2011 from 2 to 5 pm at the Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, Iowa. Ticket prices are $35 per person, $60 per couple, or $220 for a "Box of Chocolates" group package that includes 8 tickets and a complimentary bottle of wine. Attendees will be treated to samples of chocolate-themed creations made by local chocolatiers, bakers and chefs. Vendors include Chocolate Manor, the Clarion Hotel, Edible Arrangements, Little Slice of Heaven, Ultimate Chocolates, The Isle of Capri, Decadent Revenge Bakery, Cupcakes, Muffins & More, and Shakespeare's Chocolates. The Hotel Blackhawk will provide wine samples and hors d' oeuvres and the Bettendorf Coffee Hound will provide gourmet coffee. Local celebrities will be judging the chocolate concoctions and guests will have the opportunity to vote for "People's Choice." There will also be live entertainment and a raffle that includes items from Isabel Bloom, East Side Bakery, D'Alessandro and more.

All proceeds from Project Chocolate will benefit The Project of the Quad Cities (TPQC). Established in 1986, The Project of the Quad Cities is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the Quad City area with case management and support services Project Chocolate funds will directly benefit HIV positive Mothers and Children in the Quad City area. Visit the website at www.apqc4life.org to learn more about The Project of the Quad Cities.

To purchase tickets or for more information please contact Shannon Rembowski at 309-721-7804 or Shannon@apqc4life.org.

19 Aug 2011

Upcoming American Red Cross blood drives September 1-15

By Marvin Whittaker

American Red Cross Urges Donations Around Labor Day

Labor Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers and is a time to celebrate the well-being of our country. Donating blood is a noble way to celebrate the hard work Americans have done to strengthen our country. As families celebrate the holiday, the Red Cross encourages eligible donors to schedule an appointment to donate blood.

All blood types are needed, especially O negative, B negative, and A negative. Type O negative, the universal blood type, can potentially be transfused to patients with any blood type.

To show appreciation for those who help save lives near the Labor Day holiday (August 29 - September 7), all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives and blood donation centers in the Heart of America will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $500 gas card. This is a part of the Red Cross' summer-long Good to Give. Good to Go. promotion that also offers a chance for one lucky donor (21 and older) in the Mid-America Blood Services Division to win a trip for four (4) to Orlando, Florida.

"During the holiday weekend, we typically see a dip in blood donations, but the need is constant. Donating blood is an easy way to help others and only takes about an hour of your time," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Heart of America Red Cross Blood Services region. "The Red Cross encourages donors to give blood each time they are eligible; every 56 days for whole blood donations and 112 days for double red cell donations."

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

Blood Donation Opportunities

CLINTON COUNTY

9/11/2011, 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Assumption Catholic Church, 147 Broadway Street, Charlotte

WHITESIDE COUNTY

9/3/2011, 7:00 am-11:00 am, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

9/3/2011, 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

9/6/2011, 8:00 am-11:00 am, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

9/7/2011, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

9/8/2011, 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm, Tampico Fire Department, 103 North Main Street, Tampico

9/13/2011, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

9/14/2011, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

19 Aug 2011

Angel Food Ministries Supports National Hunger Action Month in September

By Heather Waldo

Food Ministry Donates Food Packages to Those in Need

MONROE, GA August 18 - Angel Food Ministries (AFM), the nation's largest nonprofit food ministry, will join in supporting national Hunger Action Month in September. Every month AFM donates more than 600 of its food packages free to those in need while also offering food packages at 30-50% off retail prices to anyone. AFM recently donated more than 11 tons of food to tornado victims in Joplin, MO.

"Hunger continues to affect millions of Americans day in and day out. Nearly 15 percent (17.4 million) of U.S. households are food insecure and have difficulty providing enough food for all members of their family," said Pastor Wes Wingo, AFM chief information officer and CEO of Ministry Development. "Children make up an important percentage of those who are food insecure and every month we donate at least 200 of our No Child Goes Without food packages.

"During these challenging economic times, it is even more difficult for those in need to provide nutritious food to their families," Pastor Wingo said. "Every month we donate gift cards for our Sponsor Armed Services Families program as well as hundreds of our Bread of Life Signature food boxes."

Founded in 1994, AFM serves hundreds of thousands of customers in 45 states through some 5,000 churches. Anyone can order AFM food packages and SNAP (food stamp) participants can use their EBT cards to purchase food packages. There are no qualifications, income criteria or forms to fill out. Food packages can be ordered online,by phoning 1-888-819-3745 or through local churches. To locate your nearest host site and/or to order online, visit www.angelfoodministries.com and click on "Order Online."

Headquartered in Monroe GA, AFM offers a dozen standard food packages and a number of specialty packages at great discounts because it purchases food in bulk, does not have retail space and labor costs, does not advertise, uses less packaging, and benefits from the labor of some 40,000 volunteers at their partner churches.

Each month AFM compares prices item by item at major retailers in the 45 states it serves. In a recent price comparison, Angel Food's Bread of Life Signature Box, which sells for $35, was priced for as much as $79 retail. AFM's Bountiful Blessing Box, which sells for $46, was priced for as much as $114 retail. Prices are compared with major grocery and discount retailers and vary by marketplace.

"Angel Food is dedicated to helping those in need while also benefiting those churches and organizations we partner with," Pastor Wingo said. "We have returned nearly $24 million to our partner churches and every month bring more individuals into their churches than any other single organization in America."AFM is non-denominational and does not require religious faith to order their food packages.

AFM also does not rely on donations -- less than 1 percent of AFM revenues come from donations. To review this month's menu and gather more information, please visit: www.angelfoodministries.com.

August 18, 2011

# # #

18 Aug 2011

Huge Benefit Sale Going On Right Now

By Sister Mary Ann Vogel

Humility of Mary Housing Presents the 22^nd Annual

Fresh Start Benefit Sale

Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds - 4-H/Keppy Building

This sale opened Tuesday evening, August 16 and continues on the rest of this week:

August 17 and 18: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

August 19: 8:00 - 12 noon

Find a wide selection of clean, gently-used items in good working order. Kitchenware, china, a big selection of jewelry, books, bedding, linens, toys, tools, furniture, appliances and more.

Cash Raffle!

$500 First Prize and 3 - $100 prizes

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is a transitional and permanent supportive housing program that provides single-parent families experiencing homelessness with opportunities for growth and development that could lead to self-sufficient living. Children in the program learn there is a different way to live, they grow in self-esteem, and some of these children have become the first in their family to complete high school and then go on to college.

We hear of growing numbers of homeless children and children living in poverty. These stories are not just about other countries and other communities; they include our own Quad City community. Humility of Mary Housing is working to reduce some of those statistics. In their 21 years 684 families including 1349 children have been served. Every day, except when an apartment is being prepared for a new family, HMHI is serving 47 single parents and approximately 100 children. A caring and generous Quad City community has made it possible for HMHI to continue serving the needs of these families.

09 Aug 2011

THE BON-TON STORES EXTENDS ITS COMMUNITY DAY EVENT TO TWO DAYS

By Christine Hojnacki

MILWAUKEE, WI. (August 8, 2011) - The Bon-Ton Stores, which operates, Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's, Parisian and Younkers stores, announced its semi-annual Community Day event will be a two-day event, Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12, 2011, allowing the local non-profit groups a greater opportunity to raise funds for their organizations.

Groups may sign up at www.communitydayevent.com and begin selling booklets immediately. The savings booklets contain over $200 or more in savings on in-store and online merchandise during the Bon-Ton Community Day event.

Eligible Community Day organizations include 501C-3 nonprofit organizations and schools. Non-profit groups sell savings booklets for a $5 donation to support their group, and in return, the purchaser receives the valuable booklet of offers which instantly pays the donor back with a $10-off on $10 or more item-coupon. The organization keeps 100% of the $5 donation.

"Providing opportunities to support non-profit groups in the community is extremely important to our company," said Bud Bergren, president and chief executive officer of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. "By extending the event to two days, we hope participating groups will be able to generate more donations and, at the same time, customers who buy the booklets will have more time to take advantage of the tremendous offers."

In 2010, over $10 million was raised by participating nonprofit organizations through the Community Day events. Successful organizations have raised thousands of dollars by participating in this event. View testimonials on www.communitydayevent.com and find out first-hand what groups are saying about their success and learn more about how non-profits can benefit from this event.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. operates 275 stores, including 11 furniture galleries, in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates and, under the Parisian nameplate, stores in the Detroit, Michigan area. The stores offer a broad assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings.

# # #

05 Aug 2011

2011 Great Mississippi River Clean-Up Comes Home to the Quad-Cities

By Natalie Linville-Mass

Quad-Cities/ July 10th, 2011 - A massive volunteer effort to clean the mighty Mississippi is about to begin its third phase in the place where it all began. The Great Mississippi River Clean-Up (GMRC) is a volunteer effort coordinated by Living Lands & Waters (LLW), an East Moline, IL-based non-profit environmental group. Last year, LLW coordinated the first-ever simultaneous clean up of the Mississippi River . This year, the initiative has expanded from 22 to 30 cities and has grown into a summer-long campaign. Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) will launch the third phase of the 2011 Great Mississippi River Clean Up on Saturday, August 13^th.Volunteers from the Quad-Cities through Keokuk will help pull garbage out of the waters and onto the shores of Muscatine , Burlington , Ft. Madison and Keokuk , Iowa and Oquawka, New Boston and Nauvoo , Illinois . This year's Great Mississippi River Clean-Up began on June 11^th along the shores of Wisconsin , Minnesota and Northern Iowa , where volunteers pulled truckloads of discarded materials from the waters so that it could be disposed of properly. Clean-ups previously scheduled in Saint Paul and Red Wing, MN and Prairie duChien, WI had to be re-scheduled because high water and fast-moving debris made it too hazardous for volunteers.

The phenomenal growth of the Great Mississippi River Clean-up, with the addition of eight more cities this year, required organizers to broaden their efforts to monthly clean-ups across the summer. In all, 1200-1500 volunteers are expected to take part in this year's clean-up of this iconic waterway. The final phases of the GMRC will begin September 17^th and involve volunteers from Canton , MO through St. Louis , MO. Please note the dates are subject to river flood conditions

LL&W Founder and President Chad Pregracke says flooding is something LLW adapts to almost every year. "The river is constantly changing, and because of that, we must always be prepared and able to respond." Pregracke, who was recently recognized as a 'Service Hero' at the Points of Light Foundation's tribute to former President George H.W. Bush, Sr. Pregracke adds that doing the clean up in phases will help bring our important message to more people. Said Pregracke, "That's part of what Living Lands and Waters is all about: bringing the health of our rivers to the attention of everyone who depends upon them, and then working to improve it."

The Great Mississippi River Cleanup will remove debris such as tires, barrels, propane tanks, appliances, plastic bottles and more from the waterway. Volunteers will be needed to assist in debris collection on the day of the cleanup. If possible, LL&W is also looking for people who are willing to haul debris in their boats to the boat launch where roll-off dumpsters or other disposal facilities will be in place.

Living Lands and Waters is a 501(c) (3) environmental organization established in 1998 and headquartered in East Moline , Illinois . LL&W has removed more than six million pounds of trash through cleanup efforts along the Mississippi , Missouri , Ohio , Illinois and Potomac rivers since its launch over 12 years ago. LL&W also coordinated flood relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and the historic floods in Cedar Rapids , Iowa and Lake Delton , Wisconsin in 2008.

For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

02 Aug 2011

Upcoming American Red Cross blood drives August 16 - 31

By Marvin Whittaker

Red Cross Blood Donations at Seriously Low Level; Blood Donors Needed

Blood donations nationally have been declining this summer and supplies are at seriously low levels. Though the American Red Cross issued a national appeal for blood donors on July 11, blood products are going out to area hospitals just as quickly as donations are coming in.

All blood types are needed - especially type O negative, B negative and A negative - to ensure blood supplies do not drop to emergency levels.

"Summer blood donors can mean the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage," said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Heart of America Red Cross Blood Services region. "We are asking eligible donors to make appointments in the coming days to reverse the downward trend in donations that we have seen this summer."

With many donors busy or traveling and school out of session, donations have dropped dramatically. In fact, during May and June 2011, while the need for blood products remained steady, donations were at the lowest level during this time frame in 12 years. More recently extreme heat experienced throughout the region may be contributing to fewer donations.

The Red Cross needs blood donors - now more than ever - to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible.

To show appreciation to those who help save lives near the upcoming Labor Day holiday (August 29 to September 7), all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives and blood donation centers in the Heart of America region will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $500 gas card. This is a part of the Red Cross' summer-long Good to Give. Good to Go. promotion that features holiday-themed raffles and a chance for one lucky donor (21 and older) in the Mid-America Blood Services Division to win a trip for four (4) to Orlando, Florida.

How to Donate Blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

About the American Red Cross

Blood Donation Opportunities

CARROLL COUNTY

8/18/2011, 1:30 pm- 6:30 pm, American Legion Hall, 221 Calvert St., Chadwick,

8/19/2011, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, St. Wendelin's Catholic Church, 102 S. Linn, Shannon

8/22/2011, 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 502 3rd Street, Savanna

8/26/2011, 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Church of God, 816 S. Clay, Mount Carroll

8/30/2011, 8:00 am-11:30 am, Elkay Manufacturing, 105 N. Rochester St, Lanark

CLINTON COUNTY

8/18/2011, 10:00 am- 4:00 pm, Lyondell Chemical Company, 3400 Anamosa Road, Clinton

SCOTT COUNTY

8/26/2011, 10:00 am- 1:00 pm, Hy-Vee, 2200 W. Kimberly Rd., Davenport

WHITESIDE COUNTY

8/16/2011, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

8/17/2011, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

8/23/2011, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

8/24/2011, 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Abiding Word Church, 806 E Lynn Blvd., Sterling

8/24/2011, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

8/25/2011, 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

8/31/2011, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

28 Jul 2011

Donations Needed for Benefit Sale

By Bonnie J Lingner

Donations of good, gently used items are now being accepted by Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. for the Fresh Start Benefit Sale which will be held at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds beginning the evening of August 16 and going through noon of August 19. The drop-off location for sale items is 311 West Kimberly, across from North Park Mall, Lujack's and Burger King. Drop-off days and times are Monday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm, now through August 11. Accepted items are any household items in good working order including large and small appliances and furniture, bedding, linens, gift items, jewelry, books, toys, exercise equipment and other. Please, no clothes.

Humility of Mary Housing, Inc. is a transitional and permanent supportive housing program that provides single-parent families experiencing homelessness with opportunities for growth and development that could lead to self-sufficient living. Children in the program learn there is a different way to live, they grow in self-esteem, some of these children have become the first in their family to complete high school and then go on to college.

Today you can help by dropping off those good unused, never used items you find as you clean out cupboards, basements, attics and garages; as you simplify your life styles or downsize your living spaces. Think Fresh Start Benefit Sale and think of the homeless children who will be helped.

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