The board of the Mississippi Valley DOVIA chapter announces its upcoming workshop on Thursday, March 3, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in Meeting Room B at the Eastern Avenue Branch of the Davenport Public Library. The program "Social Media - How Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Other Sites Can

Help You Recruit and Connect with Volunteers" will be presented by Alan Campbell, Associate Director for Communications for Eastern Iowa Community College District. This event is free and open to the public. The Eastern Avenue Branch facility is wireless; participants are welcome to bring in their own laptops.

This workshop may be of interest for any professionals supporting their business communications through social media, and particularly for non-profit organizations engaging volunteers through their missions. Register for the March 3 workshop by contacting MVDOVIA Facilitator Sherry Gogulich at 309-786-1466 x110 or  sherryg@childabuseqc.org.

The mission of MVDOVIA is to enhance the development and growth of volunteer program administrators through communication, education, and networking, and to promote volunteerism in the Quad Cities. For membership information contact info@mvdovia.org.

THURSDAY, March 3, 2011

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Davenport Public Library - Eastern Avenue Branch

Meeting Room B

6000 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, IA

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (February 17, 2011) - Local nonprofit organizations are participating in a unique fundraising opportunity with their local Bergner's, Bon-Ton, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's, Younkers and Parisian stores.  Everyone can take advantage of the saving and at the same time supporting their community by buying a $5 coupon booklet from a participating organization or at the store on Saturday, February 26, 2011. Stores open early at 7 am providing an opportunity for local 501C3 organizations, schools and churches to sell booklets at the store to earn funding needed to support their mission.

Groups selling the booklets keep 100% of the $5 price.  Each booklet contains special savings coupons valid on regular and sale price merchandise on Community Day.  Last February, this event helped non-profits raise nearly $4 million.

Organizations will continue selling booklets through Saturday, February 26.  For a $5 donation, purchasers get a $10 off coupon, valid on an item of $10 or more, a 30% off early bird coupon that is valid until 10 a.m., a 20% off shopping pass to use over and over on almost everything in the store, plus special bonus items.

"We encourage the community to support their local participating groups on Community Day." stated Bud Bergren, president and chief executive officer for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., "We have made it easy by giving customers shopping discounts including a $10 coupon for every $5 donated.  Our customers and community partners find great value in this fundraising event."

Customers do not need to purchase a booklet to shop on Community Day.  Hundreds of door buster items will be available from 7am-1pm as well as other great offers throughout the store.

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. The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc is an active and positive participant in the communities that it serves. The Community Day Event is a long standing charitable partnership the Company developed to support and build strong communities.

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TIP A MALLARD

On Tuesday  evening, March 8th, members of the Quad City Mallards hockey team will be celebrity waiters at Antonella's Ristorante and Pizzeria.

All tips received by the Hockey waiters that evening will be donated to the hunger programs at Churches United of the Quad City Area.

We encourage you, your family, and your friends to enjoy a wonderful Sicilian-style dinner of pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches, support a great cause, and be served by some of the most athletic "waiters" in town.

Antonella's, a family owned and operated restaurant at 112 West 3rd Street in downtown Davenport, is a proud supporter of Churches United and a sponsor of Mallard hockey. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 563-359-4411.

USTA SERVES AWARDS MORE THAN $1 MILLON IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2010

 Year-End Grants Awarded to 33 Organizations Including United Neighbors in Davenport, Iowa

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., January 25, 2011 - USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the United States Tennis Association, announced today that it has awarded 33 year-end grants totaling $420,650.  Among the organizations recognized with a grant in the amount of $15,000 was United Neighbors in Davenport, Iowa.  The number of program grants awarded in 2010 was 59, for a total amount of $855,150.  Combined with scholarship awards, USTA Serves distributed more than $1 million in 2010.

The bi-annual grant process, a national initiative of USTA Serves, was developed to provide disadvantaged, at-risk children in underserved communities, as well as people with disabilities, the opportunity to learn to play tennis and improve their academic skills in a structured format, and also to help combat childhood obesity by promoting healthy lifestyles. To date, USTA Serves has disbursed more than $10 million in grants to a variety of programs that share those aims.

At funded program sites, children between the ages of 5-18 learn about healthy nutrition and lifestyles, responsible citizenship, study skills, and computer literacy. The grant recipients are chosen by a Grant Proposal Review Committee comprised of Foundation Board Members and USTA National staff, with important input from USTA Sections. They are awarded to programs that successfully combine tennis and education and help children pursue their goals and highest dreams by leading healthier lives, succeeding in school and becoming healthier citizens. New for 2010, USTA Serves has begun granting money to programs for children of deployed military personnel who are at particular risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties

Born from neighborhood action to revitalize Davenport's older neighborhoods, United Neighbors serves individuals and families in need through social and cultural interaction and educational experiences. It is neighborhood-controlled and assists primarily low-and moderate-income residents. USTA Serves grant funds will support the organization's afterschool and summer programming which provides a safe and healthy environment where children can play tennis and have access to computers.  Serving 250 children, United Neighbors youth programs empower youth to support and influence their community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self image, and respect their own and other's cultural identities. 

"USTA Serves is excited to continue investing financial and other resources to support organizations that believe in the powerful combination of tennis and education," said Deborah Slaner Larkin, Executive Director, USTA Serves. "We are proud of United Neighbor's expertise, commitment and passion, and commend the organization for making an impact in the lives of the people they serve."