A Journey of Hope to Enhance the Quality of Life

DAVENPORT, IA- On Thursday, July 12, a team of cyclists participating in the 25th Journey of Hope, presented by KRG Capital, will arrive in Davenport as part of a nine-week, 4,000-mile cycling event across the country to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities.

That evening, the team will have dinner and a Friendship Visit with the City of Davenport Parks and Recreation at 6:00 p.m. location TBD.

Journey of Hope is a program of Push America, the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. The Journey of Hope team consists of men from Pi Kappa Phi chapters across the country. The team will cycle an average of 75 miles per day, beginning in San Francisco and Seattle and ending in Washington, D.C. on August 5.

At stops across the country, the three routes (North, South and TransAmerica) will distribute grants directly to assist organizations in serving people with disabilities. For the team, the real journey will not be on a bike, but spending time with the people for whom they are riding. The Journey of Hope team members will spend every afternoon with people with disabilities in many different community events and activities. These men are striving for community inclusion of people with disabilities and are helping to break the barriers of society that keep people of all abilities from living life to the fullest.

This year marks Push America's 35th anniversary and Journey of Hope's 25th. The organization was founded in 1977 with the hope of committing its members to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. With the combined efforts of sponsors and individual team members, this year's Journey of Hope will raise more than $600,000 on behalf of people with disabilities. Push America and Pi Kappa Phi have raised over $15 million to date and continue to be on the cutting edge of the disability movement.

Exotic Escape Day Spa and Salon will have a fundraiser for King's Harvest Ministries on Friday, June 29th, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm. Exotic Escape Spa and Salon is located at 2406 E. 53rd Street, Davenport, IA. Proceeds from haircuts and soak/foot massages will go to King's Harvest to help pay for the fire sprinkler system required by the City of Davenport.

The City of Davenport is requiring a $57,000 new fire sprinkler system for King's Harvest Ministries. King's Harvest will need to raise the money for the new system or shut their doors. This includes their Shelter for Homeless Mothers with Children. King's Harvest serves the poor and homeless in the Quad Cities and is located at 824 W. 3rd Street in downtown Davenport.

Haircuts are $25.00 for women and $20.00 for men. A soak and foot massage is $20.00. Proceeds from haircuts and soak/foot massages will go directly to King's Harvest Ministries.

If you would like details on this fundraiser or to schedule an interview with Amanda Wheeler, owner of Exotic Escape Day Spa and Salon please call 563-386-8033.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Anne McVey, Fundraising Coordinator for King's Harvest Ministries, please call 563-508-4170.

If you would like to make a donation to the King's Harvest Fire Sprinkler fund please visit www.kingsharvest.net and use paypal or mail checks to King's Harvest Ministries at 5837 Wisconsin Ave. Davenport, IA 52806.

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OELWEIN, Iowa - Shooting sports enthusiasts from across the upper Midwest will come together Sunday, Aug. 12 at Fayette County Conservation Club for the fifth annual Shootout Against Cancer.

The Shootout will feature a 100-target sporting clays course, lunch on the grounds, special shooting games, raffles and prizes -- all to raise funds for cancer research supported by the University of Iowa Foundation.

All the day's events will be held on the club's grounds at Oelwein. Cost for the sporting clays course and lunch is $50.

The Aug. 12 sporting clays shoot begins at 9 a.m. and is open to all. The course is designed for all levels of shooters from novices to veterans.

All participants will register on the club grounds the day of the shoot. Event organizers encourage shooters to register in three-person teams. Individual shooters can also register and be assigned to a team.

All teams must be registered, entered and on the field by 1 p.m.

The Fayette County Conservation Club extends a special invitation to people of all ages who are interested in learning about and taking part in the game of sporting clays.

The Fayette club grounds are located on the west edge of Oelwein off County Highway C50 (West Charles Street).  On the day of the Shootout Against Cancer, signs will be posted with directions to the grounds and parking areas.

The annual Shootout against Cancer has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research. The 2011 Shootout drew 144 shooters and raised $7,810 for University of Iowa Foundation cancer research funding.

The 100-target sporting clays course will be designed and set up by sporting clays range designers Targets On The Move. The course will offer a variety of targets and will be fun for both veteran and novice shooters said Hugh Curtis, Fayette County Conservation Club member and organizer of the annual Shootout Against Cancer.

Raffle tickets for a Beretta A400 Xcel 12 gauge semi-automatic sporting clays target shotgun will also be available on the grounds for $10 each or three for $20.

"The Shootout Against Cancer is a fun event for shooters of all ages and ability levels," said Don Stohr, club member and Shootout organizer. "In addition to raising funds for the fight against cancer, this is also an opportunity to get more people involved in the shooting sports."

For more information, contact Stohr, telephone 319-283-0217.

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