20 Sep 2012

NCCC BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS AT CAMP COURAGEOUS

By Camp Courageous
Monticello, Iowa - An
AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) team is working with Camp Courageous as camp counselors from September 10 to November 2 on their final NCCC service project.
The NCCC team is providing personal care for the campers as well as leading camp activities such as canoeing, swimming, dancing, art and entertainment. The team is also assisting the camp staff with facilitating the ropes course, zip line and caving exploration classes.

"I'm looking forward to a new kind of project that revolves around building relationships and working with different kinds of people," says NCCC Member Jaclyn DeFranco. "I'm also excited about the perks of living at a camp such as canoeing, arts and crafts and campouts."

Camp Courageous serves over 6,000 individuals with disabilities annually. Their mission is to provide exceptional year-round recreational and respite care opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families. The camp is run primarily on donations, giving all individuals the opportunity to give through gifts of time, materials, money and other means that support the camp.

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, national service program in which 1,100 young adults serve nationwide each year. During their 10-month term, NCCC Members - all 18 to 24 years old - work on teams of eight to 12 on projects that address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Members mentor students, construct and rehabilitate low-income housing, respond to natural disasters, clean up streams, help communities develop emergency plans, and address countless other local needs. The North Central Region campus in Vinton, Iowa is one five regional campuses in the United States and serves Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The other campuses are located in Perry Point, Md.; Sacramento, Calif.; Vicksburg, Miss.; and Denver, Colo.

In exchange for their service, NCCC Members receive $5,550 to help pay for college, or to pay back existing student loans. Other benefits include a small living stipend, room and board, leadership development, increased self-confidence, and the knowledge that, through active citizenship, people can indeed make a difference. AmeriCorps NCCC is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. For more information about AmeriCorps NCCC, visit the website at www.americorps.gov/nccc.

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20 Sep 2012

BEST BREWS AT BREW HA HA NAMED

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLNIOIS -  Under beautiful skies along the Mississippi River in LeClaire Park, 2,000 people attended WQPT's 13th annual Brew Ha Ha on Saturday, September 15, 2012.

Throughout the day attendees sampled beers, cheeses, played games and listened to music of Minus Six and to the comedy of the Blacklist Comedy Troupe. Voting for the best brews took place from 1:30 to 4:00 pm when the votes were tallied and the top three brews were named.  All of the winners were decided on by the attendees.

The winners were all from Bent River Brewing.

1st Place:  Bent River Brewing Co. - Uncommon Stout
2nd Place:  Bent River Brewing Co. - Mississippi Blonde
3rd Place:  Bent River Brewing Co. - Jalapeno Pepper Ale
(Pictured is:  Garrett Butler, Head Brewer from Bent River Brewing Co.)

WQPT's Brew Ha Ha is one of the stations largest fundraising events with proceeds going to support educational outreach and programming. Sponsors include Old Chicago Bettendorf, Rock 104-9 and Cumulus Broadcasting, Rhythm City Casino, River Cities Reader, KWQC, Mediacom, Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc., Glazer's Distributors of Iowa, Blue Moon, Budweiser, Cabot Cheese Cooperative of Vermont, Downtown Davenport Partnership, The Blacklist Comedy Troupe, Hawkeye Ice, Iowa American Water, Millennium Waste, Quad City Golf Cars, and Sunbelt Rentals.

WQPT is a public media service of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities located in Moline, Illinois.

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18 Sep 2012

Help the RI Foundation Earn a Chase Grant: Vote!

By R.I. Public Library

This covered entrance at the Main LIbrary is just one project made possible by Foundation dollars. Voting is open for the Chase Community Giving Grants. Please cast a vote for the Rock Island Public Foundation before Sept. 19!

Everyone gets 2 votes on Facebook to use on 2 different charities before Sept. 19. If you share a link to a charity by clicking the Like, Tweet, Send or Copy Link button, and a friend uses that link to vote, you earn a bonus vote. Your bonus vote can be used on any charity, even one you've previously voted for. In addition, Chase customers get 2 additional votes to use. You can use those votes by visiting ChaseGiving.com and logging in using your Chase online ID and password.

 

Foundation funds enhance the Rock Island Library is so many ways - by sponsoring Hug-A-Book early learning programs, library visits for HeadStart classes, and summer art and drama programs for children. Foundation dollars also renovated the Children's Room and handicapped entrance at the Main Library, and paid for three self-check machines, Bookletters book recommendation service and Ancestry.com subcription. Please vote today - and share the link with your friends!

 

Vote for the Rock Island LIbrary Foundation

18 Sep 2012

Hawk Fans, Don't Miss This!

By Cassandra Furlong

"Let's Talk Hawkeyes!"

An Event to Benefit

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

With Special Guest:

Iowa basketball Color Analyst, NBA champion Bobby Hansen

and

University of Iowa Play-by-play Announcer Gary Dolphin

Cocktail Reception

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Cedar Rapids Country Club

5:00 - 7:00 pm

The nation's leading cancer advocacy organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), is pleased to welcome long time University of Iowa football and basketball play-by-play announcer Gary Dolphin, and Iowa basketball color analyst and NBA champion Bobby Hansen, to a reception at the Cedar Rapids Country Club.  Hear all about the upcoming season from the insiders!

Individual Tickets are $100 and can be purchased here

If you are interested in being an event sponsor, please contact Cassandra Furlong at 515-727-0057 or cassie.furlong@cancer.org for more information.

Contributions or gifts to American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network are not tax deductible as charitable contributions.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy partner of the American Cancer Society.  ACS CAN supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem, including continued funding of cancer research. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top priority by giving ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard.

18 Sep 2012

Walk for Lupus Now

By Lupus Foundation of America, Iowa Chapter
Join the Lupus Foundation of America-Iowa Chapter's Walk for Lupus Now scheduled for September 29, 2012 from 8:00-11:30 AM in Des Moines at Merle Hay Mall to make a difference in the lives of those affected by lupus.

Walk for Lupus Now is an opportunity for people with lupus and their loved ones to come together and support each other. The walk raises both funds and awareness.

We will also be having a raffle this year full of 15 different themed baskets, including incredible merchandise, gift cards and signed sports memorabilia.

We walk for many reasons, but mostly to support and serve the estimated 15,000 Iowans with lupus and their families. You can show your support by forming a team or walking as an individual.

For more information contact 515-279-3048 or 888-279-3048. You can register online at www.iowalupuswalk.org.
18 Sep 2012

PANTRIES DEPLETED AT CHRISTIAN CARE Fill Their Pantry!

By Rebecca Wheeler

Rock Island--Food donations are vital to Christian Care. Last year, as a result of caring community support, Christian Care served over 50,000 meals to both the residents of their rescue mission and domestic violence shelter and to needy members of the Quad Cities community! Serving 19 meals a week to hundreds of individuals takes hard work, ingenuity - and food.

Food supplies presently on hand at Christian Care's pantry are perilously low. To meet the demand and to ensure that no one in the QCA goes hungry, Christian Care is asking for your help. On Saturday, September 22, 2012, they will be collecting canned and boxed food items from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Christian Care Rescue Mission located at 2209 3 rd Avenue in Rock Island.

For a complete list of needs or for more details, please visit the organization's website at christiancareqc.org or call Rebecca at 309/786-5734.

Christian Care has been feeding the hungry for 96 years. Although the organization's focus is primarily on the homeless and victims of domestic violence, the Christian Care Community Meal Site welcomes anyone in the community who is hungry. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on weekdays Monday through Friday and breakfast and dinner are served on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is served at 6:30 AM, lunch at 12:15 PM, and dinner at 6:00 PM. The community relies on Christian Care not only to serve hot meals every day, but also to provide a warming and/or cooling station for nonresident homeless individuals during periods of harsher weather throughout the year.

Christian Care is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose vision is to transform lives. 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's two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for women and children and a rescue mission for men?serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and those with mental illnesses. If you know someone in need, call the Christian Care Crisis Hotline at any hour of the day or night at 309/788-2273.

For more information about Christian Care, visit their website at christiancareqc.org or go to facebook.com/christiancareqc.

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18 Sep 2012

Paper Product Donations Greatly Needed at The Salvation Army's Family Service Center

By Rick Martin

QUAD CITIES, USA: The Salvation Army's homeless shelter for families - the Family Service Center - is in critical need of paper product donations.

"As we cut back costs at the end of summer, just as in any household, paper products are the first item to be rationed. But with 104 people residing here, and 65 are children, it's extremely hard to do. The shelter has been at capacity all summer even when an apartment was being renovated and was unavailable," says Salvation Army Social Service Director, Brandon Luke.

"Once a family is in the shelter, providing them with food and some sense of normalcy is our first priority. We are asking the community to please help out with the toilet paper."

Any paper products: toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, baby wipes... or a monetary donation can be dropped off anytime at The Salvation Army, 301 W. 6th Street, Davenport, IA 52803. If making a monetary donation, indicate the funds are for "Operation TP."

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14 Sep 2012

NT5K Update

By Nancy Strub
We wanted to take a minute to THANK YOU for your continued support in raising awareness for Ewing's Sarcoma and our upcoming 5k!

If you're interested in any additional preview stories for the Nick Teddy 5k, please contact Race Director Holly Quinn at your earliest convenience. She can be reached by phone: 309-798-3081 or email: foundation@nickteddy.org

To date, we have 350+ people registered, so we are expecting a great turnout!

We'd like to extend an opportunity for interviews/sound bites on race day as well.

Races start this Saturday with the Family Fun Run/Walk at 9:00 AM. The 5k starts at 10:00 AM.

All events begin on Port Bryon's Main Street near the gazebo (between Cherry and Walnut St), and will head north to the Great River Trail and back.

There will be volunteers wearing marked t-shirts who can point you in the direction of Holly or other family members/race participants who will be happy to give interviews.

Additionally, when you are covering, please let Holly or a race volunteer know so you can grab a free Nick Teddy 5k t-shirt for yourself!

Thanks again for your efforts in helping us share Nick's story and raise money for a rare, underfunded cancer. Your help is very much appreciated.

Shelley Skuster and the Nick Teddy Foundation team
10 Sep 2012

Iowa is Ranked 2nd for volunteer rate in the USA

By Corportation for National and Community Service

Iowa has an average annual volunteer rate of 37.9%, with 887,000 volunteers serving 93.4 million total hours per year!

http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/IA

09 Sep 2012

Grant money still available for the 2012 Endowment Challenge Match

By Natalie Anderson

BETTENDORF, Iowa - A reminder to all nonprofit organizations located in Scott and Rock Island counties - 14 matching grants of $5,000 each are still available for the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend's (CFGRB) 2012 Endowment Challenge. CFGRB will award up to $100,000 through 20 grants on a first come, first serve basis. Six organizations have earned the match to date.

Nonprofits that raise $15,000 in new gifts for their endowment at CFGRB qualify for a $5,000 matching grant for their endowment. Alternatively, nonprofits that raise $30,000 in new gifts for their endowments at CFGRB qualify for a $5,000 match with the option to add it to their endowment or use it for current operations.

"Endowment is the heart of the Foundation's work," says Foundation Board Chair Mike Drymiller. "This challenge is a terrific way for nonprofits to engage Board members, volunteers, and donors in endowment building.

"This is one of several Endowment challenges CFGRB has issued over the years. Some have focused on affiliate foundations and their Endowment Partners, and others have involved the affiliates themselves. 

Qualifying Criteria

1)  Nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)3 status, located in Rock Island or Scott counties.

2)  Funds raised may be an addition to an existing endowment held by CFGRB or to establish a new endowment.

3)  Only unrestricted endowments qualify for this Challenge.

4)  Funds raised are based on actual deposits made by December 3, 2012.

5)  Gifts must be made by a minimum of ten people.

6)  Only one $5,000 match per organization.

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

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