Monmouth, Illinois - Warren County United Way kicks off its 2015-2016 Campaign already approaching $35,000 of its final goal of $200,000 and announces new grant program. At a luncheon last week, Cerar's Barnstormer was overflowing with sixty-plus community supporters of Warren County United Way. The program, led by executive director Jeannie Weber and board president Trevor Davies, included special guests Nancy Bersted and Judy Bersted Andrews as well as guest presenters Mary Francis Miller, Bob Meling, and Dan Ashton, who spoke about Helen Bersted's community legacy, having been active in the opening of both Warren Achievement Center and Warren County United Way decades ago.

Weber outlined plans for the campaign year - which has a complete emphasis on partner agencies, up to and including agencies speaking to potential donors. She stated, "Our mission is to assess needs, raise funds, and develop other resources for the community. During this time of reductions in state and local funding, as well as our demographic shift, it is more important than ever that we reach our campaign goal of $200,000."

She also announced that in addition to the campaign, which raises operational funding for 26 agencies that ultimately assist tens of thousands each year, Warren County United Way created the Helen Bersted Memorial Grant, which allows all community non-profit organizations to compete for additional funding beyond campaign allocations. The Helen Bersted Memorial Grant will be annual, and will provide giving based on continued investment outcomes of the Len G. Everett endowment. The endowment is also is also responsible for funding all administrative costs associated with Warren County United Way, giving contributors the advantage of knowing that every dollar donated goes directly to member agencies.

Unlike campaign funds which are raised for agency operational expenses, the new Grant allows organizations to seek funding for programming and/or capital improvements. "Creating this grant is in keeping with part of our mission, which is to develop other resources for the community," Weber stated. "Our board of directors felt there was no better way to honor Helen Bersted than to create this opportunity."

Davies spoke on behalf of the board of directors, stating that Warren County United Way was in an excellent position, having already raised dollars prior to the campaign launch. "Many thanks to our executive director Jeannie Weber and her campaign co-chairs Buster Kellogg Jr. and Lowell Crow, who have hit the ground running having raised close to $35,000," Davies stated. "Yet, I challenge us. This is not enough. We have a commitment to our agencies. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Davies encouraged those present to assist with the campaign by speaking to family and friends they know, who have most likely benefited from one or more of the agencies Warren County United Way serves.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Warren County United Way will be soliciting campaign donations through direct mail, employee presentations with agencies, and through social media. "We look forward to a successful campaign for our agencies and for the community," Weber said. "I encourage everyone to give. Whether large or small, every contribution counts toward the big picture for Warren County and surrounding communities."

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Warren County United Way Member Agencies

Alternatives for Older Adults, Galesburg, IL

American Red Cross, Moline, IL

Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL

Cameron Recreational Council, Cameron, IL

Carl Sandburg Literacy Coalition, Galesburg, IL

Center for Youth and Family Solutions, Galesburg, IL

Child Advocacy Center, Galesburg, IL

Eagle View Community Health Systems

Girl Scouts of E. Iowa & Western Illinois

Illowa Council Boy Scouts of America, Davenport, IA

Jamieson Community Center, Monmouth, IL

Kirkwood Senior Citizens, Kirkwood, IL

Lutheran Preschool, Monmouth, IL

Monmouth Early Learning Center, Monmouth, IL

Mother to Mother Ministeries, Monmouth, IL

Prairie State Legal Services, Galesburg, IL

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Rock Island, IL

Roseville Kid's Place, Roseville, IL

Starting Point, Monmouth, IL

Strom Center, Monmouth, IL

Teddy Bear Day Care Center, Monmouth, IL

Triumph Services, Monmouth, IL

Warren Achievement Center, Monmouth, IL

Warren County Health Department, Monmouth, IL

Warren County Historical Society, Monmouth, IL

(Quad Cities, IA) - Service to humanity is the best work of life. It's not just part of our creed but our DNA as Jaycees members. 100% Volunteer driven Jaycees of the Quad Cities give countless hours and donations to make our community a better place to live, work and play.

During the four hour work session, the Jaycees will help a disadvantaged home owner make improvements to their home. Duties include :

• Prep and painting a bedroom

• Prep and painting a hallway

• Replacing a toilet and two faucets

• Installing three new ceiling fans with lights

• Removing carpet and installing a laminate floor

• Stain handicap ramp to home
  
  

"This is a project with a longstanding history for our organization. One of our former Presidents started this manyxx years ago when and it's been a staple ever since. We have a few handy helpers but mostly people want to do good work and learn from others while helping out a neighbor," said Caitlin Breedlove, project coordinator.

Working through Rebuilding Together, we work to preserve affordable home ownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing free home repairs to homeowners in-need. We not only donate our money but our time to this worth organization that directly impacts community members.

The increasing cost of living and decreasing social service budgets, leave our most vulnerable neighbors without the most basic of necessities: a warm, safe, and dry home.

"Sometimes our few hours of helping hands is all someone needs to remain in their home safely," said Jennifer Kincaid, President of Jaycees of the Quad Cities. "I mean who says no to that?"

The Jaycees of the Quad Cities supports this and other projects aimed at cleaning up our neighborhoods and community. Individuals and groups interested in volunteering with Jaycees of the Quad Cities should contact info@jayceesqc.org or call (563) 484-0041.

About Jaycees of the Quad Cities: Jaycees aim to build personal and professional relationships by work together on projects to strengthen and grow the Quad-Cities community. The Quad Cities Chapter is one of the oldest chapters in the state of Iowa and has grown to include young professionals from both sides of the Mississippi River. They pride themselves on blending social opportunities with service - like planning the annual Bridal Expo and the Brew Ha Ha that raise funds for charitable initiatives.

About Rebuilding Together Quad Cities: Rebuilding Together Quad Cities, a 501(c)(3) organization, has served over 775 families in the Quad Cities since it'sits inception. RTQC started in 1990 as Hearts and Hammers QCA. In May 2001, we changed our name to Rebuilding Together Quad Cities ("RTQC") to reflect our mission of working together to rebuild homes, communities, and lives. We are affiliated with the national office of Rebuilding Together. We work to unite people of all backgrounds in a voluntary effort to provide emergency and needed home repairs for elderly, disabled, and low income homeowners at no cost to the home owner. More recently, we are especially honored to support our nation's disabled veterans improve the safety and accessibility of their homes. Rod Jennings, (563)322-6534 rebuilding@rebuildingtogetherquadcities.org

One in six children in Iowa and 1 in 5 children in Illinois face food insecurity. This issue and these statistics have motivated a Quad-City teen to join the fight against hunger.

"Many know that hunger is a big problem in other countries around the world, but few realize that people in our own communities go hungry every day," says Clare VanSpeybroeck, age 16. VanSpeybroeck, an active member of the 4-H Teen Hunger Ambassadors, held a food packaging event at which volunteers helped assemble over 15,000 meals. The event was held Sunday, September 27 at St. Pius X Farrell Hall, 2502 29th Avenue, Rock Island.

"The goals of my project are to provide nutritious meals to the hungry in the Quad Cities, educate youth and adults of the need in our area, and unite the community by working together to help others," says VanSpeybroeck. The non-perishable family-sized rice casserole meals will be distributed to the needy through the Riverbend Food Bank and the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Rock Island.

Clare says she has participated in three other 4-H meal packaging events in the past but is excited to take on the challenge of organizing an event herself. "I couldn't undertake this project without the support of the Rock Island County 4-H Extension Foundation and the co-sponsorship of my 4-H Teen Hunger Ambassador group. I am honored that the adult leaders of these groups have confidence in me to take on this leadership role," says VanSpeybroeck.

Clare organized all of the logistics of the event including publicity, recruiting volunteers, fundraising and ordering the food and supplies from Illini Fighting Hunger (IFH). IFH is a student organization at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana founded to address local and international hunger issues by making meal packaging events more frequent, more accessible, and more effective.

Clare's project is partially funded by a grant from Illinois 4-H Feeding and Growing Communities, the Rock Island Knights of Columbus, and private donations. She still has an additional $1,000 yet to raise to cover the costs of the food and supplies. If any funds over this amount are collected, the money will be used to sponsor additional meal packaging events or activities of the 4-H Teen Hunger Ambassadors.

If you would like to contribute to this charitable cause, a letter showing receipt of your tax-deductible donation will be mailed to you. Please make checks payable to: RICO 4-H Extension Foundation and mail to: University of Illinois Extension, Attn: Clare VanSpeybroeck, 321 W 2nd Avenue, Milan, IL 61264

The 4-H Teen Hunger Ambassadors welcome other teens ages 12 and older who are interested in helping combat hunger in the local community to get involved. For information on joining the group, contact Diane Baker, 4-H Youth Development Educator, bakerd@illinois.edu or (309) 756-9978.

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