September 27, 2010

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services is naming its "Business Volunteer of the Year" as part of its 40th birthday party today. Also on hand for the celebration are Representative Pat Verschoore and Rock Island Dennis Mayor Pauley.

Skip-a-Long Child Development Services opened its doors forty years ago--on August 24th --with one student and grant monies from the state, local  churches, individuals, businesses and the Deere Foundation. Today there are four campuses in the Quad Cities serving more than 900 children on a daily basis.

As a way to celebrate its past and look forward to its future the centers are hosting birthday parties during the month of September and organizers are putting out the call for all alumni to come visit the campus they attended years ago.

The Rock Island party will take place from 12:00 pm until the center closes with a cookout for all alumni, parents and staff. There is a short awards program at noon to recognize family and business volunteers. State Representative Pat Verschoore and the Mayor Dennis Pauley, will speak at the program and then cut the special birthday cake for all the children. The media is invited to attend.

WHO: Rock Island Skip-a-Long Child Development Center WHAT: Birthday party with dignitaries, alumni, staff and friends

WHEN: Monday, September 27th party at the Rock Island campus (1609 4th Street) Noon cookout and program with Mayor Pauley and Rep. Verschoore

WHY: To celebrate the oldest child care center in the Quad Cities

SAVE ON THE TOP TEN FALL FASHION TRENDS AT YOUNKERS AND DONATE TO GOODWILL

MILWAUKEE, WI - As top designers head to New York Fashion Week, look no further than Younkers stores to get the latest trends for fall.  With the semi-annual Goodwill Sale taking place from September 15-29 at Younkers stores, now is the best time to update your wardrobe for the new season.  Customers who make Goodwill donations of clean, gently-used clothing and home textiles at Younkers stores will receive discount coupons toward the purchase of new merchandise.

Donations will be sold in Goodwill stores, where the revenues fund job training programs, career and other community-based services for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience and others facing challenges to finding employment.  Donating the things you no longer need to Goodwill is a simple way to give back to your community and make room for these top ten fall fashion trends to update your wardrobe.

Top Ten Fall Fashion Essentials

1. Embellished tops with jewelry, sequins and zipper trims

2. Military inspired utility jackets with hardware detail

3. Fur details?on vests, jackets, collars and bags

4. Over the knee boots

5. Accessories with attitude--bold statement necklaces, flirty handbags with feminine detail

6. Chunky Infinity scarves

7. Ruffles & ruffle detail on cardigans, tops and vests

8. Long over lean Tunic tops with skinny pants or jeggings

9. Color trends include Neutrals, like camel, grey and olive green, with punches of red, deep purples and rusty oranges

10. Rich luxe fabrics, from lace to velvet to brocade and lots of sequin detai

One coupon is given per item donated. The coupon can be used at Younkers locations for 20-percent off regular or sale price apparel, fine jewelry, shoes and accessories, and 15-percent off cosmetics, fragrances and home store merchandise. Certain items, including furniture, electronics and toys, qualify for a 10-percent discount.

"When you donate to Goodwill, you are helping people in your community find jobs and care for their families," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  "The Goodwill Sale with Younkers helps communities grow stronger by providing a boost in donations that allows Goodwill to continue providing the employment services people need to be independent."

"The Goodwill Sale allows our customers to get new fall fashion merchandise at outstanding values and at the same time support a great cause," said Bud Bergren, president and chief executive officer of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.  "The Goodwill Sale exemplifies our commitment to the communities in which we operate."

Customers who register their donations on http://millionactsofgoodwill.com will receive a 25 percent off coupon to use during the Goodwill Sale.  You can also play the site's "Spin to Win Instant Win Game" daily for a chance to win a $100 gift card, and be automatically entered in the sweepstakes for a chance to win a shopping spree worth $1000.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,400 retail stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2009, nearly 2 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl. Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

ABOUT THE BON-TON STORES

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 278 department stores, which includes 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, in the Detroit, Michigan area, under the Parisian nameplate. The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand 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 Goodwill Sale event is long standing charitable partnership the Company developed to support its Hometown commitment and build strong communities.  For further information, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.bonton.com.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT hosts their annual fundraiser, Brew Ha Ha at LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport on Saturday, September 18th from 1 to 5 p.m.  A wide variety of ales, pilsners, and porters are available for tasting as well as cheeses provided by Cabot Creamery Cooperative of Vermont.

Musical performances for the 11th annual event will be performed by Corporate Rock, while Comedy Sportz returns to provide their own brand of improvisational merriment at 2:30 pm.   New this year is a variety of games for attendees to try their hand at, like the Beer Bottle Ring Toss and the Golf Ball Stack. Admission to Brew Ha Ha includes an event program, unlimited tasting, and a commemorative tasting glass.

Presenting Sponsors for Brew Ha Ha are Old Chicago, Rock 104.9, River Cities Reader, Rhythm City Casino and Riverboat Development Authority, along with Dimitri Wine & Spirits, Inc., Glazer's Distributors of Iowa, Miller Lite, Budweiser, KWQC, City of Davenport, Mediacom, and Cabot Creamery Cooperative. With additional support from Comedy Sportz, Hawkeye Ice, Iowa American Water, Iowa QC Chamber Downtown Partnership, Millennium Waste, Quad City Golf Cars and Sunbelt Rentals.

Tickets for Brew Ha Ha are $20.00 prior to the event and $25.00 at the gate. "We are continuing our tradition of keeping ticket sales capped so that our attendees are able to try as many of the tastings as possible," said WQPT Special Projects Coordinator, Bea Brasel. Tickets may be purchased at the WQPT offices at 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 101, Moline, Old Chicago in Bettendorf, CO-OP Records in Davenport and Moline (add a $1.00 service fee at CO-OP locations) or at www.wqpt.org. Attendees must be 21 or older. Children in strollers and animals will not be admitted. Feel free to bring your own lawn chair.

Brew Ha Ha is a fundraising event to support WQPT, the local public television station serving eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

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