09 Nov 2009

The Ninth annual "Bikes for Brains" fund drive kicks

By Rick Martin
The Ninth annual "Bikes for Brains" fund drive kicks off Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 with a news conference detailing its fundraising goal and an announcement of a local club that is donating the helmets

For the ninth year in a row, local businesses and a state agency are teaming up to ensure 100 deserving preschool children receive their holiday wish--their first bicycle?for Christmas. Over the past eight years Bike 'N Hike, Queens' Parlour and the Rock Island County Regional Office of Education have led the campaign to make Christmas merrier for over 100 needy children.

A bike with training wheels costs $40. Donors can buy ½ a bike... or one bike....or five.  Whatever works in this economy.

A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th at 10:00 a.m. at Queens' Parlour (171-19th Avenue in Moline) to outline the group's new goal and thank a local club for donating money for 100 helmets. Last year 160 children received bikes and helmets because of generous contributions to the "Bikes for Brains" campaign. Organizers hope to raise a similar amount this year.  Available at the news conference for interviews will be the project leadership team: Regional Superintendent of Schools, Jim Widdop, Sandy Seeley of Queens' Parlour, and Steve DePron of Bike 'N Hike.

WHO:  "Bikes for Brains" organizers and a past recipient

WHAT:  News conference launching this year's campaign

WHERE: Queens' Parlour (171-19th Avenue in Moline)

WHY:  Put a smile on over 100 kids' faces this Christmas season

The bikes will be given away to qualified recipients identified by  Head Start, the Early Childhood Centers, and Christian Friendliness on Monday, December 14th from noon to 7 PM at the Martin Luther King Center in Rock Island.

Donations can be dropped off or mailed to:

Queen's Parlour

171-19th Avenue

Moline, IL 61265

 Donors can make check payable to:

Bikes for Brains

Here is a brief history of the campaign past eight years of success:

Year Number of Bikes & Helmets
2002 48
2003 137
2004 120
2005 100
2006 125
2007 138
2008 160
Total 828
06 Nov 2009

1st Annual "Walkin' & Wheelin' for Camp Courageous"

By Rick Martin
Monticello, IA– On Saturday November 14, 2009, Camp Courageous of Iowa will sponsor the 1st annual "Walkin' & Wheelin' for Camp Courageous."  This fun-filled event will take place from 8:30-11:00 a.m. at Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids.  Registration is from 8:30-9:30, with the walk from 9:30-10:30. Awards will be presented from 10:30-11:00.  T-shirts will be given to each participant who has collected a minimum of $10 in donations. Prizes will be awarded to the individual and team raising the most money for this event.

Participants may pre-register for this event by calling 319-465-5916, ext. 2130, visiting camp's website at www.campcourageous.org, or may register the day of the event.

Camp Courageous of Iowa is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with mental and physical disabilities, located near Monticello, Iowa. The camp was built and continues to operate on donations, without government support, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fundraisers. In 2008, the camp served over 5,000 campers with special needs.

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03 Nov 2009

Discovery Shop's Annual Holiday Open House Sunday, November 22nd Noon to 4 p.m.

By Jamie Sons
The Bettendorf Discovery Shop in Cumberland Square invites you to their Annual Holiday Open House Sunday, November 22nd from noon to 4 PM.

Let us help you with your shopping list and at the same time you can make a difference in the fight against cancer! The Discovery Shop will be overflowing with all kinds of beautiful holiday clothing, ornaments, collectibles and gift items. If you are looking for something for yourself or for someone on your list, this is a great place to start.

The Discovery Shop is an upscale resale shop. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society to fund cancer research, patient services, education and advocacy.

The shop will be closed Saturday, November 21st to prepare for this event.

Donations are accepted anytime the shop is open and a tax receipt is always available. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM., Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM. and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
28 Oct 2009

Christmas Villages of Germany, Austria and Slovenia

By Angela Hunt

Opens November 20 (November - December) at the German American Heritage Center & Museum in Davenport.

 

Celebrate the wonder of the Christmas traditions. The Christmas Village exhibit includes the Bethlehem Christmas village and Nativity scene. Look closely, and you will see hand-carved wooden figures that represent the craftsmanship of the artisans who created them in the 1700s and 1800s. The village exhibit includes the collection of Arlene Rose Considine, of Clinton, Iowa. Over the years, she found these treasures in Christmas markets, antique shops and flea markets in Slovenia, Austria and Germany.  (Museum members can enjoy a member-only preview of the exhibit on Thursday, November 19 from 4:30-7 p.m.)


FREE with admission ($5.00) or free to museum members.

22 Oct 2009

Thousands of Iowa Children Need a CASA Volunteer

By Jill McMillan
A CASA Volunteer is a Voice for Abused and Neglected Children
DES MOINES, IA - October 21, 2009 - The Iowa Child Advocacy Board is currently seeking people interested in becoming COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE® (CASA) volunteers for some of the thousands of Iowa children currently under the juvenile court's jurisdiction due to abuse and neglect.  The Iowa CASA Program trains and supports community volunteers to serve as an effective voice in court for these most vulnerable children, strengthening efforts to ensure that each child is living in a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
"CASA volunteers are truly special people who play a huge role in a child's life by serving as an extra set of eyes and ears for judges presiding over abuse and neglect cases," said Michael Isaacson, Chair of the Governor-appointed Child Advocacy Board. "They donate their time and energy to provide a safety net for kids in the child welfare system. The need for this safety net is even more obvious in these times of troubled budgets, as our Courts and child welfare agencies are being challenged to do more with less. CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things to help keep the best interests of our children in the forefront."
CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to a specific abuse and neglect case, to gather information and make recommendations to the Court that help assure the child's needs are being met and that everyone is working together to resolve problems and achieve permanency for the child. Volunteers typically stay with each case until it is closed by the Court, and the child is in a safe, permanent home.
The basic requirements for becoming a CASA volunteer are that one be a committed, caring adult who can think independently and use good judgment, have good communication skills and time to spend on their assigned case. Volunteers average about 10 hours a month on their cases attending court appearances and maintaining contact with the child, the child's parents, case workers, foster parents, therapists, teachers, doctors, relatives and anyone else who has knowledge of the child's situation.
CASA volunteers are asked for a one year commitment following 30 hours of training in the child welfare system, juvenile law and legal procedures, child development, family dynamics, child abuse and neglect issues, interviewing and reporting techniques, advocacy skills and child permanency factors. Each volunteer works with their local Program Coordinator on a day-to-day basis and is appointed to each case by a juvenile court judge.
CASA® and COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE® are registered trademarks of the National CASA Association. For more information on how you can help an abused or neglected child in the Iowa juvenile court system please contact the Iowa Child Advocacy Board at 866-448-4608 or cab@dia.iowa.gov or visit www.casaiowa.com.
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20 Oct 2009

Camp Courageous Antique Market Show

By Charlie Becker

MONTICELLO, IA - The Camp Courageous Antique Market Show will be held on Sunday, November 1st at the Berndes Center on the fairgrounds in Monticello,  Iowa. Doors will be open from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. This show, held each spring and fall, feature dealers and exhibitors from around the Midwest displaying a wide variety of quality antiques and collectables including unique primitives, glassware, folk art, furniture and accessories, architectural elements, quilts, toys, jewelry, baskets, buttons and so much more! Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the day, including pie and ice cream.

All proceeds for the antique show will benefit over 5,000 campers with special needs who attend Camp Courageous each year.  Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with disabilities of all ages. It is run on donations, without government support, without paid fundraisers, and without formal sponsorship.

Space is still available for dealers and exhibitors to display their quality antiques and collectibles. For inquiries or dealer information contact Sharon Roller at Camp Courageous (319) 465-5916 Extension 2200.

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16 Oct 2009

Credit HAUNTED Island set for Visitors

By Jordan Trip

On October 23rd & 24th, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Davenport's Credit Island Park will become the HAUNTED ISLAND for Halloween. This first annual family event is tailored for all ages that love Halloween yet don't want a hard scare. There will be hay rack rides and concessions in the Lodge where you can warm up with hot chocolate, cider and snacks.

If you want to wear your costumes, make sure you dress warm, because there are 430 acres of surprises for everyone to enjoy.

A donation of $2.00 for youth and adults will make this an affordable family adventure.

Credit Island Park is located on West River Drive in Davenport, nestled along the Mississippi River between the Oscar Mayer plant and South Concord St.

Sponsored by the Friends of Credit Island Park. Contact Robin Enoch at (563) 529-3082 or Shonnie Holmes at (563) 823-0902 with any questions.

09 Oct 2009

Modern Woodmen of America rewards those who gather for good

By Kim Woodward

GatheringswithPurpose.com giveaway will award $5,000 to a lucky volunteer and his or her cause!


Doing good for others just became even more rewarding. As many Americans face a holiday season of hardship in a struggling economy, Modern Woodmen of America is looking for those who have given the gift of time.

Families and friends who have volunteered together to meet a community need, raised money for a local cause or added a volunteer activity to a social gathering are eligible to win a grand prize totaling $5,000. Through Modern Woodmen's Gatherings with Purpose Giveaway, one winner will receive a grand prize of $2,500 in cash, plus a $2,500 donation for the worthy cause described in a submitted story.

Stories can be submitted online at GatheringswithPurpose.com by 11:59 p.m. CST on Nov. 12, 2009. Submissions should be 400 words or less and describe who gathered, who was helped and how it touched lives.

Five finalists will be chosen from submissions entered online. Finalists' stories will be posted, and the public will vote online for a favorite beginning Nov. 19. The Gathering with Purpose earning the most votes will win the grand prize - $2,500 for the entrant and $2,500 for the purpose described.

Visit GatheringswithPurpose.com for complete rules and details.

As a membership-based organization, Modern Woodmen launched the giveaway to complement national efforts to bring people together to help others and their communities. Modern Woodmen sells financial products not to benefit stockholders, but to support our stakeholders - our members, their families and their communities. How? Through social, charitable and volunteer events where our members gather.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

 

For additional information:

Kim Woodward
Corporate Communications
Modern Woodmen of America
1701 1st Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
309-793-5660
05 Oct 2009

WQPT HOSTS TRIVIA NIGHT

By Jared Johnson

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will host WQPT Trivia Night on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. with trivia starting at 7:00 p.m. at the SouthHall at Highland Park Bowl. There will be cash prizes beginning at $160 for First Place, $80 for Second Place and $40 for Third Place winners.  The Highland Park Bowl is located at 4204 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, Illinois by the Hy-Vee.

Trivia Night is a great way to prove how smart you are while having loads of fun with family and friends. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages are available through Highland Park Bowl. There will be 50/50 raffles and mulligans. Call WQPT at 309-796-2424 to reserve your table. Tables are $80 (8 people per table).

WQPT is your local Public Television station located on the campus at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois.

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01 Oct 2009

20th Annual Square Dance Benefit for Camp Courageous

By Becky Melchert
MONTICELLO, IA? On Sunday, October 11, 2009, the East Central Federation and Cedar Valley Callers Association will sponsor the 20th anniversary of the Annual Square Dance Benefit for Camp Courageous of Iowa.  The calling begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. in the main lodge at Camp Courageous.

Callers and cuers are invited from all over eastern Iowa and the surrounding areas. Dance clubs as well as individuals and couples are welcome to enjoy the afternoon dancing or just observing in the spacious camp lodge. Tours will be available for anyone interested in seeing all that camp offers including the camp train, the barn and the indoor swimming pool! Admission fee is a donation to camp. Participants are asked to bring along cookies, or a snack to share---beverages are provided.

Camp Courageous of Iowa is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with mental and physical disabilities, located near Monticello, Iowa. The camp was built and continues to operate on donations, without government support, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fundraisers. In 2008, the camp served over 5,000 campers with special needs.

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