Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois?Unclean water is the leading cause of death in undeveloped nations. Such dirty, unsanitary water kills 45,000 people each week, 90 percent of them being children under the age of five.  That means 4,500 children die each day to water-related illnesses.  The numbers are grim, the facts are startling...but thankfully, a growing group of Iowans believe there is hope.

Water for Christmas, a grassroots effort born in Iowa, is on a mission to ensure that all people have access to clean water.   Specifically focused on the nation of Liberia, Water for Christmas offers people an opportunity to trade consumerism for compassion during the holidays and beyond.  Since its inception in November 2008, Water for Christmas has raised $325,000 for the organization charity: water and has inspired people all over the country to action.

This Saturday night, a "Wine to Water" fundraising event will take place at the third floor of the Redstone Building in downtown Davenport.  Event organizer, Tesi Klipsch, says that the Wine to Water party is all about what individuals can do in working toward a solution for a global issue.  "If you come, you'll see people you've seen in the community?at the Y, at the grocery store, at restaurants?who have found something they are passionate about. The party will have a very underground, grassroots type of feel, which we love because that's just how Water for Christmas started."

Last year the "Wine to Water" event raised $13,000 from a small group of individuals. This year, Klipsch is hoping to reach out to people who haven't heard just how extensive the water crisis is around the world. "We are asking the public to come join us, hear a little about why we're doing this and have some fun while they're at it. Local wine by Wide River Winery, local desserts by some of the best in our community and local musicians like Lojo Russo and the BE Project make this evening the perfect event to bring what is global, local," she says.

Based in New York, charity: water is a highly recognized organization that has raised over 10 million dollars in the last four years, changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people by building fresh-water wells in places that are without.  Charity: water takes 100 percent of all donations directly to water solution projects and follows up with proof...pictures and Google earth coordinates of all completed projects.

Event details:

Saturday, November 13^th, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

3^rd floor Redstone Building, 2^nd and Main, Downtown Davenport

Music by Lojo Russo and The BE Project, local wine and dessert tasting 

$20 minimum donation at door

York, PA, November 9, 2010  ? The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: BONT) is pleased to announce a record-breaking year for its semi-annual Goodwill® Sale, which collected 8.3 million pounds of donations between its spring and fall sales. Bon-Ton's Goodwill Sale has been occurring since 1994, and the latest event took place from September 15 through September 29, 2010, bringing in 4.3 million pounds of clothing and textile donations. The items collected this year have an estimated value of approximately $30 to 34 million in revenue, which is used to fund Goodwill's social services in communities nationwide.

"We are thankful to our customers and to the community for their support of our signature Goodwill Sale," said Bud Bergren, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. "The Goodwill Sale exemplifies our commitment to the communities in which we operate, while offering our customers the latest in fashion merchandise at outstanding values."

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. ? which operates stores under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's, Younkers and Parisian (Detroit, MI area) nameplates ? received donations in its 277 stores. Goodwill sold the donated items in the communities where they were collected, and the revenues were used to support job training programs for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment.

"The revenues generated during the Goodwill Sale are helping people find jobs, build their careers and support their families," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "We are grateful this partnership with Bon-Ton allows us to help our friends and neighbors experience the pride and independence that work brings."

As a thank you to those who donated, Goodwill distributed more than 1.6 million Bon-Ton coupons, so those individuals could receive 15- to 20-percent off when purchasing merchandise in Bon-Ton stores. In addition, the Million Acts of Goodwill web site educated consumers about Goodwill's mission of helping people find jobs and rewarded those who donated. Visitors to the site could play an instant win game; 40 instant winners received various prizes, and one grand-prize winner received a $1,000 Bon-Ton gift card.

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LISLE, IL (11/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Dealing with life after the death of a loved one in wartime can be a long and lonesome struggle, but the survivors don't have to grieve alone. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) held a Regional Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp in Lisle Nov. 5 to 7 to bring together survivors from throughout the Midwest.

In coordination with the Illinois National Guard Survivor Outreach Support program (SOS) and Operation Support Our Troops Illinois, TAPS provided peer-based emotional support for more than 300 survivors of servicemembers who lost their lives in a time of war.

TAPS provides a supportive environment where survivors can come together to share their stories and help each other grieve, said Bonnie Carroll, the president and founder of TAPS and an Anchorage, Ala., native.

"We wish we didn't have to know each other, but boy are we glad we do," said Carroll.

Since its formation in 1994, TAPS has helped more than 30,000 survivors of fallen military members across the country, she said.

In addition to the volunteers from the non-profit organizations, roughly 20 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard volunteered to act as mentors to surviving children, forming bonds of trust and friendship through discussions and activities. Older children shared stories with their peers while the younger ones drew pictures and played games that honored their loved ones.

A surprise visit from a special guest was one of the highlights of the weekend.

Elmo from television's Sesame Street stopped by to bring a smile to the children's faces, and ended up lightening the spirits of the adults in attendance as well.

Giving the survivors a chance to laugh and have fun together is part of the healing process, said Bobby Gilmore the ILNG SOS coordinator and a Petersburg native.

"Today is all about the families and their grieving process," said Gilmore. "It's a celebration of the lives of the heroes that were lost."

Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti, the Assistant Adjutant General for the ILNG, and Brig. Gen. Ronald Morrow, the Joint Force Headquarters Assistant Adjutant General - Army, stopped by to remind the survivors that they will forever be a part of the military family.

"We are one big family and we will never forget our fallen comrades," said Celletti.