Geneseo Girl Highlighted In Statewide Make-A-Wish Foundation Promotion

PEORIA - Brooke, 8, from Geneseo, was diagnosed with severe Type 1 diabetes shortly before her second birthday. Her condition is complicated by severe hypoglycemia. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and their upcoming Jeans for Wishes campaign, Brooke's dream of owning a therapy dog will come true this spring.

Brooke is bubbly and goofy and enjoys cracking jokes. She likes to take care of her cat, Sophie, and beagle named Sadie. She likes listening to Miley Cyrus and enjoys gymnastics, swimming, and cheering for the local softball team, the Lady Leafs.

When she learned that some therapy dogs are trained to smell when a diabetic's sugar level drops, she decided to wish for a golden retriever that could help her and her family cope with her diabetes. She also loves dogs, so Brooke knows a dog will be a welcome addition to her house.

About Jeans for Wishes
Through the Jeans for Wishes Campaign, the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be able to grant Brooke's wish and many others. The campaign engages companies and schools to join together to wear blue jeans for a small donation to the Foundation during the week of March 15. The goal of the second annual Jeans for Wishes campaign is to raise $100,000 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Organizations may register their company or school at www.jeansforwishes.org.

Participating organizations will receive a Jeans for Wishes starter kit to promote the program within their group. The inspiring stories of wish children, including Brooke, who benefit from this fundraiser are posted online at www.jeansforwishes.org where Jeans For Wishes participants can send notes of encouragement to several wish children. The campaign is supported by Abt Electronics, Old Navy and Midas.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Since 1985, the Foundation has granted more than 9,000 wishes and continues its mission to share the power of a wish® with special children across Illinois. For more information or to find out how you can help contact us at 309.637.1659, 800.978.9474(WISH) or visit www.wishes.org.

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The American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop in Cumberland Square invites you to bargain shop for a cause! Sunday, February 7th will be our annual super clearance sale EVERYTHING in the store will be half price.

Mark you calendars and stop in to grab all of the bargains that you can find and be back home long before the big game starts. We are clearing out the floor to make room for all of the new and beautiful donations that we have recently been receiving. With the new things that we will be putting out on the floor starting Monday, February 8th the bargains will continue long after the game is over.

The Discovery Shop is an upscale resale shop selling gently used items donated by the community and staffed by over 100 volunteers. All clothing is cleaned and ironed before it is sold and dry cleaning is donated by Burke's Dry Cleaners. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research, education, patient services and advocacy.

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.

Stuttering Foundation's 19th Annual Media Awards Competition; New Category Recognizes Internet Media

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Stuttering Foundation announces it will recognize journalists for the 19th consecutive year for excellence in reporting that furthers the understanding of this complex disorder.

"We are happy to announce these awards to further public awareness of stuttering," said Jane Fraser. "Media coverage has grown substantially in volume and sensitivity in recent years. We want to continue recognizing outstanding reporters."

The 19th annual Stuttering Foundation Awards will be given to journalists in three categories: print, electronic media (radio and TV), and Internet (Web sites, blogs, and electronic publications). They will recognize news stories that:

• Advanced the public`s understanding of stuttering;

• Introduced information on stuttering to a significant new audience.

Journalists are invited to submit copies, DVDs, and printed Web/blog pages of their news items to the Stuttering Foundation, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749. All entries must have been published or aired between Jan. 1, 2009, and April 20, 2010. All entries must be received by April 30, 2010. There is no charge to enter this competition.

In addition to a public announcement of the Award recipients, each honoree will receive a cash award of $250.00 from the Foundation.

The nonprofit Stuttering Foundation that has worked toward the prevention and improved treatment of stuttering since 1947.  For more information, call 800-992-9392 or visit www.stutteringhelp.org.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill./EWORLDWIRE/Jan. 12, 2010 --- From a history of decades of dedication and service to country to an annual community outreach
effort during a week-long state tour, military veterans have long been served - and continue to be supported - by activities of the American Legion and community members.

The annual membership caravan offers a forum to share and update military service personnel about the issues that directly impact them, and to attract new members to the ranks to strengthen the backbone of the Legion's active base. This year's 2010 Annual American Legion Department of Illinois Membership Caravan takes to the state's highways and byways on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, and is scheduled for stops at 24 Legion Posts. Leading the way will be Army veteran, National Vice Commander James C. Morris, Illinois State Commander William Flanagan, Illinois Auxiliary President Julia Moore, along with State and local leaders.

The route on their week-long statewide tour will begin at Heyworth Legion Post on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 6:00 p.m. Along the way, other Legion Posts on the program are:  - Morton - Fairview - Monmouth - Galva - Sterling - Lena - Sycamore - Huntley - Deerfield - Evanston - Elvin J. Carey-Chicago - Calumet City - Buckley  - Gibson City - Sullivan - Mt. Vernon - Carmi - Orient - Chester - Granit City - Pittsfield - Chatham - Lincoln  A complete and comprehensive schedule is available at ILLegion.org ('http://www.illegion.org').

Since its founding in 1919 and subsequent Congressional Charter, The American Legion organization has operated unlike any other, exerting a compelling
influence on national leaders on issues of global significance. Legion operations enhance the lives of military families struggling through wartime and economic sacrifices. Members serve the community by building homes for disabled veterans, raising money for scholarships, coaching baseball teams, adopting military units, fighting to protect and enhance veterans benefits, promoting wholesome youth activities and much more.

National Commander Clarence Hill affirmed his belief in the strength of the American Legion by saying, "It is indeed an honor to represent an organization of this caliber as National Commander for 2009-2010."  Hill stated, "The slogan we're moving with is simple to remember: T.H.E. (The Hardest Easy) Job Challenge. "The 'easy' part is explaining who we are and what we do, under the Legions' four pillars of service - Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth, and veterans will join our ranks." "The 'hardest' part is getting that message delivered, welcoming new members aboard and mentoring them to become leaders.

I invite everyone to join us in our annual family membership caravan at a post near you," added Hill. To learn more about how to get involved and support the activities of the American Legion, visit JoinTheLegion.org ('http://www.jointhelegion.org') or ILLegion.org('http://www.illegion.org').