Event Date:  September 26, 2009, 12:00pm-5:00pm at Schone's Friendship Farm, 15711 13th Street, Milan, IL.

We're rustlin' up all volunteers, riders, parents, and friends for the New Kingdom Trailriders' Western Jamboree Fall Festival and Fundraiser!  Help us raise some much-needed dollars while having fun with the whole family.  Admission is $2.00 and every paid admission is an entry into a great door prize drawing from Ascentra, this year's Platinum Sponsor.

This fundraiser will be chock-full o'fun and games for everyone in your posse.  There will be games for the little greenhorns, vittles for the hungry and of course, our cowboys and cowgirls will put on a fine show for ya'all.

Our Chuck wagon will be servin' up Texas chili and dogs, along with other tasty grub.  We'll have horse rides available for purchase to all who want to be a cowboy for the day.  Hold on to your hats folks, that ain't all!  We have a surprise for you- "It's a Pleasure" Precision Drill Team will be performing too (www.itsapleasure.org).  Dust off your boots, we've also roped in "The Posse" for your country western dancin' and listenin' pleasure.  Bring your decorated pumpkin to enter the Pumpkin Design contest!

If that ain't enough for ya'all to flip your lids, we have invited some of our compadres to join us and have information available about their fine programs and products also.  All this fun is brought to you with the help of our good friends at Ascentra.  So grab the young'uns, the old'uns and everybody in-between for a hootin', hollerin' good time at the NKT Western Jamboree Fall Festival and Fundraiser!

New Kingdom Trailriders is the Quad Cities' only equine-assisted therapeutic riding program.  NKT is celebrating its 25th year of offering a quality recreational therapy program to specially challenged individuals.  Donors, local grants and fundraisers fund NKT.  You can donate to this program online at their website - www.NKTriders.org.  Click on the "Just Give" logo.

WE NEED YOU TO HELP!

Committees are being set up NOW.  Please sign up as a worker or leader today or call the NKT office at 309.764.4220 or email Christina Chom, Director of Development at christinankt@yahoo.com.  We cannot do fun events like this without the help of our super volunteers!  Thank you for lending a hand and supporting New Kingdom Trailriders.

If you would like more information about this event or New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT), or if you need directions, please visit our website at www.NKTriders.org or contact Barbara Clauson at (309) 764-4220, email NKT at info@NKTriders.org.  You can also stop by our office located in SouthPark Mall next to Dairy Queen/Orange Julius.

###

MILAN, IL - The University of Illinois Extension Office Teens from the 4-H Companion Animals Club will hold a Dog Wash/Car Wash on Saturday, August 29th from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. to benefit the Quad City Animal Welfare Center. The Dog Wash/Car Wash wil be held in the University of Illinois Extension Office parking lot at 321 West 2nd Avenue in Milan. For a suggested donation of $5.00, the 4-H Companion Animal Club teen will wash your car and pamper your pooch. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Quad City Animal Welfare Center.

The Quad City Animal Welfare Center is the only full service no-kill animal shelter located in the Quad Cities. Our mission is a shelter for homeless animals, to support a spay and neuter program and to provide humane education. QCAWC Adoption Center is open Monday-Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m. with extended hours on Wednesday until 6:00 p.m. Our Low Cost High Quality Wellness Clinic is open every Wednesday and Friday at 1:00 p.m. with no appointment necessary. Low Cost High Quality spaying and neutering is offered by calling 309-787-6830 for an appointment. QCAWC is located at 724 West 2nd Avenue in Milan.

###

Davenport, IA - August 7, 2009 - Helping men, women and children through rough times has been part of the Scott County Family Y's mission since its beginning in October of 1858.  From World War I to the Great Depression through the ups and downs of the Quad City area's economy, the Scott County Family Y has remained true to its belief - no one is turned away due to their inability to pay.

That is more than a saying at the Scott County Family Y especially when it comes to providing a safe and positive environment to area children.  The Scott County Family Y is the largest child care provider in the Iowa Quad Cities.  Serving more than 450 children a week and connecting more than 1,300 family members, the Child Care and Family Services Division is committed to all those it touches.

One of the ways the Scott County Family Y Child Care and Family Services is able to make this connection is through its participation in the United States Department of Agriculture's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).  CACFP helps the Y insure that nutritious meals are provided, at no separate charge to children enrolled in the following programs: YMCA/Palmer Learning Center, Davenport Family YMCA's Learning Center, YMCA Kid's Club Before and After-School programs at Riverdale Heights Elementary School in Bettendorf and at the Davenport Family YMCA. Meals are provided without regards to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and the Scott County Family Y's Child Care and Family Services Division receives partial reimbursement based upon the income information provided by the children's parent or legal guardian.  Eligibility guidelines for reduced price meals are as follows:

Income Eligibility Guidelines for Reduced Price Meals

Effective 7-1-2009 to 6-30-2010

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Scott County Family Y's Child Care and Family Services division is committed to maintaining federal and state standards, which meet the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of area children.  All child care programs are licensed by the State of Iowa and staff members are trained to meet initiatives above and beyond licensing requirements.

In addition to following these income eligibility guidelines, the Scott County Family Y Palmer Learning Center has earned a level 4 rating from the Iowa Department of Human Services - one of the highest quality assurance ratings the state offers.

The Iowa Quality Rating System for Child Care Providers (QRS) is a voluntary program that rates child care providers on quality indicators such as professional development; health and safety; environment; family and community partnerships; and leadership and administration.  Established in 2005 by the state legislature, QRS is designed to make providers aware of the many paths and steps they can take to improve the quality of their care.  The system also offers parents another resource in evaluating and selecting a child care provider.

The Scott County Family Y Palmer Learning Center is one of only six licensed child care centers in Scott County to receive this rating, showing that the YMCA goes above and beyond state licensing standards.  "We believe that quality is an ongoing process and we continually strive towards maintaining and improving the quality of care we provide, said Deb Gustafson, Executive Director, YMCA Child Care & Family Services.  "This rating shows along with our participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program helps show that we arecommitted to nurturing the whole child, and his or her family, all while making sure they have a healthy and safe environment to grow and learn in."

For more information about the programs and services offered through the Scott County Family Y's Child Care and Family Services Division, call (563) 323-5725 or visit the Scott County Family Y website, www.ScottCountyFamilyY.org.