Freedom House to host fundraiser at Tanners

A fundraising gala for Freedom House will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Tanners Orchard, 740 Route 40 in Speer.

The event will mark the organization’s 40th year of serving domestic

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Putnam County Afterglow

To the Editor:

Hello Putnam County Record readers, I first want to thank everyone who attended and helped with Ag Night. After a three year hiatus because of COVID-19, I was so happy to have such a great turnout. Our speaker, Dustin Marquis, did a great job explaining what is happening at Marquis and answering questions from those in attendance. Thank you Dustin for helping get us back “in the groove” for Ag Night.

“Nothing Reads Like A Book:” I have to say a HUGE thank you to all the club members, community members from near and far (Wisconsin), the local banks, businesses and anyone who donated books for us to give to the libraries and schools. My goal of 200 books was doubled to 400. I am beyond excited for such a successful literacy project. Thank you again to our communities for supporting PC Rotary.

Now on to our next big project; Afterglow! Last year was our first year back after COVID-19 and while attendance was low, prom-goers and students who attended had fun and won a record number of raffles and prizes. While donations are down right now, we continue to receive donations daily from generous businesses, individuals and local organizations who support this event. The prizes collected thus far and the changes the students recommended we make showed us those attending will once again have a fun night.

Just an FYI, while there will be less casino games, there will be bingo, bags, TikTok challenges and a different fun way to win prizes that will once and sexual violence victims in Bureau, Henry, Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties. The event, co-chaired by Jennifer and Brenda Beaver, will raise funds to support the agency’s services for victims.

The gala will feature a wine reception, dinner, special video presenta - again include an Apple Watch, refrigerators, coffee machines, gift baskets, a laptop, gift cards, Beats and on and on.

If you would like to volunteer to help set up Friday, May 5, or help chaperone Saturday night May 6, please let us know. We need more volunteers. Call, text or email us at putnamcountyrotary@gmail.com and we will give you times and duties. Thank you to those who have already signed up to help.

I just want to say we just started a fun, quick fundraiser with the proceeds benefiting FFA and the Rotary Little Free Pantry at the Community Center in Standard. Through the generosity of Scout Clean Energy from April 16 through May 18 we will be selling 150, $10 raffle tickets with two lucky winners each getting half hogs, processed and packaged. All Rotary members and the FFA have tickets to sell.

As you can see Rotary is always busy, be it fundraising for projects, maintaining ongoing projects, creating new projects to benefit our schools, libraries, communities and our environment.

I’ll say it again, if you like to “give back” or enjoy volunteering please join us as a member, a returning member or a valued volunteer. If you have questions or want to know more, please ask any Rotarian for more information. Thank you always for the support you show Putnam County Rotary.

Remember, Service Above Self Always.

Debbie Buffington President of the Putnam County Rotary

An open letter to prom parents

All parents want their kids to enjoy prom and stay safe. Rotary’s with you, tions, a live auction and music by Felix & Fingers dueling pianos.

Event sponsors from across central Illinois include Tanners Orchard, Nedda Simon and Family, Richard & Marilyn Tanner, Rumbold & Kuhn, Diana Whitney & Larry Lindburg, Speer Community Bank, Mark again sponsoring the post-prom Afterglow so that our students can extend the enjoyment and excitement of their Prom night safely, and it’s free for all PCHS juniors, seniors and their dates; even those who do not attend prom.

The event will begin immediately following the PCHS Prom on Saturday May 6, lasting until about 2 a.m. at the PC Primary School Gym in Granville.

We need your help in discouraging any possible post-prom parties or activities that would draw students away from this event. Please encourage your student to attend and allow them to stay until the prize-winning end. Our hope is that through 100% participation, our community can help ensure a safe, fun and memorable prom experience for everyone.

This year’s Afterglow has a “New Vibes” new look, with competitive games, TikTok challenges, a 360 room and lots of raffle drawings to win very valuable prizes at the end of the night.

With the support of many generous donations, we are able to offer a great party and amazing prizes to be won throughout the event. Gifts include an Apple Watch, a computer, dorm fridge and microwave, Beats and Apple earbuds and headphones, a gaming system, other high-end electronic gifts, restaurant and shopping gift certificates and many other items.

Breeden, BoGar Enterprises, Quality Cable & Components, Zack Wise at Country Financial, Marquette Real Estate, state Sen. Win Stoller, Lorie Steelman and State Bank of Toulon. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.freddomhouseillinois.org.

All students have a chance to win valuable prizes and the first 100 students to arrive also will receive an Afterglow T-shirt with this year’s theme art.

The Afterglow has become a part of the PCHS Prom tradition and is something students look forward to as an extension of the evening.

Please help us continue the tradition by encouraging your student’s participation and by allowing them to remain at the Afterglow through the final prize drawings at the end. We hope for 100% participation in this year’s “New Vibes” Afterglow on May 6.

Thank you for your support!

Tina Dolder Afterglow Chair

Debbie Buffington

PC Rotary President

Village of Hennepin Residents

As a reminder, Golf carts and UTVs must be registered with the Village of Hennepin to be used on Village streets. Each year, a new color-coded sticker must be purchased. Cost per sticker is $10. If your vehicle is not yet registered, please take a few minutes to get in compliance. You can find the registration form on our website at www.villageofhennepin.com or request one by calling 815-925-7138.

You may also stop by the Village Hall on Wednesday afternoons to pick up a form. Mail your completed form with the $10 registration fee to Village of Hennepin, PO Box 194, Hennepin, IL 61327. Don’t wait for law enforcement to remind you!

Hennepin Village Board of Trustees

include the author’s full name, home address and day and evening telephone numbers. We limit letters to 250 words and one published letter every 15 days. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity at the sole discretion of the editor.