November, 2015
Community Giving
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Community Giving
November, 2015
United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties provides a number of agencies with funding throughout the year. A gift can change a story. A gift as small as $2 can make a big impact on someone’s life. Donations to United Way help locally. There were 6,000 Iroquois County residents who were helped by United Way in 2014. The United Ways of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties exceeded its goal of raising $900,000 for the community last year. This year, they are on to the next goal . Of every dollar raised in the community, 99 cents stays in the community. The other penny goes to state and national United Way in exchange for training and resources. One United Way program is 2-1-1, which is a free, confidential and website available 24 hours a day, seven days a week that connects people to programs and services locally. Those include: healthcare and mental health resources; job training programs; childcare and after school programs; food, shelter, clothing and utility assistance. Another program, Success by 6, is a regional collaboration with the Commuity Foundation geared toward making sure children are ready to succeed when they enter school. More about this program can be found at parentspage. org. To learn more about the local United Way, contact Kendra Martin, regional director for Iroquois County. She is located at 219 Central, suite 5, Gilman and call be reached at 815-707-5055 or at kendra.martin@
myunitedway.org. Partner agencies include: The Arc of Iroquois County, Aunt Martha’s Youth Services, Catholic Charities, Unit 9 Academic Foundation, Easter Seals, Girl Scouts of Greater Central Illinois, Harbor House, Iroquois Mental Health, KCC-Alive, KC-CASA, Martinton Community Food Pantry, Options Center for Independent Living, Prairie States Legal Services, and Volunteer Services of Iroquois County.
Food From the Heart Food baskets are being made for under-privileged families in Iroquois County dur ing the holiday season. Food From the Heart, a non-profit organization, is co-oping with Toys for Tots and families with children and the second day is for senior citizens and families with no children. Martha Howe, a member from organizing committee, said they have been cooping with Toys for Tots for the last three to four years. “The purpose is to add a little joy to the families here in the county that need it,” she said. Last year, the team and it’s vol- unteers de-
veloped 375 baskets but because of the floods in Watseka this past summer the team decided to push the number up to 400. The program is currently looking for businesses to donate to the cause. The cost of the basket is $25 though the team will take any donation at any amount. If money donations are not pos- sible, the team is always looking for volunteers to help pack the bas- kets on Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m. at the church. Any money donations will be used to buy food from Berkot’s or Walmart. Howe said this year is the sixth year they have
organized the fund- raiser. Their first year they started at 35 baskets and have increased the number each year since. She said they usually get 50 to 60 volunteers who will help out at the church. For any questions or want to volun- teer contact Howe at 815-432-6613. Checks should be made out to: Food from the Heart and sent 301 S. 4th St. in Watseka. Howe said to avoid paying with cash if possible.
November, 2015
Community Giving
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Toys for Tots Families in Iroquois County have the next few months to get signed up for Toys for Tots. The program designed by the United States Marine Corps Reserve is getting the word out in Iroquois County as businesses are accepting any toys or cash donations to go towards the program. Last year, the program served more than 300 families which included more than 800 children in Iroquois County. County coordinator Bill Nutter said the program makes a difference to many lives. He and volunteers in the county work the last few months of the year to help make multiple families happier around the Christmas season. The mission is to collect new toys during the months of October, November and December so they can help underprivileged families have a better Christmas. It’s all part of giving hope to the less fortunate young generations in the community. It also brings local communities together as they hope to make a young child happy.Cindy Guttendorf, a volunteer for Iroquois County, said there are boxes for toys at businesses all through- out the county and will be for most of the next three months. The businesses are also taking money donations to go towards new
toys as well. There are two toy distribution dates for the program. Dec. 19 is the main distribution date which will take place in Watseka. The other distribution date is Jan. 2 in Gilman, which is mainly for people who celebrate the holidays for more than one day and people who may be out of the area on the first distribution date. For more information regarding Toys for Tots or to sign up, visit their website at toysfortots.org. Businesses wanting to place a Toys for Tots collection box in their store may contact Guttendorf at 815-265-7920. Guttendorf said families have until Dec. 12 to sign up.
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Community Giving
November, 2015
Watseka Kiwanis Club Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others. Each Kiwanis club achieves what one person cannot accomplish alone. And along the way, club members share fun, fellowship and a passion for service. At Kiwanis, we want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. We believe by helping one child, you help the world. The Kiwanis Club of Watseka completes many projects and makes many donations in the Watseka Area. It is with the generous donations of our community that the club is able to continue to complete
those projects and make those donations. Watseka Kiwanis Club is a group of local volunteers dedicated to serving the children. Invest in a child’s future. Consider becoming a member. The group works with young people throughout the year with its Key Club and Builders Club. The biggest and best known fundraiser of the year is peanut sales. Every year during the first weekend of October members will be seen standing on street corners throughout Watseka asking for donations and in return donors receive a bag of peanuts. The club also sells peanuts to local businesses and corporations as part of this fundraising event. Another well-known fundraiser is the annual spring Pancake Break-
fast. This has been a fun event every year for all Kiwanians and is a huge area breakfast with hundreds of pancakes being consumed in a single morning. Kiwanis Club of Watseka is part of the international organization,
whose main purpose is to serve the children of the world and the community. The club will be 90 years old next year. For more information visit www. watsekakiwanis.com. The Watseka Kiwanis Club recently installed officers and board members, whose terms began in October. Pictured are (front, left to right): Kevin Hack is Past President and Membership Chairman, Larry Burton is President, Helen Gerber is Secretary, Bob Sabo is Board Member; (back, left to right): Dennis Clatterbuck, Board Member, Ray Guttendorf, Board member, Kevin Armold, Board member, Christopher Both, President-elect, and Jim Baumgartner, Board member.
Photos contributed
November, 2015
Community Giving
God’s Little Food Pantry God’s Little Food Pantry in Watseka serves people weekly. Pastor Ron Bogenschneider said the food pantry purchases food from the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. This is an easier way for the pantry to get supplies and they can make their dollar go farther, he said. God’s Little Food Pantry will accept donations of non-perishable items, as well, he said. The distribution day for the pantry is Tuesday, and Bogenschneider said this is also a good time for the pantry to receive donations. Someone is at the pantry at 425 W. North St., Watseka, quite a bit of that day. Workers are there from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with distribution from 2-4 p.m., he said. Other days when someone is at the pantry to receive donations are 10 a.m.-noon Monday, 10:15-11
a.m. Wednesday and 10:15- 11 a.m. Friday. The pantry will also accept monetary donations, he said. Checks can be made payable to God’s Little Food Pantry and mailed to 425 W. North St., Watseka. Bogenschneider said the pantry has been serving between 175 and 185 families every week. The appreciate the donations, he said, because the need is so great. Sometimes schools and other local organizations conduct food drives and those donations are then brought to the pantry. He said one thing the group is always in need of is volunteers. Those who would like to help can just show up at the pantry and they will find something for the volunteers to do, he said. The pantry can be contacted at 815-432-1182.
Photo contributed God’s Little Food Pantry serves almost 200 people a week in Iroquois County.
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Community Giving
November, 2015
American Cancer Society/Relay For Life The American Cancer Society of Iroquois County works to raise money and awareness about cancer research and prevention. Nationally, the organization conducts many awareness campaigns and fund raises money toward cancer research and awareness issues. The Great American Smokeout Campaign, conducted each November, and set for Nov. 19 this year, is one of those campaigns. Locally the Iroquois County Relay For Life has raised more than $2 million toward research and awareness since the first Relay in 2001. Relay For Life is an organized community fundraising walk during which teams of people camp out around a track and take turns walking around that track to raise money. The family-friendly environment includes, food, games, activities and entertainment. The opening ceremony introduces the teams. The evening also includes a Survivors Lap, which allows
cancer survivors to take the first lap around the track to celebrate their victory over cancer. A luminaria ceremony takes place after dark, with luminaria candles are lit to honor those who have been lost to cancer, those who have fought cancer in the past and support those who continue to fight cancer. In Iroquois County, Relay For Life is conducted the second weekend in June. The local American Cancer Society also conducts a Patient Resource Center, which provides free scarves and wigs for cancer patients and other resource information, as well as rides to and from doctor’s appointments when necessary. The group is at the Riverside Specialty Center from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays and at Iroquois Memorial Hospital from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information go to Relay For Life of Iroquois County’s Facebook page, or the American Cancer Society’s website at cancer.org.
Participants are ready for Relay For Life in Watseka.
You’ll find many of our employees and their families participating in many of the local events as they “Give Back” to the communities in which they live. We are proud of those employees and the organizations which they serve.
IROQUOIS FEDERAL Member FDIC
www.iroquoisfed.com
815-432-2476 I ROQUOIS F INANCIAL 815-432-5231
I ROQUOIS I NSURANCE 815-432-2404
November, 2015
Community Giving
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Iroquois County Historical Society/Old Courthouse Museum The Iroquois County Historical Society operates the Old Courthouse Museum in Watseka. The organization will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary in 2017. The society for nearly 50 years has been bringing together those people interested in history-especially Iroquois County History. The major function of the society is to collect material which will help to establish or illustrate the history of the area and provide for the display and preservation of such material. In following this purpose, it becomes the mission of the society to preserve this 1866 Old Courthouse as well as the integrity and cultural heritage of Iroquois County and to promote public awareness of the county’s rich heritage. As a not for profit organization, we depend on memberships, fundraisers and occasional grants to keep this building in good repair and the museum open year around. Please stop in to see all we have to offer. Throughout the year, the society operates several events and opens up the grounds and courthouse: Christmas Tree Lane, which is in its 47th year this year. The Sounds of the Christmas Season at 1 p.m. Dec. 5. Other events during the year include Harvest Daze, which is in October, and the farmers’ markets, which are conducted on the lawn
throughout the summer. The Old Courthouse Museum/ Iroquois County Historical Society continues to keep the words of Joseph S. Kelly in mind as it continues to maintain and restore this wonderful old historic building and collects, houses, displays and preserves those items from the past for the future generations who come after us. The old saying goes, “you don’t know where you’re going until you know where you came from” takes on a very significant meaning when it comes to this museum and all the history which has been preserved. We continue to have several annual events still taking place. Harvest Daze just completed it’s 36th year, Christmas Tree Lane is in it’s 47th year. The Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration was started during the sesquicentennial year and is still going strong. Classes of school children are always encouraged to come for county history lessons. Programs of all sorts are put on throughout the year which include concerts, musical programs, weddings, and organizational meetings. Many books are available of county history, sweatshirts and tshirts, pecans, postcards are among some of the items sold in the general store in the office. The museum is open year around Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. and on the first Sunday of each month from 1-4 p.m. Closed on most holidays. New memberships are always welcome at the low membership dues of $15.00 annual or $150 Lifetime which can be paid in 3 - $50.00 payments within the year.
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Community Giving
November, 2015
Watseka Food Pantry The Watseka Food Pantry was formed in 1983 and serves residents in Iroquois County. Located in the First United Methodist Church in Watseka, the pantry grown considerably from those early years, said Martha Howe, one of the organizers. Today, the pantry takes donations of non-perishable food items, paper good or money so that the organizers can purchase what is needed to distribute. At this time of year, Howe said, the pantry is looking for items that people can use for their holiday
meals: green beans, mushroom soup, sweet potatoes, any item that one might think of for a holiday dinner. Other items that are needed, she said, are paper goods, personal care items, laundry soap and other nonfood items. When donating food items, she said, they ask that people watch to make sure they are not donating out-dated food. The pantry is open every day Monday through Friday. “We ask that people call first,” she said. That way the organizers know that someone is coming and
can be ready, she said. Distribution is from 2-3 p.m. each week day. People can call 815-4320122 from 9 a.m.-noon to make the appointment, she said. “We see eight to 10 families a day,” Howe said. While the total number of families served varies from month to month, she said currently they are seeing 130 to 140 families a month. “We try to meet the needs of the county,” she said. “We serve all of Iroquois County.” There are several volunteers who help with the pantry, about 30 in all,
she said. Howe said the need continues to grow, especially after the recent floods in the area earlier this summer. Some people just don’t have enough to eat, she said. When food is distributed, they are given enough food for a week. “At least,” Howe said. “That’s a miniumu. They usually get more than that.” Once a person has received from the pantry they can’t get more for eight weeks, she said, so that the pantry can fill the neesd others have. “We try to do what we can,” she said. Martha Howe accepts a donation on behalf of the Watseka Food Pantry from Rich Kingdon of the Watseka Elks Lodge. While the photo was taken a couple of years ago, it still holds true today that local organizations donate to the Watseka Food Pantry and other such food pantries to help those who need it.
File Photo
November, 2015
Community Giving
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Martinton Community Food Bank Martinton Community Food Pantry serves Martinton, Beaverville, Iroquois, Papineau and Donovan. “We serve every week,� said Carla Prizy, one of the organizers. The pantry works off the highest of poverty level benefits possible at 185 percent, she said. That rate changes two times a year. Those who are served through the Martinton Communit Food Pantry receive three breakfast meals, three lunch meals and three dinner meals. The families served also receive other items, such as toiletries. Currently the pantry serves 32 to 35 families. Prizy said the pantry will accept non-perishable food items, paper goods and money that can be used the purchase more items to be distributed. There is a bank account set up at First Trust and Savings Bank. Prospective donors can visit the bank and make the monetary donation there, she said. Monetary donations can also be mailed to P.O. 103 Martinton, 60951. Currently the pantry is getting ready to distribute Thanksgiving baskets. Next month there will be a distribution of Christmas baskets. The community has been generous in providing foods, she said. The pantry will accept perishable items to distribute if it is from a local business and if it is close to distribution time. Volunteers work to get things ready and then distribution takes place each Tuesday. The pantry conducts both a morning and an evening distribution on that day, she said. There are many people who work but yet still have a tough time making ends meet to get all the food and items they need, she said. Tuesday distributions are 9-10 a.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. The pantry is located at 213 W. Thomas in Martinton. The pantry has been operational for four years and Prizy said they see a need each week. Ninety-five percent of the funding comes from grants, she said, and they work with the money they have to help out as best they can. Martinton Community Food Pantry can be found on Facebook.
Photo contributed A sign tells all who pass what hours of distribution are for the Martinton Community Food Pantry.
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The American Red Cross encourages individuals and organizations to give something that means something this winter by making a lifesaving blood donation or hosting a blood drive. Blood donations often decline from now to New Year’s Day when holiday festivities pull people away from their donation appointments. Seasonal illnesses, such as colds and the flu, can also have a serious impact on blood donations. In addition, there are fewer blood drives during the winter months when many hosting organizations postpone drives while people are traveling for the holidays. Severe winter weather may also cause scheduled blood drives to be canceled. Despite the busy holiday season and threat of extreme freezing weather, the need for blood remains steady. Organizations can help by hosting a blood drive during the winter months, and eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood. Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more about hosting a blood drive. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations. Upcoming blood donation opportunities: Ford County, Illinois Paxton
Community Giving
November, 2015
American Red Cross 12/4/2015: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Paxton Buckley-Loda High School, 700 Panther Way Iroquois County, Illinois Buckley 12/10/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Christ Lutheran High School, 201 W. Lincoln Cissna Park 12/2/2015: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion, 124 S. Second St. Donovan 12/1/2015: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Donovan High School, 600 North St. Kankakee County, Illinois Bourbonnais 12/2/2015: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Riverside Health Fitness Center, 100 Fitness Dr. 12/3/2015: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kankakee Blood Donation Center, 20 Heritage Dr. 12/4/2015: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bourbonnais Fire Department, 1080 Armour Rd. 12/7/2015: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., GatheringPoint Church, 897 W. Bourbonnais Pkwy. 12/10/2015: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kankakee Blood Donation Center, 20 Heritage Dr. Herscher 12/7/2015: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 225 E. Third Manteno 12/9/2015: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 175 S. Main St. Vermilion County, Illinois Danville 12/7/2015: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Community Church of God, 535 S. Bowman Ave. Hoopeston 12/8/2015: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW Post 4826, 4th Ave. & W. Orange
How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Blood donors can now save time
at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their predonation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Giving
Back
Iroquois County
Relay For Life
You’ll find many of our employees and their families participating on our company’s sponsored Relay for Life team to benefit cancer research.
We are proud of these employees and their effort all year to make the Relay a success. 1164 E. Walnut St., Watseka, IL 60970
815.432.5155
November, 2015
Community Giving
Watseka Elks Lodge 1791 Watseka Elks Lodge 1791 conducts a variety of events throughout the year. One of those is Coats for Kids. “Our goal is make sure every child is warm this winter,” said Rich Kingdon. “Through the generosity of the Watseka area we are able to collect new and gently used coats throughout the year to donate to children in need. “This is our 5th year of doing Coats for Kids.. “Each year we donate approximately 150-200 coats along with hats, gloves, and scarfs. Anyone in need can contact the Elks lodge 815-432-1300. Another event is Bingo for cancer fighters “We just finished our 5th year of the bingo event this past Saturday. Nov 14,” he said. “We have raised over $20,000 in five years. The money is donated directly to Iro-
quois County residents fighting cancer to help with their expenses. The Watseka Elks also support youth events. The Elks provide free youth events for the community, Kingdon said. This includes the Hoop Shoot - a free throw contest conducted each year for a chance to advance through the levels to the main goal of national champion and their name being put in the national basketball hall of fame. It also includes Shoot shoot - a soccer competition to test the kicking accuracy. A kids carnival is another event. This is a free carnival for area children with games, prizes, food, and Bingo for cancer is played in the Watseka Elks. fun. For more information find the Watseka Elks on Facebook. The lodge is located at 111 N. Third St., Watseka. Mailing address is P.O. Box 312, Watseka.
Photos contributed The Watseka Elks Lodge is filled with Coats for Kids.
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Community Giving
November, 2015
Thrivent Financial What is Thrivent Financial? Thrivent Financial is a financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. We offer a broad range of products and services along with guidance from financial representatives nationwide. For more than a century we have helped its nearly 2.4 million memberowners make wise money choices that reflect their values. We also provide opportunities for members to be even more generous where they live, work and worship through various outreach programs. Thrivent has been selected as one of the world’s most ethical companies by the Ethisphere institute. You used to be Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, now you’re just Thrivent Financial… why the change? To be a fraternal benefit society, you need to be organized around a “common bond.” For the last 100 plus years, our common bond has been Lutheran. In 2013 we had a historic vote of our membership to extend our common bond to open our organizations to all Christians. Our membership overwhelmingly approved the vote and we recently went through a brand refresh to reflect our new standing and prepare ourselves for our next hundred years of service. I’ve been with the organization since 2011 and it’s been an incredibly exciting time to be a part of and I’m very excited to continue our great work with other Christian denominations. What does the term fraternal benefit society mean and how does it operate? Fraternal benefit societies are
exempt from some taxes. To qualify for that exemption, we have to meet certain criteria, such as having “members [who] have adopted the same or very similar calling, working in union to accomplish some worthy objective” per IRS standards. Additionally, fraternal societies are member owned, not held by stockholders. How does Thrivent Financial benefits its members and the community? Thrivent Financial has programs in place where members get a voice as to where the fraternal dollars get allocated. For example, there is a fairly new concept appropriately named Action Team that members can submit for a community impact card that are used to help needy people and organizations. Additionally, eligible members have the option to use Thrivent Choice® dollars that can be directed to not for profit organizations. In 2014, the Thrivent Choice program allocated $54.9 million dollars to not for profit organizations, Iroquois County organizations received $59,615 from the choice program. In 2014 Thrivent Financial and our members contributed $209.8 million dollars to strengthen families and communities. Iroquois County organizations and individuals received $105,164, Ford County received $30,906, Livingston County $76,539 Kankakee County $57,592, Tippecanoe County in Indiana $116,030 from these programs last year. Thrivent also has a branch of Habitat for Humanity, called Thrivent Builds, in Illinois last year $547,801, and worldwide, $12 million worldwide committed in 2015;
bringing the total dollar impact to habitat for Humanity to more than $213 million dollars since the partnership began eight years ago. Why does the general public not know more about Thrivent Financial? Our purpose is to serve our members and society by guiding both to be wise with money and live generously. We believe all we have is a gift from God and that generosity is an expression of faith. With those principles in mind, Thrivent tries to funnel money back into communities instead of large ad campaigns
but, as you can see, we’re thrilled to tell anyone our story as we’re very proud of our company. How can people contact you if they would like more information? I may be contacted by calling my office at (815) 432-0355, by cell phone (815) 953-5430, or email larry.burton@thrivent.com. Both members and people interested in the company may visit thrivent.com for more information. — Information provided
ABRA’s goal is to give individuals the opportunity to live and work in their most natural setting with the help and support they need. Your support has enabled our clientele to work in the community with job coaches and join in activities on a regular basis. While we may be a small agency number wise, we are large at heart. It is through the support of businesses and individuals like you that-- through choices, disabilities disappear
ABR A
107 N. Fourth St Sheldon, IL 815-429-3007
November, 2015
Community Giving
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Modern Woodmen
Throughout the past few years, many people have attended the Kelly Miller Circus, thanks to the efforts of local Modern Woodmen. Those efforts have also raised money for many local endeavors. Nationally, Modern Woodmen of America has 770,000 members, with total assets more than $14.1 billion in the United States in 2014. Modern Woodmen of America was founded by Joseph Cullen Root on Jan. 5, 1883, in Lyons, Iowa. He had operated a number of businesses, including a mercantile establishment, a grain elevator, and two flour mills, sold insurance and real estate, taught bookkeeping classes, managed a lecture bureau, and practiced law. Root was a member of several fraternal societies through the years. He wanted to create an organization that would protect families following the death of a breadwinner. The head office was established in Fulton, Ill.,
in 1884. The home office was moved to Rock Island in 1897. Modern Woodmen is a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society. The membership organization sells life insurance, annuity and investment products not to benefit stockholders but to improve the quality of life of its stakeholders – members, their families and their communities. The organization accomplishes this through social, charitable and volunteer activities. As a fraternal organization, the society is organized around a lodge system, called chapters. Chapters offer fellowship and community service opportunities for members. Modern Woodmen members are part of more than 2,700 chapters nationwide and almost 800 youth service clubs. Modern Woodmen members across the United States participate in Join Hands Day and Make a Difference Day, which are national days of
Photo contributed Tira Howaniec (fourth from left), Cindy Trumble and Bernie Markley (middle right) take part in work that needed to be done at a local food pantry.
service. Chapters and youth clubs also participate in social activities such as special dinners, recreational activities and outings, volunteer and social projects throughout the year. Members unite for volunteer projects that provide dollars, basic necessities and hands-on labor to improve lives in their communities. The organization’s Matching Fund Program matches money raised by individual chapters for community members or local organizations in need. Locally, Modern Woodmen of America are very active in Iroquois County. Locally Modern Woodmen of America conduct matching fund projects to raise money for those in need. Chapters frequently donate to volunteer organizations, community projects and families in need. To get in touch with a local representative: Bernie Markley, Tira Howaniec or Cindy Trumble
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Community Giving
November, 2015
Iroquois County Christmas Cantata Kena Clark performs in a past Iroquois County Christmas Cantata.
Photos contributed
“The Promise of Christmas”, a brand new Christmas Cantata created by Phil Barfoot, will be presented by the Iroquois County Cantata Choir. Rehearsals for this beautiful musical are ongoing at 1 p.m. every Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at First Christian Church. Reservations for this 40th annual Iroquois County cantata can be made by calling 815-592-4573 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.. Leave a message providing name and a contact phone number. Callers will receive confirmation call within a few days. Seating at the church
is limited, so organizers ask that people please plan carefully so they don’t order more tickets than are needed. Those who have to cancel are asked to call the ticket number and let them know. Each year a free will offering is taken at each performance that allows the cantata to contribute to a worthy Iroquois County organization. This year’s donations will benefit the Old Iroquois County Courthouse and Museum. Presentations of this year’s Christmas Cantata will be: 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 18; 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 20 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23.
Alonna Eades participates in a past Christmas Cantata.
Many in our community work quietly, tirelessly, all year long so that children will not be forgotten. Their reward? A smile on the face of a child. We applaud these neighbors and their effort to brighten the lives of children.
Iroquois Cafe Iroquois, IL
815-429-9098
Daily Breakfast, Lunch & Evening Specials
November, 2015
Community Giving
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Sheldon Area Food Pantry The Sheldon Area Food Pantry serves people on Wednesdays each week. Donations can be left at ABRA. 107 N. Fourth St., in Sheldon, said Carol Munson. Financial donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 152, Sheldon, Ill., 60966. Anyone in Iroquois County can
go to the Sheldon Area Food Pantry, she said. “hey have to live in Iroquois County and they must meet the established poverty level guidelines. She said the pantry sees between 70 and 80 families a week. The Donovan United Methodist Church sponsors the pantry in partnership with Eastern Illinois Food
Bank and Feeding America. Munson said the donations are appreciated. Monetary items can be used to purchase food from the food bank, she said. By doing the purchasing in that fashion, she said, they can make the money work for them and go farther. Volunteers help throughout the month. There are eight volunteers
who work to unload the seven to eight pallets of food each month. Six to eight volunteers help in distribution each week. “I’m always looking for a few more bodies,” she said. The pantry is located at Fourth Street and Depot in Sheldon.
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Community Giving
November, 2015