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McLean County 4-H News

New information about 4-H events!

November 17, 2009

Community Service Opportunities

YWCA McLean County in search of holiday helpers!

The YWCA will again be providing over 150 holiday gifts to senior citizens participating in their Home Based Services program throughout McLean County. If you are interested in making a donation (either monetary or a requested item) or volunteering to help deliver the gifts, please contact Vicki Hightower at (309) 662-0461 ext. 265 or vhightower@ywcamclean.org.

Deadline dates:

November 30, contact needs to be made with Vicki Hightower

December 14, gifts needed at YWCA (1201 N. Hershey Rd, lower level)

December 16 – December 22, gift deliveries

Home Sweet Home/Salvation Army needs Sleeping Bags!

I am emailing you in hopes that one (or hopefully a few) of you will be able to assist the community with this need. As we have already seen, the economy has taken a toll on individuals from across the country and as such we are seeing more and more individuals in need of services. As we also know, both shelters in town are current at capacity (in regards to males) and it is anticipated that this will only continue throughout the rest of the winter. In addition, PATH is very low on hotel funds and limiting who they assist because the state (and federal government) has not given them the much needed money in months. If that weren't enough, the communities supply of sleeping bags are currently at ZERO. In previous years if both shelters were full and PATH couldn't help, at least PATH / Safe Harbor would be able to provide a sleeping bag and warm places for the night. Because of all these circumstances, I am asking, hoping, praying that you (and your friends, family, organizations, clubs, church groups, etc...) can assist the community in accumulating a supply of sleeping bags. In the past, many individuals simply took multiple old blankets and created sleeping bags from them. They do not have to be bought, but the most important thing is that individuals in this community have something for the freezing nights ahead.

I ask that you please consider this request.
Thank you very much,
Danny Sherling

nzaring@hshministries.org

Posted by Theresa Chambers at 9:11 AM | Permalink |
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November 13, 2009

Toys For Tots Needs 4-H's Help

The Salvation Army is expecting a 25% increase in families in need for Toys for Tots this year. Most of these will have never been part of the Toys for Tots program before. Funding losses from major corporations make a need to increase toys. Hope you will help. Please e-mail Katrina Whalen (4-H alum & Parent) at kattap2000@yahoo.com or the director is Matt Drat his e-mail is mattdrat@mac.com.

Posted by Theresa Chambers at 4:04 PM | Permalink |
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November 13, 2009

Holiday Cookies for the Soldiers Project

The McLean County Home and Community Education packed holiday cookies on Tuesday, Dec. 2 to send to soldiers overseas. Over 505 DOZEN cookies and goodies were brought to the Extension office at 402 N. Hershey Rd. in Bloomington. About 20 volunteers packaged the donations (cookies, candy, money, popcorn) that came from 4-H clubs, HCE members, State Farm employees, IAA employees, GFWC ILLINOIS Woman's Club of Heyworth, Bloomington-Normal Junior Woman's Club, retired teachers, and many other individuals in McLean County. 147 BOXES of cookies were mailed out this year! It costs $11 a box to ship to the soldiers. HCE appreciates any donations toward postage expenses. Send donations to McLean County HCE, 402 N. Hershey Rd., Bloomington , IL 61704. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this project so successful. If any questions, contact Leatha Poshard, 309-452-9164.

HCE Donation List

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth542.html

HCE Website

http://www.mcleanhce.org/

Posted by Theresa Chambers at 4:04 PM | Permalink |
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