19.4.11

Race For The Cure

Join Us for
Race for the Cure


When: Saturday, May7th 2011
Where: Metro Centre at University and Glen in Peoria Illinois
Who: Everyone!
$30 for Adults
$20 for 12 and under
Add $5 for registration after April 24th
How: you can register in person
4700 N. University Street
Mero Centre, Suite 92 Peoria, Il
or online at www.komenpeoria.org register with the team
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”
*for those who do not wish to walk/run you can register as
a “spirit walker” or contact Stu Regnier, Race Coordinator
309-691-6906 for
volunteer opportunities.
for more informaton
visit the race for the cure website
or contact Aubrey Scott
p: 309-830-1712
e: moc02001@msn.com

5.4.11

Center of Prevention Diaper Drive

Yea! Another month and another service project. This month we are holding a diaper drive for the Center of Prevention. They are in need of sizes newborn-2. You sisters are doing great work. Keep it up. Just a reminder you can drop the diapers off in the bin in the coat room. Thanks.

15.3.11

Just a little sharing

I felt that I should share with all of you the experience I had with February's service project. If you remember we did a food drive for the Midwest Food Bank. I drove clear across town to there facility and when I got there all of the doors were locked. Even though it said on the door that they were open and 8 and now it being 9:30 they should be open. I was a bit discouraged, so I did some shopping at a near by store and thought that I would just go home. However I didn't. I ended up going back. Again the doors were still locked. I found someone in the parking lot who directed me into their warehouse. WOW! It was stocked full of food. When I saw this food I thought of our little donation sitting the back of my trunk (little only in comparison). When I told them I had a food donation they were ecstatic. I wish you all could have seen how there faces lit up. I pulled my car over to the warehouse, unloaded my trunk, and gave them the food. The entire time they acted like they just won the lottery in food donations. The man told me that the food would go out that day to people who really needed it. It just goes to show that every little bit counts.

I have the best calling in the world. Being the humanitarian service leader has taught me a lot about charity and about the love that you sisters have. It's amazing all that you women give. Thank you for your donations.

I know that some of you are probably eager to help out Japan. You can make donations through the church by clicking here , or through the red cross by clicking here

11.3.11

March Madness


This month's service project is a Good Will drive. Please bring any non-wanted items (in good condition) to church anytime during the month of March. The donation box will be in the front of the Relief Society room. I don't know about you guys, but for me I really need this. I will let you know if there will be any changes.

P.S. in May we will be participating in Race for the Cure for the service project. I am giving those who want to run or walk a heads up so that they can start their training:) There will be other opportunities for those who do not wish to participate in the race. You can join our team by logging onto http://www.komenpeoria.org/ . When you sign up to race click on "join a team." Our team name is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". There will more information coming soon. happy running.

6.2.11

A New Direction


Humanitarian service has teamed up with the Relief Society meeting committee. We are now part of the monthly service projects. We are extremely excited to be a part of this, and will be updating this blog on a regular basis to inform you of new projects and past projects. In the Relief Society room there is a plastic bin. On the front of that bin there will be noted what donations we are accepting for that month. This month we are collecting donations for the Midwest Food Bank. Please bring any non-perishable items to church and place them in the bin. If you would like to find out more information about the Midwest Food Bank you can find a link to there website in the "service opportunities" section to the right.

We are happy to report that the Christmas cards for St. Jude have been gathered and shipped. And wow there were a lot of cards! You sister's are amazing and we appreciate your dedication and donations. For more information on St. Jude you can find there website and other contact informaton under the "service opportunities" section to the right.

25.9.10

Blood Drive October 7th


Sisters,
Hooray!! It's time for another chance to donate blood. On Tuesday, October 7th from 4-7 pm at the church there will be a blood drive. Now I know we just had one a few months ago. The Red Cross is at critically low levels of all types of blood. They have expressed their appreciation for our willing to add another drive this year. On Sunday there will be a clip board with the sign up sheet. Along with the sign up sheet there will be consent form for those of the age 16, and a sheet that answers questions about qualifications of donors. If you miss signing up the clip board will be kept in the foyer through out the week and during conference. In addition to our need for donors we need volunteers to help out at the drive. This would be a perfect opportunity for those who cannot donate. We need the following:

  • 1 volunteer to help out with snacks. They need be there from 4-7 pm
  • 1 volunteer to help out with check in. They also need be there from 4-7
  • Men to help set up and take down. They need to be there an hour before and an hour after. They don't have to be there both times.
  • We would like to have babysitting so any sisters or Young Women who would be willing to help out from 4-7 pm

One more thing. This would be a great opportunity to invite a co-worker or friend to see our church. If you have any questions or are willing to help please contact Aubrey Scott or Munah Gwyan

Thanks,
Humanitarian Service

21.7.10

Three Things

First:
Look what my mom sent me from the LDS church news website. Pretty cool huh. Good Job Peoria Stake!!!!

Church News

Peoria Illinois Stake celebrates 30th anniversary with community service

Submitted by Peoria Illinois Stake Public Affairs


Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Peoria Illinois Stake, President David Cummings asked stake members to find a community service project to which they could contribute. On May 1, 11 wards and branches combined to perform more than 1,200 hours worth of service.

AP Photo/Seth Perlman
Peoria Illinois skyline.

The Peoria Ward provided much-needed weed pulling at the Forest Park Nature Center. The 540-acre center is home to a nature preserve with seven miles of hiking trails through forested woodlands and prairie openings. Many Peorians frequent the center year-round for hiking and bird watching. Ward members as young as age 2, along with well-seasoned adults, came out for three hours to tackle the weeds growing on and along the hiking trails.

"It looked like an insurmountable task, but the Nature Center staff was so grateful for the areas we weeded," said Carrie Wood, who was assigned an area with a lot of mustard weed. "It was also a wonderful opportunity to work with our small children teaching them about service. Providing service also cemented more bonds with our ward family."

Members from the Galesburg Ward helped three local non-profit groups accomplish some meaningful tasks. At Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center, members distributed flowers from the center's spring fundraiser. Some of the youth made baby blankets and donated them to the center. Other ward members sorted and took inventory of toys and games at the Bright Futures Resource Center and members organized clothes at the Purple Hanger, a clothing store for youth.

The Boys and Girls Club benefited from help from the Normal 1st Ward. The Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center, which houses the Boys and Girls Club, received a fresh coat of paint. Members of the Church also provided outdoor beautification at the Unity Community Center in nearby Bloomington by washing windows, painting walls and parking lots, laying mulch and other outdoor activities.

The Normal 2nd Ward helped make Constitution Trail, a 24-mile hard surfaced nature trail, cleaner for walkers and bikers alike. The ward focused a one-mile stretch of trail that runs near Underwood Park by picking up trash in that area.

Colonial Hall Care Center in Princeton received members from the Princeton Branch with open arms. The members brought board games, storybooks and coloring books to entertain the center's elderly residents for three hours. Several residents read storybooks to the younger children while the older children read to the residents. Some of the residents opted to color in coloring books with children and adults from the branch.

"We had so much fun with the residents," said branch member Cathy Fairbanks. "It was the best project we could have chosen to get even the youngest members involved. The residents loved it so much that they wanted us to come back as often as we could."

The town of Kewanee provides a free breakfast for the community three times a year. The Kewanee Branch's members approached the town asking if they could be a part of the May 1 breakfast as service to the community. The Kewanee Branch spent several hours at the American Legion Hall setting up, cooking, serving, cleaning up and tearing down.

"Our 10 volunteers helped others in the community feed over 1,000 people," said Kewanee Branch President Dan Schoeheider. "It was a great opportunity to build better relationships with the people of the community."

Havana Branch members assembled and presented 82 May Day baskets to residents and staff of Havana Healthcare. The baskets included flowers, snack items, a bookmark, a pencil, a writing pad and a pedigree chart for residents to note their memories of their ancestors. They also spent some time visiting with residents and allowing them to reminisce about their childhood and early years.

The Canton Branch helped Farmington, a neighboring town, clean up trash at Township Park. The members of the branch also helped plant flowers provided by the town council in and around the park.

Members of the Monmouth Branch got together to tie fleece lap blankets that were then donated to Starting Point, a local women's shelter. Starting Point is a habilitation and recovery program. Starting Point offers a stable home environment that allows mentoring/counseling in areas of character, life skills, education, vocation and spiritual needs. The blankets allowed the members to show their concern and love for the women in this shelter.

Members of the Morton Ward chose a popular park to clean up. At 108 acres, Northwood Park is the largest park in Morton. This park is popular for sledding in the winter and 18 holes of frisbee golf during the spring, summer and fall. The members were quite surprised to see the kinds of trash that they found and collected. Lori Johnson said, "We found all kinds of things. The two most interesting pieces we found were a large safe and a bed frame."

Bishop Leonard Pineda of the Pekin Ward told of how the ward combined their efforts with those of the city for a citywide clean-up day. "Many cities and towns in central Illinois have groups, businesses and organizations adopt a street to help maintain cleanliness of that particular street. Our ward has adopted 14th Street, the street that the meetinghouse sits on. On May 1, we organized many members to help clean up trash and debris along 14th Street. We also provided manpower all day at various drop-off stations in Pekin. Residents of Pekin use the drop-off stations to dump items that they would normally have to pay to dump at a landfill." Bishop Pineda said the service was tiring but rewarding in many ways.

© 2010 Deseret News Publishing Company

Second:
Thank you to all who helped out with the blood drive. We had 17 units of blood donated. And a special thanks to those who came and helped run the drive. I really appreciate it.

Third:

Don't forget that tomorrow is the card making night at the church. We will be making cards for the patients at Methodist hospital. Be at the church at 6:30. Refreshments will be provided. And if you want to bring any of your own scrapbooking supplies feel free. See you there.

11.7.10

Blood Drive Reminder

This is just a reminder about the blood drive. It's this Tuesday from 4-7 at the church. Make sure you take your vitamins, eat a good meal, and drink plenty of water. Time to get your body ready to save lives.

8.7.10

Make a Wish

Hello Sisters. I just received this e-mail and thought that I would pass it on to you.

Hello All!

I am raising money for 8 kids with life-threatening illnesses to get their wishes granted! If you can help me out, I would sincerely appreciate it! If I raise the most money out of ten "Celebrities" I have to sing "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by Billy Joel in front of 500 people! I am not looking forward to that part, but I do want to help these kids!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!


I would love to see you at the event if you live in town!

Saturday, July 10th 6-10pm
Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant
3002 Gill Street, Bloomington

If you have already donated, thank you!!!


--
Jen Christensen
HOI 19 News

26.6.10

Blood Drive


Are you in the mood to save lives? Well if you are donating at our blood drive is a great way to do it. It only takes about an hour, you get free food, and you can help so many people. The drive is at the church on July 13th from 4-7pm. There will be a sign up sheet passed during classes and one on the table in the foyer. The Red Cross is in need of donors. They are low on units and could really use our help. If you have any questions please contact Aubrey Scott.

14.4.10

Just a Reminder

to all of you folks about The Great American Clean-up this Saturday from 9 am -12 pm. We will be meeting up at the church. Come dressed to pick up trash on the church grounds and near by roads. Please bring your children and anyone else who wants to come. If you can't come for the entire time that's okay. Come and do what you can. Any little bit helps. See you there.

28.3.10

The Great American Clean-up

"Get active……..….get involved in the largest annual spring litter cleanup – The Great American Cleanup. Keep Peoria Beautiful is sponsoring a spring litter cleanup on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. "

Please mark you calenders and meet at the church. Anyone (including kids) are welcome to come and help. We will be picking up trash around the church and at near by streets. For further information please call Aubrey Scott or Munah Gwyan. Thanks.

4.2.10

I Vant to Suck Your Blood

Yesterday I received an e-mail from the Red Cross. They are 700 units short and are in need of people to donate blood. It occurred to me that you are people and you have blood. Possibly you could take some time and stop by the Red Cross to donate. Not only are you saving lives but you get snacks. My favorite are the fruit snacks. Every bag of fruit snacks should be that big. After you donate let me know what your favorite snack is and I will make sure that it will be there waiting for you at our next blood drive.

22.1.10

Official Statement From the First Presidency

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement today:

Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.” We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.

Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue."

click here to donate.

Thanks

17.1.10

Haiti

Please read this article concerning the earthquake in Haiti. If you are looking to help there is a link in the article for monetary donations.


Church sends humanitarian aid to Haiti after 7.0 earthquake

January 13, 2010
Jason Swensen, Church News

In the moments following a devastating earthquake in Haiti, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began organizing a humanitarian response to assist the legions affected by the Jan. 12 disaster.

"We express our sympathy and prayers on behalf of the citizens of Haiti following the recent devastating earthquake," said Mormon Church spokesman Scott Trotter. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is immediately shipping humanitarian relief including personal hygiene kits and supplies for newborns."

All Latter-day Saint missionaries serving in the Haiti Port-au-Prince Mission are safe, according to Lynn Samsel, the Church's Emergency Response director on Wednesday morning, Jan. 13.

"We are waiting for further word on members and Church facilities," he added.

Church officials are organizing an airlift to Haiti with needed humanitarian supplies. The Church is partnering with other humanitarian relief agencies in that effort. Donations for relief efforts can be made at give.lds.org/emergencyresponse.

Communication with Haiti was still a challenge a day after the 7.0-magnitude quake. Brother Samsel said a team from the Church offices in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, would be traveling via land to Haiti to better assess the situation.

The Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince was largely destroyed in the most powerful temblor to hit the island nation in two centuries, according to the Associated Press. No official casualty data had been reported a day following the quake, but many believe the number will reach into the thousands. The destruction has left tens of thousands of people homeless. Journalists in Haiti called the National Palace "a crumbled ruin."

The Church is relatively young in Haiti. The first baptisms in the West Indies nation were performed in 1978. A branch was organized later that year followed by the creation of the Haiti District in 1982.

In 1983, President Thomas S. Monson blessed the land of Haiti while serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. A year later, the Haiti Port-au-Prince Mission was created. Haiti's first stake, the Port-au-Prince stake, was formed in 1997. Today there are two stakes in the country.

More than 15,000 members of the Church live in Haiti.


19.12.09

The Results


On Monday I was able to deliver our gifts for the Center of Prevention. When I told them I had a donation and needed some help I don't think they realized how much we had for them. When they were unloading my car I kept hearing "oh boy!" and "Thank You." They were very happy to receive our gifts. Our Relief Society is amazing. When I was loading up my car I couldn't help but shed a few tears. It's very touching to see the love that the sisters in this ward have for complete strangers. So from the bottom of my heart and from the Center of Prevention Thank You. Have a Merry Christmas sisters.

29.11.09

Giving Tree

As most of you already know we have the Giving Tree up in the foyer. This year we are helping out the Center of Prevention. The Center of Prevention helps abused children and women. If you are wanting more information about the Center of Prevention please see there website. You can find a link at the bottom of this page. If you are wanting to participate and all of the ornaments are gone (there were only five left today) don't feel discouraged. The C of P needs just about everything and anything. Toiletries, clothes, sheets, towels, toys, gifts, etc... Anything to start a new life. Just bring the items back to church in a plastic bag. Place gift in back of coat room (there is a box). Keep ornament with bag. If you do not have an ornament just leave a little note. We have already had great success with the Giving Tree. Thank you sisters for all that you do. You have helped more than you know.

10.11.09

Decorating for Dax

This past Sunday there was an announcement about a little boy named Dax. Dax is two years old and most likely will not make it to Christmas due to a rare case of leukemia. The family, neighbors, and town decided to decorate early for the little guy. You can decorate your own house take a picture and send it to him. Go here to visit his website and to learn more about decorating for Dax.

10.10.09

Blood Drive Success

The Blood Drive was a success. I just want to personally thank everyone who came and donated. We ended up with 17 units of blood. There were 6 first time donors and many who just walked in to help. I also wanted to thank all of the sisters who volunteered to help out during the drive. You sisters are wonderful.

28.9.09

Relief Society Broadcast

There was an excellent talk given by President Henry B. Eyring during this past General Relief Society Meeting. It was on one of my favorite subjects. Charity! Click here to see the video.

While I have you here I might as well remind you of the blood drive on October 8th from 4-7 in the church gym. I still need about 8 more people to give blood. Please Please give me a call if you want to donate. Thanks.

21.9.09

I Want to be Your Buddy Buddy and I Need Your Bloody Bloody

This past Sunday in Relief Society there were two service opportunities announced. In case you weren't there or you forgot here is what you missed.

The Bear Buddies is a program run by the First United Methodist Church. Here is a quote from their website "Irving Primary for kindergarten through 5th grade is a school in our neighborhood with many students coming from low-income families. We have partnered with the school for 14 years to serve these students and their families through various ministries. In the process, we have become a model for other partnerships in the Peoria District school system. As the volunteers share themselves with their Irving Buddies, they provide an excellent way for these students to experience the love of our Lord Jesus in tangible and human ways." If you would like some more information or would like to participate in this program click here. This program is in need of more volunteers. Please help if you can.

On October 8th from 4-7pm in the church gym there will be a blood drive. This is probably the easiest service you can do. All you have to do is lay there and get free food. And we really need the blood. I only have 5 people signed up and I need 20 more. We can do this! This drive is not just for us women. It's for the entire ward. Every one 16 and older can donate. Ages 16-17 need a parent's signature (I will be handing those out later). If you are unable to donate ask your husband and friends. If you have any questions concerning donating please call me (Aubrey) or e-mail me at charityneverfaileth@live.com.

Thanks we all appreciate your help.

4.9.09

Cupcakes for a Cause


Cupcakes for a Cause is a sweet way to help kids affected by cancer!
All you need to do to support CancerCare for Kids this September, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is buy, bake, and send cupcakes!
You can't go wrong with a charity that involves food. Check out Cupcakes for a Cause for more information. You can even send an e-cupcake!

21.8.09

Near and Dear to My Heart

On Saturday September 12th at 9am there will be a Small Wonders Miracle Walk to benefit the Children's Hospital of Illinois Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The walk will take place at the River Plex. Registration is available at the River Plex on the day of the walk at 9am or by clicking here.

If I could only choose one service project to do a year this would be the one that I would do. My oldest son was born pre-mature and was in a NICU for the first 10 days of his life. More recently my niece, who was only born weighing a little more than 2lbs, was in the NICU here in Peoria. I have seen first hand the miracles that the hospital here has preformed. Sadly I will not be able to attend this walk. Please let me know if any of you decide to go. I would love to hear of your experience.

Jamison just a few days old


Jamison 3 years old


Taylor Grace a few days old


Taylor Grace April 2, 2009 -August 25, 2009

10.8.09

Operation Santa

Dear Sisters,
I have another wonderful opportunity for you to serve. Operation Santa will be sewing Christmas stockings for our solders on September 5 in the Northwoods Mall outside of JC Penny (lower level). It will take place from 9am-5pm. Please bring your sewing machine, supplies, and extension cords. If you do not have a sewing machine they will have plenty for you to do. If you have any questions please visit there website at operationsanta.info, call at 309-231-5090, or e-mail at operation.santa@yahoo.com.

7.8.09

Craft Hope


I'm just up at midnight scratching my mosquitoe bites, and thought that maybe you are doing the same thing too. So if you up at unearthly hours of the night why not put your time to good use. There is a fantastic website called crafthope.com and they are currently having a project where you make sock monkeys for child burn victums. Currently there is not a tutorial posted, but if you scroll down to the bottom of the post and click on craft hope nest you should be able to find one there. As soon as i can round up some socks I plan on making some. Let me know if you decided to do it too and send me pictures so I can post them on the blog.

17.7.09

My Visit to OSF

I delivered our file folder games to OSF the other day. What a rewarding experience. I wish I could describe in words the excitement that came from those little games. I didn't expect such a response. They had never seen them before and thought that it was a very clever idea. The volunteer services showed them off to the children's hospital and then the children's hospital took them right away to patients. Well done everyone. I wish all of you could have been there to see the joy in their faces. Thank you again.
We have another service project in the works. It might be a while before we get it going. In the mean time please use the resources below to continue service. If ever you have a service opportunity please let us know. Just e-mail us at the address located in the contact information.

2.7.09

Look What I Have Been Doing


Laminating!! I have all of the file folders and their pieces done (thank you Primary). I just need some extra hands to come help cut out and put Velcro on. I could really use some help. I am holding a cut and chat party at my house on Thursday July 9th at 10 a.m. Please bring your children young and old and your scissors. I will have some snacks to entertain our tummys while we cut.

Thanks,
Aubrey Scott

26.6.09

Enrichment Night

Thank you to all who came and helped out with the file folder games and for the donations. We had all of the games colored and most of them assembled by the end of the night. Some women even stayed extra long to finish. When we are all finished we will be taking the 17 games to the children's hospital at OSF. As soon as I get the games laminated I will have a cutting and assembling party at my house. So look for the invite.

8.6.09

File Folder Games

Just a reminder to all that on the 25th of June there will be an enrichment. At that enrichment we will be making file folder games for OSF. We are looking for donations of manila file folders and Velcro (the ones with sticky backs). There will be a box placed in the back of the Relief Society room to collect the supplies.
Thanks to you all.