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Community based mentoring program receives grant from BP/Meyer Oil |
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11-16-2011 Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters recently received a $6,250 grant from BP/Meyer Oil to benefit the Effingham County community-based mentoring program. Through BP’s Fueling Communities Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters was nominated for the grant by Randy and Kate Meyer and Meyer Oil Company. The grant is being facilitated through the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation.
When nominating Big Brothers Big Sisters for the grant, Randy and Kate Meyer wanted the grant funds to be used to benefit children. With their wish in mind, this grant will used to provide professional support for additional one-on-one mentor matches in the area as well as activities for matched and unmatched children. According to Christy Mesnard, Effingham County Program Coordinator, “We are very grateful for this contribution that will allow us to expand our reach to more children. In Effingham County, we currently have a waiting list for kids needing a Big Brother or Big Sister.”
Deb Kinkelaar, Big Sister, shared her feelings on her role with her Little Brother, Kody Lankford. “Kody and I have been spending time together for four years. This program provides an excellent structure for volunteers to develop a relationship with kids in a way that is meaningful to both parties outside of the regular school day”. Kody added, “We do a lot of fun things together, but one of my favorite things was learning how to make sushi.”
Members of the local chapter advisory board includes: Jason Wrone, Greg Petty, Susan Hartke, Kathy Clausius, Kelly Schuette, and Kim Varner. The local program is beginning its third year of operation in Effingham County.
The BP Fueling Communities program provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP’s Branded Marketers to support the communities in which they do business. Fueling Communities gives back to local organizations that support health, education, youth, food, and housing to spread charity and goodwill.
For more information about Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters, contact Christy Mesnard at 217-540-1413.
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Friends of St. Anthony’s receive grant from BP/Meyer Oil to benefit pediatric patients |
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9/27/2011
The Friends of St. Anthony’s recently received a $6,250 grant from BP/Meyer Oil to benefit pediatric patients at St. Anthony’s. Through BP’s Fueling Communities Program, St. Anthony’s was nominated for the grant by Randy and Kate Meyer and Meyer Oil Company. The grant is being facilitated through the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation.
When nominating St. Anthony’s for the grant, Randy and Kate Meyer wanted the grant funds to be used to benefit children. With their wish in mind, the Friends of St. Anthony’s are establishing the “Hugs & Cuddles Program” for small children who have surgery at St. Anthony’s. The program will provide a teddy bear to children having surgery at St. Anthony’s, giving them a furry friend to cuddle prior to their surgery and to comfort them as they recover after their surgery. Each child will get to take their teddy bear home with them as well, to remind them of their bravery.
Jane Brummer, Outpatient Surgery supervisor, expressed her gratitude for the teddy bears and the comfort they will bring children having surgery. Brummer explained, “Being in a hospital and having surgery is a scary time for children. It will greatly help relieve these children’s anxiety by having a teddy bear to comfort them before and after their surgery,” she said.
Randy Meyer shared his feelings on how St. Anthony’s intends to use these donated funds from BP and Meyer Oil. “I think the “Hugs & Cuddles Program” with the teddy bears is an imaginative idea that exceeds anything I was hoping to achieve when we chose St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital as the recipient of this first donation,” he said.
The BP Fueling Communities program provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP’s Branded Marketers to support the communities in which they do business. Fueling Communities gives back to local organizations that support health, education, youth, food, and housing to spread charity and goodwill.
The Friends of St. Anthony’s, the fundraising organization of St. Anthony’s, was established to ensure the continuing growth, stability and future of health care in this region. For more information about the Friends of St. Anthony’s, contact the Community Relations department at 347-1275.
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Community Foundation hosts appreciation dinner |
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The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation held its annual report to the community dinner on Saturday, February 26 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Effingham, IL. The 125 guests participated in a silent auction while enjoying music provided by Carla Honselman of Casey. Jim Schultz, Chair of the Board of Directors, opened the evening with a financial recap of the two member foundations, Effingham County Community Foundation and the Mattoon Area Community Foundation. Craig Lindvahl was the keynote speaker and explained the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) Class format including funding structure, business partner involvement and activities the students have been are exposed to during the year. All of the 2010-2011 CEO class members were present at the dinner. The night closed with a presentation from Joedy Hightower, President/CEO, who highlighted some of the many grants the member foundations made in their communities last year. She thanked all board members for their dedicated efforts and donors for caring so deeply about their respective communities. The evening ended with a raffle for an iPad which was won by Scott & Michelle Lensink of Mattoon. The raffle generated $1,240 and the silent auction generated $1,928. A special thank you to the evening’s generous sponsors! Platinum sponsor: Jerry Groniger of Mattoon
Gold sponsor: Consolidated Communications of Mattoon
Silver sponsors: Siemer Milling of Teutopolis and Pagliacci’s of Mattoon
Bronze sponsors: Bill & Kathy McClain of Teutopolis, Washington Savings Bank of Effingham, Armstrong, Grove, & Shoaff of Mattoon and Century 21 Hutton-Matheny of Mattoon The Mattoon Area Community Foundation will host the event in 2012! We hope to see you in Mattoon next year! |
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New YouTube Video about Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation |
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Round Two Microgrants Awarded |
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09-15-2010
Coles County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) was awarded $1,474 to attend the National CASA Conference. This grant will allow Coles County CASA staff to utilize information from the conference as they recruit, train, and monitor volunteer advocates. Two office staff persons, the Executive Director and the Advocate Coordinator, will attend the conference. The changes expected as a result of attending the conference include building skills and acquiring tools that will enhance the abilities of staff to train and advise volunteer advocates as they speak up for abused and neglected children.
Arts Connection of Central Illinois was awarded a microgrant in the amount of $787 to enhance fundraising at the Effingham Performance Center (EPC). Attending this course offering will allow the organization to develop the strategies needed to insure the long-term stability of the EPC by refining our long-term fund raising goals. The course will be taken by the Director of Development. As our long-term plan is developed, the organization expects to see an increase in the number of supporters along with the dollar amount they provide.
Effingham County Courthouse Cultural Center and Museum was awarded a microgrant in the amount of $787 to hire a consultant to provide strategic training for the Board of Directors. This training opportunity will explore the scope and realities of current status compared to long-term vision, clarify that vision, establish priorities and develop a realistic timeline. Finally, the facilitator will clarify Vision Goals for current planning horizon and develop goal achievement plans including obstacles, solutions and action steps. The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation and goodWORKSconnect have teamed up, with the support of the Lumpkin Family Foundation, and created microgrant opportunities for nonprofits within the region. Microgrants are up to $1,500 for attendance by non-profits staff and board members at trainings and professional development programs to improve the management, governance or leadership of the applicant organization. |
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