Need Some Positive News? Check Out What’s The Good News, Quad-Cities!
Fall is falling into the Quad-Cities!
The weather is getting crisper, the sweaters are coming out, the pumpkin spice is beginning to invade!
And there’s plenty of positive news dropping like so many golden, orange and rust leaves. There’s always a lot of great things happening in the Quad-Cities, and every month, we here at QuadCities.com, in partnership with our friends at KWQC-TV6’s “Paula Sands Live,” present to you an array of some of the best of them. We call this What’s The Good News? and it’s a way for you to keep up with some of the awesome people, events and things going on here in our community.
So, what’s the good news for September?
Here ya go…
QuadCities.com Focuses On Minority Communities In The Quad-Cities
QuadCities.com has added several sections on its site specifically dedicated to under-served communities in the Quad-Cities!
The sections are specifically dedicated to news and features about and geared towards those communities.
QuadCities.com has debuted sections dedicated to African-American News, Asian-American News, Hispanic News, and LGBTQ News And Events.
QuadCities.com continues to be dedicated to providing a diverse array of positive news and features for the Quad-Cities and we’re continuing to evolve in adding new features and shows! Stay tuned!
Pumpkin Shakes Are Back At Whitey’s!
Let’s fall right in with some of the biggest news of the season, that those delicious pumpkin shakes, sundaes, and ice creams are back at every Whitey’s in the Quad-Cities.
Hey, I couldn’t kick off a new fall column without a mention of these babies, could I?
No, no I could not.
So get on out to Whitey’s and have yourself a delicious treat!
Rock Island High School Has A Positive Message For Students — On T-Shirts
“Be Kind.”
“You are Enough.”
“We are in this together,” are just some of the many positive messages you’ll see at Rock Island High School, on the t-shirts of various faculty.
The idea came from Rock Island High School teacher Kelly Young. Mrs. Young was starting to accumulate several inspirational t-shirts. So she decided to start wearing them once a week at work, every Tuesday.
“The idea is to wear shirts with inspirational or supportive text to show students we care,” said Mrs. Young.
After she started getting students complimenting and noticing her shirts she thought why not ask more teachers to join her.
She reached out to other teacher friends on her social media, encouraging them to join her by pulling out their inspirational t-shirts and wearing it on Tuesdays.
The response has been overwhelming and has started a movement. Not only does Rock Island High School staff participate but other schools in the RIMSD#41 are participating in what has been deemed “T-shirts Tuesdays.”
“We hope to help students feel supported and seen at school,” said Mrs. Young.
Go Red Returning To Quad-Cities
After nearly two years away from in person events, today the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the 2021 Quad Cities Go Red for Women® Event will return to our community.
This signature event, which will be held beginning at 5:00 p.m. on October 28 at Waterfront Convention Center, will feature a keynote by Denee Brown with Cardiovascular Medicine, P.C., inspiring local survivors, important heart health information for women and more.
Quad-Cities Go Red For Women Event Will Empower Visitors Oct. 28“The fight to end heart disease and stroke in women is relentless, and since the last in-person luncheon event in October 2019, the American Heart Association has remained committed to raising awareness of the No. 1 killer of women – cardiovascular disease – and funding lifesaving research for women’s heart health,” said 2021 Quad Cities Go Red Co-Chair Dana Nelson Holstein with Nelson Brothers Agency. “According to the American Heart Association, heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases take the lives of more women than all forms of cancer combined.”
“It’s not just about wearing red. It’s not just about sharing heart-health facts. It’s about all women standing together with Go Red for Women — because 1 in 3 women die from cardiovascular diseases and losing even one woman is too many,” said Nelson Holstein.
“There’s something about the energy that builds when we meet in person for this movement and we’re looking forward to be being able to see one another and continue raising funds for this worthy cause.” said 2021 Quad Cities Go Red Co-Chair Stephanie Eckhardt with Ruhl & Ruhl.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and the Quad Cities event is locally sponsored by Canadian Pacific, Cobham, Green Chevrolet, GreenState Credit Union, Kline Sewer & Drain, McCarthy Bush Corporation, Nelson Brothers Agency, Royal Neighbors, and Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors.For more information and to register to attend the Go Red For Women Luncheon, contact Ani Snyder at 319-536-3900 or visit www.heart.org/quadcitiesgored.
Moline Filmmakers Form Group To Tell True Stories In Documentaries
Kelly Rundle of Moline has long been a director of documentary films. Now he and his wife Tammy – partners in Fourth Wall Films – are co-executive directors of the Quad-Cities’ newest non-profit — Truth First Film Alliance, Inc. (TFFA).
Tammy and Kelly Rundle own Fourth Wall Films in Moline.
The organization will focus on bringing films and filmmakers to local screens in special free programs that feature curated documentary films and narrative films based on true stories. Screenings will be followed by a moderated Q&A with directors, producers, and writers with an emphasis on the craft of filmmaking. The formation of the new non-profit was funded in part by a grant from The Moline Foundation.
“We are very excited to introduce friends and neighbors in the Quad-Cities to important films and filmmakers,” Kelly Rundle said recently. “And we look forward to introducing the Quad-Cities to visiting filmmakers. This is a great place to live, work, and make films.”
TFFA’s mission is to promote, support, and encourage the production and exhibition of documentary films, and narrative films based on true stories, through public presentations and educational programs in the Q-C region. Future programs and plans may include classroom visits to discuss films and filmmaking, an annual grant to regional filmmakers, an annual scholarship for a media studies student in the region, and a one-time or annual film festival with a focus on films that tell true stories.
TFFA is partnering with the Figge Art Museum in Davenport to present its first free public program in the John Deere Auditorium on the evening of Nov. 11, 2021. The film and visiting filmmakers will be announced at a later date.
Truth First Film Alliance, Inc. has non-profit status in the State of Illinois and 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. For more information, visit TruthFirstFilmAlliance.org.
Gather For The Cure Helps Lower Financial Barrier For Cancer Testing
The first Gather for the Cure Event on Saturday, Oct. 2 will help lower the financial barrier leading to essential breast imaging.
The first-ever Gather for the Cure event at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Oct. 2 will celebrate survivorship, provide education and
resources and support the Genesis Voucher Program.
Gather For The Cure Helps Lower Financial Issues Over Breast Cancer Testing“Cost should not be a barrier to accessing what may be life-saving breast imaging,’’ said Diane Koster, Genesis Women’s Health Grant Program Specialist. “Our goal with this event is to bring the Quad-Cities communities back together, to celebrate those who have survived and stand by those fighting, while remembering those we have lost.
“This inaugural event will lay the foundation to build a support plan for our community to fight breast cancer with the hope to continue for many years to come.’’
Koster explained that because the Susan G. Komen organization no longer is providing financial support to voucher programs in the Quad-Cities region, there is a funding gap to fill.
The Genesis Foundation and the Jim Victor Vision Fund have made a commitment to continue support of the Genesis Voucher Program. All new and increased gifts for the Center for Breast Health may qualify for a 1:1 match by the Jim Victor Vision Fund. This program will allow individuals to receive mammograms and other life-saving breast imaging services at no cost.
“Support and donations of any amount are appreciated and could be life-saving for a breast health patient,’’ Koster said. “We can’t sit back and wait for another funding source to emerge. The need exists now.’’
In the years 2019 and 2020, 454 individuals benefited from the Genesis Voucher Program. The program covered 288 screening mammograms, 139 diagnostic breast mammograms and 109 diagnostic breast ultrasounds. A total of $76,700 in breast health services were covered, relieving the financial burden for those using the services.
Gather for the Cure will kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month from 9-11 a.m. on Oct. 2 with live music, displays and information. Yard signs to celebrate survivors or those we remember will be available for purchase in advance of the event. All funds raised will benefit Quad-Cities voucher programs and Quad-Cities women and men.
For information about the event or the fundraising efforts, call Diane Koster at (563) 421-3081 or go to www.genesishealth.com/gather.
Want To Help Milan? Quad Cities Community Foundation Can Help!
QUAD CITIES, Iowa / Illinois—Grants of up to $10,000 for projects dedicated to improving quality of life for residents of the Village of
The Quad Cities Community Foundation logo
Milan, Illinois, are now available through the Grant W. Brissman and Virginia M. Brissman Foundation, a private foundation administered through the Quad Cities Community Foundation.
Grants will fund work focused on youth development, community development, and cultural activities, as well as relief for underprivileged people. While nonprofits located outside of Milan may apply, their applications must demonstrate specific benefits to the village and its residents. Applications are due by October 1, 2021, and recipients will be notified by late November.
According to Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives at the Community Foundation, the foundation has awarded more than $900,000 in grants over the last 8 years. “This funding makes a true difference for nonprofits and the people they serve in the place that meant so much to the Brissmans,” Thompson said.
For more information and to apply, visit: www.brissmanfoundation.org. Applicants with questions are invited to contact Kelly Thompson, vice president of grantmaking and community initiatives, at (563) 326-2840.
That’s all for this month!
Got some good news you want featured? Email me at Sean@QuadCities.com!
