What’s The Good News In Illinois And Iowa For November, Quad-Cities?
What are you thankful for this week?
It’s thanksgiving week and there are plenty of positive news stories to tell and things to be thankful for here in the Quad-Cities.
So what are some of the great things happening in and around the area? Here’s a rundown of some of them, in our latest monthly What’s The Good News segment, here on QuadCities.com and on KWQC-TV 6’s “Paula Sands Live.” Let’s take a look, and happy Thanksgiving!
Group O Selects LULAC as recipient of QC River Bandits “Copa Wednesday” Fundraiser
Milan, Ill. – As a 100% Hispanic-owned business, Group O was proud to partner with the Quad Cities River Bandits this baseball season to celebrate the Hispanic and Latino communities by sponsoring “Bandidos del Río de las Ciudades Cuádruples”, Minor League Baseball’s (MiLB) “Copa de la Diversión” or “Fun Cup” series.
During each “Copa Wednesday” home game, Bandits players wore a specialty “Bandidos del Río” uniform featuring Rascal wearing a sombrero and signature bandana in a serape-inspired design. These jerseys were auctioned off and raised $2,500 to be donated to a local charity selected by Group O. Group O has selected LULAC to receive those funds.
Along with their sponsorship, Group O also partnered with the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce by recognizing small businesses and non-profit organizations in the Hispanic community during every Wednesday home game throughout the season. Those businesses included Chocolate Manor, Rosales Lawn Care, QC Ballet Folklorico, Cruz Cutz, LULAC, R&D Towing, Jennie’s Boxcar, AlienBoi Boxing Academy, TapOnIt, and Campos Mufflers.
“We’re so excited to present these funds to LULAC as part of our ongoing efforts to reach out to our Latino community,” said Maria Ontiveros, community liaison at Group O. “Group O chose to support the local LULAC councils because they are a driving force behind the improvements in the quality of life for the Hispanic community. Their scholarship program aligns with Group O’s philanthropic focus of providing educational opportunities to youth.”
Quad City Strikers Win Iowa State Championship THREE-PEAT!
Davenport, IA. – The Quad City Strikers Soccer Club’s U15 boys team has won the three-peat!
For the third year in a row, the team has won the Iowa Presidents Cup over the other top-ranked teams from around the state.
The Warriors won the state of Iowa’s Presidents Cup tournament over the weekend in thrilling fashion, going undefeated and fighting for a tough 2-1 win over UFA DesMoines in the title game, their fourth consecutive win against the highly touted DesMoines club. The Strikers Warriors will represent the state of Iowa playing against other top-ranked national teams at the Midwest regionals for the Presidents Cup June 16-20 in Ohio.
Quad City Strikers U15 boys are the #1 ranked soccer team in their division in Iowa. The team is a positive, ambitious group of great young men who have been working hard to achieve their goals! The team sets a positive example in their schools and community, practices daily, and is dedicated to teamwork, good sportsmanship, and unselfish play.
The team is made up of Aiden Nuci, Caleb Hythecker, Colton Schuette, Connor Wehr, Drew Craig, Easton Bohnstengel, Fred Callender, Jackson Leary, Javier Alvarado, Joseph Ly, Lance Brock, Nathan Winger, Payton Douglas, Seth Utsinger, Cole Brimmer, Ben Leinhart, Charlie Blackwell, Lucas Jennings, Santino Maylone, Zayne Pullias, and Wyatt Marshall. Coaches are Juan Nuci and Christian Nuci.
Interested in learning more? Check out the club at qcstrikers.org.
Boetje’s Mustard Served Up Award As One Of The Top Businesses In Illinois
Boetje’s Mustard has cut the mustard, by being honored as one of the best businesses in Illinois, as part of the Illinois Makers Class of 2022.
“Our family is so honored by this award,” said Boetje’s owner Will Kropp. “Our mustard is handcrafted and uses the original recipe that was created back in 1889 right here in Rock Island.”
“We are thrilled that Boetje’s Mustard is part of the 2022 Illinois Makers Class,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “The Illinois Made program showcases the very best of unique and diverse small businesses that help tell the great story of Illinois and add to our destination’s authenticity and visitor experience. Quad Citizens are extremely proud of Boetje’s and their products. We are grateful to the Illinois Office of Tourism for recognizing what we all know–Boetje’s makes the world’s best gourmet stone ground mustard.”
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced that 30 small businesses or ‘Makers’ have been recognized as part of the Illinois Made program. Each year, the Illinois Office of Tourism selects a group of small businesses that exemplify the hidden gems, experiences and one-of-a-kind products that make Illinois a great place to explore for residents and visitors alike.
“I couldn’t be prouder to announce the 2022 Illinois Makers class—the most representative of our diverse state since the inception of the Illinois Made program,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Here in Illinois, we have it all: stunning wood carvings, mouthwatering pastries, and the most delicious barbeque in the nation—all thanks to our small businesses. With Small Business Saturday just around the corner, I encourage all residents and visitors to check out the 30 latest Makers that make Illinois, Illinois. Congratulations, Illinois Makers Class of 2022!”
The 2022 Illinois Makers class represents the most diverse since the program’s inception, with more than 60 percent of businesses owned by women or people of color. From French pastries to elegant, handcrafted Chinaware – each of the Illinois Makers featured help inspire travel throughout the state.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our Illinois economy, and their distinctive products and experiences help make communities unique and provide locals and visitors alike with many reasons to explore our great state. We’re excited to announce the new class of Illinois Makers just in time for Small Business Saturday on November 26,” said Sylvia I. Garcia, Director of DCEO, which includes the Illinois Office of Tourism. “We are thrilled to have the most diverse group of new Illinois Makers this year, who offer products made in Illinois and that highlight their craft, history and unique experiences.”
The Illinois Made program encourages residents and visitors to discover the people, products and authentic experiences created by small businesses throughout the state. The program, which features 236 makers, continues to drive tourism to every region of the state.
The Illinois Office of Tourism promotes Illinois Makers through inclusion in road trip itineraries, the biannual Enjoy Illinois travel magazine, events, seasonal campaigns, and the annual Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide. The 2022 Illinois Made Holiday Gift Guide, which encourages consumers to support small businesses throughout the holiday shopping season, is available online. The Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) encourages residents to nominate businesses for the Illinois Made program; Nominate a local business using this form.
Delta Kappa Gamma Helps Out Kids In Need
Members of Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma dropped off bags filled with new books to the students of Alyssa Leone’s class at the Rock Island Academy and Amanda Long’s class at Thomas Jefferson.
The books selected for the bags feature characters who reflect the diversity of the district’s students. The project was a collaboration of three groups: Mu Chapter DKG (a professional society of women educators), the local chapter of the NAACP, and the Rock Island Jr. Woman’s Club, who sewed and handpainted the bags.
Funding came from all three groups as well as a generous grant from the Foundation for Educational Studies, Inc., a part of the Illinois organization of DKG.
Thank you for supporting our students!
Genesis Remembrance Trees A Great Tradition For A Great Cause
Since 2004, Genesis Remembrance Trees have honored more than 7,000 individuals and raised more than $100,000 for hospice care services. For some, the tree-lighting has become a family tradition – a way to pause during the busy holiday season and gather and remember along with the support of others.
The tree-lighting also has become a tradition for Genesis Hospice team members, who share pride in all the Remembrance Tree represents and plan the event to honor the hospice patients who have touched their own lives.
Genesis Remembrance Tree lighting at the Genesis Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House Monday, November 14, 2022, in Bettendorf, Iowa.
“Genesis Hospice is ‘where every life is extraordinary and honored as sacred,’” said Jamie Moen, Genesis Home and Community Services Director. “The Genesis Remembrance Tree shines a light on the legacy of the patients who have received our care, and we hope it provides comfort to many.”
This year’s Genesis Remembrance Tree will be sponsored by Whelan-Pressly Funeral Home Inc.; Good Samaritan Society; McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home; and, American Bank and Trust.
Individual “light” sponsors are invited to make a donation of $10 or more to honor the memory of a loved one and illuminate the Genesis Remembrance Tree. Proceeds will benefit Genesis Hospice Services. Sponsor a light at www.genesishealth.com/tree
Genesis Hospice has once again partnered with Isabel Bloom to create a limited edition ornament for the 2022 Remembrance Tree. The ornament sale helps support Genesis hospice services and provides loved ones a way to adorn their own tree with loving thoughts of those they wish to always remember. The cost is $20 each (cash or credit card.)
Genesis Hospice is comprised of a multidisciplinary team to provide support and comfort to patients and their families when a cure is no longer possible. Hospice care can be provided in the home, a skilled nursing or assisted living facility or the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.
For information about how to honor the memory of a loved one, call (563) 421-6865 or go
to www.genesishealth.com/tree.
Illinois And Iowa Great Clips Helped Out Veterans
For the tenth consecutive year, Great Clips salons across the country, including in the Quad Cities area, showed appreciation for active and retired military service members on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
On Nov. 11, veterans and active service members could go into any U.S. Great Clips salon and get either a free haircut or a free haircut card to use later. In addition, non-veteran customers who get a haircut on Veterans Day at Great Clips salons can pay it forward. They receive a free haircut card they can give to an active service member or veteran as a token of thanks. The cards can be redeemed for a free haircut from Nov. 12 to Dec. 9, 2022 at any Great Clips salon.
“As a locally based Great Clips franchisee, I’m honored to be able to continue this tradition in our community with Great Clips for Veterans Day,” said David Hands, Great Clips franchisee. “We’re looking forward to giving back in some small way to those who have given so much.”
Since the inception of this important program, Great Clips salons have provided nearly 2 million free haircuts to active and retired military service members. That number continues to grow, adding up to over $27 million in complimentary haircuts.
For more information on the Great Clips Veterans Day promotion, visit https://www.greatclips.com/aboutus/giving/thank-a-veteran.
