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Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
My family and I have been the recipients of your compassionate generosity and loving kindness over the last couple of weeks. We know what it means when someone cares.
Just as you've demonstrated such concern for my family, so you now have the opportunity to show your concern for others. This issue of Beyond the Bricks highlights several ways you can volunteer to help others, especially as we come into the holidays.
You've made a difference in our lives. I encourage you to do the same for others who need you.
Blessings,
Jim Warren
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The Giving Fence
Ongoing
Corner of W. Washington St. & Morris Ave.
Bloomington, Illinois
The Giving Fence is open!
Take what you need. Leave what you can. Gently used, clean winter coats,
hats, mittens/gloves, and scarves.
The Giving Fence Story: "We were going through our hats and gloves and mittens and coats and for two people we had way too many," Tahnee Lathrop said. "I thought I am just going to make them on the fence and mark 'free' and my husband thought maybe that was a little silly. But then I thought if I get lots of people to put things on the fence, then it's not silly it's a thing."
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Volunteer to Help with Home Sweet Home
Thanksgiving Food Box Packing and Distribution
November 14, 16, 18, 20, 2017 (see times below)
Midwest Food Bank
2031 Warehouse Road
Normal, IL 61761
Volunteers will help at Midwest Food Bank with packing Thanksgiving Food Boxes on Tuesday, November 14th, between 9 a.m. and Noon or 1 and 3:00 p.m., or Thursday, November 16th, between 9 a.m. and Noon. Please make sure to wear tennis shoes or closed toed shoes.
Also volunteers will help with the distribution of the Thanksgiving Food Boxes at Midwest Food Bank on Saturday, November 18th, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.; or Monday, November 20th, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. or 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Dress for outside weather the day you volunteer as volunteers will be directing traffic, acquiring required information of recipient, or handing out the food boxes. Please make sure to wear tennis shoes or closed toed shoes.
Volunteers: Please complete a volunteer application on Home Sweet Home website (Participate section).
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Giving Tuesday BloNo
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
First United Methodist Church
211 N. School Street
Normal, IL 61761
Open house hours:
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Our goal with #GivingTuesdayBloNo is to:
- Increase awareness about the work of local nonprofit organizations
- Facilitate face-to-face contact between organizations and the public
- Provide donors with an opportunity to contribute in-person, in real time
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Volunteer as a Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
Regional Board or Committee Member
Are you passionate about volunteering, giving back to the community and are looking for more leadership experience? Big Brothers Big Sisters has current board and committee openings!
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a gold standard mentoring organization. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported One-to-One relationships that change their lives for the better, forever! Our Regional Board is a critical piece of our success.
The Regional Board meets one evening per month for no more than one hour. Members are updated on organization functions and asked to share ideas on how to educate people about the agency's needs, connect with others in the community, and raise funds through events or sponsorships. Not to mention, we also have a lot of fun!
For more information contact Tara Desmond at 309-287-5131 (text is ok!) or tara.desmond@yahoo.com.
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Start Fresh Men's Coat Drive
Through December 1, 2017
Donation Collection at First Christian Church
401 West Jefferson St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Welcome Center
The Start Fresh men's prison clothing ministry is holding a "Share the Warmth" drive from 9/1 to 12/1 to collect new or gently used men's outerwear. This includes coats, hats, scarves and gloves. There is a collection box by the Welcome Center. We appreciate all the help you have already provided and thank you in advance for helping to collect warm items for the men. If you have questions, please contact Michele Pugh or Sara Trefzger, FCC Reach Out.
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Community Concert Band Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 7, 2017 7:00 p.m.
Miller Park Pavilion
Bloomington, IL 61701
Free
The Bloomington-Normal Community Concert Band (CCB) performs a variety of concerts throughout the year around Central Illinois. From concerts Miller Park, Wesley Methodist Church, and Westminster Village, to the every-Thursday-night summer concerts in Franklin Park, to parade appearances for events in places like Lexington, Hudson, Towanda, and other locations.
Volunteer musicians providing free concerts to the local community.
The band has around 70 volunteer members from the Central Illinois area.
The B-N Community Concert Band is sponsored by the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.
We are always looking for new members. Just show up at a rehearsal and bring your horn or your sticks (we do have our own percussion gear).
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Remember Recycling Furniture for Families
in Your End-of-Year Giving
Recycling Furniture for Families
515 North Center Street
Bloomington IL, 61701
As we head into the Holiday Season, please remember Recycling Furniture for Families as part of your Tax Deductible Charitable giving.
Recycling Furniture for Families provides furniture and other household items for needy families and individuals in our community. We lend a hand to help them with their new beginnings. Over the past 12 years, we have provided assistance to over 20,000 in our community. We also provide furniture to transitional living facilities in our community such as Salvation Army's Genesis House, YWCA Labyrinth, Project Oz, and many others.
We are reliant on your private, charitable donations in order to be able to continue to provide the same level of services to our community into the future.
That's why we kindly ask you to remember Recycling Furniture for Families with a charitable gift to help support our important, life-changing work to come. Any amount that you can share will be greatly appreciated and put to good use right here in our community. We want to continue to support those in need and not have to reduce our services.
Please visit
rf4f.org to make a gift using a credit card or please send a check to 515 North Center Street, Bloomington IL, 61701. Thank you!
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Black Lives Matter in Bloomington-Normal Book Club
Monday, January 29, 2018 7:00 p.m.
Bloomington, Public Library
205 E. Olive St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Join us to discuss the recent young adult novel The Hate U Give (2017) by Angie Thomas, soon to be a film directed by George Tillman Jr.
Teenagers (and adults), new and occasional members, warmly welcomed!
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Around the Community
Click on any organization to access its website and learn about support/volunteer opportunities
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First Christian Church |
info@blmfcc.org| 309 829-9327 |
www.blmfcc.com
401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation
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