IMPACT NEWSLETTER
October 2020
President's Message
Happy Fall! We're excited that students are beginning to return to in person learning. Recently, PPS Foundation President, Cindy Morris, accompanied Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat on some visits to our schools. Check out the video below to hear from Cindy on how you can help make sure students have what they need to return safely in person.
Mark your calendars for our annual
365 Breakfast on January 7th!
Horizons Club Up and Running via MS Teams
Horizons Clubs, the PPS Foundation's middle school career exploration program, rolled out this month utilizing an MS Teams format. Students have been able to connect with Horizons teachers and career speakers in a virtual meeting, allowing them to experience career education in a whole new way. Consistent in the program is an emphasis on the students' personal goal development, exposure to a diverse variety of careers, and a ton of fun.

We plan on having virtual speakers for the near future and would appreciate your support. CLICK HERE to volunteer to share your career and education story!

Please email Trish at patricia.oshaughnessy@psd150.org with any questions you may have.
Pictured Above: Speaker Alex O'Shaughnessy interacts with a virtual Horizons class
Adopt-a-School Update:
Little Free Pantry Sponsors Needed
Thank you to all who applied for a Classroom Grant!
CRG
Our classroom grant evaluation committee is currently reviewing the applications. We will let applicants know through e-mail if their project will be funded by the beginning of November. We will also announced the winner of the random drawing for a $50 Target gift card at that time.

A new series to get to know those in the
community who work with the PPS Foundation!
Cindy Morris has been the President of the PPS Foundation since 2010.
Read on to get to know her a little better.

1. What's your favorite thing about Central Illinois?
The four seasons in this area with Fall being my absolute favorite.

2. What's some of the best advice you've been given?
Keep moving forward no matter what.

3. Which famous person, either dead or alive, would you most like to meet?
Adam Sandler - I'm a movieholic and life-long lover of SNL and humor. (My dad was the best josher/joker I've ever known). I've read and seen some beautiful things about Adam Sandler personally. He is a fantastic comic, and his acting has grown into multi talented genres - both comedy and serious roles.

4. What social issue is most important to you?
Food insecurity is #1.  

5. What's the biggest challenge you've overcome?
I'd say insecurity. At 52, I've had a lot of experiences that changed me to the core, and I've persevered. However, It definitely took a lot of encouragers and an amazing support system to get past it.  
Check Out Buzz Chats:
a PPS Foundation Video Series!
Every other week we will be connecting with different members of our community to talk about our public schools and how they interact with current events in Peoria.

Recently, we caught up with Peoria County Public Health Administrator Monica Hendrickson and local non-profit leaders Mary Pille (Junior Achievement), Becky Rossman (Neighborhood House), Marcellus Sommerville (Friendship House), and Jami Truelove (Big Brothers Big Sisters). Check out the videos below!

Future broadcasts can be found on our Facebook page every other Thursday at 6:30 PM.
Buzz Chats with Monica Hendrickson and local non-profit leaders
Another Way to Support the PPS Foundation
SHERO of the Month: Brittany Duffield
Congratulations to Brittany Duffield for being chosen as our October PPS Foundation SHERO!

Brittany is a licensed realtor and property manager at Junction City, where our Foundation home office is located. We are so grateful to have our office in this wonderful central location in our community and consider ourselves lucky to work with Brittany!

Not only has Brittany been wonderful to work with as property manager, but she is also an amazing partner that serves as a huge advocate for our work and mission. All of our staff and board members love working with her. 

The hugely successful annual Wine & Whiskey Walk fundraising event was created by Brittany and has allowed the PPS Foundation to be the community charity partner. It is a wonderfully fun outside event that raises money for our work and public schools. Even though we have a pause this year due to pandemic, she hopes to come back next Fall with an even bigger and better event! 

Thank you to Brittany for all you do - you truly are a SHERO!
Hy-Vee on Sheridan:
an Amazing Partner and Supporter!
One of the big challenges our community is facing during this time is making sure families in need have enough food to eat. The PPS Foundation would like to send a HUGE thank you to Hy-Vee on Sheridan for working with us to provide food and grocery deliveries to PPS families most at risk. We are truly in awe at the amount of support they have provided. Thank you for being so wonderful to work with, Hy-Vee!
PPS Foundation's Board of Directors:
Andre Allen, Ruth Bittner, Solivian Dismuke, Maarten de Haas,
Scott McCord, Daniel Musisi, Cheryl Sanfilip, and Cathy Wiggers

PPS Foundation's Staff:
Cindy Morris (President), Jen Adler (Administrative Director),
Sarah Oakford (Adopt-A-School Coordinator), Trish O'Shaughnessy (Director, Community Engagement & Horizons Program), Allison Coulter (Horizons), and Ella Dancey (Horizons)