Staying involved in the Bloomington/Normal area, and beyond.
Where do you fit... Beyond the Bricks?
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Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
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Dear Christian Friends,
One of the big news stories of the last few days has been Oprah Winfrey’s interview of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They talked about the barriers, especially racism, that Meghan encountered in becoming part of the royal family. She and their son Archie faced many instances of overt racism that left Meghan distraught to the point of contemplating suicide.
Although Meghan’s experiences were in Britain, we don’t have to look far to find instances of racism against Black women in this country. As one commentator put it, “Meghan Markle bravely named the same kind of fear, guilt, and shame that many Black people have experienced at their offices or dinner parties or while buying groceries or meeting their significant other’s family.”
This interview reminds us that we confront pernicious racism in our own country, and it is just as wrong and sinful here as it is in Britain. Let’s recognize how it harms Black women in our community. And let’s do whatever we can to end this systemic evil.
Your friend in Christ,
Jim Warren
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Take a Survey about the Bloomington Police Department
Now through the End of March
The City of Bloomington’s Public Safety and Community Relations Board (PSCRB) and Not In Our Town Bloomington-Normal (NIOT) together released an on-line public survey today on citizen’s attitude toward the Bloomington Police Department, offering opportunities for input on goals and priorities for the BPD.
“As Bloomington considers hiring a new police chief, this is an opportune moment to gather citizen input about the department and people’s expectations of a new chief,” said Robert Bosquez, PSCRB chair.
“Because of COVID, public listening sessions are limited and are not always time conducive,” said Mike Matejka, NIOT co-chair. “This way citizens can have input; there’s opportunity in this survey to reflect on people’s current attitudes toward the Department, what they would consider the highest priorities and any input on where they would like to see in the Department’s goals.”
Residents are welcome to take the survey; it is limited to one time use.
The survey is available through March at
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Support the Miller Park Zoo and Hear Great Music
All Together For Animals
March 31, 2021
7:00 p.m. online
Tickets: $30 ($15 goes directly to Miller Park Zoo)
Featuring: Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Ashley McBryde, Wynonna Judd, Riley Green, Jessie James Decker, & Shy Carter
We all know the impact COVID-19 has had, but we continue to feed, care, and provide medical attention for our precious animals – every single day!
We have been fortunate to have had amazing support all year round, but we still need your help! Today we are excited to announce All Together For Animals. To help raise immediate funds, we’ve teamed up with today’s top country artists to produce an incredible, virtual concert fundraising event.
Our animals need you! Make your contribution and get your tickets today!
To get tickets to this exclusive fundraising event, click here.
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Support INtegRIty Counseling by Eating Out
Dine in or Carry Out at Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant
Monday, April 12, 2021
Help INtegRIty Counseling serve the uninsured and under-insured in McLean County. Be sure to mention that you are there for the INtegRIty Counseling fundraiser and INtegRIty will receive 20% of all food sales!
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Participate in the Pregnancy Resource Center's Annual Walk
Saturday, April 17
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Tipton Trail North Pavilion at Tipton Park
The Walk is a fun event with a serious goal; to continue the mission for which God has called the PRC. We know that COVID has changed our world but some things remain the same. We love and need community! So, we are planning to proceed with our Walk event this year because we missed seeing everyone in 2020. We have planned it for an outside venue so that we can maintain distance and keep everyone safe.
Click the button below for more information about The Walk and how to register.
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Support The Red Cross by Giving Blood
April 20, 2021 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Eastland Mall (Veteran's Parkway & Route 9)
Bloomington, IL 61701
This blood drive is "hosted" by First Christian Church and we are adding it to the Beyond the Bricks newsletter as an extra source of advertisement. We are currently waiting for registration instructions, but mark your calendar and get ready to register. Your donation is greatly appreciated.
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Find Comfort, or Help Someone to Find Comfort, at a Carle Grief Support Group
Second and Fourth Mondays of Each Month at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom
Do you know someone who is struggling with grief or loss? The chaplains of Carle BroMenn, Carle Eureka, and Carle Cancer Institute are offering a grief support group at 5:00 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of each month via Zoom.
For a Zoom Link or more information, call 312-626-6799.
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Support the PATH Crisis Center
We are requesting assistance for sheltering and caring for our homeless community.
Salvation Army’s Homeless Shelter is currently closed to new intakes due to a COVID-19 outbreak, and PATH’s Homeless Services Department has sheltered more people in motels than ever before.
Any assistance you could offer would be greatly appreciated and possibly save lives. Please consider donating through PayPal on our website: https://www.pathcrisis.org/ Or donate sleeping bags and blankets to our business office at: 201 E. Grove Street Suite 200, Bloomington.
Thank you, and please have a safe and warm week!
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Support INtegRIty Counseling by Volunteering at the Front Desk
Looking to become a volunteer? INtegRIty Counseling is in need of Front Desk Volunteers, including Spanish speaking volunteers, to answer phones and help coordinate scheduling.
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Support Faith in Action by Shopping Their eBay Site
Support Faith in Action with this ongoing Fundraiser!
Follow these steps to find what is currently for sale on FIA's eBay site:
2. Click on the FIA eBay button on the top left of the page
3. Click on the words "Click to Shop"
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Learn More about Being an Anti-Racist
Subscribe to a daily blog that gives guidance on how to be an anti-racist:
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Tell a Young Musician about Pratt Scholarships
Do you know a student who would benefit from private music lessons but who is restricted by finances?
The Pratt Music Foundation’s mission is to provide talented youth an opportunity to enhance their musical ability through private lessons. Music lessons are expensive and simply not an option for some children and families: this is where the Pratt Music Foundation comes in. The Foundation grants annual music lesson scholarships through the Illinois Wesleyan University Music Preparatory Program.
Instruction is available in piano or strings (violin, viola, cello).
Our scholarships are awarded to area children each spring in grades from 2 through 12, and are based on financial need, motivation, and talent.
Applications are due by or before May 1.
Each scholarship covers one school year of instruction, starting in the fall (2021-2022) and includes summer lessons (2022). Free music books are supplied by The Music Shoppe in Normal.
Downloadable applications are available: Go to
For questions or to request an application by mail, call 309-827-5534, or
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Support the Sunnyside Community Garden and Food Forest
West Bloomington is known as a food desert because many people in the community lack access to affordable fresh vegetables. Sunnyside Community Garden and Food Forest, located at the west end of Illinois Street in Bloomington, was established May of 2016 by Col Connelly and Jan Turner to help combat this lack of access.
The mission of Sunnyside Community Garden and Food Forest is to provide fresh, organic produce to low-income families in West Bloomington and to facilitate learning opportunities for children and adults through gardening, harvesting, and marketing food grown on site, using sustainable practices.
If you would like to make an online donation to the Sunnyside Community Garden and Food Forest Fund, or to learn more about the garden and its efforts, please click on the button below.
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Memorialize Your Loved One in a Bloomington Park
The Memorial Tree & Bench Program was created to give community members the opportunity to memorialize their loved ones in Bloomington parks.
A tree or a bench memorial is a wonderful way to remember your loved one and benefit the whole community.
To begin the process call the Bloomington Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts department at (309) 434-2260.
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Volunteer at or Donate to the WBRP
(West Bloomington Revitalization Project)
WBRP
724 W. Washington Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Focus on the Tool Library: The Tool Library is open for walk-in customers! Tool Library hours are Tuesday & Thursday 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday & Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Because the library is a small space, and to protect our customers and volunteers, we can only allow one person to browse at a time. Make an appointment with the button below or by calling the WBRP at 309-829-1200. You can also just stop by the building during our open hours. You can check the inventory in advance at westbloomington.org/tool-library.
The WBRP has many goals:
Driven by the voice of residents, the WBRP leads impactful, collaborative efforts of neighbors and local stakeholders, honoring historical and cultural roots, building on pride and strengths of neighborhoods, and empowering residents to be leaders and achieve a vision for a better community.
Maybe you can help! Find out more by clicking the button below. And the WBRP is hiring, so check out their website for details.
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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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401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation
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