Spotlight on a Cause:
Wesley Evening Food Pantry
The Wesley Pantry was founded in the fall of 2006 when a growing need for a new food pantry was addressed in our community. The Pantry was chosen to be open during the evening hours to help those in need with daytime obligations. Since then, the Pantry has been able to work with other local organizations to supply food, as well as health and educational materials to pantry-goers. Wesley’s Pantry Night is always the third Thursday evening of each month. New volunteers are asked to go through a brief training the Wednesday night before a Pantry Night. Volunteers help with many aspects of the Pantry. They help patrons “shop” and bag their groceries for them; they restock items in the Pantry, assist people with questions and hand out information, direct traffic, and help folks load items into their vehicles, if needed. Bilingual volunteers, particularly those who speak Spanish, are always needed to help Hispanic Pantry patrons. For more information on the Wesley Evening Food Pantry and its’ services, as well as information on how to donate or get involved, please go to http://wesleypantry.org/.
Volunteers Needed:
Champaign County – Volunteer Receptionist Needed
Smiling faces wanted! Receptionists are needed to assist at Brookens Administrative Center at 1776 E Washington Street in Urbana. Volunteers will staff the information desk to greet visitors as they enter Brookens, answer phones, and direct guests to the appropriate County Departments located within the building. Volunteers are needed on Tuesday and/or Thursday, Noon – 4:30pm. Please contact Amanda Tucker at 384-3776.
Carle Hospital
Do you like to help people? Do you like to brighten someone’s day? Then Carle is a great place to volunteer. Volunteer Services is accepting applications for Auxiliary Information Desk and waiting room attendant volunteers. Visit www.carle.org/volunteering to learn about other opportunities and how to apply to become an Auxiliary Member and serve at Carle Hospital.
Upcoming Events
Rod Sicklers’ Red Hot Winter—A Benefit for the Humane Society
This is the 9th Red Hot Winter and the third year being held at Jupiter’s at the Crossing in Champaign. This event will kick off on Thursday, February 16 and repeat every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening for two weeks through February 25. Doors open at 6:30 PM and performances begin at 7:30 PM each night. This was voted #1 Hair Show in the country and all proceeds will go to benefit the Champaign County Humane Society. For more information, please call 403-1790 or go to www.redhotwinter.com.
Go Red for Women
Join the American Heart Association for the 3rd annual Champaign Go Red for Women Luncheon and Symposium, Friday, February 17 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Enjoy a healthy lunch, a health fair and expo, live entertainment, and celebrate good health, wealth, and happiness for women. Tickets are $50 per individual. For more information or to purchase tickets or tables, visit champaigngoredforwomen.org
Sneak Peak at the New YMCA
A special sneak peek will be given of our new Champaign County YMCA (2501 Field South Drive, Champaign) on Friday, Feb, 17 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy tours, a silent auction, giveaways, door prizes, and more. Tickets are $50 and 100% ticket donations will go towards the Champaign County Strong Kids Scholarships Program. More information available by contacting heidi@ccymca.net or 239-2805
Art Matters-40 North Gala Fundraiser
40 North | 88 West, Champaign County’s Arts, Culture and Entertainment Council, will host a one-of-a-kind event on Feb.18 from 6-11 PM. All proceeds will benefit the programs sponsored by 40 North, such as storefront exhibitions, the Poetry Out Loud student program, ACE Awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the arts, and the 10th Anniversary of the Boneyard Arts Festival. For further details, please call 363-3795 or visit www.40north.org.
Relay for Life Team Party Meeting
Start forming your team now for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Champaign County. All are invited to attend the next team party/planning meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 21, at the Champaign Public Library. Meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of March, April and May. This years’ Relay For Life of Champaign County will be held Saturday, June 9 at Centennial High School in Champaign. For more information, please contact the American Cancer Society at 356-9076 or visit www.relayforlife.org/ChampaignIL.
Disclaimer: I gather this information based on local community calendars and from colleagues at local service organizations. Some of the wording is based directly on what I receive and research. Please feel free to email me if you have any comments, questions, or have anything you would like to see posted. Thank you. (MER)