Spotlight on a Cause:
The UP Center of Champaign County
The UP Center of Champaign County is a community center that serves as a multi-service agency for people of all ages who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and part of the ally (LGBTQA) community of Champaign County. The UP Center has quickly become a valuable asset to our community for all things LGBTQA-related, and fosters informational resources, support groups, and meeting space for anyone in need of it. The Center also offers health programs, a speaker’s bureau, and youth and social programs. Volunteers can help the UP Center by advocating and advertising about the Center, helping fund-raise for the Center, leading a group, serving on a committee, or aiding at special events. For more information about the UP Center and what they are doing for our community, please go to http://unitingpride.org/. And for weekly news and events from the local LGBTQ community, check out the Rainbow Connection that is featured each week on Smile Politely!
Volunteers Needed:
Crosswalk Attendant Needed at DSC
Developmental Services Center (DSC) is currently looking for volunteers to cover weekday shifts from 2:30–3:30 to serve as crossing attendants at the crosswalk located on located on Bradley Avenue with DSC on the north side and Kraft on the south side of the street. Volunteers are not asked to physically assist, but to observe whether the crosswalk is being used properly, in good working order, and to monitor traffic compliance at the crosswalk. For more information, please contact Janice McAteer at 389-7110 or Patty Walters at 398-7134.
Books to Prisoners
Volunteer groups and individuals are needed to assist in book “pack-a-thons”, during which volunteers read letters from Illinois inmates and choose books from a library of donated materials to send to inmates at no cost. Volunteers then package the books and help move and sort incoming book donations. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays from 7–9 PM, Thursdays 2–4 PM, and on Saturdays from 2–4 PM. For more information, go to: http://books2prisoners.org/volunteer.php.
Upcoming Events:
Food for Families Drive
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank is holding its annual food drive on Saturday, October 15 at the Illinois VS Ohio State University game. Food and monetary donations will be accepted at each of the four corners around Memorial Stadium on game day from noon till kickoff. Check the Foodbank’s website at www.eifoodbank.org for more information on the 25th annual Food for Families month!
Stone Soup-A Benefit for the TIMES Center
The TIMES Center Advisory Council is hosting a fundraiser of the play Stone Soup: A Miracle for a Mission at the Savoy United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 15, 2011. The production will begin at 6 PM and a soup dinner and silent auction will follow the performance. Tickets are currently available for sale at $25 for Adults, $20 for Seniors/Students, $5 for children 5 and under. Tickets may be purchased by calling 217-693-4629. For more details on how to get involved, please contact Marsha Reardon at site.rsvp@gmail.com.
Sun Singer Wine Gala to Benefit the Crisis Nursery
On Wednesday, October 19, Sun Singer Wine & Spirits is celebrating their 8th Anniversary with a Gala Wine and Spirits Tasting, with proceeds going to the Crisis Nursery in Urbana. The event will be from 5 to 8:30 PM at the I-Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign. Guests will sample over 200 wines, spirits and beers from across the globe. A $20 entry fee will benefit the Crisis Nursery, and all attendees will receive a souvenir wine glass. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Sun Singer, Crisis Nursery or at the door.
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)