Linda Marie Lowe Beavers passed from this world on October 12, 2025, at her residence in Chula Vista, California, surrounded by family, and entered into the Lord’s presence, where she will be reunited with her beloved husband, Roger Lee Beavers, who preceded her into heaven in 2013.
I am writing to highlight the vital work of the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) and to ask for the continued generosity of our community.
For decades, SAMA has provided crucial assistance to those in need throughout Moultrie County, addressing a wide range of basic needs such as utility bills, rent, transportation, temporary lodging, food, fuel, and Christmas support. In just a 12-month span, SAMA distributes significant funds to help scores of individuals in our community, offering a lifeline to those facing hardship.
People get ready, the trains comin’, you don’t need no ticket, ya just get on board. That train was bringing Toys for Tots back to Moultrie County, where they were collecting toys at Sullivan, Bethany, and Lovington locations. New Moultrie County coordinator Rick Kenney said he is eager to start working in partnership with Sullivan’s Secret Santa to help distribute toys this holiday season.
The Department of Insurance (DOI), through a constituent complaint, has learned of an inadvertent data disclosure involving health care providers’ Social Security Numbers (SSNs). DOI provided unrelated filings from Blue Cross Blue Shield to the System for Electronic Rate and Form filing (SERFF) database, which posted the information on its publicly available website.
Okay Valley held their Veterans Day celebration last week to honor all those who serve our country. Keynote speaker SFC Heather Colclasure spoke about her life in the military and also shared a story about weathering a storm on the ocean while out on a fishing boat with her grandfather. Instead of dropping an anchor and being tethered to one spot during the storm, he kept going and faithfully followed the compass and it guided them through. She shared how the story was relevant in her life and challenged everyone to follow the compass.
The Christmas Crew in Sullivan is gearing up to help local families as the holiday fast approaches. An offshoot of the local “Giving Place” Facebook page created by Elizabeth Houser when she saw the needs of the community and wanted to be able to help bridge those gaps, the Christmas Crew helps local families enjoy the season by meeting the needs of those families during the holidays.
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Members of the Moultrie County Impact Giving Circle hold a check for $5,000, which was split evenly between two local organizations.
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The evening of November 13th marked the very first gathering of the Moultrie County Impact Giving Circle, where members broke bread at Sweet Vail Cafe before settling in for an evening centered on generosity, collaboration, and community.
One of the most meaningful parts of this giving circle is its member-driven spirit. Any member can nominate a nonprofit serving Moultrie County. After hearing the nominations, members voted for the organization they felt most called to support.
$5,000 was granted, shared by two local organizations. $2,500 was granted to the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association, quietly and faithfully offering emergency assistance, supporting local initiatives, and uniting clergy to care for the community with compassion.
Another $2,500 for the CEFS Outreach Moultrie County Food Pantry, providing groceries, personal care items, and hope to neighbors facing food insecurity.
To learn more about or to join the Impact Giving Circle, go to heartofillinois.org/moultrie-county-impact-giving-circle.
Mid State Tank to host blood drive Mid State Tank will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd, at 1357 Jonathan Creek Road, inside ImpactLife Donor Bus To donate, contact ImpactLife Urbana at (800) 747 5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 71293 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo ID is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747 5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before October 7th are eligible to give at this drive.
DOVE, Inc., in collaboration with East Central Illinois ROSC, will be holding a “Santa’s Little Workshop’ on December 5th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Mid-Illinois Senior Services, 113 E Jefferson Street in Sullivan. There will be food, crafts, hot chocolate, and cookie decorating. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted, payable to DOVE, Inc.’s Domestic Violence Program.