Nationwide, postal carriers will be collecting nonperishable food items on May 10 as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Members of the public are encouraged to collect and bag any non-perishable food items such as canned meats, soup, juice, vegetables, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, and rice and set them out by his or her mailbox for the letter carrier to pick up and deliver to a local food bank or pantry.
The Sullivan VFW Auxiliary is hosting a food drive to benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry in Sullivan. Residents are asked to bring non-perishable items to the first Friday night supper on May 2, or drop items off any time after 2 p.m. in the banquet room or lounge at the VFW from now until May 2. The Auxiliary will also be collecting non-perishable food and toiletry items 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 in the parking lot of Kirk Real Estate/Vander Burgh Financial Services, which is located just south of the four-way stoplight in Sullivan. Monetary donations will be accepted to purchase items for the food pantry, and pickup of donated items will also be available upon request. For more information or to arrange a pickup of donations, call Sharon Emel at 217-797-6905 or any auxiliary member.
State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) is hosting an April 25 legislative update about the state government’s efforts relating to Lake Shelbyville and its component natural wildlife areas. Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15), State Rep. Adam Brown (R-Champaign) and local leaders will also be in attendance.
The event will be held from 1-3 p.m., Friday, April 25 in the Findlay Community Center auditorium, located at 103 E. South 2nd Street in Findlay. This 2014 Lake Shelbyville Update will have a special emphasis on the Department of Natural Resource’s Eagle Creek Resort and the efforts to reopen the shuttered facility.
For more information, call Senator Rose’s office at 217-607-1853.
The Findlay American Legion Auxiliary with the help of the Okaw Valley Middle School hosted an American Red Cross Blood drive a week ago Monday. Students at the Okaw Valley Middle School were encouraged to recruit others to donate blood. Three OVMS students who recruited a donor will receive a Red Cross back pack. They were Kyra Jackson, Devin Park, and Cam Roley. Although the goal was not met, 16 people reported and 12 productive pints were collected. Steve Wildman met a milestone of six gallons.
The next drive will be Tuesday, June 10 from 2 – 6 p.m. in the Findlay American Legion Hall.
Boy Scout Troop 39 will hold its annual pancake breakfast 6:30-10 a.m. Saturday, April 19 at the Sullivan American Legion. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, biscuits, and gravy, orange juice, milk & coffee. Money raised will help pay for summer camp and other troop activities.
The Lovington women’s auxiliary is having a garage sale 7 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26 at Lucky Bidders Auction House in Lovington. All proceeds to go the Danville VA.
Anyone wishing to donate any clean item to the sale may bring it to the auction house at 5 p.m. April 25.
For more information contact the Lovington American Legion at 873-4465.
The Miss Lovington Pageant is looking for contestants for four categories. Miss - ages 16-21; Jr. Miss - ages 12-15; Little Miss & Little Mr. - ages 4-7. The Miss Lovington Pageant will be held on June 7 at the Lovington Methodist Church at 7 p.m.
Applications may be picked up at Majestic Cuts Salon, Lovington Grade School office, and Arthur-Lovington High School office. Deadline to submit applications is April 18. For questions, please call pageant director, Julie Kinert at 519-0224.
The NP is asking all Moultrie County churches to submit information regarding upcoming Easter services, including Easter Sunday, Good Friday, and Maundy Thursday.
Please keep submissions as brief as possible, be sure to include the time, date, and location as well as a brief description of the service.
Information should be emailed to Keith Stewart at keith@newsprogress.com. A listing of Easter services will appear in the April 16 issue. Information must be submitted by Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m.
For more information call 728-7381.
The Sullivan High School FCCLA (Family, Career, & Community Leaders of America) and the SHS class of 2015 will host their annual Basket Binga Fundraiser Saturday, April 12.
Doors of the First United Methodist Church will open at 5:30 p.m. and games begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are being sold in advance by SHS students. Binga prizes are Longaberger products, and a raffle and silent auction will also take place. Snack foods, and drinks will be available for purchase the night of the event.
For more information or to preorder tickets, contact Marsha Kirby at the high school (728-8311, ext. 287) or email Ginger Voegel at voegelg@sullivan.k12.il.us.
The News•Progress will be featuring businesses in and around Moultrie and Douglas Counties the week of April 9.
Those interested in purchasing an ad should contact Barry Morgan at ads@newsprogress.com. The deadline is April 1.