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Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Christmas for Kids moves forward
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Princeton Wesleyan Church grabs the reigns By Terri Simon tsimon@bcrnews.com
When Pastor Doug Kirkpatrick read the Bureau County United Way (BCUW) was unable to continue with its Christmas for Kids Toy Drive, which benefited thousands of children throughout the years, he decided to bring up the subject to his congregation at the Princeton Wesleyan Church. “We had been looking for opportunities to serve in the community. We hadn’t found one that would fit our skill set or gifting,” Kirkpatrick said. “We saw this announcement in the newspaper when the United Way indicated they were stepping back (from the toy drive). That was a Saturday, so the next day I went to the church and said, ‘Is this something we could do?’” Kirkpatrick said he received a lot of positive feedback from the congregation on the effort. After learning details of the countywide toy drive from Bureau County United Way Executive Director Andrea Anderson, he took the information back to his church board; a decision was made to move forward with the benevolent effort. The county toy drive for area children first began as a partnership between the Bureau County Republican and the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office. After several years, the BCUW took over the effort and has facilitated it ever since. Thousands of children have been served throughout the years. Kirkpatrick said the Wesleyan Church will basically operate the toy drive for this first year much like the BCUW did. The names of children the toy drive serves will be obtained from the local schools. Privacy will be paramount. Once the church receives those names, the parents will receive a letter in the mail, notifying them their child has been selected to receive gifts. All information the parents need will be contained within that letter. Toys will be distributed to parents at the Wesleyan Church, located on Dover
Road in Princeton, on Dec. 13. Kirkpatrick said the Wesleyan Church will continue the relationship with the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and the Princeton Police Department — both entities helped transport toy donations from throughout the county. Other churches are also jumping aboard the toy drive train, and the Wesleyan Church hopes those who participated in some way before will also embrace the church’s efforts to bring toys to children who might not otherwise have gifts under their Christmas trees. Kirkpatrick said other churches and the Princeton Chamber are also helping. “We are stepping into the same program at this point,” Kirkpatrick said. “Everyone has been excellent. We are not changing anything that will be noticeable to the public. This year it’s just about — let’s make it happen.” Kirkpatrick said adults should not call to see if their children are on the list. Parents will be notified via an invitation through the mail. Boxes will be set up throughout Bureau County, so people can deposit their new and unwrapped toys for pick up. Those boxes will go out mid-November. The church is hoping the public will be generous with their giving. Monetary donations are also welcome. The money will be used to fill in any gaps for gifts for various age groups. While Kirkpatrick stressed the Wesleyan Church is small but mighty, anyone who is able to lend a hand would be very appreciated. Some of the tasks will include moving toys, setting up tables, greeting guests, etc. “You don’t have to be a member (of the church) to participate,” Kirkpatrick said. “We want people to step up and serve the community right beside us. We are going to need a whole lot of help.” To volunteer or to make a monetary donation, call the church at 815-879-4481 or email christmasforkids@comcast.net. Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.
BCR photo/Becky Kramer
David Bend of LaMoille took advantage of early voting on Saturday at the Bureau County Courthouse. The polls are open today, Tuesday, where county voters will decide the race between Bureau County Sheriff candidates Jim Reed and Allan Beaber, as well as Bureau County Treasurer candidates Rick Wilkin and Courtney Yates-Mabry. Voters will also find referendum, state advisory questions, Constitutional amendments and more on their ballots. Follow unofficial election results this evening on www.bcrnews.com.
More propane problems? What is the propane season outlook? By Zita Henneberry zhenneberry@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Winter is just down the road, and most of us have already adjusted our thermostats to keep our homes warm. As reported earlier in the Bureau County Republican, last year’s propane inventories
were the lowest seen in 20 years. But this year’s inventory doesn’t look so bleak. “National propane inventory is better off than it was a year ago at this time,” said Ag View Energy marketing manager Clement Weborg. According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short Term Energy and Winter
Fuels Outlook, Midwest residents are expected to spend less on propane this winter. “It’s cheaper this year,” Weborg said, adding more propane is stock-piled this year in preparation for the winter months. Steven Michlig, owner of Michlig Energy of Manlius said, “It is kind of up in the air so far.” “The issues that arose last year are still a possibility this year,” added Weborg. Michlig said there is
not a shortage of propane, but there is trouble with the logistics of transportation. Transportation is a major concern with propane availability, according to Weborg. Weborg said Ag View Energy is in the middle of their busy season which started with harvesting and will last through winter. Michlig said they are over the hump, and prices haven’t come up much so far. However,
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A helping hand and a leg up Illinois Valley PADS shelters delivers for area homeless By Donna Barker news@bcrnews.com
PERU — Sometimes a person just needs a safe place to spend the night. Sometimes they also need some help to get
back on their feet. During 2013-14 fiscal year, the Illinois Valley PADS (Public Action to Deliver) shelters in Peru and Ottawa provided that respite for 172 men, 85 women and 29 children. The shelters
provided 13,840 meals, including supper and breakfast served at the shelters and the sack lunches, which clients take with them during the day. The shelters also provided 17,398 referrals to various local agencies and resources to help the clients get back on their feet. PADS Executive Director Carol Alcorn said 90
percent of those people served by PADS during the 2013-14 fiscal year, which ended July 31, came directly from within the shelter’s service area, which includes Bureau, Putnam, LaSalle, Marshall and Grundy counties. Of those clients, 24 were veterans and another 24 represented
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Year 168 No. 132 One Section - 16 Pages
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