Author: tammy

Growing Hope Together Campaign

RFM opened its doors in August of 2007. Since that day we have worked diligently to provide a place of hope and healing for residence in the Riverbend Community. Those strong roots have sprouted into greater opportunities to serve our neighbors. We invite YOU to be part of this growing movement of HOPE. For a dozen years, Riverbend Family Ministries has served the community from its location in downtown Wood River. They have grown to the point that more space is needed, and plans are now underway to move to a larger location across the street at 144 E. Ferguson Avenue.

RFM founder and Executive Director Tammy Iskarous owned a business, TR’s Café, in that same building before launching the ministry. She tells The Big Z this will enable them to expand their ability to serve.

THE WHY
*More space for each organization to provide services
*Opportunity for additional training and education
*More individuals and families served and strengthened
*The ability to add additional services and organizations to our team

Work on the new building is expected to begin soon. A fundraising campaign is now underway. The goal is to raise $550,000.
You can find out how to give at http://riverbendfamilyministries.com/

3rd Annual Celebration Dinner

This year’s dinner will recognize twelve years of providing service to Madison County, highlighting achievements, and celebrating accomplishments made because of those who have supported Riverbend Family Ministries (RFM). Key stakeholders from RFM and the community will provide remarks, followed by inspirational words and testimony from the founder and Executive Director, Tammy Iskarous.

“We’ve watched lives change and generations of families be put on a new path of life, all under our roof,” said Iskarous. “We know when our families are safer, they become healthier and our communities become stronger.”

Riverbend Family Ministries has been a staple to Madison County for twelve years. Providing programs like Refuge that provide services to children (0-11 years-old), helping prevent childhood exposure to violence and abuse. One of their newer programs, Amare, that offers services and programs aimed at supporting and educating individuals, families, and communities affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Another one housed at RFM, the Youth Development program geared towards youth, (12-17 years old) that teach skills to empower youth to make safer choices, avoid abusive behaviors, learn nonviolent alternatives and share what they’ve learned with their peers.

Rated one of the top five nonprofits in Madison County, Riverbend Family Ministries has helped change families and lives that may not have had an opportunity if these services and programs were not made available.

“We understand that we cannot do this alone,” said Iskarous. “It takes staff, volunteers, other agencies, the judicial system, our community leaders and a facility to change the lives of those who find the courage to seek our assistance.”

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Attendance is free to the public. RSVP by visiting www.rfmcelebrationdinner.eventbrite.com.

www.rfmcelebrationdinner.eventbrite.com

RFM_2019_Annual_Dinner_Press_Release_UPDATE

Rockin’ for Recovery

Rockin’ for Recovery

Music Fest and Fundraiser for Amare

WOOD RIVER, IL (June 25) – Music Festival and fundraiser, Rockin’ for Recovery will help raise funds to help support Amare, a riverbend nonprofit, and their mission to help the individuals and families they serve. The event is set for September 7th at 4:00 pm, at the St. Louis Regional Airport grounds.

The community event will be equipped with: food trucks, a bounce house, face painting for kids, washers and bags for adults, resource booths, and, most importantly, live music.

Headliner for the event is the band, Exile. Their hits are; “Kiss You All Over,” “I Can’t Get Close Enough,” and “Woke Up in Love.” Exile is working on their 55th year of touring with all of their original members and will bring experience and a musical legacy that the band calls “it’s a miracle.” They have had 11 no. 1 hits and have written songs for the country superstars, Alabama.

Opening for Exile will be the 1990’s heartthrob and well-known artist, Bryan White. White has had 6 no. 1 hits like “Sittin’ on Go” and “Rebecca Lynn.” He also recorded a duet with Shania Twain on her country hit “From This Moment On.”  He has written songs for country legends Sawyer Brown and Diamond Rio.

Local band, Soul Cracker will also be present to offer the crowd throwbacks like the 1994 Peter Gabriel hit “Sledgehammer.”

The event is also in honor of National Recovery Month, which is held every year in September to celebrate those in recovery, how they accomplished it, and that recovery is possible. Amare serves the entire Madison County area, working to help those in or seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, their family, and the community; they are the first Recovery Community Organization and Association of Recovery Community Organizations member in Madison County and the third in the State of Illinois, providing advocacy for recovery, awareness, education, and recovery support services like peer recovery support, recovery coaching, treatment navigation, and much more. Amare is also a member of the Metro-East Recovery Council and will introduce the newly formed council to the public at this historical event.

Amare’s Rockin’ for Recovery will be free admission to the public and is anticipated to have a crowd of more than 700 people. Sponsors so far include: Bickle Electric Contracting Co., Inc., River’s Edge Entertainment, Riverbend Family Ministries, and Callis Entertainment. If a business is interested in sponsoring, contact Amare’s Executive Director, Ty Bechel, at 618-780-4843. Vendors interested in registering a booth may contact Jason Farley at 618-623-5875. Volunteers interested in helping may contact Sharon Chapman at 618-414-0028. To stay up-to-date on event developments, visit Amare’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/amarenfp.com.

Serving our National Guard

WOOD RIVER — Members of the National Guard in Madison County to aid flood fighting efforts this week received free meals and supplies from area residents. Since 2007, Riverbend Family Ministries of Wood River has worked to help those in need when they need it. That goal this week has meant providing supplies and breakfast, lunch and dinner to members of the National Guard. On Wednesday, the non-profit organization fed 13 soldiers at noon. They’re expecting that number to nearly double by Saturday.

Angie Betts, one of the group’s members helping with the project, has been touched by the response from the community. “People have sent everything from bug spray to laundry, sometimes even cash,” she said. “I’m very happy with the response of the community.”

On May 30, Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler signed a proclamation declaring Madison County a major disaster and asking Gov. JB Pritzker to provide the National Guard to aid in its flood fighting efforts. Prenzler sought help monitoring the county’s 44 miles of levees as the Mississippi River nears its anticipated crest of 38.4 feet on Friday. In May, Pritzker signed a proclamation declaring Madison County and 33 others as a disaster.

On May 31, he activated 200 members of the National Guard due to flooding. On Tuesday, he activated another 200 members for flooding. “As we continue to strengthen our levees in west-central Illinois, we must also plan and prepare for this force of nature to move downstream to our southern Illinois communities,” Pritzker said Tuesday. “These soldiers will help not only bolster our current numbers on the ground, but allow us to pre-position key assets in downstream communities to prepare for what’s to come in the days ahead.” At 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Mississippi River was at 37.83 feet in Alton. Flood stage at Alton is 21 feet. The record height of 42.72 feet was set on Aug. 1, 1993. As the crest neared, the city-constructed floodwall in Alton appeared sound with very little water on the dry side as businesses pumped water from basements back to the river.

Click here for full news article.

Quarter Auction

The “Original” Quarter Auction is back! On Friday, April 5, 2019, doors open at 6:00pm, auction begins at 7:00pm. It’ll take place at Madison’s Tea Room; 144 East Ferguson Ave, Downtown Wood River. Bring a roll of quarters and a friend. New & discontinued items from local direct sales vendors will be auctioned off for 1-4 quarters per item.

Email Andrea Abbot for more details: quarterauction1@yahoo.com

Refuge’s Annual Fundraiser Sponsorship

This is Refuge’s 4th Annual Ask Event where they invite you to attend and learn more about the mission of Refuge. This year marks 5 YEARS OF SERVICE! They are excited to celebrate & reflect on those 5 amazing years with you ALL!

They are looking for sponsors, please click here for all of the details. If you have any questions, email: erin@refuge4kids.org

*Attendance is free

*Dinner will be served

*RSVP to erin@refuge4kids.org

Trivia Sponsors!

Thank you to all of our sponsors for the 2019 Trivia with a Twist! We look forward to this event, as we know many of you do, and would not be able to host it without the generosity of our many supporters. Thank you again for making this year’s event one of the best ones yet!

2019 Trivia with a Twist Sponsors:

  1. 1st Mid
  2. Thrive
  3. WR Printing
  4. Bickle Electric
  5. WBGZ
  6. Bank of Edwardsville
  7. Law office of Michael Wesley
  8. Chris Miller
  9. Rustic Roots
  10. Dream Home Realty
  11. Folsom Distributing
  12. Babcock and Associates
  13. The Post Commons
  14.  Pitchford Funeral Home
  15. Budget Signs
  16. EV Technologies
  17. Phillips 66
  18. State Farm – Dwight Tungett
  19. Alliance Technologies
  20. Mike Smith