Help Hurricane Harvey survivors at Troy event this week
Donations for hurricane Harvey survivors
The Pentecostals of Troy will have “Stock the Trailer,” an event to aid the survivors of Hurricane Harvey, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and from 9-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, at 8965 Route 162, Troy. A list of donations that are needed and being accepted can be found on the Pentecostals’ Facebook page and at www.pentecostalsoftroy.org. All donations will be going to a FEMA distribution center in Texas. 618-667-6054.
U.S. Veterans Foundation takes donations to Houston
Volunteers from the non-profit organization, U.S. Veterans Foundation, will be transporting donated items from Alton to Houston, Texas this Saturday. Donations need to be dropped off no later than Friday night. Items needed include: hand sanitizer, face masks, packing tape, large trash bags, tarps, generators, water, moving fans, battery operated power tools, shovels or crowbars, cleaning supplies, containers or boxes, disinfectant, bleach, children’s toys, water, rakes, canned goods.
Locations for drop-off: Alton VFW Post 1308, 4445 N. Alby St., Alton, and Code 3 BBQ Supply, 302 E. Main St., Collinsville.
Information: See the U.S. Veterans Foundation Facebook page or call 618-974-1278.
Madison Branch NAACP encouraging assistance for hurricane victims
The Madison Branch of the NAACP is asking all churches in the community to assist the hurricane victims in Texas. For more information, contact Bishop John H. Williams, president of the NAACP, at 618-530-2347; the Rev. James Harrell, pastor of Metro East Church in Granite City; the Rev. John Cortez Williams, pastor of New Shining Light in Venice, at 618-219-0552; and Ruby Glasper Johnson, secretary of the NAACP, at 618-541-2534.
Grief support group final session
The non-denominational grief support group Starting Over will hold its last session Sept. 24 through Oct. 29 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows after helping nearly 2,000 men and women adjust to a widowed lifestyle in the past 27 years.
The group was ahead of its time when it was founded in 1990 by Joyce Gibbs, Mary Breunig-Sabo and Carol Kniepkamp with help from Sister Grace Marie Mueller of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Belleville. Today, many churches and funeral homes offer similar services. Starting Over facilitators have led 50 six-week sessions.
Sessions are free. They will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the Shrine visitor center, 442 S. De Mazenod Drive in Belleville. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. A different topic will be covered each week. No pre-registration is necessary, but early arrival is recommended on the first day. For more information, call Fran at 618-632-3899 or 618-772-8391 or Carol at 618-235-4447.
Fundraiser to benefit Belleville area homeless
Tickets are on sale now for “Puttin’ on the Hometown Ritz,” a fundraiser to benefit the Hospitality House of St. Clair County. It will take place from 7-11 p.m. Sept. 30, at Shenanigan’s, 6401 W. Main St., Belleville. The event features music, dancing, refreshments, a silent auction, baskets, photo opportunities and raffles. Formal attire is encouraged. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple if purchased by Sept. 22 from puttinonthehometownritz@gmail.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $35 per person or $55 per couple. The Hospitality House is a joint effort between the Angels of Saint Clair County, Salvation Army, the City of Belleville Backbone Committee for the Homeless, area churches and others.
Reporter Teri Maddox contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 6, 2017 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Help Hurricane Harvey survivors at Troy event this week."