Volume 6, Issue 2

Spring 2015

Footsteps of Faith Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal Room for a Friend Brought together through Faith in Action, Virgil Willis and his friendly visitor Dave Peters both agree that they are very blessed by their friendship. Dave, a retired junior high school science teacher and ISU Education professor, decided to volunteer, signed up to do medical transport, friendly home visits and home maintenance. Little did he know the place of honor he would come to fill in Virgil’s life.

his apartment building. As an amateur photographer, he agreed to take pictures of Virgil for purposes of church recruiting.

Since 2007, Virgil had been served by a number of other Faith in Action volunteers, mostly for medical transport, before meeting Dave in 2013. Virgil, who is blind, had no trouble recognizing Dave’s helpfulness and goodness of character.

Dave always brings reading material to share with Virgil, including excerpts from The Daily Encourager and the bestseller “Heaven is for Real.” And he often surprises Virgil with his favorite, a pumpkin pie.

The in-home attention Dave gives Virgil, from reading him his mail to just cleaning up crumbs on the kitchen floor, is much more - it is a vote of confidence in Virgil’s ability to stay in his own apartment. Dave serves as an important advocate for Virgil, helping him gather signatures to stay in

Dave says Virgil is very bright and is knowledgeable about both national and local events, listening to many news programs on the radio. Virgil was in the service until 1952, and worked for Montgomery Ward in both Bloomington and Chicago.

Dave is married with children and grandchildren, Virgil has remained single; Dave is Lutheran, Virgil is Roman Catholic - but their January birthdays are only one day apart. Dave, who travels often, even made a point to call and check on Virgil from places such as Disney World, and Lexington, Kentucky. It seems they are never very far away from each other in heart.

Volume 6, Issue 2

Footsteps of FAITH

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Doretta’s Letter... Rural expansion has begun. Towanda has a Are you willing to help dozen willing volunteers waiting to serve our  Host a sale at your home or church first care receivers. With any luck, we will roll  Assist with set-up out services to Downs and Heyworth in 2015.  Help at a garage sale Please spread the word. Without our volunteers,  Donate items Faith in Action would not exist.  Place signs around town Also, thanks to all for a successful Gala.  Provide space for storage $48,000 goes a long way towards our $165,000  Help advertise the sales budget. 2015 will bring new fundraisers to keep up with expansion efforts. Thanks to all for a very successful 2014. With We are hopeful to host many city-wide garage all your help, Faith in Action will continue our sales on August 15th. The goal is 16 sales to mission. add $8,000 to the budget. Any help you can provide to make this a successful event is much Blessings, appreciated. Doretta Herr Executive Director

Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal Now Serving Towanda Seniors Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal (BNFIA) has extended its volunteer services for older adults to include the Towanda area as of March 18. Services and policies for Towanda will be the same as Bloomington-Normal. As with Bloomington-Normal, services are delivered free of charge and there are no financial eligibility requirements. This represents the beginning of a planned expansion into rural areas near BloomingtonNormal. The next communities to be added are Heyworth and Downs. The roll-out for expanding into those communities depends upon the availability of volunteers who are able to serve residents in those communities. Current volunteer drivers are being contacted

to determine who is able to serve outlying communities. Efforts are also underway to recruit volunteers who reside in these towns and villages. BNFIA offers a flexible volunteer opportunity for those who might wish to serve their Towanda or other nearby neighbors. To become a volunteer, a two-hour orientation (held monthly) and a background check are required. Towanda seniors who are in need of services are invited to contact BNFIA at (309) 827-7780 to apply. More information is available by calling BNFIA or visit www.bnfia.org.

Volume 6, Issue 2

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Footsteps of FAITH

Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal Making a difference in older adults’ lives - one ride, one visit, one chore at a time.

FIA Wish List: 

ours fice H f O sday FIA T hur h g u ro

ay th m M ond to 4p 9am y Frida 30pm o 12: t m 9a

     

Be Content Senior Expo

Cardstock Post-it Notes Kleenex Paper Cups Paper Towels Disinfecting Wipes Computer Speakers

Monday, May 4th, 9-2pm Parke Regency Hotel Free admission, door prizes, bingo every hour. If you are in need of a ride to the expo, please give our office a call before or by Monday, April 27th.

Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal Celebrating 10 Years!

705 E. Lincoln St. Suite 110 Normal, IL 61761 Phone: 309-827-7780 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Web:

bnfia.org

Facebook: Faith in Action Bloomington/Normal

In November 2005, Faith in Action of Bloomington-Normal was birthed. Thanks to past volunteers and staff, Faith in Action has grown tremendously and will continue to grow into surrounding communities. Last year, we reached an all-time high of over 9,000 rides provided to those 60 and over. The shopping program has expanded too. We now have 71 volunteers shopping with or for seniors. It’s time for a celebration in September. Do you have any ideas for the best party ever? Give Doretta Herr a call at (309) 8277780 or email [email protected].

Our Mission FIA provides spiritual, physical, and emotional support to seniors 60 years and over, and their caregivers, to maintain independence, dignity, and improved quality of life. We accomplish this through an interfaith network of volunteers, congregations and community organizations.

Footsteps of FAITH

Volume 6, Issue 2

Volunteer Dedication & Appreciation Dinner “Thank You for Your Generosi-TEA” When: Thursday, April 23rd - 5:30pm Where: Epiphany Catholic Church 1006 E. College Ave. Normal As a volunteer, you are generous with your time and talent. We’ll be celebrating you with a tea-themed dinner

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Do you need a little extra help? Catholic Heart Workcamp (CHWC) will be coming to town July 6-9th and has offered to assist a few seniors. Chaperoned high school youth provide the free services. The types of projects include painting your home, cleaning the yard, garage or painting a room of the house. They may be able to build a wheelchair ramp. Please call (309) 827-7780 by April 24th and state what chore you would like completed. We will then schedule a follow-up appointment at your house to discuss the details of the program.

FIA Event Calendar Event

Day

Date

Time

Volunteer Dedication & Appreciation Dinner

Thur.

April 23rd

5:30pm

New Volunteer Orientation

Wed.

April 29th

10:30am12:30pm

FIA Office Bldg.

RSVP Required

Dine to Donate: Bob Evans Community Fundraiser

Fri.Sun.

May 8th 10th

6am - 9pm

Both Bob Evans Locations

See insert for details

Memorial Day - OFFICE CLOSED

Mon.

May 25th

ALL DAY

FIA Office

Dialysis/Cancer Treatment Only

New Volunteer Orientation

Tues.

May 26th

12:30pm2:30pm

FIA Office Bldg.

RSVP Required

New Volunteer Orientation

Mon.

June 22nd

6pm-8pm

FIA Office Bldg.

RSVP Required

Catholic Heart Workcamp

Location

Notes

Epiphany Church See details above

Mon. - July 6th - 9th Various times Various locations Thurs.

See details above

Garage Sale Fundraiser

Sat.

Aug. 15th

8am-1pm

Various locations

Volunteers needed

Flapjack Fundraiser Applebee’s

Sat.

Oct. 31st

8am-10am

Applebee’s

Save the date

Volume 6, Issue 2

Footsteps of FAITH

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Thank you to our generous community of Faith in Action supporters. This year, we raised $48,000 to continue our mission and expansion beyond the Bloomington-Normal city limits. Can you help me plan the 2016 event? Many hands will make the task less daunting. Can you help brain storm easier ways to fundraise? I would like a chance to talk. Please contact Doretta Herr at (309) 827-7780 or email [email protected].

Special Thanks to Our Gala Sponsors: Platinum: OSF St. Joseph Medical Center Benefactor: Growmark, Luther Oaks, McLean County Orthopedics, Donna Mann Family, State Farm Bank, John & Linda Stuckey Partner: Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, American Vision, Community Health Charities, Commerce Bank, Farnsworth Group, Gailey Eye Clinic, Heartland Bank, Meijer, Millennium Pain Center, Snyder and SnyderGrange Insurance, The Vein Specialists, Westminster Village

NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID BLOOMINGTON, IL

Faith In Action of Bloomington-Normal

PERMIT 365

705 E. Lincoln St. Suite 110 Normal, IL 61761 Return Service Requested

Making a difference in the lives of older adults - one ride, one visit, one chore at a time.

February Orientation: Left to right - Bob H., Sharon K., Jim A., Betty C., Marie K., Jim G., Debi G., Cindy G., Christy M., Angela H., and Mary L. (Not pictured Shelley B.C.)

Please Welcome Our New Volunteers!

January Orientation: Bev B. & Roger R.

March Orientation: Back row - Andrew M., Rodger F., Don B., and Rick S.