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GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE October 2020 | page 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Small Business of the Month•
AltonSecurities&AssetAdvisors
Mayor Report•WoodRiver
Welcome our new members• 5DiamondCampground• AltonPride,Inc.•
Imo’sPizza-Bethalto•
Lewis&ClarkCommunityCollegeFoundation,Inc.
• PiasaBodyArt• ProsperCreditConsultants
RiverBendGrowthAssociation5800GodfreyRoad-BGM
6722GodfreyRoadGodfreyIL62035(618)467-2280
Video at growthassociation.com/newsroom
PODCAST available at growthas-sociation.com/lets-talk/
OCTOBER 2020Volume 18 | Issue 10
RiverBend Growth Association Names Alton Securities & Asset
Advisors Its Small Business Of The MonthTheRiverBendGrowth
AssociationhasnamedAltonSecurities&AssetAdvisorsasitsSmallBusinessoftheMonthforOctober2020.AltonSecurities&
AssetAdvisors,locallyownedandmanaged,providesclient-focused,service-orientedinvestmentservicestobothindividualsandbusinesses.AltonSecurities’philosophyisbasedonhonestyandintegrity,astheyseektobuildpersonal,long-termrelationshipswiththeirclients.Theirclientelerangesfromthosejustbeginningtoplantheirfinancialfuturetoseasonedinvestorswithaccumulatedwealth.Theyalsohelpsmallerbusinessesestablish
retirementplansandprovidetheiremployeeswithretirementplanningadvice.MattMaberryand
AugieWuellnerarebothPartnersandFinancialAdvisors.Maberryhasbeenaregisteredsecuritiesrepresentativesince1992afterattendingIllinoisStateUniversitywherehereceivedaBachelorofSciencedegreeinEconomicsandFinance.Wuellner,apastChairmanoftheBoardfortheRiverBendGrowthAssociation,aftera35-yearcareerasaconstructionexecutive,changedcareerstohislifelonginterestintheinvestmentworldandbecameaFinancialAdvisor.
Alton Securities & Asset
Advisors111E.4thSt.,Suite100Alton,Illinois62002618-466-9700toll-free800-477-3808Temporaryofficehours
areduringmarkethours,from8:30AMto3:00PM,MondaythroughFridayIfappointmentsor
phoneconferencesareneededoutsideofthesehours,theycanworkwithyoutoscheduleanappointment.
altonsecuritiesandassetadvisors.comFacebook@AltonSecurities
The information provided or any opinion contained does not
constitute a solicitation or offer by Alton Securities & Asset
Advisors, its employees, representatives, officers, or affiliates
to buy or sell any securities, futures, options or other financial
instruments or provide any investment advice or service. Any
communication containing a link to this site is not intended for
distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any
jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be
contrary to law or regulation or which would subject Alton
Securities & Asset Advisors or its affiliates to any
registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country.
Doyouknowasmallbusinessworthyofthishonor?Nominatethembyusingtheformonthispage-growthassociation.com/recognition-awards/
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GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE October 2020 | page 2
BOARD OF DIRECTORSBrad Goacher, Chairman
Alton Memorial HospitalRob Schwartz, Past Chairman
Busey BankMike Fitzgerald, Treasurer
Scheffel BoyleLori Artis
Lewis and Clark Community College
John BarnerdSimmons Hanly Conroy
Tom BerryJackson Lewis P.C.
Megan BrodnaxPhillips 66 Wood River Refinery
Kim Clark City of Alton Doug Cobb
Carpenters Local 664Mark Haggard
CNB Bank & Trust, N.A.Pam Heepke
Raifort Commerce ParkCody Hinkle
Piasa Body ArtJennifer Jackson
Helmkamp Construction Co.Tim Kuebrich
Lake Drive LogisticsJeff Lauritzen
COUNTRY FinancialEric McRoy
AdvantageAlan Meyer 1st MidAmerica Credit UnionDavid Miller
St. Louis Regional AirportStephanie Monroe
River Bend Chiropractic CenterScott Reichmann
BarberMurphy GroupDon Retzlaff
Argosy Casino AltonJohn Roberts
Roberts MotorsDennis Sands
OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center
Dan St. PetersSt. Peters Hardware & Rental
Bernie Sebold Illinois American WaterTerry Shewmake
IBEW Local 649Jim Shrader
ConsultantSteve Thompson
Carrollton BankDenise VonderHaar
The TelegraphMatt Waters
Liberty BankDwight Werts
Werts Welding & Tank ServiceKaren Wilson State Farm
InsuranceDenise Wolff
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Elite Properties
Augie WuellnerAlton Securities & Asset Advisors
MAYOR REPORT - Cheryl Maguire, City of Wood River
Cheryl Maguire
Justlikeourneighboringcommunities,theCityofWoodRiverhasenduredmanyadjustments
withCOVID-19buthascontinuedtokeepupwithcityservicestoourresidents.AbigthankyoutotheresidentswhohavebeenpatientwiththechangesthathavetakenplaceandtoCitystaffwhohavemadeadaptationsintheirmethodologyinprovidingtheseservices.Evenwiththesedifficult
daystherearegoodreportsforthepastyearandourretailsaleshavebeenstrong.ForthesecondyearinarowtheCity’soverallretailnumbersincreased,withtheretailgrowthinthecityrisingfrom5.9%to6.9%.Onceagain,theCityhaditshighestEAV($136,532,030.00)incityhistorywhichhelpstolowertheoveralltaxrate.The1%SalesTaxthatvoterspassedin2019hasbroughtinover$1.5millioninthepast13months.Weareseeingbusinesses
beginningtoopenbackup.Imo’sPizzawillbeopeningtheirnewlocationonHwy.111,SteaknShakewillbere-opening,TopShelfMotorsopenedtheirnewlocationwithanewlyrenovatedbuildingonHwy.143,Pumphouseopenedwithamajorrenovation,RoyalOakRecyclingisnowoperationalintheBusinessParkandanewservicebusiness,Immunotek,willbeopeningintheformerOfficeMaxbuilding.Allofthesebusinesses,whetherretailorservice,haveafavorableeconomicimpactonoureconomy.Thankstotheresidentswhohavesupportedourlocalbusinesses.Ourhousingstartshave
seenanupswing.Currently,thereare19newhomesbeingbuiltinWoodRiver.Twoareinthecenteroftown,wheretwoderelicthomesweredemolished.TwoareintheHeritageTrailssubdivisionoffRockHillRoadandfifteenareinthenewhousingdevelopmentGrandviewHillsoffMorelandRoad.GrandviewHillsissoongoingtoPhase2withatotalof82lotsatthislocation.Thispastyearhasseenalot
ofimprovementandprojectsinthePublic Works Department.
Phase2oftheDowntownStreetscapefrom1stStreetto2ndStreetandWoodRiverAve.toOldSt.LouisRoadalongFergusonAvenueiscompleteexceptforadecorativeoverthestreetsign.Federalfundswereavailableforthisprojectandthecitywasabletotakeadvantageofthisupgrade.Thegrantwasa75/25%split,withthecity’sportionusingMotorFuelTaxtopayforitscosts.Theprojectcameinunderbudgetby$40,000withatotalcostof$412,000.Witha$100,000countygrant,morewaterlineshavebeenreplacedalongthe6thStreetarea.Also,improvementsalong6thStreetfromEdwardsvilleRoadtoHwy143withrotomillingresurfacingwithupgradedhandicapramps,havebeencompleted.CoordinationwithIDOTwill
seerepavingofWoodRiverAve.inconjunctionwiththeArmyCorpsofEngineerssewerseparationproject.Severalprojectshave
begunwithengineeringphasesincludingsewerandstormwaterseparationintheStateStreetarea,EastEnddetentionpondcreation,andpropertypurchasedon9thStreetfordetentionexpansionofthe6thStreetdetentionpondwithengineeringstudies.Theseprojectshavemultiple
fundingsources,oneofwhichisthenew1%salestaxfund.Streetasphaltingison-
goingwithMetzger,Whitelaw,Harnett,VanPreter,Park,Manning,LorenafromWhitelawto4thandActonfrom6thStto9thSt.Sewerimprovements
includedliningreplacementof75manholesandreplacingsteamerconnectionsin100firehydrants.TheWaterplantisseeingSCADAimprovements.Leafpickupwillbeginsoon
andthecityoffersdropoffatthecitydumpwhereresidentscandisposeofyardwasteatnocost.ThePolice
Department has
putitsLPRcamerastouseinsolvingcrimesthatwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthefinancialassistanceoftheDepartmentofJusticeandtheMadisonCountyStatesAttorney’soffice.Withdiligentresearchby
boththeformerandcurrentfirechiefs,theFire Department was
abletopurchaseareplacementaerialtruckforacostcoveredmostlybyinsuranceandwithalongerlifespanthanthetruckthatwasreplaced.
ThePark and Recreation
Departmentwasabletoprovideprogramsandactivitieseventhoughtheyweredifferentduetothesocialdistancingrequirements.Theprojectthatwillsoontakeplaceisthedesignofarecreationbuildingwhichisbeingfundedbythe1%SalesTax.Building
and Zoningissued
atotalof384buildingpermitsthatequaledmorethan8.5milliondollarsinnewcapitalinvestments.Goalsarebeingrealizedwith
allthesedevelopmentsandtheCityofWoodRiverismovingforwardforthebettermentoftheoverallcommunity.
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GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE October 2020 | page 3
Welcome our newest members to the RiverBend Growth
Association
5 Diamond CampgroundBrian Campbell and Matt Diamond2 Fun Ln
Hartford IL 62048(618)
254-1180facebook.com/5-Diamond-Campground-103976501423687
Alton Pride, Inc.Jason Heeren Director of SponsorshipP.O. Box
662Alton IL 62002(618) 204-7420https://altonpride.com
Alton Pride is a charitable & educational organization
established to bring awareness, understanding, and advocacy to the
LGBTQ+ community with an emphasis on the specific needs of the
youth within the community. We are setting ourselves apart from
other Pride organizations by focusing on giving back to our
community, rather than hosting just a parade or festival. We will
be depositing a majority of event proceeds into structured account
funding our goal to develop a local teen suicide prevention line
and a teen resource center to help youth in need.
Imo’s Pizza - BethaltoLori Bromberg, President/Treasurer &
Managing Part.515 N. BellwoodBethalto IL 62010(618)
258-0011www.imospizza.com
Bethalto Imo’s is owned by Charles and Barbara (Babs) Pelan.
Barbara was a nurse and Charles has had a varied career but has
always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He and Babs purchased the
Bethalto Imo’s in 2013 and seeing the success of the brand and the
store in Bethalto were anxious to purchase the Edwardsville Imo’s
franchise in 2014.
Their daughter, Lori Bromberg, is the Managing Partner and
provides leadership and daily oversight to the business. Lori has a
Bachelor of Science degree in Management and has 31+ years in
corporate leadership roles, including Customer Experience, Supply
Chain, Distribution Strategy, Change Management, HR/Talent
Management, Training and Safety. Lori also is a Certified Mentor
for SCORE providing mentoring and
coaching to small businesses.While it is our goal to have a
financially
successful business, we believe the cornerstones to achieving
success is ensuring a superior product and customer experience,
investment in our employees, positive contributions to our
community, while demonstrating a strong commitment to safety. We
pride ourselves on our commitment to Imo’s Corporate Mission, “To
maintain the Imo’s tradition of uncompromising quality, pride in
Imo’s products, and passion for success and for customers to
experience a genuine, original St. Louis pizza of the highest
quality, served in a pleasant atmosphere or at home, so that they
too will have reason to say: “Imo’s is my favorite pizza.”
If you frequent our Bethalto location, we will be moving down
the street a little over a mile, still on 111, within the next
month or so. We will continue to have delivery and pick up as well
as offer new patio seating.
Lewis & Clark Community College Foundation, Inc.Mark
Kratschmer President5800 Godfrey Road, ER 0210Godfrey IL 62035(618)
468-2010www.lc.edu/About_the_Foundation/
The Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation is a non-profit
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Illinois. The
Foundation supports Lewis and Clark Community College and its
students through scholarships, awards, and other assistance.
Piasa Body ArtCodyHinkleOwner560EBroadwayAltonIL62002(618)
462-1720
Alton’s best body art shop- offering Tattoos and Piercing
services. Now with The Salon for all your hair care and barbering
needs!
Prosper Credit ConsultantsJerheart Huntley Owner525 Wyss
AvenueAlton IL 62002-1850(877)
503-7465prospercreditconsultants.com
Credit Repair That Works!! Prosper Credit Consultants uses the
most innovative processes to make sure our clients are educated on
how credit repair works!! Prosper Credit Consultants is dedicated
to educating our clients on how to get and keep get good credit! We
have become a one stop shop for all things from, credit repair,
building credit for beginners, trade lines, putting our clients in
position to purchase that new car, and home they want. Give us a
call 877-503-7465 or setup a free credit consultation.
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GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE October 2020 | page 4
Inaugural LeadHERship Awards Presented at Annual
SeminarNewtoourseminarthis
yearistherecognitionofselectwomenacrosstheRBGAmembershipwhoaredoingamazingthingsintheircareerandcommunityday-inandday-out.ThisrecognitionisbeingcelebratedintheformofourInauguralRiverBendGrowthAssociation2020LeadHershipAwards.Asalittlebitof
background…TheRBGAteamsawaneedtonurturediversityandinclusionofallthewonderfulpeopleandbusinesseswhomakeuptheRiverBendbusinesscommunity.Inearly2019,theycreatedtheEmerging&InclusiveLeadershipCommitteewhoistaskedwithidentifyinganddevelopingnewleadersinthemembershipaswellascreatingaplatformforbusinessownerstoincorporateinclusivepracticesintheirorganizations.Thisenablesallprofessionalsinourbusinesscommunitytoberecognized,feelheard,continuallygrowattheirorganizations,andhelpcreatemorediversityinleadershiprolesthroughoutthearea,nomattertheirage,sex,race,ornationality.Throughthiscommittee,
thefirst“CommunityConversation”wascreated.ThisinitialwebinarfeaturedthreespeakersonDiversity&Inclusion.Sincethen,therehasbeenamonthlyspeakerandtopicdedicatedtoaddressingtheuniquenessanddifferencesineachotherandishostedmonthlythroughZoom.Manyotherinitiativeswillrolloutasaresultofthiscommittee,(suchasonlineeducational
resources,aDiversityCouncilandRiverBendAcademy)butnonemoreexcitingatthismomentthananewLeadHershipawardceremony.Yearafteryear,thereisa
captiveaudienceofnearly200womenatourseminarandthecommitteedecideditistheperfecttimetorecognizeandUPLIFTfivespecialindividualsamongthissegmentofpeoplewhodedicatetheirprofessionallivestotheRiverBend.Fortheexamplethattheseladiesset,wewillhonorfourofthemwithaLeadHershipINSPIREAward.Thenwewillhonoroneoverall,very-deservingwomanwithourLeadHershipEMPOWERMENTAwardincelebrationofthesuccessshehasmadeforherselfandtheimpactshehasmadeonothers.Theseindividualswere
nominatedonlineandvotedforbytheEmerging&InclusiveLeadershipCommittee,whichwasnoeasyfeat.Therewere14nominationsthisyearandeverysingleoneofthemdeservetoberecognized.Ifyournomineeisn’tawarded,pleasebesuretore-submitthemnextyear!Withthatbeingsaid,let’s
acknowledgeour1stINSPIREawardwinner…
Sheena Whitehead, American Cancer Society (INSPIRE)
–SheenahasbeenworkingintheRiverbendcommunityoverthelast5yearsinherroleatACS.ShehassuchapassionforworkingwiththevolunteersintheRiverbendareatofindtherightfitforthemtoengageinthefightagainstcancer.Thisisacommunitythatsheconsidershomeandhervolunteersreciprocate
thatfeelingasitisveryobvioussheisasinvestedintheirsuccessastheyare.AfewyearsagoshewaspromotedtoSr.CommunityDevelopmentManagerasshewasagoalachieverfor4yearsinarow.ShehasreallygrowninherroleandnotonlyexcelswithintheACS,butcontinuestolookforwaystohelpothernon-profitsgrowandexcelthroughnetworkingandideasharingtomakethecommunitybetter.
Karen Cooper, Illinois American Water
(INSPIRE)–Karenispassionateaboutimprovingourcommunities.Shegoesaboutthisimprovementbymotivatingtheworkforcewithherpositivityaroundprovidingthebestpossiblewaterandwastewaterservicestocustomers.Karenhasledthechargeinacquiringagingwaterandwastewatersystemsfromcashstrappedlocalcommunitiesthatnolongerhavethefinancialresourcestoinvestinthecriticalinfrastructurethatprovideitscitizenswithdrinkingwaterandwastewaterservices.Theseacquisitionshaveinvolvedemployeesfrommunicipalitiescomingonboardthatwereunsureofwhatthechangewouldlooklikegoingfrompublicemploymenttoemploymentwitharegulatedwaterutility.ShehasmadealloffthenewpersonnelfeelathomeandpartoftheIllinoisAmericanWaterfamilyfrompriortothesaleofthesystemsthroughthesaleandbeyondandalloftheemployeeshavemaintainedemployment.ThepurchaseofthesesystemsthatKarenhasworkedto
Cameo Holland
Carrie Cohan
Karen Cooper
Emily Hejna
Sheena Whiteheadcontinued next page
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GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE October 2020 | page 5
completehasfreedupmoniesformunicipalitiestoreinvestinthecommunityinstreetsandparksortorestructurelongtermdebt.Karen’sactionshavemadeapositiveimpactintheRiverbend,notonlyinthelastseveralyears,butforyearstocome.
Carrie Cohan, Madison County Child Advocacy Center (INSPIRE)
–CarriehasledtheMadisonCountyChildAdvocacyCenterthroughthechallengesoftheCovid-19pandemic.Notonlythat,shehasdemonstratedLeadershipatthecenterforover10yearsthroughanexpansioninservicesandstaff.DuringhertenureasExecutiveDirector,CarriehasensuredthattheCenterprovidesexpertlevelservicestochildrenandfamiliesstrugglingwithabuseallegations.EveryfiveyearstheCACmustmeethigherstandardsofpracticetoensurechildrenreceivethehighestqualityservicespossible.InJanuaryof2020,theCenterwasre-accreditedforthenext5years.CarriehasledthewayforchildrentoreceivetherapyservicesattheCenteratnocosttothem.Carrieleadsastaffof10throughsecondarytraumaofworkingwithabusevictims.Sheisanadvocateforchildreninthiscommunityandforthemanystaff
sheworkswitheveryday.
Emily Hejna, Alton Police
Dept
(INSPIRE)–EmilyhasbeenintheRiverbendareaherwholelife.Sheisastrong-willedwomanwhohasaheartofgold.Emilygoestheextramiletohelpcitizensofthiscommunity.DuringherentirecareerasaLawEnforcementOfficer,EmilyhasProtected&ServedtheRiverbendCommunity.Sheisaleaderforhercareer.ShehashelpedleadMustache4Marchthatraisesmoneytohelpfirstresponders.Emilyhashelpedwithmanyprojectsinthecommunity&islovedbysomanypeople.Sherepresentsarolemodelforyoungwomeninthecommunity.ItispeoplelikeEmilythatmakethistheRiverbendCommunityabetterplacetolive&work.
Cameo Holland, City of Alton
(EMPOWERMENT)–CameoisatrueleaderintheRiverBendarea.Sheisawonderfulexampleofawomanwhostrivestodoherownpersonalbest,whotirelesslyworkstoimprovehercommunity,andwhoservesasanexampleofhardwork,dedication,andempathy.CameoreceivedherB.B.Ain2015andM.B.Ain2018fromFontbonneUniversitywhileworkingfortheCityofAlton.ShehasbeenemployedintheCityTreasurersofficesince2013,servingasAssistantCityTreasurer.ShewaselectedCityTreasurerinApril2017
andhasbeenworkingtoincreasepublictrustandtransparencyandtoimprovecustomerservice.CameohasbeenontheYWCAofAltonBoardofDirectorssinceAugust,2017.CameohasservedasSecretary,Presidentelect,andPresidentoftheYWCABoardofDirectors.ShebecamePresidentinJanuary,2020.Inadditiontobeinganofficeholder,CameoservesontheGovernance,Finance,ExecutiveandWomenofDistinctioneventcommittees.ShehasspearheadedWomen’sEmpowermentActivities,PopUpThriftShopandotheractivitiesatYWCAofAlton.CameoalsoservesonothervariousboardsincludingStephanie’sPlace,GreatRiversandRoutesTourismBureau,RiverbendRotary(PresidentElect),CityofAltonFirePension,CityofAltonPolicePension,andAltonMunicipalCreditUnion.Previouslysheservedasthe3rdVice-PresidentoftheAltonSectionofNCNW(NationalCouncilofNegroWomen).CameogivesofherselfwillinglytoimprovetheCity,theYWCAandcommunityatlarge.Herdedication,energyandself-lessvolunteerismaretrulyaweinspiring.Herpositiveattitudeandkind,gentlenaturetrulymakeherunique.Andasbusyassheis–Cameoisalwayssmiling.
Empower Sponsors• OSFHealthCareSaintAnthony’sHealthCenter•
RiverBendChiropracticCenter-Dr.StephanieMonroe•
SimmonsFoundation
Inspire Sponsors• 1stMidAmericaCreditUnion
• BemisTupmanChiropractic•BeverlyFarm•
StateRepresentativeMonicaBristow
•BuseyBank•ChallengeUnlimited,Inc.•CNBBank&Trust,N.A.•CommunityHopeCenter•COUNTRYFinancial®-JeffreyLauritzen
•FirstMidBank&Trust•MadisonCounty-JudgeSarahSmith
•MidwestMembersCreditUnion
•MissouriBaptistUniversity•RiverbendFamilyMinistries•St.PetersHardware&Rental,Inc.
Uplift Sponsors•Centerstone•StateSenatorRachelleCrowe
•SeniorServicesPlus,Inc.
Vendor Sponsors•AmyGabrielforCircuitClerk
•Andy’sAutoBody•InvestmentPlanners,Inc.•TassinariInsuranceAgency•CrystalUheforState’sAttorney
•LeslieAnnWoodforCircuitJudge
•ZionLutheranChurchandSchool
Wine Raffle
Sponsors•BestWesternPremier•DonnewaldDistributing•EdwardJones-RobinKarpan
•HelmkampConstructionCo.•LewisandClarkCommunityCollege
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GrowthAssociation.com BUSINESS EDGE October 2020 | page 6
RBGA’s Young Adults Committee Kicks Off New
YearMEMBERS2020-2021
SENIORREPRESENTATIVESJasmineFinley|EastAlton–
WoodRiverHighSchoolSarahFloyd|RoxanaHighSchoolAinsleyFortschneider|AltonHigh
SchoolAbbiGeiger|CivicMemorialHighSchoolHunterGonzalez|MarquetteCatholicHighSchoolCalebHurst|RoxanaHighSchoolKristineLauritzen|MarquetteCatholicHighSchoolAllysonPalmer|AltonHighSchoolEthanScott|CivicMemorialHighSchoolEmmaSeibert|EastAlton–WoodRiverHighSchool
JUNIORREPRESENTATIVESKennedyBickmore|CivicMemorialHighSchoolAudreyBosse|RoxanaHighSchoolAlleneBrass|MarquetteCatholicHighSchoolAddisonDenton|EastAlton–WoodRiverHighSchoolAllieLively|CivicMemorialHighSchoolKamrenMason-El|AltonHighSchoolAllieSchrumpf|AltonHighSchoolThomasStrohmeier|RoxanaHighSchoolMonicaWendle|MarquetteCatholicHighSchoolReaghanWilliams|EastAlton–WoodRiverHighSchool
COMMITTEEMENTORSJohnBarnerd|SimmonsHanlyConroyTerriHerbstreit|1stMidAmericaCreditUnionTrishHolmes|RiverBendGrowthAssociationCindySmalley|CopePlasticsInc.SandySmith|BuseyBankAlexSt.Peters|RiverBendGrowthAssociation
TheRiverBendGrowthAssociation’sYoungAdultsCommitteehaskickedofftheirnewschoolyearwithmorestudents.ThisyeartheYoungAdultsCommitteehasexpandedfrom15studentsto20studentsfromthefiveareahighschools.TheRiverBendGrowth
Association’sYoungAdultsCommittee(YAC)consistsoffourrepresentativesfromtheRiverBendGrowthAssociation’smemberschoolsandmentorsfromtheRiverBendGrowthAssociation’smembership.ThehighschoolrepresentativesaretwojuniorsandtwoseniorsfromAltonHighSchool,CivicMemorialHighSchool,EastAlton–WoodRiverHighSchool,MarquetteCatholicHighSchool,andRoxanaHighSchool.Thestudent’smentorsare
JohnBarnerdofSimmonsHanlyConroymentoringstudentsfromEastAlton–WoodRiverHighSchool,TerriHerbstreitof1stMidAmericaCreditUnionmentoringstudentsfromCivicMemorialHighSchool,MatthewParrottofMidwestMembersCreditUnionmentoringstudentsfromRoxanaHighSchool,CindySmalleyofCopePlastics
mentoringstudentsfromAltonHighSchool,andSandySmithofBuseyBankmentoringstudentsfromMarquetteCatholicHighSchool.TheYACstudentswillbe
learningmoreaboutvariousNon-ProfitsfromDecemberthroughApril.Duringthistime,theywillalsoplananeventtoraisemoneyandgaintheskillsnecessarytodesign,organize,andhostafundraiser.ThemoneytheyraisefromthefundraiserwillbedistributedtoastudentwhowasthemostprofessionalandactiveonthecommitteewithaportiongoingtooneoftheNon-Profitsthatwillpresenttothestudents.Lastyearthestudentsheld
aRiverbendGiftCardRaffle.TheYACwasabletoraise$6,000fromthesuccessfulrafflefundraiser.ThatmoneywassplitevenlyanddonatedtoRiverbendFamilyMinistriesinWoodRiver,IllinoiswhiletheotherhalfwasgiventoGraceNapp,AltonHighSchool,intheformofascholarship.NappiscurrentlyaFreshmanatUniversityofMissouri.RiverbendFamilyMinistrieshasbeenabletocontinuetoserveourcommunitywiththedonation.