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“Duck up at the Hut”
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller * Kevin Sronce at the Butternut Hut in Springfield accidentally sent me an email the other day entitled “Butternut Hut Duck proof”…
He explained later that he meant to send the email to Capitol Blueprint. Oops. But what’s a “duck proof”? I asked…
The medical wagons, Kevin said, are…
* The poster…  Definitely head on over to the Hut if you can. You can also follow the little guy’s progress at the #ToughLikeTy Facebook page. * Meanwhile, y’all donated over a thousand dollars since yesterday to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. As I write this, contributions stand at $9,395. Can we make it an even $10K by the end of the week? Please, click here if you haven’t yet donated. And if you have already contributed, thank you from the bottom of my heart. By the way, do you have a favorite charity?
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- George - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:14 pm:
The Human Fund
- Commander Norton - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:19 pm:
My favorite local charity is Helping the Homeless in Springfield, IL. It’s a one-woman operation run by Julie Becker. An ordinary Springfieldian getting ready to retire, she decided one day a few years ago to find a way to help people struggling with homelessness in Springfield. She hit upon the model of just asking homeless folks what they need - and then posting those needs on a Facebook page. She quickly gained followers. Someone needed size 11 boots - a Facebook follower met up with her bearing size 11 boots. Someone needed repairs to the car they were living in with their kids, a mechanic would step up. An “angel” (as she calls her Facebook donors) has lots of leftovers from a family reunion; she picks up the food and makes sure it gets to people who need it. When she retired from Henson Robinson, her office pooled funds and got her a van. Homeless folks now know her as “Miss Julie” and “the lady in the white van.” They pass her phone number to each other. Many trust her when they don’t trust police or other service providers. She now has 501(c)(3) status now and collects monetary donations as well. Julie doesn’t purport to be a social services agency and works closely with shelters and other agencies like Helping Hands and the Washington Street Mission. Her focus is on meeting immediate needs so people don’t go hungry or freeze to death. She also collects necessary items for people who are moving off the streets into their own apartments and don’t have basic supplies and appliances.
As I’m sure you know, Springfield recently went through a divisive fight over the proposed location of a new homeless shelter and mental health clinic that would have served as a front door for housing-first programs. Ultimately, the facility wasn’t built anywhere. Julie and Helping the Homeless are helping stand in the gap while we (hopefully) get our act together.
Unfortunately, due to a number of factors (among them a shortage of subsidized housing, a location on a busy train line/bus route, and the Dept. of Corrections’ practice of dropping off released inmates here who have nowhere else to go), Springfield has a disproportionately large homeless population. Helping the Homeless is a great idea that has done a lot of good in a few short years.
- Chris Nybo - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:26 pm:
Just donated now. American Diabetes Association.
- Al Briteback - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:34 pm:
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They are so close to a cure. I hope it happens in my lifetime.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:41 pm:
St. Jude’s and Make-a-Wish are at the top of my list. And Rich, I applaud you for making the most of this opportunity. I can’t imagine how many emails you receive and could’ve just as easily hit the delete button.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:42 pm:
The Salvation Army…will convert your spare change into compassion.
- Lt Guv - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:45 pm:
American Lung Assn. My Mom died of it.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:46 pm:
Thanks, Chris!
- Rachel - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 1:56 pm:
Commander Norton - never heard of Helping the Homeless - thank you for the description. It needs to be better known. My favorites are theCentral Illinois Foodbank, the Springfield Animal ProtectiveLeague, Doctors Without Borders and Alice’s Kids, a program where donation dollars go directly to kids specific, immediate needs. It always feels good to help out, even if it is never enough.
- Commander Norton - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:07 pm:
Thanks, Rachel! Just look it up on Facebook. It’s a very active page with helpful updates. I completely agree with you about the food bank, APL and Doctors Without Borders. I’ve given to all three (and my kids and I love volunteering at APL). I hadn’t heard of Alice’s Kids; thanks for the info.
- Red Ketcher - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:09 pm:
Bought a Red , White , & Blue Duck first day went up.
Good Idea for Great Cause & The B’Hut Matches the $
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:15 pm:
Planned Parenthood
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:26 pm:
It’s a mission of mine to never walk by a red kettle without dropping something in.
I love the work food banks do (local and regional). There is such a need to get people fed through the month. SNAP isn’t enough and people that go to the food bank almost always work they still can’t make ends meet.
And love supporting anyone who hands out backpacks and winter coats to school kids - cold kids break my heart.
Feed people and keep them warm. Not too much to ask.
- Occasional Quipper - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:29 pm:
That’s what I call a fortuitous email address mistake. And thanks for the reminder on the Lutheran Services donation page. Just donated.
- anonomoose - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:34 pm:
The Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, based in Wheaton.
- SAP - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:49 pm:
Mini O’Bierne Crisis Nursery
- Threepwood - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:58 pm:
Good posts here, especially nice to see some local outfits get some exposure.
It’s so hard to claim a favorite, and there are so many different needs. But currently my favorite may be Modest Needs. Their specialty is helping individuals and families through rough spots, like surprise medical bills making you weigh car repair vs mortgage payment, that kind of thing. Offer options to help specific cases or just general fund.
- fedup - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 3:04 pm:
Gigi’s Playhouse
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 3:18 pm:
Inspiration Corporation.
And I am wondering if Kevin is a Larry David fan as his email sure seems like an “accidental email on purpose.”
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 4:23 pm:
Central Illinois Food Bank.
I grew up in a house where sometimes I got one meal a day.A few times I didn’t get a meal.
Been donating money and food to CIFB for years.
And plugged them on my podcast for years.
They help agencies in a huge area from Quincy to Lincoln to Decatur to Centralia to Brighton.
I think two dozen or so counties in all.
And there is ALWAYS a need for food and cash donations.
- FormerParatrooper - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 7:45 pm:
St Jude for they do for children. I have a daughter with spina bifida and the medical staff was top notched. They get my tax refund every year and a monthly donation.
- Just a Citizen - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 7:48 pm:
Helping the Homeless in Springfield has an excellent Facebook page. Julie does an almost daily update on her feed describing the people she and her angels have served in the area.
- cc - Thursday, Dec 19, 19 @ 11:55 pm:
There are many children of all ages this winter suffering from colds, flu, croup etc.
Some parents struggle to pay for medical costs because insurance often falls short. Ask your kids and grandkids that have had sick little ones if they need a little help with medical bills or help to see that they can give those kids a few presents under the tree.