Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza, her staff and other volunteers passed out 160 turkeys and hams as well as other donated food to Cairo residents at the Arrowleaf community center today. Laborers’ Local 773, which represents workers in fields such as construction and railroad maintenance, donated the meat and bags of food. Krispy Kreme in Marion also donated boxes of doughnuts.
Alexander County, of which Cairo is the county seat, has the lowest vaccination rate of Illinois’ 102 counties, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. So among the offerings at this year’s giveaway were vaccine shots administered by the Southern Seven Health Department.
“Residents throughout the state can greatly benefit from the protection these free COVID-19 vaccinations provide against severe disease,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “That’s why my office wanted to make sure the people of Cairo were given an additional opportunity to get vaccinated.”
This is the fifth year the Illinois Office of Comptroller has helped coordinate and distribute donations in Cairo so that in-need families can put a Thanksgiving meal on their dinner tables. The Office of Comptroller worked with Arrowleaf, a human-services nonprofit, to coordinate and host the donations. Arrowleaf also offered clothing and coat donations during the event.
“I’m a strong believer in the people of Southern Illinois. While the region has its own unique challenges, I want its residents to know they are not alone,” said Comptroller Mendoza. “The whole state and I support regrowth and regeneration in Cairo and the surrounding region, which is a beautiful area that my family and I love to visit.”
Comptroller Mendoza reiterated her promise to expedite payments for the development of Cairo’s new international port, expected to bring jobs and economic development to the region,’ noting, “Cairo needs more than one shot in the arm.”
Comptroller Mendoza was joined at the donation event by State Sen. Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg, State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, and Cairo Mayor Thomas Simpson.
“I’ve been vaccinated. It’s not only a personal choice but also a choice about protecting others, like your family,” said Mayor Simpson.
Southern Illinois residents can call their local county health departments to schedule a free COVID-19 vaccination. People who are unsure of who to call can call the Southern Seven Health Department at 618-634-2297 for more information.
“It’s a blessing to see these officials and groups come together to provide these meals. It’s wonderful that they are taking notice of Cairo and working to support its regrowth,” said Mayor Simpson.
Comptroller Mendoza also dropped off food donations at the Cairo Women’s Shelter for survivors of domestic abuse and their children in Cairo this morning. On Wednesday, she met with the founders of The Giving Tree Fund in Sesser, a charity that coordinates donations of Christmas gifts and necessities for area youth and their families.
“During the holidays, it’s an especially great time to make note of the charitable nature of so many of our neighbors and fellow Illinois residents. I’m honored to be able to meet with and support the efforts of those working to better their communities,” said Comptroller Mendoza.
I’m told about a dozen people got their shots at the event.
- Been There - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:09 pm:
Some cranky guy from Springfield with a scruffy beard use to always hit me up to make a donation to Lutheran General Services just hear him speak.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:09 pm:
We sometimes do events but always do significant charitable giving around the holidays. Each member of the family picks out several charities then we meet to pick the five finalists. It’s important for our kids to incorporate giving, especially when they’re usually receiving.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:11 pm:
For 20 years or so, my small office of 30 people would do a food drive at Christmas. We usually collected around 600 or 700 pounds of food, which we donated to the Kumler food pantry in Springfield. Since I am retired, I make a cash donation to the pantry, in memory of my wife and the office food drives.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:12 pm:
We’re part of a group that “adopts” low-income families and provides them with food and presents for the holiday season, but don’t do any events. Most of our charitable work is done throughout the year.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:20 pm:
“Some cranky guy from Springfield with a scruffy beard use to always hit me up to make a donation to Lutheran General Services just hear him speak.”
And boy was he cranky.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:21 pm:
===And boy was he cranky. ===
Was?
- OneMan - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:27 pm:
Well besides somehow making a bid that was at the max for something involving ‘cranky Springfield guy’ my firm does some stuff around the holidays and I will participate in that.
But in general, not a big ‘let’s just volunteer during the holidays’ kind of guy, I prefer to do it year-round.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:29 pm:
Usually try to participate in some type of gift giving charity program whether it is shopping for underprivileged kids or for nursing home residents.
Also excited that a longstanding Central IL charity, the Baby Fold, is getting to have their big Festival of Trees charity bash in person this year. Will try to support by getting tickets to attend even if I may not bid on any of the holiday decor auction items. Worth it just to feel the holiday cheer looking at all the decked out trees.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:30 pm:
Holiday yes, Thanksgiving no - I’m very selfish about Thanksgiving, it’s the most stress-free day of the year (for most).
- H-W - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:49 pm:
Not events, just charity. Just yesterday my wife picked up a pharmacy tab for a poor person. When the pharmacists said “$75,” the person looked lost. My wife asked him if she could help, and offered $25. The lady behind my wife threw in another $25, and the guy was able to go home with his meds.
My wife and I do this sort of thing and also buy meals for poor people during the holiday season. Random acts of helping.
- Cosgrove - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:51 pm:
I often serve meals to the homeless on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It keeps me grounded in the reality of others and reminds me more than other days to be thankful for all that I have been given along the way in this amazing life.
- SOIL M - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:57 pm:
Angel Trees. Usually pick a few off 2 or 3 of them. Also, Salvation Army. A local Food Bank I help out year round
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 4:22 pm:
I participate in activities initiated by my employer, union, and fraternal organization; like OneMan, it’s more year-round than holiday-focused.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 4:27 pm:
There are 2 things to my parish in regards to food drives and toy drives.
Participate in both.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 4:32 pm:
Salvation Army donations. For a few dollars you can feed a lot of folks a very nice Thanksgiving dinner.
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 4:42 pm:
In the past, my church had a Giving Tree where you take an ornament that has information about a person or organization and you provide the item or items. This year the church is collecting monetary donations for the PATH Crisis Center, Safe Harbor, Mid Central Community Action (for Neville House), Birthright, and Catholic Charities. Other charities in area and USO for active duty military will receive donations.
- Leslie K - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 5:19 pm:
I’ve participated in holiday events over the years such as packing Thanksgiving food boxes. These days its mainly the work-based food drive and Toys for Tots donations. Otherwise, I try to spread charitable activities/giving throughout the year.
- RNUG - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 5:28 pm:
Mrs & I used to work the Toys for Tots warehouse for many years, but it got to be a bit too much.
These days we just make additional donations to Central Illinois Food Bank and Asbury Children’s Supper Hour. Plus the extra collection our church takes up for food baskets some of the less well off church members
- Southern - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 5:36 pm:
At the radio station where I worked, we once did a turkey drop for Thanksgiving.
—Les
- Enviro - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 5:42 pm:
We send checks to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Salvation Army for holiday meals.
- Blue Dog - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 6:43 pm:
We do.
And don’t mistake cranky with tired.
- Stix Hix - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 8:10 pm:
Nothing more than we do for others each day. We didn’t wait until we were done taking before giving back.
- Chitown - Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 10:12 pm:
We prepared a thanksgiving meal for families and served in a community setting, but due to Covid we now deliver them hot and ready to their homes.
- Turkey Neckin - Friday, Nov 19, 21 @ 6:58 am:
My family doesn’t participate in an event, but we try and help in other ways. Last year we prepared several gift bags and donated them to the Salvation Army here in Springfield that included a bunch of items folks need. We expect to do so again in the coming days.
- Sandyc - Friday, Nov 19, 21 @ 9:23 am:
We usually keep things quiet when we give but typically we do giving trees, toys for tots, donations to children and pet organizations. We haven’t participated in any in-person commitments the last two years because of Covid. Pay it forward , always not just at the holiday, but everyday. Thanks for this thread.