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Today’s good deed

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Illinois

* The governor’s legal team and the General Counsel for IDVA will be providing free legal consultations on health care powers of attorney at this event tomorrow…

Warrior Summit Coalition, City of Chicago, and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (“IDVA”), and US Department of Veterans Affairs will host its’ 7th Welcome Home Warrior Summit on October 24, 2015. The Summit features a wide range of businesses, community-based organizations, and government entities to influence economic self-sufficiency within the veteran community. This full-day event provides veterans and others with an opportunity for practical education and advice in the areas of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, education, employment, housing, legal, family services, mental health, and faith based services. Warrior Summit Coalition offers the program free of charge to veterans, and the general public who may attend on behalf of a military relative.

The 2015 Welcome Home Warrior Summit at The UIC Pavilion continues a legacy of supporting veterans as they continue to access resources during and after military service. The 2015 featured services and workshops will include, but are not limited to:

• Onsite registration for healthcare through the US Department of Veterans Affairs
• Onsite Registration for CEDA Gas, energy, light bill assistance (eligibility form attached)
• Onsite Registration for CEDA Home Weatherization Services
• On-site Registration for Veteran State ID, and Veteran Driver’s License
• VA Home Loan for Home Or Condominium Ownership Workshops
• Financial Accountability and Empowerment Workshops
• Entrepreneurship, Starting / Growing Your Own Business Workshops
• Free Business Suits for Male and Female Job Seekers

This post reminds me that the House’s chief doorkeeper Lee Crawford runs a charity that, in part, provides free business suits for job seekers. I’ve shrunk by many pounds over the past year or so, and he’s getting all of my Statehouse clothes which no longer fit. Maybe I can finally get that done this weekend.

Have you done any charity work lately?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 12:36 pm

Comments

I just did some this morning.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 12:42 pm
If the state doesn’t get a full budget in place soon, I’ll be doing charity work forty hours per week.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 12:46 pm
I would encourage people to contact those non-profits in their local area that have small budgets/staffs (mostly volunteer), but do great things. I donated to a local this year, and it will be an annual donation, to make sure the accessible van they loan to families has insurance. The family that uses the van is responsible for the insurance, as well as gas an upkeep as long as they use it. However, the insurance was a burden that I didn’t even realize until I talked to the founder of the group. So I donate to the group the amount (plus some) of the cost of insurance, and they then grant that to the family to use for the payment. Sometimes it’s these smaller gifts that can have a major impact. But, unless you ask and get involved, you may never know the need exists.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 12:59 pm
I was taught not to speak of good deeds as it sounds like bragging.

The Salvation Army does very worthwhile work.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:01 pm
I work for a non-profit hospital that does a lot of charity work.

I personally carry a ‘homeless kit’ in my car and distribute it when I see a person in need. It contains some food, water, dog food (if needed), toothbrush & toothpaste, small bar of soap, shampoo, conditioner (all saved from hotels I stay in for work). I’ve never had one turned down, and I like to give them out. It’s quick and easy to prepare, and much better than cash.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:02 pm
HI, what a great idea. Where the rubber meets the road. Well done.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:05 pm
The budget impasse is bringing out the goodness in many people. I know many owners of social service providers that haven’t had a pay check in months in order to continue providing their clients with services and not lay off workers.

Comment by CCP Hostage Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:06 pm
Wordslinger-”I was taught not to speak of good deeds as it sounds like bragging.”

That may be, but if ideas aren’t shared… (see your own response at 1:05 pm).

BTW: my donation is completely anon. Between only me and the founder.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:10 pm
My wife and I each have benevolent funds and purchase and distribute items as we become aware of local needs. We do not solicit contributions, but they are occasionally offered.

Comment by Nilwood Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Ironic that CEDA will be there taking applications for utility bill assistance and home weatherization services. Those programs have been significantly hurt as they haven’t received their state funding this year.

Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:35 pm
1) If you have a pickup truck or van and a little spare time, your area food pantry could probably use your help with “food rescue” from local restaurants and grocery stores. (I was able to “rescue” an entire bed-full of food from heading to the landfill on Wednesday. It only took about an hour, and it was the highlight of my week.)

2) Folks can always use good socks.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Opportunities are around us in every community.

Stick with the people you can personally relate to. Homeless, veterans, and alcohol and drug abusers make sense for me.

Comment by walker Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Rich, don’t give up that tie-dyed shirt!

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:40 pm
Red Cross volunteer. I teach first aid, CPR, etc. Just finished a class for disaster volunteers.

Comment by Fiercely Independent Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:42 pm
I ate 2 donuts this morning, sparing another person the agony of the added calories. I did some other stuff too, but I’m only comfortable talking about the donuts.

Comment by A guy Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Money Mentor with the U of I Extension. Helping increase the financial capacity and stability of our community.

Comment by thechampaignlife Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm
My volunteer time goes to the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. About to finish up our major fundraiser for the year.

Comment by Peters Post Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm
While Rich’s and commenters’ examples consist of actual good deeds and charity work, it’s worth emphasizing that attorney pro bono is actually a professional obligation.

It’s responsible management practice for a state general counsel to coordinate specific pro bono opportunities to ensure there are no conflicts, that there is malpractice coverage, and that it’s not done on state time.

So: unusually good management for the governor’s office and a commendable effort, but not quite the same as charity.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm
(It’s especially not charity if your office then uses the effort to market itself, as Wordslinger notes.)

Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 1:51 pm
How Ironic - bravo! I do the same thing, a bag or backpack, bottle of water, a couple pairs of white sox, maybe a scarf, and some energy food. Time to replenish as mine went out yesterday….

Comment by stateandlake Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 2:04 pm
It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I am doing my part.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 2:08 pm
Yes, constantly.

crazybleedingheart, while I believe probono legal work to be a moral obligation, in Illinois it is not required for licensure.

Comment by burbanite Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 2:12 pm
And doing Healthcare POAs is the simplest, fill-in-the-blank legal work you can do. *eye-roll* Would they like to really help? Pick up a pro bono family law case from Land of Lincoln or Prairie State Legal Services. That’s where the need is. I did 250 pro bono hours for legal aid over the last 2 years.

Comment by Rayne of Terror Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 3:01 pm
I volunteer in the public schools in my community from time to time. I also am still transporting rescue dogs every few weekends, thanks to the hookup from Rich.

Comment by Commander Norton Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Delivered meals this week to our local homeless shelter. Makes me so thankful for my job and what our family has. I simply don’t know how some of the people served at the shelter make it from day-to-day.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 3:15 pm
RefugeeOne in is doing a winter coat/hat/scarf/boot drive. Right now they seem to be emphasizing the needs of new Syrian refugees, but they serve people from pretty much everywhere. Many of them have no warm clothing or experience with winter. The drive is through November 1; clothing can be left at their office, 4753 North Broadway, Suite 401, 9 - 4:30, Monday to Friday. More info at RefugeeOne.org

Comment by wendy Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 3:19 pm
I eat lunch, once a week, with my mentoring student. We’ve dined every week of the school year for the past eight years.

He’ll be the first member of his family to get a high school diploma.

Comment by Downstate Friday, Oct 23, 15 @ 3:48 pm