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/

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.

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.

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

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

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.