Jacksonville Lions Club holding mint fundraiser for local families:
During the month of February, the Jacksonville Lions Club will be focusing their fundraising efforts on Childhood Cancer. We will dedicate all the money collected from our countertop mint sales to supporting families in our local community who are dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis.
We are also pleased to be collaborating with Routt Catholic High School and Our Savior Grade School to raise additional funds. Students are being offered a non-uniform day in exchange for a donation to the Lions Club Childhood Cancer Project.
To help our local families, we will be working with Leaps of Love, Inc. Established in 2010 in Illinois, their foundation caters to the families’ needs by providing gifts of practical supplies for daily life, as well as offering programs, resources, and retreats.
The Jacksonville Lions Club chose to begin this project in February because International Childhood Cancer Day is February 15. This global, collaborative campaign raises awareness about childhood cancer and is an opportunity to express support for children with cancer, the survivors and their families. Childhood cancer is devastating. Each year, more than 300,000 children worldwide receive a cancer diagnosis. In the United States, one in every 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization.
How can you help? Purchase Lions Club Mints whenever you see them at the following local businesses: Bahans, Kim’s Place, Bill’s West State, KFC, Barney’s, Hardee’s, Best Buffet, Leo’s Pizza, Taco Bell, Rudi’s Grill, Triangle Bar and Grill, and The Peddler’s Antique Mall.
CASA volunteers urgently needed — multi-county trainings to be held:
Advocacy Network for Children announces an accelerated training for individuals interested in becoming a CASA volunteer. Advocacy Network for Children provides CASA services in Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler and Scott counties in west central Illinois. CASA volunteers are desperately needed in all ten counties served by the agency.
The accelerated training will be held at the agency’s administrative office located at 1420 Harrison Street in Quincy on Friday, February 21, and Saturday, February 22, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., then on Sunday, February 23, from 1-5 p.m.
The training course prepares volunteers to be the best advocates for children in the court system due to no fault of their own with a 30-hour curriculum which covers topics such as The Well-Being of the Child; Trauma, Resilience and Communication Skills; Mental Health; Poverty and Professional Communication; and Substance Abuse and Cultural Competence to name a few. No special background is required to become a CASA volunteer.
For more information, please contact Erica Parrish, CASA Coordinator, at 217-223-2272 or email at eparrish@advonet.org.
Rep. Davidsmeyer named Assistant Minority Leader in House of Representatives for 104th General Assembly:
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie announced on January 14 that she has selected State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) to serve as Assistant Minority Leader again for the 104th General Assembly.
“As a member of the Republican Leadership team, I view my role as a conservative voice for my constituents and so many others throughout the State. I am working to end the growth of government, to create more natural business growth on main-street, not Wall Street, and to ensure that Illinois families and future generations have the opportunity for personal success. I will continue to work to bring more conservative Republicans to the General Assembly and some real balance to the State of Illinois!”
Republican Leader McCombie points out that she has been intentional in assembling a leadership team that reflects the diverse voices of Illinois. The team includes thoughtful leaders from southern, central, and northern Illinois, ensuring that the House Republican Caucus, which represents parts of all 102 counties, brings perspectives from every corner of the state to the table.
“My leadership team is built to provide a strategic advantage on how to achieve our shared objectives of creating a stronger Illinois without adding to the burdens on Illinois families,” McCombie said. “I’ve selected colleagues from districts across Illinois to work alongside me in pushing our state forward.”
Lawmakers will return to Springfield when the legislative session resumes on January 28.
For more information, please contact Rep. Davidsmeyer’s district office at 217-243-6221 or by email at RepCDDavidsmeyer@gmail.com.
LLCC-Jacksonville to host community scholarship event Jan. 29:
Lincoln Land Community College in Jacksonville, located at 32 N. Central Park Plaza, will host a community scholarship information and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion event on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2-6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
“All those interested in a two-year or four-year degree, health care careers or workforce training are invited to attend this free event,” explains Keri Mason, director of LLCC-Jacksonville.
“Students and their families will be able to get informational materials on local scholarships and ask any questions they may have.”
From 4:30-5:30 p.m., attendees can visit an exhibit area with local community organizations providing information on various scholarships. Participating organizations include the LLCC Foundation, LLCC Pipeline for the Advancement of Healthcare Workforce (PATH), LLCC Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI), Jacksonville Promise, Jacksonville Rotary Foundation, Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau Foundation, the Elks Club of Jacksonville, Illinois Sheriff’s Association, Learning Disabilities of Illinois, MacMurray Foundation Scholarship, MCS Community Services and Jacksonville Skilled Nursing.
Representatives from the LLCC Foundation will be available to answer questions and provide LLCC scholarship application assistance from 2-6 p.m.
Families who would like assistance completing the FAFSA can schedule a 30-minute appointment between 2-6 p.m. to meet with an LLCC financial aid professional.
Registration is encouraged and available at www.llcc.edu/jacksonville, by calling 217-243-6699 or texting 217-290-2909.
Scholarship funding available to students in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan and Sangamon counties:
The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln is now accepting applications for the 2025 scholarship program. There are more than 45 different post-secondary scholarships available. Last year, more than $260,000 was awarded in scholarships and scholarship renewals.
While many scholarships are available to graduating seniors in Sangamon County, there are also scholarships available for returning students, as well as graduating seniors from the surrounding counties served by the Community Foundation including Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery and Morgan.
Full details and criteria for each award are posted on the Community Foundation’s website at www.CFLL.org under “Grants & Scholarships” –> “Scholarships.”
Students with questions or limited computer access should contact the Community Foundation at scholarships@CFLL.org for assistance. High school students also may contact their school guidance counselors for details on the scholarship awards available.
The deadline to submit applications is March 1, 2025. Students should review the specific requirements, criteria and due dates for each scholarship application. The recipients will be notified by early May. All scholarships are for post-secondary education.
The following scholarships are available:
| Scholarship | Description |
| Ada McCombs White Memorial Scholarship | Current or former graduates of A-C Central High School in Ashland, IL, pursuing a teaching career. |
| American Legion Post 32 Scholarship | To assist graduating seniors or first-time college students who have been in the workforce with obtaining a post-secondary education who live in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan or Sangamon counties in Illinois. |
| Anthony Benson Memorial Scholarship | African American senior graduating from Springfield High School demonstrating extra-curricular involvement. |
| Brody Wilson Memorial Scholarship | Graduating senior of Williamsville High School involved in the arts and/or soccer. |
| Camp Care-A-Lot Scholarship | Former Camp Care-A-Lot campers who demonstrate financial need. |
| Charlie Cottle Scholarship | Chatham Glenwood High School varsity athlete |
| COUNTRY Financial Community Scholarship | Graduates of high schools throughout Sangamon, Macoupin, Montgomery, Morgan and Greene counties who have demonstrated exemplary community service. |
| Davey Scholarship | Graduating senior of a high school in Christian, Morgan or Sangamon counties in Illinois enrolling as a full-time student this fall |
| Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship | African American students who are graduating seniors of a high school in the Springfield-Decatur, IL service area of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and demonstrate Delta’s core values of sisterhood, scholarship and service. |
| Don W. Estaque Jr. Scholarship | Graduates of Lanphier High School in Springfield, IL, who have attended LHS for four years, and lettered 3 out of their 4 years as a male member of the LHS men’s cross country or track teams. Endorsement of the principal and athletic director required. |
| Donna and Donald Lee Wolaver Memorial Golf Scholarship | Golf team member at a high school in Sangamon County. |
| Frontiers James Forstall Scholarship | Preference is given to African American students (either male or female) and to applicants with substantial financial need who reside in Sangamon County. |
| Gerald F. and Luanna R. Kennedy Scholarship | Graduating senior from Pana High School with a demonstrated history of contribution to the community. |
| Girls on the Run Founder’s Scholarship | Alumna of the Girls on the Run of Central Illinois program and attending an accredited community college, four-year college/university or trade/vocational school this fall. |
| Ila M. Skelton Scholarship | Graduating high school senior or currently enrolled college student residing in Sangamon County attending an accredited community college, four-year college/university or trade/vocational school this fall. |
| Illinois Women in Leadership — Chrysalis Award | Female from Sangamon County who has earned a high school diploma or GED at least 5 years ago who exhibits leadership qualities, strong potential, and desire for professional growth |
| Illinois Women in Leadership — High School Scholarship | Female from Sangamon County who exhibits leadership qualities, strong potential and desire for professional growth. |
| Jamie K. Patino Math and Science Scholarship | Springfield Southeast High School student seeking a degree in the field of engineering, math or science. |
| Jean Lee Hiller Memorial Scholarship | Current or former, female graduate of Taylorville High School, pursuing a four-year degree in pre-med, veterinary science or business and demonstrates financial need. |
| Jim Byron Scholarship | Williamsville High School student involved in service and school activities. |
| Jim Muller Build a Better Future Scholarship Fund | Recent graduate (within the past 4 years) from Athens, PORTA or Greenview high schools, planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution, including a college, university, trade, or vocational institution in the coming fall as full-time student, pursuing a degree or certificate in a program in the building trades, including but not limited to Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Architecture & Engineering. |
| John and Judy Woodruff Performing Arts Scholarship | Graduating high school senior or college freshman from Sangamon County or adjacent county planning to major or minor in the performing arts. |
| Joseph and Lois Morris Memorial Scholarship | Must be nominated by Springfield High Guidance Counselor; contact your guidance counselor for more information. Unsolicited applications will not be accepted. |
| Linda S. Culver Memorial Scholarship | Be a graduating senior, returning undergraduate or graduate student attending an accredited college and is currently registered as a Girl Scout with the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. |
| Lori L. Kashmer Scholarship | Pursuing a degree in nursing, health or medical career or in veterinary medicine as a part-time or full-time student that exhibits a passion for learning and demonstrates financial need. |
| Margaret Johnson Special Education Scholarship | Graduating from a high school in Sangamon County and pursuing a degree in special education, with the intent of teaching special education students. |
| Mary Lou and Dwight Pitman Scholarship | Area public high school student in Sangamon County other than Springfield School District or Chatham School District with siblings planning to or attending college. |
| Mid-Illinois Communications Association Scholarship | Open to rising juniors, seniors and graduate students majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields such as marketing, design, videography, photography, etc., who are from Central Illinois or attend a college or university in Central Illinois. |
| MMBL Scholarship | Graduating senior of Lanphier High School planning to attend an accredited college, university, vocation, or technical school in the coming fall. |
| Nicholas DeBrun Hands On Memorial Scholarship | Graduating senior from Morrisonville High School pursuing post-secondary education in a vocational field. |
| Paul V. Gage Community Service Scholarship | Vienna High School student demonstrating financial need as well as a record of community service through volunteerism. |
| Pearl Fairfield Scholarship | Graduating senior from a high school in Sangamon County who demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to students from a single-parent household. |
| Polly W. Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship | Graduating senior from a high school in Sangamon County pursuing a degree in the field of vocal music, performing arts and educational majors with a concentration in vocal music. |
| Reverend Kenneth H. White and Evelyn N. White Scholarship | Lanphier High School graduating student planning to obtain a State Teaching Certificate to teach in the public school system. |
| Roland Machinery Scholarship | Open to students pursuing a degree or certificate in a profession related to construction, mechanical engineering, or other related trades. Must be a graduating senior from a high school in one of the following counties: Sangamon, Christian, Montgomery, Macoupin, Scott, Morgan, Cass, Menard, Mason and Logan. |
| SAHBA Construction/Robert E. von Behren Memorial Scholarship | Open to students pursuing a career in the building industry in the following counties: Sangamon, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Scott. |
| Sgt. John R. Dalhaus Memorial Vocational Scholarship | Graduating student from Litchfield High School or a high school in Montgomery or Macoupin Counties participating in programs through the South-Central Illinois Regional Training and Innovation Center, and pursuing a post-secondary degree in a vocational field. |
| Tom & Dee O’Brien Scholarship for the Study of Nursing | Student enrolled full-time or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited Nursing program in Sangamon County to pursue an Associate (ADN) or Baccalaureate (BSN) degree in Nursing and demonstrating financial need. |
| Tripp Bringe Scholarship | Graduating seniors of a Menard County high school or who reside in Menard County but attend high school out of the county. |
| W.G. Bird Teachers’ Scholarship | Graduating senior of Auburn High School planning to pursue a degree in education and enroll full-time at an accredited college or university this fall. |
| Walter and Pauline Roesch Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Scholarship | Open to current and former members of the Boys and Girls Club (BGCCIL) attending college or vocational school as a full-time student and have graduated from a high school in the BGCCIL service area within the last 2 years. |
| World War II Illinois Descendants Statewide Scholarship | Must be a direct descendant of a WWII Illinois Veteran and have a 4.0 GPA on a non-weighted scale (or be the projected valedictorian or salutatorian.) |
Through philanthropic services, strategic grantmaking and community leadership, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln “connects people who care with causes that matter.”
