Around The Town

JPSF unveils new fundraising campaign this spring:
The Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation (JPSF) voted at its February 14 meeting to announce its 200 for 200 Campaign. Designed to be tied to the celebration of Jacksonville’s 200th anniversary, the campaign is slated to begin in mid-April and will run for three years – 2023 through 2025. The goal will be to enlist 200 donors to commit to donations of at least $200 for each year of the campaign.

The 200 for 200 Campaign will replace the Believe in Education (BIE) Raffle Drawing that has been in existence for more than ten years. As was the case with the BIE Drawing, funds raised through the 200 for 200 Campaign will support District #117 programs, students, and educators.

According to Executive Director Leslie DeFrates, “The JPSF greatly appreciates the support that the Jacksonville community has offered through the Believe in Education Drawing, but the ability to participate in the 200th anniversary celebration of Jacksonville has a specific window of opportunity. The 200 for 200 Campaign is a wonderful way to celebrate Jacksonville and the strong educational foundation that its public education system provides to its citizens.”


Memorial Care to open Urgent Care Clinic in Jacksonville:
Memorial Health will open a new urgent care clinic on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 901 W. Morton Ave. in Jacksonville. The clinic, which is for walk-in patients only, will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Memorial Care on Morton exterior. (Photo: Kara Slating / Memorial Health)

“This new Memorial Care location will provide improved access to non-emergency health services for the residents of Jacksonville, Morgan County and the entire region,” said Travis Dowell, president of Memorial Medical Group.

The Jacksonville location is Memorial Health’s seventh urgent care location in central Illinois. The newly remodeled 5,000-square-foot clinic features eight patient rooms and a procedure room, plus lab and imaging services.

Urgent care offers walk-in treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, including cold, cough and flu symptoms; sprains; fevers; minor burns and cuts; ear, eye and skin infections; nausea and vomiting; sore throats; urinary tract infections; skin rashes and seasonal allergies. Same-day test results are available for strep, influenza, RSV and COVID-19.

Patients can use the free Memorial App to see how many patients are waiting at the clinic during business hours and save a spot in line before leaving home.

“I’m from the Waverly/New Berlin area so I’m excited we can now offer high-quality care for minor illnesses and injuries to residents of Jacksonville and the surrounding towns,” said Anna Richie, MD, clinic director for Memorial Health urgent care locations. “We are happy to be a part of Jacksonville’s growth and development.”


Jacksonville Skilled Nursing & Rehab observes “National Wear Red Day” — skilled nursing facility kicks off month dedicated to cardiovascular health awareness:
The staff at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing & Rehab, an 87-bed subacute and skilled nursing facility, showed their support in the fight against heart disease by donning red attire on National Wear Red Day, observed on Friday, February 3. The initiative is part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign to spread heart health awareness. 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and largely preventable. To help reduce this toll, February is also American Heart Month, a time for the entire community to focus on improving cardiovascular health. 

Jacksonville is observing both National Wear Red Day and American Heart Month. “We are focused on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle,” said the facility’s administrator, Sawyer Zaerr. “The staff wore red on February 3 to raise awareness of ways we can help ensure heart health. For example, as we reminded residents, it is important to have healthy meals and snacks and include some exercise in our daily routines.”  

Effects of Heart Disease on Women 

Heart disease affects women differently than men, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Factors that can raise women’s risk of coronary heart disease more than that of men include: 

  • Diabetes 
  • Low levels of HDL cholesterol 
  • Mild to moderate high blood pressure 
  • Smoking

About Jacksonville Skilled Nursing & Rehab  

Jacksonville Skilled Nursing & Rehab is an 87-bed skilled nursing facility in Jacksonville, IL, providing long-term care, short-term care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehab-to-home, speech therapy, hospice care, and respite care. The center is currently accepting new admissions for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. For further information, please contact Jennifer Paoni at 217-206-0520 or visit Jacksonville Skilled Nursing & Rehab’s website at www.jacksonville-snr.com.

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