Upcoming meetings in West Peoria include the West Peoria Residents’ Association 6 p.m. Nov. 19 in City Hall; West Peoria Neighborhood Watch 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at City Hall. The public is welcome to both of these Residents’ Association meetings.
More specialized groups such as Seniors on the Go will meet Nov. 19 when Sumie Mohnen will instruct the group on origami, the art of paper folding. As the Page Turns, the local book club, will review The Girl on the Train at their meeting 6 p.m. Nov. 16 in City Hall. Interested in attending? Call Maggie Moore at 673-0535 or Loretta Fehl at 637-0326.
The West Peoria Beautification Committee has cleaned and stored the planters and the areas at the welcome signs and the corner of Sterling and Rohmann. They will soon decorate the Welcome Wall, township and City Hall with garland and lights for the holiday season.
The City of West Peoria reminds residents to not rake or blow leaves and grass clippings into their streets, as it causes back up of storm sewers as well as potential fines from the EPA for improper disposal of environmental waste. Landscape waste pick up will end on the last Friday in December. No open burning of trash or landscape waste is permitted. Small recreational fires are permitted. There are three ways to submit a complaint or report a code violation: by email: code-zoning@cityofwestpeoria.com; by phone: 674-1993 or 370-1142 or on the website: www.cityofwestpeoria.com. All information is confidential.
Do you know of a family in West Peoria who is in need of a little help at Christmas with a gift certificate to Haddad’s Market: Call 673-6207 with information about the family. Remember to recycle. The West Peoria Lions Club collects old keys, can tabs, glasses and hearing aids. Drop off at Haddad’s Market or call 673-6207.
Planning ahead for the holiday season? Bring your children to Breakfast with Santa, 10 to noon on Saturday, Dec. 5. Santa will be there to enjoy a breakfast with all; have your picture taken with Santa. Decorating a Christmas tree and a coloring contest will be fun for all who attend. The event is co-sponsored by the West Peoria Residents’ Association and the Franciscan Recreation Complex. No fee for attending but donations will be gladly accepted.
The West Peoria Holiday Contest helps show the holiday spirit to all. Judges will begin Dec. 6 to tour the community and the winners will be announced on Dec. 20. Four winners, one each from the following categories: Simplicity, Vegas Style, Religious Theme and Holiday Theme. Start planning now and that includes picking up and completing your nomination form that can be found at Haddad’s or through the West Peoria Residents’ Association.
Boy Scout Troop 11 is selling live Christmas wreaths and butter braids. Delivery will be after Nov. 21. Interested? Contact a Troop 11 scout or Bob DeSutter at 369-8078. These need to be ordered a week prior to the Nov. 21 delivery date.
Stuff-a-Bus, campaign 2015
This is the 28th year for CityLink to partner with Friendship House and Kroger for the annual food drive to fill a bus with donated food items for the food pantry at Friendship House. The donations are used for 83,000 meals. This year Friendship House ran out of items in five months (even though 10 tons of food were donated last year) which indicates the dire need for the Peoria community to continue its generosity in donations for the Stuff-a-Bus campaign. The loaded bus visually demonstrates the great need in our community. It brings to mind the plight of so many community members we are able to help with our donations. There is a sadness felt when viewing the filled bus, but it also brings great pride to be a member of our community.
A donation box is being placed in West Peoria City Hall, 2506 W. Rohmann Ave. to collect your generous donations during regular office hours, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The campaign runs Nov. 6 until Nov. 30.
Non-perishable items are needed particularly in the following categories: protein, canned food items including meats, fruits, vegetables, soup as well as instant potatoes, macaroni and cheese, rice, cereal, canned milk products. Any cash donations will be used to purchase fresh meat, milk and other fresh items.
All the residents Friendship House serves live on less than $13,000 annually. This area is regarded as a food desert, an area in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good quality fresh food. Many school children go hungry on the weekends, relying on schools during the week to nourish them.
We are blessed and this is the time of year to reach out to those not as blessed. Bring your donations to City Hall between Nov. 6 and 30.