This year’s cohort of area students in the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow (T4T) program has awarded $29,500 to six local nonprofits. This total includes $18,500 the students raised through their direct work with donors.
“The T4T program gives young people an opportunity to lead real change right here in our community,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, the Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “This cohort did exactly that. They worked together, met with donors, learned from nonprofits and ultimately made some big decisions that will positively impact our community.”
A group photo of teens who participated in the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow program.
In the program, teens learn about fundraising and running a nonprofit through idea-sharing and mentoring with Community Foundation leaders. They also have opportunities for leadership training and public speaking.
The grant process included reviewing applications, site visits, interviews and donor visits. The organizations awarded grants focused on various causes, from food insecurity to health care access.
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The following six nonprofits received Teens for Tomorrow funding this year:
- Bethany for Children & Families: Give Kids a Smile Mobile Dental Clinic Support — $5,000
- Project NOW, CAA: Project NOW General Operating Support — $6,500
- River Bend Food Bank: River Bend Food Bank School Backpack Program — $2,000
- Salvation Army – Quad Cities: Hygiene/Household Supplies Program Support — $3,000
- Tapestry Farms: Tapestry Farms program support — $5,000
- World Relief Quad Cities: World Relief Quad Cities general operating support — $8,000
Quad-Cities high school students brainstorm during Teens for Tomorrow.
The Community Foundation is accepting applications for next year’s T4T program. Teens interested in learning about the program can visit www.QCCommunityFoundation.org/t4t.
A growing number of states are working to keep food out of landfills over concerns that it is taking up too much space and posing environmental problems. New York is requiring supermarkets and other businesses to redirect food to food pantries instead of throwing it out.
PHOTOS: Canine Blood Bank of Quad-Cities asks for doggy donors
Monica German hugs Kona the Boxer as she kisses her wife, Kim Ledezma, in the Animal Emergency Center lobby before Kona gives blood on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. The emergency center houses the Canine Blood Bank of the Quad Cities, which also provides blood to other area animal clinics and hospitals. “We give because you never know when you may need those services yourself,” German said.
Katelyn Metzger
Kona, 6, finds a sunspot to warm her face at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. She is a trained therapy dog that visits hospitals, nursing homes and schools with her owner Monica Golden and the Quad Cities Dog Obedience Club Therapy Dog Team and has given blood three times already this year. With her last donation, her plasma saved a dog that was poisoned by rat bait.
Katelyn Metzger
Lori West, a vet assistant the Animal Emergency Center, escorts Kona to the observation room for a quick checkup before donating blood on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf.
Katelyn Metzger
Dr. Julie Klauer and vet assistant Madison Thompson give Kona a routine checkup before she is sedated at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. Thompson said if something looked even a little off, they won’t sedate the dog.
Katelyn Metzger
Thompson fills a syringe of sedation medication for Kona at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. Kona is given just enough medication for a short and very light sedation.
Katelyn Metzger
Thompson administers sedation medication at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. “There is a lot of concerns over sedation,” Thompson said. “But we do physical examines and run bloodwork every year.”
Katelyn Metzger
Thompson makes Kona comfortable by taking off her collar on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The vet team will use the smallest amount of sedation necessary and will keep specific records for future sedations. “We will try something different and adjust as we go for the best possible outcome,” Dr. Klauer said.
Katelyn Metzger
Thompson shaves Kona’s left jugular vein at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. A dog can donate blood every six weeks.
Katelyn Metzger
Dr. Klauer inserts the needle to draw blood at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. A towel is placed over Kona’s head to reduce outer stimulation bothering her while giving blood.
Katelyn Metzger
The vet team watches over Kona as she gives blood within 15 minutes. During one donation, 450 grams of blood and plasma is collected.
Katelyn Metzger
Thompson applies pressure and wraps the needle prick on Kona’s neck. Dogs must have DEA-negative blood, which is also known as the universal donor blood type in canines. The emergency center will only accept DEA-negative blood and will type the dog’s blood, which is the first step to donating.
Katelyn Metzger
Dr. Klauer clips the blood bag at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday. “We like to keep two bags of packed red blood cells at all times,” said Thompson. “Ideally, we will use it before it expires.”
Katelyn Metzger
West and Thompson offer a comforting touch to Kona as she slowly wakes from sedation at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The whole process takes about an hour to sedate, draw blood and wake the dog.
Katelyn Metzger
Thompson shows off Kona’s blood donation blood tag at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. Donors will receive a special tag to honor the work that they have done.
Katelyn Metzger
Thompson and West package Kona’s donated blood into a cooler. Blood will be taken to Impact Blood and separated into packed red blood cells and plasma. Packed red blood cells will be stored in the refrigerator for up to 42 days. Plasma, however, can be stored in the freezer for up to three years.
Katelyn Metzger
Kona greets her owners (who are wearing donor shirts similar to donation tags) after she gives blood at the Animal Emergency Center on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Bettendorf. Owners and dogs are gifted with a treat bag and a gift card to PetSmart for volunteering to give blood.
Katelyn Metzger
