Community News
Salvation Army bell ringers needed
In spite of the Covid-19 virus situation, our local Gillespie and Benld area Salvation Army Christmas fundraiser campaign will soon be underway and volunteers are again urgently needed to assist by standing at donation points in our area to receive the donations.
Our volunteers will be observing designated Covid-19 safety precautions throughout our fundraiser and volunteers will be provided personal protective equipment. Volunteers are needed every Friday and Saturday beginning Friday, November 27 through December 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Christmas day.
As with many other organizations, this is the local Salvation Army’s only fundraiser for the entire year. The funds raised locally remain in our area and are used to aid local residents with various types of need such as utilities, housing, food, medication, transportation assistance, and related categories throughout the year.
“We would like to again thank all in our community who again responded well to these needs for volunteers and donations during last year’s fund drive, none of this would be possible without your generosity,” our local Salvation Army representative Rev. Richard Hill stated.
Rev. Hill urges area residents to again be generous with their support of this year’s campaign, “because, we do not receive any funds from donations given outside our area, such as those sent directly to St. Louis Salvation Army, unless it is marked and designated for the Gillespie area”.
He further states, “We always attempt to stretch your valuable donations as far as possible by assisting with needs that are unmet by other sources or in combination with other sources. This is one of many ways that we cooperate as a community in fulfilling our theme of ‘Doing the most good’.”
The assistance is also appreciated of those in Ben-Gil Elementary, Gillespie Middle School and High School teachers, classes and organizations, Scouts, local churches and other organizations, who also assist in enlisting others to help in this important task.
Any person or group that would like to volunteer an hour or more of their time to help, man the donation points, can do so by contacting Rick Spencer at 217-621-0333 or Rev. Hill at 839-3577 or 217-851-4390 to schedule a time and location to help. Anyone wishing to make a donation by mail can do so by sending it to The Salvation Army, % Rev. Hill at P.O. Box 134, Gillespie, IL 62033.
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2:18 Missions, a nonprofit focused on home repair projects in the Gillespie area and humanitarian efforts at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, has launched a spring food drive to support families served by the Henderson Settlement Food Pantry. The pantry assists low-income families across five counties in the Appalachian region, where a steady supply of nourishing food is essential.
The organization emphasizes that no donation is too small or too large. Right now, all contributions received from now through the first week of April will directly fund food for families in need. It costs roughly $35 to provide food for a family of four for an entire month, a goal that this drive aims to meet for as many families as possible.
Donations can be made in several convenient ways. Checks or cash may be given to any 2:18 Missions team member. For those who prefer digital options, donations are accepted via Venmo or PayPal at 2:18 Missions Nfp. Community members are also encouraged to follow and engage with updates on the 2:18 Missions Facebook page.
2:18 Missions stresses that every contribution, regardless of size, makes a tangible difference in the lives of families working to make ends meet in the mountains of Kentucky and the residents of Gillespie who support their neighbors in need. The organization invites the public to join in this effort and to help spread the word through social media and word of mouth.
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The Gillespie Public Library invites the community to its 13th annual Night of Trivia and Games, a popular evening of competition, camaraderie, and cash prizes. The event is set for Saturday, March 28, 2025, with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. and play beginning at 7 p.m. at the Gillespie Civic Center.
Attendees can expect a safe, social night out as organizers have arranged tables to accommodate social distancing, ensuring guests can enjoy the fun in a comfortable setting. The evening features prizes for first, second, and third place, along with a 50-50 drawing and other assorted cash games and prizes.
In keeping with the event’s lighthearted spirit, there will be no silent auction. Organizers emphasize that the goal is “Only laughs and fun,” with a chance to win money while enjoying a friendly competition format.
Entry is a $100 team fee, with a maximum of 10 players per team. Participants are encouraged to pre-register by March 25 to guarantee a table. Registration options include mailing a form to Gillespie Public Library, 201 W Chestnut, Gillespie, IL 62033; calling the library at 217-839-3614; or contacting Steve Joyce at 217-839-2839.
For those interested in joining or learning more, team captains should designate a contact person and provide a reachable phone number during registration.
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The estate of the late Lindell and Jean Loveless, longtime Macoupin County pork producers, has made generous equal gifts to The Partnership for Educational Excellence in Gillespie CUSD #7 and to the Carlinville CUSD #1 Education Foundation. The gifts come from the remainder of a family trust established to ensure high-quality end-of-life care and were divided upon Jean Loveless’s passing, with equal shares allocated to the education foundations in each district.
Tim Loveless, local businessman and son of Lindell and Jean, emphasized the family’s enduring commitment to education and practical life skills. “It was my parents’ desire to use these remaining funds to support and enhance career and technical education programs in our schools,” Loveless said. He recalled his family’s deep roots in hard work and the value of life skills, noting that “the spirit of this gift is to prepare students for life in general, and to prepare them to earn a living by learning a trade.”
“The bottom half of the class,” Tim continued, “needs financial education and practical skills. A person can learn and earn their way to success.” He described his parents’, grandparents’, and great-grandparents’ diverse ventures—from farming and cattle to turkey production, nursing homes, meat processing, swine production, and subdivisions—and underscored that high formal education is not the sole path to success, but motivation and skill are crucial. He expressed hope that the gift will help school districts boost opportunities for students who may doubt their ability to succeed.
John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership for Educational Excellence in CUSD7, welcomed the gift as a strong alignment with the Partnership’s mission. “This Loveless family gift is a perfect fit for the established goals and policies of The Partnership,” Fassero said.
Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership has awarded nearly 600 scholarships based on goals and hard work rather than GPA or class rank. Fassero noted that the organization has several scholarships targeted to the trades, and that nearly 20 scholars have pursued trade school education in the past four years alone. “In addition, two-thirds of The Partnership’s giving is directed to curriculum enhancement across all three schools and in all specialties, including shop and FFA,” Fassero added.
