The Rock Island Elks Education Department

 
 

Quad Cities Suzuki to Host Reception Thursday, March 27, at 12 p.m.

(ROCK ISLAND, IL - March 21, 2008 -) The Rock Island Elks Education Department will reward twenty-four area children, age 8 to 17, for earning good grades in school by sending them on a trip to Disney World next month. The trip is part of the “Dreams Come True” program created by the Elks Education Department to serve at risk students with financial needs.

“We try to provide interesting, educational experiences that give students an incentive to focus on academics and stay away from the negative influences like gangs and drugs,” said Elks Educational Director Ruben Moore, Jr., who is also a security officer at Davenport North High School.

Local organizations including the Rock Island Housing Authority, the Martin Luther King Center, the Mount Zion Baptist Church, and the Quad City Scholars Mentoring Group nominated children from their after hours programs to participate in the Disney trip.

Students and chaperones will fly from Moline to Orlando, Florida, April 5, where they will spend three days at Disney World, and stay at the fun-filled All Star Music Hotel on the Disney property. Airfare, food, lodging, and a 3-Day “Park Hopper Pass” to Disney World for each youngster and chaperone, are provided.

“These students need to believe that if they try hard and make good choices, their dreams can come true,” Mr. Moore said. “You’ve heard the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Well, we’re the villagers.”

Quad Cities Suzuki will host a Disney party send-off for the students Thursday, March 27, at 12:00 p.m. in the Quad Cities Suzuki showroom. John Palmer, owner of Quad Cities Suzuki, will present the Elks with (36) 3-Day Park Hopper Passes.

 “I congratulate these students on a job well done,” Mr. Palmer said. “Quad Cities Suzuki will continue to support you and the Elks Education Department in any way we can. Keep up the good work!”

Since January the Elks Education Department has raised nearly $24,000 for the Dreams Come True program.

“We appreciate the many individuals and organizations that have come forward to help, including Wells Fargo Bank, AirTran, Quad City International Airport, The Links, Picture Perfect Travel, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Friends of Mike Jacobs, and Quad Cities Suzuki, and many others,” Mr. Moore said.

“If we can influence even a few at risk students to stay in school, graduate, and go on to college, it will be worth it.” 

In 2009 the Elks plan to take children to Washington, D.C. To support the Dreams Come True program please contact Ruben Moore, Jr., 563-349-1760.

 

About Rock Island Elks Education Department

C/O Ruben Moore, Jr., Education Director
P.O. Box 6836, Rock Island, IL   Ph. 563-349-1760

The Rock Island Elks Education Department is part of the Rock Island Elks Lodge, which has been located near downtown Rock Island for over 30 years.

Under the direction of Ruben Moore for the last eight years, the department has provided more than $50,000 in scholarships to local students, and supported numerous educational activities. The department has a diverse volunteer committee of community members and educators dedicated to promoting positive educational experiences for underprivileged youth. They work collaboratively with Iowa and Illinois schools, community organizations and businesses to broaden educational opportunities for area youth.

The Elks Education Department’s activities promote diversity and multicultural awareness that not only benefits our participating youth, but also benefits the QuadCity Community as a whole.

There are no administrative costs associated with the Rock Island Elks Education Department, which allows funds to go directly toward educational activities.