Operation Round Up

The number of youth facing homelessness has been growing at an alarming rate.

In Youth In Need's service area, the number of homeless students increased 114 percent over the last seven school years, from 5,886 (2009-2010) to 12,599 (2016-2017). These numbers include counts of 803 homeless students in St. Charles County, 409 in Warren County and 100 in Lincoln County.

A smile is worth a thousand words, some say. And when children leave a Give Kids A Smile clinic, their smile is a little brighter.

Hundreds of disadvantaged children throughout the St. Louis area are benefiting from the free dental clinics offered by Give Kids A Smile twice a year.

Volunteers with the Salvation Army-Lincoln County Unit are entering their busiest stretch of the year.

They are currently holding the “Coats for the Cold” project and are finalizing preparations for the Red Kettle campaign.

“We do what we can to help others,” said Phyllis Cross, who serves as the group’s co-chair.

On a recent stormy Saturday, area veterans gathered to provide other special veterans with an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing while away from a hospital or group home setting.

When Kathy Thompson first started working at LINC St. Charles County, she saw an early childhood center that was in need of some improvements.

“Thirteen years ago, it was more like babysitting,” recalled Thompson, the executive director at the Wentzville-based agency. “Now over the past three to five years, it has become more preparation for kindergarten.”

The Cuivre River Electric Community Trust Board is funding a record amount of college scholarships in 2018.

This year, 70 students from the cooperative’s four-county service area are receiving scholarships totaling $69,750.

Later this year, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County officials and volunteers will trade in their hammers and hard hats and celebrate the completion of a new home.

The Cuivre River Electric Community Trust will have played a role when they keys are passed to the new homeowners.

The Cuivre River Electric Community Trust Board has awarded a $1,000 Operation Round Up grant to help make sure nutritious lunches reach Lincoln County senior citizens.

The funds will be used to offset expenses related to maintaining the organization’s vehicle fleet for its “Wheels for Meal” program.

Thousands of children and adults will journey to Wonderland Camp this summer to have a safe, fun experience.

A group from Pike County is eager for their summertime fun. For some, it might mean the first time to be away from their family or caregivers.

The Cuivre River Electric Community Trust Board has awarded a $3,040 Operation Round Up grant to St. Charles County YMCA for financial assistance with their youth camp programs.