Baltic Mill Benefit: Friday, August 23, 2013

His Glory Belvidere Mission in new location with expanded focus | Belvidere Daily Republican

 

The mission just reopened at 210 N. State St., close to the intersection with Lincoln Avenue, its fourth location in those 20 years. It’s a busy place with people dropping by, looking for a job, or a place to spend the night to avoid sleeping again in their vehicle

The mission is renting the first floor of the State Street building. There are four apartments on the second floor and Norek would like to make them available to homeless people, typically for three-to-five days. But the mission doesn’t have the money right now for that to happen.

To help make that happen the pastor is working with some certified mechanics in what he’s calling “The Belvidere Mission Low Cost Car Repair Garage.”

All profits will go to help support the emergency overnight shelter program, which he has dubbed “Operation Lifeboat.”

Click on the following for more details:  His Glory Belvidere Mission in new location with expanded focus | Belvidere Daily Republican

Where do our donations go?

A friend and veteran sent me this to share.

Subject: Donations

Helping others?

As you open your pockets for the next natural disaster, please keep
these facts in mind:

American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans salary for
the year was $651,957....plus expenses.

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000 base
salary....along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per
month)....plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents
of your donated dollar goes to the cause.

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of
only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion
dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion National Commander receives $0.00 (zero) salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00
(zero) salary.

Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00
(zero) salary.

Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a
$0.00(zero) salary.

Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00
(zero) salary.

Your donations go to help Veterans, their families and youth!

Think about where you want your money going...
Please share this information.

Plea from Boone County Food Pantry

Letter to the Editor or Guest Editorial

Linda Clark, Executive Director

of the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry

“Hunger is Unacceptable in our Community “

People are surprised to learn that in this community there are people, young, elderly and in-between, who do not have the resources to feed themselves or their families adequately. That is why the Belvidere /Boone County Food Pantry exists – to aid those who need food especially on an emergency basis. We want to make sure that every person/child/family has the food they need to sustain themselves. So, we are seeking donations to help the 1500 – 2000 individuals (on average) who use our pantry every month. With this bad economic time, the number of people who need the food pantry’s assistance keeps increasing.

On September 27, I spoke to the Board of Trustees at the Belvidere Township meeting to ask them for a donation so we may continue to provide food and other necessities to the people in Belvidere Township who are live in poverty and need our help. We have not received support from the Belvidere Township in the past, but hope that will change in the future. We serve a significant number of Belvidere township residents and have been doing so for the past 7 years. Poplar Grove Township has been generous in financially assisting the pantry this past year and our hope is that the other townships in Boone County will follow their example. We need the support of all of our local governments to help us continue the services we have been providing to our clients for several years. We are not supported by any State or Federal entities. The pantry is stocked entirely by the generosity of individuals, businesses, civic groups and the faith based community. This support has sustained us for a long time, but now with the increased unemployment in our area, we need financial assistance to make sure every household receives the food and daily essentials necessary for day to day existence.

Our pledges are down, our donations of products are down, and the number of people we serve continues to rise. We need help feeding your neighbor, maybe a family member, the person you sit next to in church, or someone you work beside. Some of our past contributors are now our clients.

“It’s a Community Problem ... None of us want to see people going Hungry”

If you are willing to help, please call Linda Clark, executive director of the Belvidere/Boone County Food Pantry at 815/979-5412.

Thank you and God bless all of the generous people and businesses in Boone County who have supported us in the past.

Sincerely,

Linda Clark

Executive Director

Belvidere /Boone County Food Pantry

Illinois Attorney General - Charitable Trust Database Search—Updates

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Click on the following to find this item for yourself: 

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

Ill. diocese ends adoptions over gay rights law - Forbes.com

Is this a case of the arch-conservatism of Bishop Doran or a consensus of catholic dioceses across the state and country?

Catholic diocese in northern Illinois said Thursday that it will end its state-funded adoption and foster-care program rather than comply with a new law that would require it to place children with gay or unmarried couples, and officials said other dioceses would decide quickly whether to follow suit.

Officials from the Rockford Diocese said they were forced to terminate state contracts worth $7.5 million after lawmakers failed to pass an amendment exempting religious groups from provisions of the state's new civil unions law, which will let gay and lesbian couples form civil unions, a rough equivalent to marriage. The law takes effect June 1.

Catholic Charities wanted to be allowed to refer unmarried or gay couples to other agencies, as it has for years.

Click on the following for more details:  Ill. diocese ends adoptions over gay rights law - Forbes.com

Mural Mile’s most recent Financials

The following information is taken  from the Illinois Attorney General’s data base:  http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

 

 

Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition of Rockford (LEAC): a 501c3 Charity

The most recent financials available from Illinois Attorney General:   http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/disclaimer.html   Remember to use proper identification information.

Audited financials are available to the year ending 12-31-2008.  The following footnote is taken from that source:

Below is LEAS’s website:

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

The following description of LEAC is from the the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, a founding member of the LEAC system: http://www.whpd.org/

AIR-ONE helicopters are obtained through the U.S. Department of Defense surplus equipment program, which provides much needed equipment to law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Each aircraft is assigned to and operated by a law enforcement agency, however they are not assets of the agency or municipality. The law enforcement agencies do not "own" the aircraft, and costs of operations (i.e. fuel, maintenance, parts, hangar, insurance, etc.) are underwritten by LEAC as defined above. The air crews, including pilots, flight/observation officers and ground officers, are professional police officers, sheriff deputies and fire/rescue personnel who volunteer their time and expertise to the AIR-ONE Search & Rescue program

LEAC became controversial in 2010 as they attempted to provide salary and benefits to a full time . See: http://rockrivertimes.com/2010/05/28/board-balks-at-leac-pilot-funding/

LEAC) chief pilot position, which is held by former board member Randy Olson (R), who stepped down in November to accept the $102,500 job for which he’d served five years in a voluntary capacity

Last October, the board agreed, at LEAC’s request, that half of its $90,000 support for the program, which comes from federal grant dollars, could be used toward the chief pilot position. LEAC explained the demand for the service created a need for a full-time pilot, rather than depending on a volunteer.

Because Olson’s paychecks and benefits now come from the county, he could no longer retain his board seat. Lynne Strathman (R-1) was appointed as his successor.

In 2006, the board was asked for a “one-time” gift of $100,000 to support LEAC, which has returned each subsequent year asking for more gifts.

“It was sold to us as a one-time thing,” Gambino noted. “It was also sold to us that this was a voluntary position.”

Referring to cuts made across all departments, Gambino moved to send the matter back to committee, adding, “The operation is not, at this point in time, a necessity within our county budget, as much as we need more funds to support what we have to—and are mandated by our statutes—to provide for the citizens of Winnebago County.”

Finance Committee Chairman Tom Owens (R-1), however, noted the $25,000 in question had already been set aside in the budget, and that the amendment would simply shift the dollars from one fund to another. The transfer would shift $25,000 from “regular salaries” to “other professional services.” Owens also noted the county would see a return on its investment through proceeds from property confiscated by the LEAC operation.

Gambino was unrelenting, however.

“We can play the shell game all we want,” he said. “The bottom line is…we’ve created a position I don’t think we intended to. At this time, we can’t grow our government. We have to continue to shrink our government and provide the necessities, not luxuries.”

Gambino’s motion to send the amendment back to committee prevailed. Doug Aurand (D-3), Isidro Barrios (D-11), George Anne Duckett (D-12), Carolyn Gardner (D-9), Bob Hastings (D-13), Kay Mullins (R-8), Owens, Mel Paris (D-8), Dianne

Parvin (R-4), Strathman and David Tassoni (D-7) voted “no.”

Who is on the board?

Who’s who on the LEAC board

The Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition board of directors is made up of 18 people, and most of them are public safety professionals. Board members include several members of Rock River Valley law enforcement and often represent agencies that use and fund LEAC.
President: Joel Brumlik, chief of police, Winthrop Harbor
1st VP: Jan Noble, chief of police, Belvidere
2nd VP: John Nordigian, CEO, Norstan Inc., Kenosha, Wis.
Secretary: Michael Bitton, director of police administration, Winthrop Harbor
Treasurer: Donald L. Shriver, Law Offices of Shriver, O’Neill & Thompson, Rockford
Director: Greg Beitel, sheriff, Ogle County
Director: David Beth, sheriff, Kenosha County, Wis.
Director: Ed Burke, alderman, city of Chicago
Director: Cassie Carver, director of marketing, Lake Forest Sportscars
Director: Robert Clifford, senior partner, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago
Director: Mark Curran Jr., sheriff, Lake County
Director: Dr. Paul Galluzzo, DPM, Rockford
Director: Mark Kirschhoffer, fire chief, Newport Fire District, Wadsworth
Director: Richard Klarchek, CEO, Clear Sky Aviation, Kenosha, Wis.
Director: Randal Olson, chief pilot, Winnebago County sheriff’s office
Director: Rick Mancuso, president, Lake Forest Sportscars
Director: Todd Murray, chief of police, Byron
Director: David Snyders, sheriff, Stephenson County
Source: www.airsupport.org

Recent Press Reports:

 

The Roscoe Police Department is now involved with the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition.  Officer Theresa Rawaillot, a veteran with the Roscoe Police Department is currently in training to be a Tactical Flight Officer or TFO.    A TFO is a sworn law enforcement officer and is responsible for the operation of FLIR systems, ground communications and landing zone safety, etc.  TFO’s must pass a LEAC approved course of training to be placed on flight status.  Please check back for updates on Officer Rawaillot’s progress.

 

From:  http://www.lfsc.com/event/california.htm

Unveiling of the new Ferrari California benefiting the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition

"Freedom isn't Free"

 

Event Date 05/30/2009

Over 400 people from Chicago to the North Shore attended the first annual Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition's fundraiser "Freedom isn't Free" at Signature's Hangar at Palwaukee. In celebration of the unveiling of the new Ferrari California and in support of LEAC guests had the opportunity to bid on live auction items held by Keith Jones of Sayre and Jones Auctioneers .. items included a CitationShares Jet Card valued at $25,000, a weekend in the California Ferrari, a trip to Tom Beach in St. Barth's, an instant wine cellar ranked by Kevin Mohalley of Knightbridge Wines, ride in a L-39 Fighter jet and T-6 by Gauntlet Warbirds, VIP Casino experience for 20 provided by Horseshoe casino and many others!!   Proceeds from the event and partners raised $100K for LEAC.

While guests climed in and out of a L-39 fighter jet for a photo opportunity, Commander Dan Bitton provided a mini arial show when landing the rescue choppers right on the field where guests were able to view up close and personal. The crowd mingled end enjoyed food by Belvedere Events & Banquets while listening to DJ Joe Garrido who provided the perfect mix for the energy the room contained. 
For more information on the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition please visit www.airsupport.org

Helicopter agency ‘valuable’ for police, expensive for county

By Mike Wiser

(partial text; for complete article see:  http://www.rrstar.com/carousel/x790228713/Helicopter-agency-valuable-for-police-expensive-for-county)

Few records available
LEAC receives surplus helicopters from the Defense Department on the condition that the agency pay to maintain the helicopters and make them available to local law enforcement agencies upon request.
Tax returns show that LEAC’s expenses outweighed its revenues in 2007 and 2009. It ended last year in the red by more than $46,000. In 2009 alone, the nonprofit spent $17,752.43 for fuel, $28,473 for insurance and $113,082.34 for repairs. LEAC officials declined to give the Register Star a complete list of its public and private donors and an accounting of all the law enforcement agencies it serves.

Helicopter N854WS above an anti-war protest

St. Paul, Minnesota

At the March 19 anti-war protest at the Minnesota capitol building, we posted a photograph that was a little joke about a black helicopter flying over the protesters. Since then, with the power of zoom and google, the following information has been found about our curious friend called helicopter N854WS.

"...Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition (LEAC), which provides no-cost air support services to law enforcement and fire service agencies throughout the region. Known by their familiar air-to-ground call sign, "Air-One", LEAC helicopters are frequently called out by local agencies who would otherwise not have airborne capabilities available."

"N854WS is a privately owned Robinson R-44 Raven II helicopter. N854WS has also been equipped with a variety of law enforcement equipment to support its role within the LEAC fleet... All aircraft, when operated for LEAC missions, regardless of ownership status, are crewed by members of the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition, whom are all sworn law enforcement personal or employed by a public safety agency that is a member of the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition."

It could be that a helicopter that just happened at one time to be used by law enforcement just happened to be circling the Minnesota state capitol building that day. Or it could be that a law enforcement agency was observing the anti-war protest from a helicopter - which really was black. You be the judge.

2011-03-19 This is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.

 

FACEBOOK/Wikipedia entries

Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition, Inc.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Winthrop Harbor Police Department(WHPD) is the founding agency and coordinator of the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition (LEAC), which provides no-cost air support services to law enforcement and fire service agencies throughout the region. Known by their familiar air-to-ground call sign, "Air-One", LEAC helicopters are frequently called out by local agencies who would otherwise not have airborne capabilities available. LEAC is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, staffed by volunteers who are professionals from the aviation, law enforcement and fire service sectors.

History

LEAC began operations in 2003 with a privately owned Eurocopter EC 135 twin-engine jet helicopter, which was made available at no cost for law enforcement operations on a limited basis. Unit missions include airborne assistance with felonies in progress, searches for fleeing or lost persons, searches for downed or missing aircraft, threats to Homeland Security, and many other types of support within the capabilities of the aircraft, equipment and crew. All mission services are provided at no-cost to the requesting agency, and it is LEAC's vision to position helicopters throughout the region so that all agencies, large and small, will have this service available 24 hours a day.

In August, 2006, LEAC received its first Department of Defense surplus helicopter, a single-engine Bell OH-58C. Assignment of this helicopter, tail number N79PD, was made possible through the Illinois Law Enforcement Support Organization (LESO). Since taking delivery of N79PD in August 2006, LEAC has invested significant funds in its refurbishment, including engine overhaul, new high-skids, new paint, new avionics, police radios, a NightSun SX16 search light, and the latest technologies in thermal imaging equipment, a FLIR-Ultra-8000. together with. N79PD is primarily based at LEAC's Police Hangar in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and serves all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

LEAC adds fifth helicopter to its fleet

from:  http://blogs.e-rockford.com/kevinhaas/2011/03/21/leac-adds-fifth-helicopter-to-its-fleet/

March 21st, 2011 at 03:32pm Kevin Haas

The Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition announced today the addition of a fifth helicopter to its fleet of search and rescue aircraft.

The agency has added a twin-engine Bell HH-1N Huey. The helicopter was obtained through the federal government’s surplus program, which transfers suitable equipment to law enforcement agencies at no charge.

Photo provided by LEAC

The coalitions other four aircraft include one single-engine UH-1V Huey and three single-engine OH-58 Kiowa helicopters, which were all received through the military surplus programs without spending local tax dollars.

The newest helicopter is being stored in Rockford awaiting upgrades and the installation specialized equipment. Once completed, the aircraft will be based in Kenosha, Wis. to serve the southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois region.

Randal Olson, LEAC’s chief pilot, said this is only the second twin-engine Huey in the nation to be transferred to a local law-enforcement agency. The aircraft was originally built for the Marines and are rarely transferred, Olson said in a news release.

“The addition of the twin-engine Huey takes our capabilities to the next level,” Olson said in a news release. “This helicopter gives us the ability to perform over water search-and-rescue operations. LEAC has the only two heavy-lift helicopters available in this
region, outside of the military, and can offer quicker availability in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies.”

Northern Illinois Tourism Council< Belvidere, Illinois

Although no longer operating—the Northern Illinois Tourism’s financials for FY 2009 were filed in July 2010 and are available.

The audited financial statements as of 6-30-2009  are available at: 

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

NORTHERN ILLINOIS TOURISM COUNCIL

Reg. Number:
01055769

EIN:
363133417

As shown by the balance sheet below, the net worth of the Council was $38K.

The Council’s Income was basically grants from the State (shown below) apparently with the state’s financial crisis those sources stopped.

 

Executive Director Salary—$56,400

2006 Hyundai Sonata

* Saving Money: 101 *: FREE YMCA Membership for Boone County (IL) Residents 12 and Under

The following was taken from the blog of a Y-member:

Thursday, January 13, 2011

FREE YMCA Membership for Boone County (IL) Residents 12 and Under

I am a member of the Belvidere, IL YMCA and I had no idea that they had this great program going on until I received a newsletter yesterday.  This program has been in effect since January of 2010.  Any youth, 12 and under, who reside in Boone county can receive a YMCA membership AT NO COST!  What a wonderful program!  If you want to check out what the Belvidere YMCA has to offer, you can go here.  They have already granted about 1,000 free memberships to youth and this program is sponsored by the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and the United Way of Boone County.  If you live in Boone County and have kids under 12 go check this out!  If you live in a different county, why not check and see if your local YMCA is offering this same program?
Also, if you are already a member and want to refer a friend to join the YMCA, they are offering a program that will get the joiner fee waived  ($100 savings) for your friend and a free month of membership for yourself.  If you are interested in joining the YMCA - I would be happy to refer you for a waived joiner fee, just let me know!

Click on the following to view the website directly:  * Saving Money: 101 *: FREE YMCA Membership for Boone County (IL) Residents 12 and Under

Illinois Police Association (IPA), Elmwood Park

 

As shown by the most recent filing with the State Attorney General Office the majority  of this organization’s fund raising is spent on  fundraising. Total Revenue from all sources was $928K (Item G). Of that $823K was raised through professional fundraisers (Item P), $ 690K was fundraising fee and expenses (Item Q) leaving the charity only $133K to use (Item R).

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Footnote #2 of the audited statements supplies the name and details of these professional fundraising activities. Community Safety LLC has been contracted for “telemarketing to the general public”. IPA received 18% of all amounts collected. Visible Production has been contracted for “communicating a public service message and procuring Association supporters.”  IPA received 20% of all amounts collected. Community Support, Inc. conducts  “residential  appeal to seek support and to supply information to interested individuals”. The Association received 12% of all amounts collected. Prime Projects has been contracted “for the purposes of communicating a program, depending on the date of the contribution, service message and procuring Association support” The Association received 16% of all amounts collected.  Statewide Fundraising, Inc. has been contracted for “communicating a program service message and procuring Association support. The Association receives 17% of all amounts collected.

 

The audited financial statements as of 7-31-2010  are available at: 

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

 

ILLINOIS POLICE ASSOCIATION INC

Reg. Number:
01005538

EIN:
362158895

D.A.R.E. America—Inglewood , CA

This is the national D.A.R.E. organization.

This information along with the audited financial statements of the charity are available at: 

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

D.A.R.E. AMERICA

Reg. Number:
01045289

EIN:
954242541

Click on the following photocopy for more details:

 

It does engage in lobbying activities.

 

Here are the salaries for key officials.

Related Party Transactions

 

From audited 12-31-2009 statements

Koch’s “Americans for Prosperity Foundation”

The Koch Brother’s involvement with Wisconsin Governor Walker and the anti-union movement for state workers is now fairly well document.  Here is some information available based upon the Illinois Attorney General’s data base for charities.

All of this information was obtained at: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FOUNDATION

Reg. Number:
01027277

EIN:
521527294

 

Audited statement as December 31, 2009 are available at the above database.

 

As shown by this filing brother, David E. Koch, is Chairman of the Americans for Prosperity Foundation.

Income for the five years ending December 31, 2009 is shown below.  2009 income were a high of $10.4 million the average

 

Challenger Learning Center for Science and Technolgy—Woodstock, IL

Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology

222 Church Street
Woodstock, ILLINOIS  60098

 

Steve Otten, Executive Director—$72,000 plus $7,786 benefits.

All of this information was obtained at: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Reg. Number:
01040225

EIN:
364382447

Audited statement as of June 30, 2009 are available at the above database.

Tinker Swish Cottage, Inc.

Beverly Broyles, Executive Director,  $41,532 (2009)

All of this information was obtained at: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

TINKER SWISS COTTAGE, INC.

Reg. Number:
01022098

EIN:
366110280

Audited statements as of 12-31-2009 are available on the above mention data base.

Swedish American Health System Corporation

Dr. Gorski”s compensation of $1.36 million but includes “catch-up” of some benefits.  See the other key officials on the first photocopy.  the second photocopy speaks of Dr. Gorski’s cath-up.

All of this information was obtained at: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

SWEDISHAMERICAN HEALTH SYSTEM CORPORATION

Reg. Number:
01013809

EIN:
363241458

Audited 5-31-2009 statements are available at the above mentioned site.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

 

 

Swedish-American Hospital Association

Salaries for key officials (2008) are shown on the three photocopies shown below.

All of this information was obtained at: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

SWEDISH - AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

Reg. Number:
01007519

EIN:
362222696

Audited 5-31-2009 statements are available at the above mentioned site.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge.

 

Rockford Health Physicians

Salaries for key officials (2008) are shown on the two photocopies shown below.

All of this information was obtained at: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/index.jsp

The proper name of the organization for search purposes is:

ROCKFORD HEALTH PHYSICIANS

Reg. Number:
01032122

EIN:
363907436

Audited 12-31-2008 statements are available at the above mentioned site.