The Painted Cowgirl Market on N. Old Salem Road in Mt. Vernon is hosting a Harvest Festival & Veterans Salute this weekend, Saturday & Sunday from 9a-3p both days. The Festival will feature over 60 vendors, antique tractors, food trucks, and a blacksmith demonstration. Gwen Hails is the owner of The Painted Cowgirl Market. She says while this weekend is for her business and area vendors to come together to provide a kickoff to some great holiday shopping for the community; she says it's also about honoring those that made weekends like this possible. Cowboy Church will take place on Sunday morning at 10am on the grounds of The Painted Cowgirl Market. This is a rain or shine event.

 

The Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center, often referred to as The Amy Center, is partnering with eight Southern Illinois small businesses to host the “Sweet Treat Saturday” fundraising event on August 3rd. The local ice cream shoppes throughout The Amy Center coverage area teaming up to donate money to the child advocacy center while inviting people to enjoy a cool, sweet treat are Dairy Mart in Salem, Yellin’ Helen’s in Dix, Fat Dad’s in Louisville, Hometown Swirls in McLeansboro, C-Town Twist in Centralia, Scoops in Belle Rive, Dairy King in Breese, and the newly opened Twisted Twins in Woodlawn. People are encouraged to support these local eateries, and by doing so, will be helping to raise funds for The Amy Center.

The Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center serves seven Southern Illinois counties by providing a first responding safe place for child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse, neglect, as well as children who have witnessed trauma such as a domestic violence situation.

For more information on this event and The Amy Center’s mission, visit Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center on Facebook or call 618-244-2100.

 
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Angela & Jason hop on the radio with Big Jake to give some updates and insight to all that is happening during Mt. Vernon Fall Fest. It takes place Friday, September 27th & Saturday, September 28th in downtown Mt. Vernon on 9th Street. More details at mtvfestivals.com!

 
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Whitney Hodge joins Big Jake's show to discuss the importance of CASA to Jefferson County as well as their upcoming Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser this weekend. Learn more about CASA and how you can become an advocate for foster children in Jefferson County via this interview!

 

We are in serious need of foster parents in this area! However, just because fostering may not be the right fit for you, doesn't mean there aren't other ways to help!

As of 7/31/24, there are 176 Jefferson County children in foster care. Only 92 of those children have a CASA Advocate. The #1 reason that we are not serving 100% of the children is due to a lack of volunteers.

Our volunteers spend an average of 5-10 hours per month advocating for a foster child or set of siblings. Those hours would include meeting with the child monthly, maintaining contact with the caseworker, service providers and CASA supervisor and attending court hearings and case meetings when needed. The CASA advocate is the eyes and the ears for the judge outside of the courtroom and the voice for the child in the courtroom. A New Advocate Training class will begin in October!

 
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