The holiday season is fast approaching, and charities and businesses are gearing up to help local residents in need. Don’t miss the Matthew 5:42 Ministries clothing giveaway and resource fair at First Christian Church on Saturday, November 16th. Local businesses, including Prairie Chicken Haus, Blissful Branch Boutique, and Johnsons Hub, are hosting Christmas Open Houses on November 15th, 16th, and 17th to kick off the holiday season. Attendees can register to win door prizes and gift baskets while enjoying treats and beverages. Browse through some of the upcoming events in Kewanee below. If you have an event you want posted, contact Jennifer at [email protected], or add to our events page at https://www.regionalmedianews.com/submit-your-event.
Matthew 5:42 Ministries and the First Christian Church of Kewanee are hosting a Community Resource Fair and Winter Clothing Giveaway on November 16, 2024. The event will take place at 105 Dwight Street from 10 AM to 2 PM. It’s an opportunity to connect with local resources, explore employment opportunities, and receive winter clothing. Everyone is welcome. Volunteers are desperately needed to set up the tables on November 15th. Contact Steven Franklin at 309-883-2848 or Paula Gradert at 309-714-4515 to donate or volunteer. Volunteering for Matthew 5:42 qualifies as community service hours.
Various agencies from the Kewanee area will be on hand to answer questions or provide assistance to those in need.
Matthew 5:42 is only accepting children’s outdoor gear, such as coats, gloves, hats, and boots. They also need dressers and beds of any size.
The Next Generation for Christ is inviting the community to a Thanksgiving dinner on November 22, 2024, at the First Christian Church, 105 Dwight Street, Kewanee. The event will run from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Showers will be available from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and transportation can be arranged. For more information, contact 309-883-2848.
Kewanee is set to host its 18th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 8th. The event, starting at 5:00 PM, will begin at the former Tenney Bowl parking lot. The parade, featuring Santa Claus, will proceed along McClure Street and conclude at Windmont Park with a lighting ceremony. Participants are encouraged to create festive floats. The Kewanee Chamber of Commerce is accepting parade entries until December 6th. Email the form to [email protected] or drop the form off at the office at 113 E. 2nd Street. Contact the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce office at 309-852-2175 for questions or information.
Details and entry forms are available on the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce website. Get into the spirit of the season and be a part of this cherished local tradition. Don’t miss out on the magic of this luminous celebration!
On Saturday, December 7th, the festive spirit takes a furry twist at the Chrome Gypsy Compound. From 2 to 4 PM, Friends of the Animals is inviting families to capture holiday memories with a special photo opportunity. Both children and beloved pets can pose with Santa Claus. Each picture will cost $10, creating a perfect keepsake for this joyous season. The event promises to be a delightful mix of wagging tails and bright smiles, perfect for those looking to add a little extra sparkle to their holiday celebrations. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to commemorate the holiday season with the whole family, pets included! The $10 donation will help Friends of the Animals pay emergency medical bills for pets in the area. The Chrome Gypsy Compound is located at 600 N. Lexington Street in Kewanee. The parking lot entrance is off Madison Avenue.
Miss World Festival Queens are accepting donations of teddy bears or new toys for their yearly Toy Drive through December 17, 2023. The organization collects toys and donations to kick off the holiday giving season and delivers the toys to children in the Children’s Hospital of Illinois (St. Jude Midwest Affiliate). If you would like to donate, visit their Facebook Page or call Jeanna Moore at 309-540-8588 or Stephanie Smith at 309-883-9031. The toys will be delivered to the children on December 22, 2024.
As the holiday season approaches, Patchy’s Red White & Blue Christmas Toy Drive is calling for community support to provide for children in need. With a significant number of requests for warm clothing, underwear, and socks, organizers encourage the public to choose tags from the Salvation Army Angel Tree, set to be displayed at Walmart starting November 16, 2024. Donations are accepted at designated locations, and those recently unemployed are urged to reach out for assistance. The Angel Tree sign-ups are ongoing until November 15th, available both online and at The Salvation Army Kewanee 360 Life Center. For more details, visit saangeltree.org or contact the organizers directly.
Local teens receive a bag of goodies and supplies as part of the toy drive. When you donate an item from the list, you will be entered to win an iPad through November 22nd. They need the following donations: shampoo, body wash, make-up bags, lotions, body sprays, or any other personal hygiene products. You can drop off donations to Farmers Insurance—Amber Patch-Troxell, 237 Tenney Street, Kewanee, Illinois 61443.
In Kewanee, a Senior Angel Gift Drive is underway at two locations. Residents are invited to pick up an angel at Top Gem, located at 109 West 2nd Street, or EZT at 813 East 3rd Street. Participants are asked to return their gift bags by December 13th. The goal is to fulfill all 131 gift tags to ensure a joyful Christmas for local seniors.
Visitation Catholic School’s Builders Club is conducting a Hygiene Drive to support Patchy’s Red White & Blue Christmas. This initiative aims to provide Christmas gifts, including essential hygiene products, to local children and teens. Donations of items such as skincare products, body care, oral care, hair care, and other essentials can be dropped off at the school during regular business hours or sent with a student until December 6, 2024. You can ship a donation to Visitation Catholic School, 107 S. Lexington Avenue, Kewanee, IL 61443, Attention: Erin Stevenson.
Abilities Plus in Kewanee, invites the community to their Holiday Open House on December 8th, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at 1100 North East Street. The event features hand-decorated wreaths, raffle items, baked goods, and holiday gifts for purchase. Attendees can also take a Christmas-themed photo for a suggested donation of three dollars, which includes a digital copy and a goodie bag. Refreshments will be served.
As the community gears up for the annual Abilities Plus Holiday Open House on December 8th, organizers are calling on residents to contribute to the event’s success. Donations of baked goods are warmly welcomed to add festive cheer. Additionally, there is a call for items that can be included in the raffle. Those who have gifts to share or treats to spare are encouraged to bring their contributions to the event, helping ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone attending. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community, showcase local talent, and celebrate the season of giving. For more information, contact 309-852-4626 or [email protected].
Bryan Blanks, a WHS alumnus active in Peoria’s theater scene, announces the 2024 Christmas Extravaganza in Kewanee, a special event dedicated to the memory of Brock Tumbleson, on December 15, 2024, at 2 PM, at the First Congregational Church. This festive celebration, organized to benefit the Salvation Army of Kewanee, will feature local talents alongside performers from Peoria, showcasing a mix of singing, acting, and dancing. The afternoon aims to honor Brock’s legacy through artistic expression. Interested singers, actors, and dancers, including adults, kids, and students, are encouraged to reach out to Bryan at [email protected] to join this heartwarming tribute.
The First Congregational Church is located at 224 W. Prospect Street.
