Giving Back series

Mary K. Mitchell of North Liberty, loads part of $2700 in groceries in the parking lot of Aldi in Iowa City that were purchased by the Optimist Club of North Liberty on Monday, December 17, 2012. The food will be given to the North Liberty Family Resource Center for distribution to 70-80 families. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Optimist Club makes holidays cheery for families

Editor’s note: This story is the sixth and final in a series highlighting how local business, organizations, churches and schools give back this holiday season. Related: Cedar Rapids Xavier students volunteer with ESL program One path, one goal for three Cedar Rapids Girl Scouts Help-Portrait a gift for those in need New beds, linens donated [...]

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Shannon Mulcahey, 17, a Cedar Rapids Xavier junior, colors with Maria Caballero, 10 (from left), Michelle Bender, 10, and Arianna Gonzalez, 7, while their parents attend an ESL class at Hoover Elementary School on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, in Cedar Rapids. Mulcahey, who was born in Ecuador and took ESL classes in elementary school, is one of the Xavier students who volunteer at the program. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)

Cedar Rapids Xavier students volunteer with ESL program

Fun in any language

Editor’s note: This story is the fifth in a series highlighting how local business, organizations, churches and schools give back this holiday season. The series will run every Tuesday in the Community section through Dec. 25. Related: One path, one goal for three Cedar Rapids Girl Scouts Help-Portrait a gift for those in need New [...]

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Photographer Justin Torner shows Marcella and Marcus Richie of Iowa City their family photo during a test run for the Iowa City Help Portrait project Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 at the Shelter House in Iowa City. HELP Portrait is a global movement of photographers who donate their time, gear and expertise to give back to those in need. On Saturday Dec. 8th photographers will set up studios at the Wesley Center in Iowa City to photograph those who couldn't afford a studio portrait.  (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

Help-Portrait a gift for those in need

Photographers donate services to those unable to afford a professional portrait

Editor’s note: This story is the third in a series highlighting how local business, organizations, churches and schools give back this holiday season. The series will run every Tuesday in the Community section through Dec. 25. Related: Giving Eastern Iowa veterans a hand – literally New beds, linens donated to Eastern Iowans in need IOWA CITY [...]

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CUTLINE: Dave Loy, left, director of Partnership for Safe Families, and the Rev. Brenda Mitchell of Community of Christ, pose with some of the bedding the congregation has collected for Slumberland’s Making Homes for the Holidays program. Twenty-two brand-new beds and bedding will be delivered to Eastern Iowans in need on Dec. 5. (Meredith Hines-Dochterman/The Gazette)

New beds, linens donated to Eastern Iowans in need

Partnership for Safe Families and Four Oaks work with Slumberland to help local families

Editor’s Note: This story is the second in a series highlighting how local business, organizations, churches and schools give back this holiday season. The series will run every Tuesday in the Community section through Dec. 25.     HIAWATHA – A long’s winters nap will be more comfortable for several Eastern Iowans. For nearly 20 years, [...]

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Hands in Harmony Giving Back2

Giving Eastern Iowa veterans a hand – literally

Massage therapists at Hands in Harmony provide free therapy for veterans

Editor’s Note: This story is the first in a series highlighting how local businesses, organizations, churches and schools give back this holiday season. The series will run every Tuesday in the Community section through Dec. 25.   CEDAR RAPIDS — So often we hear stories of lending a hand to someone in need. The massage [...]

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