“Twenty dollars for a baseball might not seem like a lot to you, but it means the world to a kid that has nothing. I see a lot of those kids. I work for the Juvenile Court Services Department in Rock Island County,” said David VanLandegen.

The Community Foundation grants both Rock Island and Scott counties $1,000 each year for discretionary use in the juvenile court system. Mr. Vanlandegen says the money allows the court system to do little things that end up making a big difference. “That baseball mitt might have been what was keeping a young man from being productive – without it he couldn’t participate in baseball, and resorted to getting in to trouble instead. Maybe a teenage girl is doing really well and making good friends. We can help her buy a dress to go to that dance.”

He also says that the children he works with are surprised to see that acts of kindness and generosity come from a judge! The funds allow our offices and Judge John McClean in Illinois and Judge John Mullen in Iowa to provide some of our most needy families with what most of us take for granted – a place to live and the simple ability to see each other.”

Field of Interest Funds

A Field of Interest Fund is often established by individuals, families and organizations to support particular charitable interests, specific to program initiatives, causes or geographic areas. Use of this type of fund is restricted to a specified area of interest, but flexibility remains to meet changing situations.