DANVILLE – Giving Tuesday is Dec. 1, and State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is encouraging those who are able to give back to their communities on this charitable occasion.

“As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, so does the need for help from local charitable organizations,” Bennett said. “There’s something everyone can do to help, whether it is donating to a good cause, volunteering your time to help others in our community, or simply showing acts of kindness.”

Giving Tuesday, created in 2012 as a day to encourage people to do good, has since grown into a global movement for charitable giving on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Bennett encourages folks willing and able to consider reaching out to a local charitable organization to ask how they can help. These organizations may include animal shelters, blood banks, or other groups serving children and youth, artists, small businesses, restaurant workers, homeless individuals, and more.

Additionally, Bennett is hosting two drives to benefit those in Champaign and Vermilion Counties, which supports the Giving Tuesday initiative.

Bennett’s Champaign office is collecting new backpacks, hygiene supplies, long underwear, and socks for C-U at Home through Friday, Dec. 18. A collection box is located outside of his office in Champaign, located at 45 E. University, Suite 206.

Bennett’s Danville office is collecting homemade and store-bought cards, to help spread some holiday cheer, which will be sent to the residents at Gardenview Manor and Danville Care Center. Cards can be delivered to the collection box outside of Bennett’s Danville office, located at 201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323 through Monday, Dec. 14.

For more information on Bennett’s holiday drives, contact his Champaign office at 217-355-5252 or Danville office at 217-442-5252. For more information on the Giving Tuesday initiative, visit https://hq.givingtuesday.org.

CHAMPAIGN – As snow-and-ice season nears, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) joins the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police in reminding drivers to take steps to prepare themselves to navigate the winter driving season safely.

“Winter weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to check current road conditions before heading out,” Bennett said. “If you don’t need to be on the roads, consider canceling your travel plans. If you can’t avoid driving, plan ahead and make sure you have an emergency kit in your vehicle.”

CHAMPAIGN – Small Business Saturday is this Saturday, Nov. 28, and State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is encouraging Champaign and Vermilion County residents to keep their dollars in the community by shopping and buying local this holiday season.

“Small businesses have been the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, making Small Business Saturday more vital than ever,” Bennett said. “I encourage folks to patronize our local businesses during the holiday shopping season to help our community and economy move forward from this crisis.” 

Bennett reminds residents that Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate and support the small, family-run shops that do so much throughout the year for the community. Bennett added that supporting small does not just mean shopping at brick-and-mortar stores. Residents can show their support through online sales, ordering carryout from a locally owned restaurant or buying a gift card for a friend.

Additionally, if money is tight due to the financial concerns relating to the pandemic, people can follow their social media, recommend them to friends and leave positive reviews.

Bennett is also reminding struggling small businesses that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has launched the second round of the Business Interruption Grant program, which will distribute $220 million to small businesses hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic, including movie theaters, event venues, hotels and more. Learn more and apply here.

DANVILLE – To uplift the residents at local long-term care facilities and spread holiday cheer, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is collecting holiday cards to deliver to the residents at Gardenview Manor and Danville Care.

“This holiday season will be especially challenging for folks living at long-term care facilities,” Bennett said. “With the holidays being celebrated differently this year, we have to be a bit more creative to show support and compassion to our seniors.”

Bennett is encouraging Vermilion County residents to write cards, which can be homemade or store-bought, to help spread some holiday cheer during this difficult time.

“I will be delivering these cards to the residents so they feel a sense of community this holiday season,” Bennett said. “Please take a few minutes of your time and send a card to an older neighbor in our community.”

Bennett is also encouraging kids to participate and make homemade cards.

Cards can be delivered to Bennett’s Danville office through Monday, Dec. 14:

State Senator Scott Bennett

201 N. Vermilion St., Suite 323

Danville, IL 61832

For more information or to arrange a separate pick-up time, call Betty at 217-442-5252 or visit SenatorBennett.com. 

CHAMPAIGN – To help residents stay warm this winter, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is launching a holiday drive to benefit the folks at C-U at Home.

“Homeless service providers, like C-U at Home, are facing a long list of needs during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bennett said. “Unfortunately, the need for these items will not go away this year because even more people are in need of help due to job loss stemming from the ongoing public health crisis.”

C-U at Home is in particular need of new backpacks, hygiene supplies, long underwear, and socks. These items are urgently needed to meet the needs for homeless individuals in the community. 

“These items can help individuals brave the cold to work toward a home of their own,” Bennett said. “This drive is a great opportunity to give back to those in need.”   

Starting Monday, Nov. 23, residents can drop off donations to the collection box outside of Senator Bennett’s office in Champaign, located at 45 E. University, Suite 206 through Friday, Dec. 18. Bennett reminds those donating to wear a mask in the building and practice social distancing.

CHAMPAIGN – The Pavilion Behavioral Health System in Champaign will receive $200,000 in Residential Capital Improvement Grants to serve more at-risk youth, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) announced Friday.

“When a child – especially a child in the care of DCFS – needs medical help, they should never have to wait,” Bennett said. “I’m happy DCFS is making this investment in the Pavilion Behavioral Health System to help it expand its mission.”

Through the Residential Capital Improvement Grants, administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, six residential and group home service providers across the state will receive a combined $866,000 to increase their bed capacity and improve physical facilities to support medically complex youth and youth with severe mental health issues.

In recent years, the state has lost more than 500 residential beds. The grant program is meant to help fill this gap and reduce wait times.

The Pavilion Behavioral Health System will receive $200,000 for a four-bed expansion to serve adolescent males and females.

SPRINGFIELD – In recognition of the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse on Nov. 19, State Senators Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) are applauding efforts by communities and child protection services professionals around the world who work to prevent child abuse and neglect.

“On this day, we celebrate the important role communities play in protecting children from abuse,” Bennett said. “It’s a reminder that it is our everyday task to put forth our efforts toward strengthening families and preventing abuse and neglect so that our children have a safe place to grow.”

CHAMPAIGN – In observance of World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse on Nov. 19, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) expressed his thanks to child protection services professionals who work to prevent child abuse and neglect.

“On this day, we celebrate the important role communities play in protecting children from abuse,” Bennett said. “It’s a reminder that it is our everyday task to put forth our efforts toward strengthening families and preventing abuse and neglect so that our children have a safe place to grow.”

Dating back to 2000, the first World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse was launched by the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF). WWSF joined hands with an international coalition of advocacy organizations for women and children’s issues, and together, they started a movement to mobilize governments and societies to take action and prevent child abuse.

The purpose of the day is to encourage governments and civic organizations to play a more active role in the promotion of and respect for the rights of the child, especially with regards to the issue of child abuse and the need for effective prevention programs.

According to WWSF, child abuse, especially sexual abuse, is a universal and alarming problem, and increased attention, efficient protection skills and prevention measures are necessary at the family, local, national and international level. 

“We have to do everything we can to ensure parents have the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to care for their children,” Bennett said. “We can then prevent child abuse, and in turn, create strong and thriving children and families in our community.”