The Illinois Department Commerce and Economic Opportunity  is encouraging Illinois communities in southeastern Illinois to submit their entries for the 2012 Governor’s Hometown Awards competition. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the annual event which recognizes those volunteers whose hard work and dedication greatly improve their communities. The deadline to submit applications for consideration is July 16..

“The people in communities throughout the state are what make Illinois great,” Governor Quinn said. “These awards recognize people who are giving back to their communities and helping us build a stronger Illinois for future generations.”

Awards are given based on population in six project categories: services and mentorship, beautification and sustainability, parks and recreation, memorials and monuments, history and historic preservation, and general projects.

A local group is trying to help tornado victims in southern Illinois by collecting furniture, cleaning supplies and other much needed items.  There’s a semi-trailer at the Mt. Carmel City Swimming pool parking lot to gather items through Friday, March 16.

Furniture is among the most wanted items, but organizer Debbie Wankel says the Salvation Army is asking not to bring run-down or broken furniture.  If you bring furniture, you will need someone with you to help load it.

“They are low on furniture and had no beds,” said Wankel in an email.  “They need any kinds of furniture or appliances that work (along with) everything from window cleaning supplies and dusting spay to shovels and wheel barrows and 10 x 20 ft tarps.. Brooms, mops, rakes, and hammers.”

Four churches including two from the Carmi area participated in preparation of nearly 25,000 meals to ship to Nicaragua on Saturday.  They were part of the Kids Against Hunger program.

The packages contain staples such as rice, vegetables, soy, protein and bullion.  Each was designed to feed six people.

Carmi First Christian Church Youth Minister Scott Grey said each package contains rice, vegetables, soy, protein and a chicken-flavored bullion and contains enough food to feed six people.