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CASA of Jefferson County

Whitney Hodge joins Big Jake's show to discuss the importance of CASA to Jefferson County as well as their upcoming Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser this weekend. Learn more about CASA and how you can become an advocate for foster children in Jefferson County via this interview!

 

We are in serious need of foster parents in this area! However, just because fostering may not be the right fit for you, doesn't mean there aren't other ways to help!

As of 7/31/24, there are 176 Jefferson County children in foster care. Only 92 of those children have a CASA Advocate. The #1 reason that we are not serving 100% of the children is due to a lack of volunteers.

Our volunteers spend an average of 5-10 hours per month advocating for a foster child or set of siblings. Those hours would include meeting with the child monthly, maintaining contact with the caseworker, service providers and CASA supervisor and attending court hearings and case meetings when needed. The CASA advocate is the eyes and the ears for the judge outside of the courtroom and the voice for the child in the courtroom. A New Advocate Training class will begin in October!

 
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Jim & Teresa Phelan

JIm & Teresa join Big Jake's show this morning to chat about the science experiment in the sky that is piloting a hot air balloon. Be sure to get out and see Good Greeph or Blu E'nuff this weekend at Foundation Park in Centralia for the 35th Balloon Fest! Get more details at https://centraliachamber.com/balloon-fest and be sure to buy those wristbands!

 
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United Way of South Central Illinois 8/13/24

Nat & Sandy Shook with United Way of South Central Illinois join Big Jake to chat about their Stuff The Bus School Supply Donation, Food Truck Fest, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. All great programs that are benefiting those that live in the counties UWSCI serves and programs you can help support!

 

 
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SSM Health Hospice

Cris Hayes and Brittany Koenegstein join Jake Linder and the Southern Illinois Insider to discuss home hospice care as well as the stigma surrounding it. Cris and Brittany walk us through many viable reasons for choosing hospice outside of just end-of-life circumstances. It's an eye-opening conversation and if you don't know all the things hospice can do for people, this would be a great listen for you.

 
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The Amy Center, Sweet Treat Saturday 8/3/24

The Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center, often referred to as The Amy Center, is partnering with eight Southern Illinois small businesses to host the “Sweet Treat Saturday” fundraising event on August 3rd. The local ice cream shoppes throughout The Amy Center coverage area teaming up to donate money to the child advocacy center while inviting people to enjoy a cool, sweet treat are Dairy Mart in Salem, Yellin’ Helen’s in Dix, Fat Dad’s in Louisville, Hometown Swirls in McLeansboro, C-Town Twist in Centralia, Scoops in Belle Rive, Dairy King in Breese, and the newly opened Twisted Twins in Woodlawn. People are encouraged to support these local eateries, and by doing so, will be helping to raise funds for The Amy Center.

The Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center serves seven Southern Illinois counties by providing a first responding safe place for child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse, neglect, as well as children who have witnessed trauma such as a domestic violence situation.

For more information on this event and The Amy Center’s mission, visit Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center on Facebook or call 618-244-2100.

 
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United Way of South Central Illinois

Nat & Sandy Shook join the show to discuss a wide range of topics from their Food Truck Fest to the Back To School Stuff the Bus Program. Check out the full interview here or find United Way of South Central Illinois on Facebook for more details!

 
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Drew Baldridge 8/2/24

Drew Baldridge joins Big Jake while his hit song "She's Somebody's Daughter" is sitting at #3 on the Top 40 Hot Country Songs Chart. Drew tells the story of his career path leading up to 2019, COVID hitting and shutting down Nashville-his record label-and nearly his career. But out of the darkest of times, social media and the power of perseverance by Drew, the light is at the end of the tunnel and his career is back on track with now even more potential for success than when he first started. What a story...we can't wait to see what's next!

 
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Jr. Miss Illinois 2024, Bristal Tudor

Bristal Tudor is the older sister of Madelyn Tudor who was just retired as Little Miss Illinois 2023 and joined Big Jake's show recently. Bristal was named not only Jr. Miss Illinois this year but also Jr. Miss Southern Illinois & Jr. Miss Illinois United States Agriculture all in 2024. Congrats to the Royal Tudor Family and thanks so much for stopping by WMIX to chat!

 
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Courtney Kabat with Cedarhurst Center for The Arts & Pooch Parade

Big Jake is joined by Courtney Kabat with Cedarhurst Center for The Arts to discuss Thursday Night Live, the upcoming Pooch Parade on Thursday, July 18th, and all things Cedarhurst. Learn more at cedarhurst.org and we'll see you Thursday Night at 5pm!

 
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Little Miss Illinois 2023, Madelyn Tudor

Madelyn Tudor was named the Little Miss Washington County Fair Queen in 2022 and she would go on to win Little Miss Illinois 2023. She is retiring this summer and stopped by WMIX to chat with Big Jake and officially make her retirement speech on the air. We have royalty in the building!

 
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