East End Improvement Association Announces 2009 Donation Recipients

and College Scholarship Award Winners

(Alton, IL - January 13, 2010) � The East End Improvement Association (EEIA) announced today that it has given back over $3,000.00 to the community during 2009 to worthy organizations and College Scholarship award winners in the riverbend area.

President, Dan Hornsey, stated, "The money awarded will help continue the efforts of these organizations to provide services to those in need in our area". Organizations that received funds are:

1) Crisis Food Center $250.00
2) Oasis Womens Center $150.00
3) Salvation Army $100.00
4) Arms of Love $250.00
5) 55 Peter & Paul Vincent DePaul Society $125.00
6) Community Hope Center $125.00

Scholarship Chairman, Tom Spain, commented that, " It was a difficult decision, given the quality of applicants, but we felt the 3 students chosen exemplify the values that we look for in our youth."

Recipients of the EEIA 2009 Scholarship Awards are:

1) Morris Davis of Alton Senior High School
Morris plans on attending Alabama A&M University in Huntsville,AL
He is the son of Vanessa Ammons.

2) Leah Schmidt of Alton Senior High School
Leah plans on attending Culver Stockton College in Canton, MO
She is the daughter of Dennis Schmidt and Tammy Schmidt.

3) Paige Baahlman of Marquette Catholic High School
Paige plans on attending SIU-E
She is the Daughter of Jim and Gwen Baahlman.

Each student will receive $750.00 towards their education. The EElA is the oldest charted civic organization in the state of Illinois, founded in 1855 as the Alton Turnverien, and changed the name to EElA in 1921. It is the sponsor of the Alton Halloween Parade and the Alton Memorial Day Parades. It also contributes to the area through activities such as Pride Bucket Brigade; Salvation Army Bell Ringing; Graffiti Removal and various clean up projects. It also sponsors Candidates Forumsfor local elections in Alton and Godfrey.

Contact : John Keller (618)791-8792 or Joe Hanahan (618) 910-4498