Posted: Dec. 31, 2018 9:10 am
Local families in need in Northeast Missouri will receive a boost from Quincy Medical Group and the QMG Healthcare Foundation.
QMG will make donations to the Lewis County Food Pantry. A presentation is scheduled at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, at QMG's Canton Clinic, 100 E. Outer Road South, Suite 4.
Helping coordinate the effort is Dr. Arvin Abueg, a family practice physician. Abueg and QMG are making a $1,000 donation to purchase food items for the local pantry.
In addition, the QMG Healthcare Foundation donated funds to purchase a new freezer for the pantry that will allow it to provide meat and other frozen food items.
"We never want families to have to choose between food or medication," Abueg said. "The Lewis County Food Pantry improves the quality of life for so many who are faced with this dilemma each day. Quincy Medical Group is proud to support our friends and neighbors here in our community."
The Rev. Amanda Gosik of the Canton Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) works with the Lewis County Food Pantry. She says the QMG gifts will be valuable to local families.
"We serve an average of 250 families a month," Goski said. "These families vary in needs. We have young families making sure their children get fed. We have families that have recently lost jobs or have been laid off and seniors that would have to decide between food or medications.
"The food they (will) receive helps tremendously in making sure that no one goes hungry."
Gosik said the new freezer allows the organization to collect and store frozen food items, such as meat.
"The protein is valuable to clients of the pantry because at times it is the only meat they will receive for a month," Gosik said.
For more information on the QMG Healthcare Foundation, go to QuincyMedGroup.com.
Don't drive impaired
The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and nearly 200 local law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to drive sober to save lives during the New Year's holiday.
Now through the early part of the year, Illinois motorists will see additional enforcement patrols across the state Monday night to help keep roads safe.
"Last year, six people died on our roads over New Year's, and four of those deaths were alcohol-related," said Cynthia Watters, IDOT's bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. "It's everyone's responsibility to make good decisions before getting behind the wheel."
In addition to DUI and seat belt offenders, law enforcement will show zero tolerance for speeding, distracted driving and other offenses.
Take these steps to avoid a tragedy:
º Plan ahead: If you plan to drink or use any impairing drugs or substances, plan for a sober driver to take you home. If it's your turn to be the designated driver, take that role seriously.
º It's never OK to drive impaired: Alcohol and other drugs affect skills necessary for driving.
º Take the keys: If you see a friend or family member who is about to drive impaired, take the keys away and help them get home safely. They'll thank you later.
Selfie woes
Fox News reports a study this year uncovered that between October 2011 and November 2017 there had been 259 deaths associated with taking a selfie. The biggest concentration of deaths have been in the United States, India, Russia and Pakistan.
According to Statista, at least 62 percent of Americans have taken at least one selfie of themselves. The statistic included 82 percent of people age 18 to 34.
