Bradley University’s Foster College of Business Raises $2,500 for Threads, Hope & Love

12/20/2013 3:02 PM

By Lindsay Anderson

Bradley University’s Foster College of Business holds a silent auction at its annual holiday party where faculty and staff members donate items for others to bid on.  The sum of all the winning bids are then donated to a good cause or local organization.

This year, the Foster College of Business raised $2,500 for Washington, Ill. based not-for-profit, Threads, Hope & Love.

When researching community causes and local charities preceding the holiday party silent auction, the college’s administration learned about Threads, Hope & Love through Stephens Professor of Risk & Finance, Patricia Hatfield as well as a November 19 article by Peoria Journal Star writer, Phil Luciano.  (http://www.pjstar.com/article/20131119/NEWS/131119046/0/SEARCH)

“Before the tornado hit, I had spoken with Dean Radson about some of the things that Threads, Hope & Love had done recently, such as aiding families during the spring 2013 flooding of Spring Bay and London Mills,” Hatfield said.  “Then the tornado hit, and we also saw Phil Luciano’s story.  The college wanted to give to an organization that directly helped the town that many of our students and faculty lived in.”

Threads, Hope & Love has been around for the last five years, and its mission is to open their hearts and hands to clothe those in need and help those in crisis.  It is supported by Washington, IL area churches and businesses, as well as public donations, and serves residents of nearly 50 Central Illinois communities.  On average, Threads helps around 1,000 people a month in weather emergencies, supplying clothing, personal needs for families and intermediate care until victims can get resettled. 

“Many of our faculty, staff and students were affected by the November 17 tornado that devastated Washington and its surrounding areas,” said Darrell Radson, Dean at Bradley University’s Foster College of Business.  “We hope that our donation to Threads, Hope & Love will help provide a helpful boost to those affected as the New Year begins.”

Threads President and Co-Founder Cindy Shuford seconded that the donation will be a great helping hand to many as the New Year starts.

“The Foster College of Business will be blessing so many people with this donation,” Shuford said.  “A big thank you to everyone at the college from our entire staff at Threads, Hope & Love.”

If you would like to donate, donations can be sent to Threads at PO Box 52, Washington, IL 61571.  For additional information about Threads, Hope & Love – like them on Facebook or send them an email at [email protected].