This year, as our company Christmas gift, we thought we would continue our charitable history but bring it a little closer to home.  The economic challenges are great this year and each of us are aware of many families who are struggling to provide for their basic needs.  In keeping with the importance of both family and community, Iona decided to Adopt-a-Family this Christmas.

Realizing that the need is great, employees contributed personal funds to the company allowance knowing that joining together, we would make this Christmas a little brighter for a local family.  Working with Peoria Friendship House, employees divided into teams that had the responsibility to shop for one family member.  This program targets families with children in 8^th grade and younger to provide a new outfit and one of the toys on the child’s wish list.

It was a great effort as everyone pitched in – from shopping for their person, to donating additional monies to go to the family shopping, to helping wrap the gifts.  Our front hallway was lined with 11 very large, very filled bags.  They contained toys, electronics, clothing, coats, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, cleaning supplies, games and hot cocoa.  They are filled with our Iona family helping out another family that needs help.

We are all blessed in so many ways.  What a great way to share those blessings with others and a nice way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

BJ Aberle, Jeremy LeBeau, Mark Tovey, Matt Forcum and Jeff Idleman wrapping gifts

I have yet to announce this here, so I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that I have a new personal project I have been engaged in over the last few months.  It’s a webcomic called Robot Beach.

Most people don’t know this about me, but I am not supposed to be a motion graphics artist.  If you were to hop into a time machine and travel back in time to ask my grade school self what my career is going to be one day I will tell you that I am going to be a jet pilot.  That, or a cartoonist.

Robot Beach started its life as a simple sketch I created two years ago while I was bored and on a lunch break.  I sketched out a little robot and for some reason thought that he might look cute with a surfboard and flower print swim trunks.  Something about that little sketch felt fresh and interesting.   I knew I was on to something special.

So what are you waiting for?  Go check out what I do on my down time!

A 9-year-old Oakdale Elementary School student hopes to get to Chicago to see the video taped in her classroom. “I was nervous,” said Joke’ (pronounced Jokay) Adanri of Normal, after repeating several lines that will be part of a video shown at the Museum of Science and Industry from Jan. 25 to March 1. A three-person crew from The Iona Group Inc. of Morton filmed several students and the entire class. The Green Revolution exhibit explores green technology and features black architects, scientists and innovators.

Learn More at The Pantagraph.com