GODFREY, IL – The RiverBend Growth Association has grown again, with five new members coming on board in recent weeks. They include Eclectic Celebrations LLC, In Marilyn’s Care Beauty and Barber Salon, Nourished Revival, Spring Hollow Hemp Farm and Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity Alton Chapter.
Eclectic Celebrations LLC is a family-owned DJ and entertainment company led by Shawn Schmidt. The company’s music entertainment service is available for parties, weddings and corporate events. Whether you need a DJ for your wedding ceremony and reception or just in the background to enhance a pre-planned celebration, Eclectic Celebrations can help make your occasion a success.
“I was raised by older parents and exposed to a vast mix of different music styles; from opera to rock and roll, from show tunes to the 80s, from big bands to Jay Z,” said Schmidt. “That exposure allows me the ability to fit into almost any scenario.”
Schmidt shared that his firm was joining the RBGA with the hope of finding ways to reach more locally. “I have been blessed to be able to operate and grow within my passion for music. I would like to be able to share those blessings, by finding new ways to give back to the community. Sharing blessings with others blesses me tenfold. I can’t imagine anything greater,” Schmidt said.
For more information or to connect with Schmidt and Eclectic Celebrations, visit online at www.eclecticcelebrations.com or call/text (618) 744-0500.
In Marilyn’s Care Beauty and Barber Salon is located at 235 E. Delmar Rd. in Alton. Marilyn Minor is its owner.
A cosmetologist since 1982, Minor, with help from her team, provides full-service care, including hairstyling, trendy haircuts, express hair weaving (bonding and sew-ins), finger waves for days, natural hairstyling, updos, silk press, hair braiding, eyebrow waxing/razor, hair coloring and other services. Team members include Minor, with stylists Chynethia Hewlett and Carmen Samuels. The salon is also a hair replacement center for men and women and a distributor of age-defying skincare products.
“I am joining the RBGA because I want to be among other entrepreneurs and professionals like me,” said Minor. “Mingling with other small businesses will give me an opportunity to learn and grow, as well as educate new business owners who may have been in business for the first time.
“I don’t take this opportunity lightly,” she added. “I am excited to be a part of the Alton community. I hope to be able to provide jobs. I hope to be able to educate my new staff in the art of excellent hair care and design, as well as in excellent customer service while making my customers happy by improving their appearance and making them feel good. I am eager to share my skills, especially with young people in the beauty industry I love.”
To learn more, call (314) 437-3359 or visit In Marilyn’s Care Beauty and Barber Salon on Facebook.
Nourished Revival is a virtual health coaching business with a goal of supporting people making simple food and lifestyle changes to improve their health. As a nutritional therapy practitioner, Abigail Parker leads the company.
“By breaking free from diet rules and assessing the root cause of your symptoms, I can help you find more energy, break free from cravings and food guilt, and establish confidence in your own skin,” Parker explained.
Joining the Growth Association membership, Parker further shared, was something she decided to do “to be a part of something bigger than me!”
“As a health coach, it’s important for me to fully get to know my clients. There’s no better way of getting to know people than being involved in the local community and supporting each other,” she added. “Through joining the RBGA, I’m hoping to gain new relationships and be able to share the power of nutrition to feel your best with more people.”
Visit www.nourishedrevival.com online or send an email to abigail@nourishedrevival.com to learn more. You can also find Parker on Instagram and TikTok, @nourished.revival
Spring Hollow Hemp Farm is located in Calhoun County at 15753 Illinois River Road, Hardin. Established in 2019, Jacqi Kamp is the owner.
As a fourth-generation family-owned business, Spring Hollow Hemp Farm is a premium artesian spring-fed hemp farm. “We source the top hemp seeds on the planet and grow them in our mineral-rich, Calhoun sun-kissed soil. Our farm features an Artesian Spring that we use to water our hemp plants. We have an unwavering dedication to growing the healthiest hemp and creating the happiest customers,” notes the farm’s website.
Visit online at www.springhollowhemp.com or call (314) 934-5260 for further information. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity Alton Chapter is part of a nonprofit organization founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. The Habitat for Humanity (HFH) organization has since grown to serve 120 countries and all 50 United States with 1200-plus affiliates.
The Lewis and Clark affiliate was established in 1990, with successful placement of over 70 families to date. They have local chapters in southern Illinois, including Edwardsville/Glen Carbon, Alton/Godfrey, Collinsville, O’Fallon and Bond County.
“To provide decent, affordable housing to families in need,” is the nonprofit’s mission. “Our vision and hope are to eliminate poverty and substandard housing in our area,” the chapter’s organizers further noted.
Local families in need are taken through an application process within the community, and families are selected by the chapter’s Volunteer Family Selection Committee. All HFH homeowners are “hands-on” in the building of their own home. Once their new home build is complete, the homeowners make monthly mortgage payments (at 0% interest) to Lewis and Clark Habitat. These payments are used in part to build homes for other selected families in the future.
“We also help to operate a ReStore at 1950 Vandalia Street in Collinsville,” they shared further. “It is a home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, home goods, building materials and more.”
The organization is looking for area residents who want to volunteer their service time, donations, and leadership skills. They also welcome recommendations for future homeowners. “We will build a new home in Alton in the summer of 2023, and are looking to recruit additional volunteers to complete the project in the next 10 to 12 months,” organizers added.
They have joined the RBGA to help raise awareness in the area of this nationally known non-profit effort and expand its pool of volunteers and donors. For more information, call the Affiliate office at (618) 343-0301 or Alton area Chapter President Rev. Bill Pyatt at (618) 301-7057.
The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit growthassociation.com online or call (618) 467-2280.