Local Ebola relief efforts expanding

With nearly 4,900 people having died because of the Ebola outbreak, a Marion-based effort to combat the virus is gaining strength, one effort leader announced Thursday.

Hopefest 2014 not only generated more than $60,000 last month for medical supplies and other resources, it also brought statewide attention to the Hands of Hope Foundation's relief efforts in the western African country of Liberia, group founder Troy D. Benitone said.

So much so, the foundation has been asked by several pastors to bring its campaign to their towns "to give their folks a chance to join us in the fight against Ebola," Benitone, a reverend at the Community of Faith Church in Marion, said.

"It was a great event to help strengthen us in this war against Ebola, and we received some incredible gifts of support," Benitone said. "Now we have to get those items from here to there and that will take dollars."

Hands of Hope has been working in Liberia since at least 2010 when it opened its Weala United Methodist Health Center and Mission Station. The group also funds scholarships and has helped start more than 15 churches.

Though the foundation sends supplies in support of staff at the center and other healthcare sites year-round, it also sponsors groups of physicians, nurses, ministers, teachers and students for regular trips to the Margibi County region in Liberia.

The last trip was in March, when the foundation expanded the center to open a surgical unit. That's also when the Ebola outbreak reached Liberia from Guinea while the group was still there.

Since then, Liberia has been the hardest hit country, according to the World Health Organization, with nearly half of the 9,936 reported cases in affected countries as of Saturday. The death toll, from either confirmed, probable or suspected cases, has reached 4,877. There have been 2,705 deaths in Liberia alone.

As a result of the invitations in Illinois, the foundation has scheduled five events for Operation Hope - Tour of Duty campaign, the first in Marion.

"We are calling on people all across Illinois to rally to one of five locations and join us in the fight against Ebola," Benitone said.

Each event will feature at least three bands, including the Jon Henninger Band and For His Glory, as well as local groups. The doors each night will open at 6 with performances running from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Parking and admission are free.

Dates and venues include:

Nov. 6; Community of Faith Church, 5208 Meadowland Parkway, Marion

Nov. 13; New Horizons United Methodist Church, 3002 W. Bloomington Rd., Champaign

Nov. 14; Shiloh United Methodist Church, 210 S. Main St., Shiloh

Nov. 20; First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield

In addition, at the invitation on the SIU-C Saluki football team, the foundation will host a pre-game tailgating event for the Saluki's Faith Day game against Northern Iowa on Nov. 15. An outdoor stage will be set up overlooking tailgaters on the northwest side of the stadium, with music beginning three hours before the 2 p.m. kickoff.

Food will also be served. There is no charge to attend the event, however, parking fees will apply and tickets must be purchased to attend the game, which Hands of Hope will have available onsite or through its website, www.hohfoundation.org.

For more information, call Benitone at his cell, 217-725-7565; or his office, 618-997-2940. He can also be reached by email at Troy@hohfoundation.org.

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Nick Mariano can be reached at nmariano@dailyrepublicannews.com or 618-499-4597.