As the COVID-19 public health crisis has continued to evolve, Fun DMC has been required to step away from the stage for several weeks.

During our time away, Fun DMC would like to encourage everyone to practice social distancing and to abide by the guidelines put forth by the CDC. While the next several weeks will be challenging, we trust that ultimately these efforts will prove to be effective and that life as we knew it will resume once again.

For the time being, Fun DMC will be using our social media presence as a resource to direct people to food banks, post health and safety guidelines, and provide links to educational materials for families and children. We may even stream a performance or two! As we share those resources on Facebook and Instagram, we will also post them here is a collective resource.

• Staff Meals is an organization serving Central Illinois that is providing free family-style meals for people in the service industry.

• One of the largest informational resources in the area right now is Springfield Families Helping Families. With well over 7000 members, this group is an incredible sharing hub for everything from food supply to educational resources to child care and volunteer opportunities. If you live in the Springfield, IL, area, this is definitely a group you want to join. 

• Parents working from home, check out this incredible resource:  275+ Enrichment Activities for Children While Parents are Working Remotely

• McAlister’s Deli stepped up to help ensure that students would not go hungry due to school closures. They are offering sack lunches for students Monday-Friday from 11am-1pm

• Now more than ever, the Central Illinois Community Blood Center is in need of donors! You can help! Even under the Shelter in Place directive, blood donation is permitted. To ensure safe social distancing, they are asking all blood donors to please schedule an appointment in advance before coming to donate. To schedule, please call (800) 747-5401 or go to www.bloodcenter.org to find a location near you.

• Warmowski Photography is one of our favorite businesses to work with at weddings. While they can’t offer most of their typical services at the moment, they are putting all of their other skills to work and are currently offering a service to digitize old VHS, slides, and old photos! They’re even offering 10% off to all essential workers now through May 1 of NEXT YEAR!!

• If you or someone you know had to cancel their upcoming wedding due to the impact of COVID-19, we encourage you to reach out to Mark or Barb at Hill Prairie Winery (events@hillprairiewinnery.com). They are currently offering any open dates they have available at a significantly discounted rate. https://www.facebook.com/HillPrairieWinery/posts/3950844684933319

• The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is providing financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet due to loss of income during the Covid-19 crisis. https://www.sweetrelief.org/covid-19-fund.html

• Everything Will Be OK – Signs by Dave – These signs are both a creative outlet for Dave and a way to connect our community with a message of hope. If you would like to spread hope by requesting a sign, send them a message through their Facebook page. If you can help fund this hopeful project in any way, check out their campaign! https://givebutter.com/everythingwillbeok

• Chadito’s Mexican American Grill, recognized a growing need for local small businesses to step up and help serve our local community’s hunger needs. On March 15, 2020, Chadito’s started to fill this void by providing free food for kids in need, NO QUESTIONS ASKED! https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-through-tacos…

• Freestyle Apparel & Design of Springfield Inc has come up with a unique way to share the love and give back to our community! When you purchase their “Here to Stay” t-shirts for $20, you not only are supporting local print shop, but $10 of your purchase also goes back to the local business of your choice!! https://heretostayspringfield.itemorder.com/sale