Mission Statement

To share our blessings with those in need living in our community.  To raise monetary funds and collect needed items for area schools, social agencies, private endeavors designed to help others, and projects to help individuals lead better, more satisfying and productive lives.

History/How We Operate

Shared Blessings initially started at Canton, Ohio in 2003.  One of the founding members has moved to Peoria, Illinois in 2017 and decided to start another chapter in this community.  Some examples of charities Shared Blessings has helped in Canton include missions, homeless shelters, schools in low income areas, drug prevention and rehab facilities, and arts programs for children in urban under-served areas.

We have six projects every year.  Potluck meetings (it does not matter if the food is homemade or store bought) are held for five of these projects and are scheduled for February, April, September, November and December.  We do not meet for the July no-show project.  Before each meeting, an invitation is sent out telling about each charity we will be helping, and items that may be on their wish list.  A speaker from that charity will give a brief talk about the charity and the people they serve.  Shared Blessings members bring a check for at least $35.00 payable to Shared Blessings, which in turn gives one large check to the selected charity.  Meetings are very casual and usually last no longer than 90 minutes.  Individuals who cannot attend the meeting but wish to donate may mail in a check to P.O. Box 3215 Peoria, IL 61612.  We also accept online donations through PayPal. The link can be found in the upper right corner of every page in this site.

Board Members

• Darlene Violet – President
• Becky Lagouros – Vice President
• Meredith Lagouros – Treasurer
• Ellen McRae – Secretary
• Evan Lagouros
• Pete Lagouros
• Parker McRae
• Matt Violet
• Ellen Yates
• Nick Yates

“You must be the change you want to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi