Bob Hunt Photographer

More than $2.3 million was raised Saturday during the annual Easter Seals Telethon. The telethon, held at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria and broadcast on WMBD Channel 31, resulted in $2,382,143 in donations. The organization’s goal was to top last year’s telethon total of $2.272 million. “We did great,” said Steve Thompson, President/CEO of Central Illinois Easter Seals. “We were really excited about our results.” Easter Seals provides services, education, outreach, and advocacy to people living with autism and other disabilities. Congratulations to all of the VIP’s for all of there hard work, energy and compassion for the kids.

-Bob

The Peoria Rivermen set a season high with 47 shots on goal and built a 5-0 lead on their way to a easy  5-2 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday night in front of 7,306 at Carver Arena. A total of 13 different Rivermen recorded at least a point as they defeated the AHL Midwest Division leaders in their first visit to Peoria. The Rivs improved to 25-21-2-1 and regained sole possession of third place in the Midwest Division with the win. Ben Bishop stopped 22 of 24 shots on goal in his league-leading 21st win on the campaign while T.J. Hensick and Danny Syvret turned in multi-point efforts. Charlotte’s Jerome Samson spoiled Bishop’s shutout attempt with a goal at 3:11 in the third period and Zach Boychuk finished the scoring at 16:41 with an assist from A.J. Jenks for the Checkers. Click here for complete game statistics.

-Bob

I was privileged to be asked to photograph the 2nd Annual Middle Eastern Ball to benefit Easter Seals at the beautiful Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria, IL. The event was co-chaired by Mina Shams and David Bozeman. The guests were entertained with music by the Jad Soudah Band from Detroit, MI and middle eastern dancer Khazna Khalil from Chicago, IL. Special invited guests included Senator Darin LaHood, Peoria Mayor and Mrs. Jim Ardis, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice M. Taylor Jr., Mr. Jim Maloof and Ambassador and Mrs. Yousif B. Ghafari. It was a fantastic evening of fine food, music and entertainment for the crowd in excess of 500. A huge special thanks to my best friend and exceptional photographer Rod McClanahan of Creative Photography for all his help.

-Bob

8 Count Productions presented a night of boxing at Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino in East Peoria, IL. The official line-up had five bouts including a co-main and main event. Antwan “Superman” Robertson from Minneapolis, MN scored the only knockout of the night against Hassan Wasswa. In the ladies bout Jaci Trivilino from Plattsburgh, NY earned a unanimous decision over Evette Collazo from Chicago, and Donates Bondoravas from Kaunas, Lithuania won over Adan Leal in the main event to improve his record to 14-3-1.

-Bob

A few of my favorite snaps from the Easter Seals Telethon held Saturday night at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and broadcast live on WMBD Channel 31. More than $2.2 million was raised to help the kids of Central Illinois. Hope you enjoy the show and your comments are always welcome.

-Bob