The Cross - I Love You - the TV Game Show Jeopardy - Effingham, Illinois

What do the words "I Love You", the Christian Cross and the Central Illinois town of Effingham have in Common?  They were all featured on the nationally syndicated television show Jeopardy on January 14, 2011.

Effingham, Illinois, the "Crossroads of Opportunity," traces its roots back to 1814, when the first pioneers settled along the Little Wabash River. Located at the intersection of I-57 (direct route from Chicago to New Orleans) and I-70 (direct route from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles), Effingham has become a hub for America's motoring public.

The category was "Things That Begin With C." For $400 the answer was "The World's Largest of These Religious Symbols Soars 198 Feet High Over Effingham Illinois And Weighs 180 Tons." The question, given correctly was "What Is The Cross." With that answer, The Cross At The Crossroads, its "I Love You" message and the town of Effingham, Illinois were forever memorialized in American Trivia on Jeopardy.

A video, featuring some of the world's largest crosses, can be seen online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfE_K-X0Kbo&NR=1

The Cross at the Crossroads was originally the vision of the late John Herman Schultz, a successful businessman from Teutopolis, Illinois.  An eternal optimist, Mr. Schultz was inspired to create the Cross At The Crossroads after seeing a similar monument in Groom, Texas in the 1990's.  The Cross in Effingham took several years of planning and fund raising to materialize.  The groundbreaking ceremony occurred on February 11, 2001 and was officially launched on September 16th, 2001.

"My father was inspired to create a monument that would induce a message of hope, love and wonder in people," said Jim Schultz, son of the founder and current Board member of The Cross Foundation, which manages the Cross at The Crossroads.  "My dad nurtured a sense of wonder about life and love in everything that was important to him.  He very much believed that when wonder looks upward, it contributes to a better understanding of all that we consider important and real."

A YouTube video of The Cross At The Crossroads can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjKxrnawl0k

The Cross At The Crossroads has greeted 50,000 visitors each day who pass through the Central Illinois community. "Over the last ten years we estimate that close to 200 million people have been welcomed by The Cross," said Jim Schultz. The Cross literally climbs out of the neighboring corn fields and reminds people that they are loved and that there is more to life than what is plainly visible.

"We are very inspired by the feedback that we get from all of the visitors who visit the Cross each day," said Schultz. "Our Ministry and Mission is to promote genuine values of love, hope, faith and understanding through all of our outreach programs. We were thrilled to be referenced on the Jeopardy TV show, as most of the Foundation's Board members are big fans of the program."

The Foundation's "I Love You" program has been adopted by numerous hospitals throughout the country. In this program, parents of newborn infants receive a wallet size card encouraging them to say "I Love You" to their children every morning and evening. The Foundation believes that Love is the answer, and the best place to implement this philosophy is with newborn infants.

Jeopardy! began transmission in 1964. The show has a legion of 38 million weekly fans across the United States and Canada, and was created by American talk show host, Merv Griffin.

About The Cross Foundation:
The Cross Foundation is dedicated to building both faith and family on an ecumenical basis. The Cross Foundation has completed a 198 foot Cross at the intersection of Interstates 57 & 70 in Effingham, Illinois. This site is intended to serve as a beacon of hope to the 50,000 travelers estimated to pass the site each day. In addition, the Cross Foundation will promote the values of faith and family through other activities at the Effingham site.

To learn more about The Cross Foundation, please visit: http://www.CrossUSA.org

Contact:
Jim Schultz
The Cross Foundation
P.O. Box 1103
Effingham, IL 62401
217-347-2846