Volunteers needed for annual event

By Pat Hambrick

There is still time to donate items for the 10th annual Day of Caring to be held Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ganus Athletic Center on the Harding University Campus, according to Sara Kohler, Marketing Coordinator at White County Medical Center. Underwear and non-perishable food items are two categories where donations are still needed, and volunteers are still needed. Doctors and nurses are especially urged to volunteer their time, Kohler said.

“They can just show up that Saturday (July 29) and we will put them to work,” she said, or they may reach her at 380-1054.

Many local businesses are showing their support for Day of Caring. For example, Movie Gallery, with locations on Race St. and on Beebe Capps, is offering a free health plans, video rental to anyone who brings in two items of school supplies or three canned goods, according to employee Vikkie Decker.

Crain Media was running a special promotion on Friday to encourage people to drop off non-perishable food items, Kohler said.

“This really is a health community effort. The businesses and organizations play such a big part in A Day of Caring. We couldn’t do it without them. It takes so many people working together to make this day possible for their fellow citizens who need a little bit of help right now,” Kohler said.

Donations of any kind may be dropped off at the marketing department at WCMC. In addition, Regions Bank and Crain Media are drop-off sites for non-perishable food items, Holden and Company for underwear, and First Security Bank for school supplies.

Last year, 681 children received bags of school supplies through the Mountain of Love donations, Kohler said. In addition to individual donations, WCMC Auxiliary made a donation this year to purchase crayons, glue sticks, pencils, scissors, loose-leaf paper,  folders with brads and a pocket, single subject notebooks, Elmer’s glue, and other items for the children.

A Day of Caring is a medical mission coordinated by White County Medical Center that offers free health care and information to disadvantaged people in the community. Free medical, dental and eye exams will be offered by local physicians, dentists and optometrists. These exams will be given from 9:00 to 11:30. Pap exams are also offered.

The 13th Annual Shots for Tots and Teens will be held in conjunction with the event. A parent or guardian should bring the child’s shot record in order to receive immunizations.

Other services that will be offered include: personal care items, food, and clothing will be distributed; school supplies will be given to children who are present; and free car seat checks and free haircuts will be available, as well as various other health screenings and health and social service information.

Habitat for Humanity of White County will have a booth and will be accepting applications for potential Habitat homeowners. The information packet, available in either English or Spanish, will contain all the information necessary to complete the application. The closing date for this application period will be Sept. 1, 2006, according to Karen Davis, president.

Many other local resources will have booths, with information about their services. These include: Ambassador Personnel: job applications; American Red Cross; ASU Beebe/ASU Searcy: information about adult education; CAPCA; Covenant Fellowship: Children’s activities; Diabetes: foot checks; Family Service Agency/Consumer Credit Counseling; First Community Bank: socks; Food Bank; Habitat for Humanity: housing applications; Health Department: WIC sign-ups and help with Pap Exams and Shots for tots; Health Resources; Healthworks: Blood sugar checks; Hospice; HIPPY; Gideons; Office of Child Support Enforcement; Junior Auxiliary: (underwear); Kids’ First: developmental screenings; Mills Educational Service Cooperative; Morgan Nick Alert IDs: by Fire Department and La Konsentida 1650; Movie Gallery; MOPS/Teen MOPS: Pneumonia and flu; RAPA; SAFEKIDS car seat checks; School Supplies; Searcy Police Department; Shepherd’s Center; Shots for Tots; Valley Baptist Church; Veterans of Foreign Wars/ Ladies Aux. Post 2330: lice shampoo;

 

Red Cross active on all fronts helping Katrina victims

 

September 15, 2005

Deborah Medders, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard chapter of the Red Cross, said her agency continues to be busy in the effort to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. She said Island organizations and individuals have responded generously.

This weekend, the Martha's Vineyard Harley Riders Club sponsored a poker run and BBQ party at Hinckley Lumber that attracted 130 participants and raised more than $5,000 for the Red Cross.

Following is an update provided by the Red Cross of continuing relief efforts:

This afternoon Elaine Pace, former West Tisbury school principal, and local Red Cross officials will meet with interested persons at 3:30 pm in the American Legion Hall in Vineyard Haven to discuss Katrina disaster relief, and ways to share information and communicate with children. For more information, please contact Ms Pace at 508-696-3796 or epace614@adelphia.net.

Also, local chapter representatives will visit Island schools this month as a part of September — National Preparedness Month.

Lola's Restaurant in Oak Bluffs will hold a Mardi Gras fundraiser for the Red Cross disaster relief on Sunday from 7 pm to midnight with music, dancing, and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 and checks can be written to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

The MV Hebrew Center on Center Street in Vineyard Haven is accepting toiletries such as soap, diapers, diaper wipes, lotions, toothpaste, brushes, and dental floss for the disaster relief until Monday, September 19.

The NAACP is accepting new clothing for pre-school age and teenage children until Friday, September 30. For more information, contact Marie Allen at 508-693-3435.

The Stuffed Animal Project was begun by Philisse Barrows with a goal of giving a new cuddly toy to every child housed at Camp Edwards on the Cape. A collection station will be set up at Cronig's Market in Vineyard Haven from 3 to 7 pm, Friday, Sept. 16 through Saturday, Sept. 24.

Bowl and Board on Main Street in Vineyard Haven will be the site of a bake sale and raffle on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 10 am to 2 pm. Joining forces are the Garden Gate Child Development Center, Grace Preschool, First Light Child Care, the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center, and the Vineyard Montessori School, with all the profits going to the Red Cross relief effort.

Earlier this month 20 volunteers completed the Red Cross Disaster Relief Operations training. They were entered in the National Red Cross system and are now on stand-by for assignment to areas of the South impacted by Katrina. Another local training class is scheduled for Saturday, September 24. Nationally, the Red Cross is expecting to recruit 40,000 new volunteers to help bring safe shelter, food, medical supplies, and comfort to Katrina victims in addition to helping support the needs of our own local communities.

The local Chapter has received approximately $47,265 in contributions for Katrina survivors. To date, the National Red Cross has received approximately $653 million dollars.

American Red Cross chapters around the Northeast continue to offer resources and support to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. People who may know of evacuees beginning to stay in homes on the Vineyard and surrounding areas are asked to encourage them to contact the local Red Cross chapter as they may be eligible for Red Cross Relief Services.

The American Red Cross, with the support of the worldwide Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, launched a web site to assist family members anxious for news of loved ones living in the path of Hurricane Katrina. Evacuees wishing to inform loved ones of their location can register their name by clicking on "Family Links Registry" on www.redcross.org. Those who do not have Internet access should call the Red Cross toll-free hotline 1-877-LOVED-1S (1-877-568-3317).

 

 

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