Saline County InterAgency Council held their monthly meeting Tuesday, March 25, to hear updates from each entity within the council.

Saline County InterAgency Council Chairman Kathy Walker, and chairman for the family support division, said they had to do some reappointing of positions, as two council office holders have been transferred to other areas within the state. The co-chairman and treasurer positions are open. Walker said she could remain as chairman without a co-chair until officers are elected in June and the council approved. Debbie Wallace, Lighthouse Shelter executive director, was appointed to the treasurer's position.

Committee reports were given by those in attendance. Wallace said the Holiday project is "going good."

The Holiday project is a big event for the council. They collect food and Christmas toys to distribute to nearly 400 county families each December.

Walker told the council she is already shopping the clearance aisles for toys.

"If anyone has good used toys at home or find them at garage sales, grab them for us," she said. "We have ample storage."

"I didn't think (this event) could get bigger and better," Wallace said. "And last year it was bigger and better."

Saline County Citizens Disaster Relief will have a meeting Monday, March 31, at 8 a.m. in the new Saline County Health Department basement.

This group's primary function is assisting families after disaster. Walker said Red Cross is having a shelter operations and shelter simulation training on Tuesday, April 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Wednesday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Saline County Health Office. The public is invited and there is no cost, Walker said.

Anyone interested can contact Walker

at 660-

886-5562 or kathy.j.walker@dss.mo.gov to register.

Deadline for registration is Friday, April 4.

Duvall said Community Food Pantry is always needing donated food items. They currently serve about 700 families a month.

"It just keeps climbing," Duvall said. "Cargill, Tyson and ConAgra have been good to us." He said also several churches have been tremendous help.

Marilyn Rimmer, representing Foster Grandparent Program, said they will be having their annual recognition dinner on Friday, April 25, in Higginsville.

"We only have one per year," she said. "We also will have raffle tickets on sale in the next couple of weeks." Some items to be raffled include a Wal-Mart gift card, savings bonds and a gas grill.

Jackie Marshall, Parents As Teachers/Marshall Public Schools, said PAT is hosting "Oh! What A Happy Friday," which includes music and dance for anyone expecting or with small children. This event takes place Friday, March 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Prairie View Learning Center.

"Come and enjoy music and dance with your unborn baby, infant, toddler and preschooler," the flyer said. "Learn about how music and dance helps develop strong skills in your child's life. Information will be available for prenatal to preschool stages."

Also April is celebrated as the "Month of the Young Child." PAT has many activities scheduled almost every day beginning Friday, April 4.

Events include Bowling with Babes, Care Conference, Parade Around the Square, Tumbling Tots, Water Babies, Lunch with the Big Kids, Fathers for Life: Earth to Fathers..., Picnic with PAT and Child Day Celebration.

For more information, contact Marshall at 660-886-5800.

Wallace said Lighthouse Shelter is having a 5K run or walk on Sunday, April 20, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with registration at 8 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast at the finish line. PAT is sponsoring a kids 100-yard dash fun run. Registration is $25 prior to close of business April 18. It is $30 for event day.

Lighthouse Youth Center Garage Sale will take place Saturday, March 29, at 555 W. Arrow St. Also, the "lucky" winner of the real live goat will be named. If you haven't bought your goat insurance, now is the time. For a $5 donation to Lighthouse, you will receive basic coverage, which allows you to prevent goat arrival just once. For $10, you will receive comprehensive coverage and can prevent goat arrival altogether.

There is a third option as the best protection -- full coverage "with benefits" for a $20 donation, which allows you to elude the goat and submit the names of five of your friends, relatives or colleagues as candidates for goat ownership.

So be prepared, if you don't buy insurance a friend may just have nominated you for "Nellie."

"She is beautiful," said Marshall.

"She is wonderful," Wallace said.

Linda Holland, Center for Human Services, passed out "Tri Som Firestarters." They are an all natural product proudly made in Marshall. The product is used to start fires for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows during camping.

"That is really great stuff," said Marshall.

For more information on the product, call 660-886-4261, ext. 403.

Traci Moore, 4-H youth extension specialist, said Thursday, April 3, is the start of the embryology project in classrooms around the county. The students get to "hatch chicks" in the classroom and study the process.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at the Extension Office.

Contact Rachel Harper at marshallcity@socket.net