Organizers say Holiday Project need is up, donations down

Enrollment for the Saline County InterAgency Council Holiday Project may be up this year, but donations, currently giving the project a total budget of just under $3,500, are at about half of their 2007 level, said Debbie Wallace, executive director of the Lighthouse Shelter.

The project still needs donations, but it also still needs volunteers for the project, said Wallace, "whether it's for an hour or all day."

Food is the greatest need, she said, rather than toys.

Those interested in volunteering can call 660-886-9091, and those who wish to make a donation to the Holiday Project can call 660-886-9880.

Marshall High School will bring students over by bus every two hours during the Holiday Project to volunteer, and 25 students from Sweet Springs will be present all day Friday to help out.

The Holiday Project will be held in the Spainhower Building at the Marshall Habilitation Center on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again on Friday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. until all those who signed up have been served.

Parents as Teachers

"SNAP SHOT," a P.A.T. group meeting, will be held at the Sheriff's Department office at 1915 W. Arrow St. Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Parents are urged to bring their children, and will receive copies of their children's fingerprints and a photo for their records.

Children will also be given instructions on how to make an emergency telephone call. Phones will be there on which children may practice these calls.

"SNAP SHOT" is intended to bring together children and law enforcement personnel in a non-threatening environment, so children may have a positive experience with these personnel.

Senior Center

There will be a presentation covering Medicare Part D at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Senior Center.

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D started Nov. 15 and will continue until Dec. 31. The section deals with prescription drug coverage for seniors.

CAPA

The Child Abuse Prevention Association is meeting Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Wood & Huston Bank's conference room at 11 a.m.

Food will be provided. At this meeting, CAPA's activities for 2009 will be discussed.

Community Food Pantry

Ron Duvall, chairman of the Community Food Pantry, reported to the council that food donations for the pantry are also low at this time, though the pantry has recently received donations from Marshall Cinema and a number of local churches.

He added that the pantry's standard hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the last full week of each month, though the pantry is also open every weekday from 5 to 6 p.m. for emergency contact.

During Thanksgiving week, the pantry will be closed Thursday and only open until noon on Wednesday.

Health Department

The Saline County Health Department reported that their Mobile Response Trailer still carries flu shots. The shots cost $25, unless an individual is covered under Medicare Part B, in which case the shot is free.

The council was reminded that December and February tend to be peak times for the flu.

The Lighthouse Shelter

Letters from Santa may be obtained by filling out a sheet with information to personalize that letter and giving it, along with $5, to Lighthouse Shelter workers.

The form can also be found at thelighthouseshelter.org.

The Lighthouse Shelter is also holding a raffle for a quilt or a doll house. Tickets can be purchased, one ticket for $1 or six tickets for $5, or obtained through donations of canned goods or new toys, one ticket per can or two tickets per toy. The drawing will be held at the Lighthouse Thrift Store Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. The winner need not be present at that time.

A fundraiser will be held at the Lighthouse Shelter office at 555 W. Arrow St. Tuesday, Dec 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. Lia Sophia jewelry will be sold, with 25 percent of proceeds going to the Lighthouse Shelter. The purchase of two items will allow the purchase of four more items of higher value at half-price. A drawing for two $100 items, one that will be received for free and another that will be received for $15, will also occur. To get tickets, RSVP by calling 660-886-9880, bring a guest or wear a piece of Lia Sophia jewelry you already own.

Handy Chapel Church

A Fish Fry Dinner will be held Friday, Dec. 12, beginning at 10 a.m., at Handy Chapel Church.

Catfish and white tilapia will be served with spaghetti, salads, macaroni and cheese and cornbread pie.

For directions or delivery options, Jeanine may be called at 660-886-8281. Proceeds from this dinner will go toward proposed weekly meals for those in need to be held Tuesday nights and three times daily on Saturdays and Sundays, said the Rev. Nelson Gabriel.

He asked for any suggestions on how to get the plans for these weekly meals going and especially for any resources community members might have available.

"We have people to cook, we just need resources to make it happen," Gabriel said.

Community Holiday Dinner

A free Community Holiday Dinner will be held Saturday, Dec. 20, at St. Peter Parish Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., reported Debbie Wallace.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net