Sponsored by Weinstein Law/Weinstein Real Estate
Halloween at the Hatchery, an annual event at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, raised $2,106 for three local organizations. Presenting checks to representatives of the organizations was James Booker, Events Coordinator at TFFC. Accepting were (left to right): Terri Budow, Henderson County Community Partners Rainbow Room; Melinda Campbell, Henderson County Humane Society; and Donna Johnson, East Texas Crisis Center.
HCPAC press release
An incredible opportunity has been given to the Henderson County Performing Arts Center (HCPAC) in the form of a matching grant for $50,000. Recognizing our value to the community and encouraging the continuation of our good works, the Murchison Foundation is generously offering this grant if HCPAC can raise $50,000 before Dec. 1 of this year.
This is quite a challenge but, as in the past, we feel our loyal supporters will help us meet this challenge. That means you!
As Vice President of the Board of Directors of HCPAC, it is my privilege to spearhead the Murchison Foundation matching grant drive. My name is Marcia Colbert Tarrance. Most of you know me from the theatre but if you don’t you probably will soon enough as I will be contacting many of you to ask you to join us in our quest.
The Murchison Foundation offer dovetails nicely with the theatre’s Legacy Campaign. Started almost four years ago and scheduled to culminate in 2014, our 50th Anniversary year, the Legacy program will be extended another four years to help us meet our goals.
That’s where you come in. If you haven’t joined the Legacy Campaign, now is the perfect time to do that. Pledge an annual gift for the next four years and be a part of the contributions that will earn the theatre an additional $50,000 from the Murchison Foundation. If you joined us back in 2011 with a Legacy pledge, thank you and please extend that pledge for another four years. We are on the cusp of achieving our goal to be self-sustaining.
Over the years the Murchison Foundation has bestowed over $400,000 to the theatre. They have been instrumental in every phase of our growth. This latest opportunity will not only show them we have loyal supporters who strongly believe in our contributions to the community but it will also encourage them to think favorably about donating to us in the future.
The “new” revenue we need to raise on or before Dec. 1 need only be in the form a pledge from our donors. The Legacy Program gives you an opportunity to pay out your pledge over the next four years.
I look forward to discussing the details with you in the near future. I will be available before and during the intermission of Death of a Salesman and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I will also be contacting many of you that have indicated your desire to support the program and I will be reaching out to those Legacy patrons who started their giving program in 2011.
If you would like to discuss this fantastic opportunity with me, please call me at the theatre at903-675-3908 or reach me by email at [email protected].
What a great gift the Murchison Foundation has given our theatre over the years. I urge you to join them and be a part of our future.
Help Center press release
Once again it’s time for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Salvation Army bells and Christmas go together like reindeer and antlers. Volunteers are needed to “ring those bells” and collect donations for those in need in Henderson County. As the “army behind the Army” volunteer bell ringers play a crucial role in the Salvation Army’s ability to provide services.
It’s 1891 in San Francisco and Salvation Army Captain Jospeh McFee resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner to the needy there. From his days as a sailor McFee remembered a large “pot” displayed on the stage landing that took in donations. So a large crab pot was placed on a tripod and the Salvation Army “Kettle” was born. McFee’s call of “keep the pot boiling” drew in much needed donations. Now the Red Kettle Campaign is used worldwide. The campaign is traditionally kicked off during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day football game.
Last year, the local Salvation Army Service Unit Red Kettle Campaign collected $13,392.86 to be used for direct assistance for families in need. Every penny of those funds was used to assist the needy right here in Henderson County. Kim Hodges at First State Bank coordinates all the funds that go into the account, and all the funds that are expended from the account. The Board governs the funds, and how they are dispensed. Continue reading “Volunteer Hands Needed for Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive”
Sheila Hall (left), a senior at Cross Roads High School, talks to Trinity Valley Community College Counseling Director Linda Daniel during College Prep Day on the Athens campus Thursday. Students from across the area, including those from Athens, Mabank, Eustace and Trinidad, were among about 1,000 high-schoolers in attendance. Students had the opportunity to visit with recruiters from colleges, universities and from several branches of the military.
By Leslie Stites Saunders
The Henderson County Help Center/Children’s Advocacy Center is at the 18th Annual Partners in Courage Conference in Austin this week. The conference provides needed training on Child Abuse and Neglect for law enforcement, prosecution, mental health providers, Child Protective Services, forensic interviewers and family advocates who support child abuse victims and their families. Pictured are Sheila Durden, Program Director and Forensic Interviewer for Henderson County Children’s Advocacy Center; Clint Davis, Henderson County, County Attorney; Summer Wilson, Mental Health Provider; Deirdre Phillips, CPS Supervisor for Henderson County and Susan Randall, Family Advocate for Henderson County Children’s Advocacy Center.