 Save the Date
Mark your calendars! United Way's Campaign Kick-off will be held Thursday, Sept. 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center. Hope to see you there. |
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Teams needed for Corporate Challenge
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Want to have fun and build team spirit in your organization? Then we need you for our annual Corporate Challenge! This year's Corporate Challenge will be held the morning of Saturday, August 23, and we need teams to play! It's free and a lot of fun! For more information, call 601-545-7141, ext. 2.
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AGENCY NEWS
ARC
It's not too late to have a chance to win $20,000 in the ARC's annual Golf Ball Drop!
The Golf Ball Drop will take place on August 4 at Canebrake Golf Club. If all 1,000 have not been sold, you can still purchase a golf ball until 3 p.m. that day at Canebrake. After the numbered balls are dropped from a helicopter, the ball that lands in the hole or closest to it will win $20,000! For more information or to purchase a golf ball, call 601-583-4251 or 601-268-9334.
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Children's Center for Communication and Development |
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The Rotary Club of Hattiesburg recently presented the Children's Center for Communication and Development with a check for over $13,000. The donation is the largest one-time gift the Rotary Club has ever given. The money was raised from the club's annual Night in Italy dinner. Although the dinner was cancelled this year, people who had already purchased tickets to the dinner let their donations go to the Children's Center. The Children's Center is grateful for these donations and for the work of the Rotary Club each year to support the center.
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DuBard School for Language Disorders
Italy was the focus of study during The Southern Miss DuBard School for Language Disorders summer program. Students studied the culture and geography of the country. Pictured below are Justin Ellis, 9, from Collins and Yolanda Dudley, a teacher assistant, preparing an Italian pizza.
The DuBard School Alumni Association hosted a Mexican Fiesta in June that was enjoyed by 36 alumni with family and friends. Pictured below speaking to the group is Christian Koerber, a DuBard School alumus and a current student at JCJC. Christian is also a regular volunteer at the DuBard School.
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South MS Children's Center
South Mississippi Children's Center is remodeling its kitchen, thanks to a generous donation from Lynn and Marti McMahan. While the kitchen is unable to be used, the shelter needs donations of already prepared meals for the children at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please call Annie or Sonya at 601-582-8891 if you can help. Thanks! |
| Girl Scouts |
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The Girl Scouts of Gulf Pines Council will host "Nacho Ordinary" leader kick-off for anyone interested in serving as a troop leader on Saturday, August 2 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Hattiesburg office. This event will give new and returning leaders a chance to discuss ideas for troop activities and outings. Area businesses will also be present to discuss ways that troops can earn badges related to their services. A Mexican-style lunch will be served. So dust off those sombreros and join the Girl Scouts in making a difference in a girl's life! For more information or to register, please call 601-582-1455.
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Pacesetters are off and running |
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Twelve Pacesetter organizations kicked off their campaigns on July 31 at the Girl Scouts Activity Center. The Pacesetter campaign, led by Dr. Annie Wimbish of Hattiesburg Public Schools, will run from now until August 25. These early campaigns will set the momentum for the community-wide campaign to follow.
This year's Pacesetters are: Anderson Retail, BancorpSouth, Boy Scouts, Forrest General Hospital, Girl Scouts, Grand Bank, Hattiesburg American, Hattiesburg Clinic, Mississippi Power, Regions, Wesley Medical Center and Zeon Chemicals.
Thank you, Pacesetters! And good luck! |
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AGENCY NEWS
Big Brothers Big Sisters... United Way at Work
"Jane", who is part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, was badly burned as a toddler because of an explosion in her home caused by a meth lab. Now in elementary school, she has a great personality and does not let her scars bother her at all. She was matched with a high school mentor who shows compassion and maturity. The "big" brings games and books to her "little" and works on craft projects with her. When the big graduated high school, she requested to continue serving as the little girl's mentor. She was worried that as Jane grows older, classmates might not always treat her kindly. She doesn't want her little sister to ever be ashamed of the way she looks. This big sister, little sister team will continue to build a great future together. They are a perfect example of a big sister's desire to be a great role model. They are also a good example of your United Way dollars at work, helping the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to influence the lives of young people in need! |
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The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club after-school program has begun taking applications. They will be accepted Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Club facility at 5670 U.S. Highway 49. The program will begin August 18 and run Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The program is for youth ages six to 18, and membership cost is $30 for the academic year. Limited transportation is available at an additional cost.
Registration for The Salvation Army School for Performing Arts will take place at 5:30 p.m. on August 25. Parents must accompany the student at the scheduled time and complete the appropriate applications. The program will begin September 8.
To learn what additional paperwork is necessary for registration or for more information about either of these programs, call The Salvation Army at 601-544-3684.
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R³SM
(Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi)
R³SM is proud to welcome their third AmericiCorps National Civilian Community Corps team for 2008. AmeriCorps NCCC is a residential service program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 who want to answer the President's call to service. For 10 months, members serve in teams to meet urgent community needs in homeland security, disaster relief, the environment and youth development. The current NCCC team will work with R³SM for six weeks, from July 10 to August 26, repairing Katrina-damaged homes. The group of eight is made up of young people from Kansas, Nebraska, Maryland, Maine, Illinois and Colorado. R³SM is thankful and appreciative for their hard work and dedication. If you see any NCCC members around the area in their distinctive shirts, please be sure to say "thank you!"
Pictured above: Team members from the last NCCC visit enjoyed a going away/thank you party hosted by R³SM. |
| The Carpenter's Helper |
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The month of July was a very exciting one for The Carpenter's Helper. The agency was able to work with a team of 50 people from Huntsville, AL and from Hattiesburg. The team worked very hard, and two projects were completed. One other project was brought further to the point of completion. The Carpenter's Helper is encouraged when volunteers work hard and give of themselves in the service of others. This helps further the mission of The Carpenter's Helper to improve the living conditions of those in the Pine Belt, one family at a time.
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Habitat for Humanity
Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers! You can help a family fulfill their dream of home ownership! Habitat has volunteer opportunities available for people of all skill levels to help out in the office, at the HomeStore, on a construction site or on committees. For more information, call Angela at 601-582-4663 or visit www.hattiesburghabitat.org.
Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity is also seeking an AmeriCorps construction assistant. AmeriCorps members earn a living allowance, health insurance, student loan deferment and training. After serving a full term (usually 46 weeks), members receive an educational stipend as well. A detailed job description is available on www.hattiesburghabitat.org. To apply, visit www.americorps.org and click on JOIN AMERICORPS. |
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Pinebelt Association for Families
For six weeks in June and July, 23 grandchildren ages six -14 being raised by grandparents jumped, stretched, swam and took part in educational activities during the Summer Enrichment Camp led by the Pinebelt Association for Families. Following a healthy breakfast, the kids did group math and language work and then engaged in aerobic exercises and yoga led by Nelly Alfrey. At the end of the session, each participant received a neck and facial massage following the relaxation exercise. This was the high point of the hour! Water aerobics and swimming were also part of the program.
 On the last day of the Summer Enrichment Camp, each child made a memory box containing special memories. These memory boxes were presented to their grandparents during the final get-together. |
| Boy Scouts |
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This summer has been a busy one for the Scoutreach program of the Boy Scouts. Here are some highlights:
- 910 participants enjoyed a summer camp experience.
- 10 Scouts from Aldersgate helped plant trees at Aldersgate.
- 21 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are learning to swim at the YMCA.
- Scouts from True Light Baptist Church got to visit the IMAX theater in Mobile, AL.
Here are a few quotes heard at Scoutreach camps:
- After participating in the electricity merit badge class, one Cub Scout asked "Can I take the light bulb and battery home with me, because sometimes at home we lose our power?"
- Another Cub Scout said, "This sandwich was as good as the ones my mother makes."
- A third Cub Scout asked, "Can I stay here at camp? I like it here."
These Cub Scouts come from singe-parent homes and because of United Way, they are able to attend Scout Camps at no charge.
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Have you been donating to United Way - any United Way - for 25 years or more? If so, we want to know about it. We are trying to locate all Diamond Donors. Please let us know if you fall into this distinguished group by calling 601-545-7141 or emailing unitedwaysba@megagate.com. | |
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