Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - One of the Boy Scouts’ biggest food drives will be taking place this weekend! The local Boy Scout troop recently distributed bags onto the porches of people in the area last Saturday. They will be picking the canned food donations this weekend. The Scouting for Food drive was created almost thirty years ago and Boy Scouts across America will be participating in this largest single-day food drive.
Our local Boy Scouts will be donating all of the canned food collected to the Stoddard County Mission. If you did not receive a bag or you misplaced the bag you were given, any bag will work. The only food donations that will be accepted are nonperishable items that remain sealed and unopened.
Our Boy Scout Troop thanks you for your support!
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes know all to well how important deodorant can be especially after a game. For those who are less fortunate it might be a choice between purchasing a $3.00 stick of deodorant or $4.00 gallon of milk. A choice no one in America should have to make.
The students decided to help out the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and began collecting items to create Hygiene Kits. They collected enough items to fill 50 zip lock bags full of much needed items for the Mission.
Kim Slaving, Director of the SCGM stated, "I am pleased these students did this for us and we greatly appreciate all their efforts."
The Mission serves the Stoddard County community not only with non-perishable foods, but with coats, shoes, hygiene items and more. On the day this reporter was there to take a photo they were giving away one coat per person who came through their doors. What an amazing job they do!
Support the Stoddard County Gospel Mission by donating what you can when you can and remember there are many right here in our own neighborhood that could use your help. Some are too proud to ask, others may take advantage, but that's not for us to decide. We just need to give and be thankful for what we have and help those who are less fortunate.
Shown in the photo are Tyler Stevenson, football player and president of FCA, Kendra Stevenson along with employees of the Stoddard County Gospel Mission. Thank you Fellowship of Christian Athletes for all that you do.
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Officials from Dexter Schools visited Poplar Bluff R-1 on Friday, November 1st to research the 1:1 Initiative for possible implementation in their District.
The previous week, a Clearwater school technology official visited with Poplar Bluff's technology team to learn about the digital transformation, which began at the Junior High this school year. Next year, the High School students will each be issued a MacBook Air at Poplar Bluff.
Show in the photo are Dexter's Assistant Superintendent Corey Mouser holding a laptop to feel the weight of the device while his colleagues listen in on the discussion. Also picture are Dexter Technology Assistant James Sneed, Poplar Bluff Network Manager Daniel Eubank and Media Center Director Jim Thomas and Steven Sparlin.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - Not only did the 2nd grade students at Southwest Elementary color Poppy flowers in art class, but they held a Coin Drive.
Sgt. William J. Nelson of the 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter, who also served 13 months in Iraq, came and spoke to the students about his career in the military and the different organizations that could benefit from a fundraiser.
The students decided on a "Coin Drive". For just one week, the children were encouraged to bring coins to school as part of a special contest. As an incentive, the winning classroom would decide the organization that would receive the money raised by the entire 2nd grade and they would also be awarded a special party.
The total amount raised included 20,005 pennies, 4,999 nickels, 1,800 dimes, 404 quarters, 4 half dollars, a bobby pin, 6 screws, a few nails, a couple of Chucky Cheese tokens and some casino tokens for a grand total of $734.00!
Mrs. LeeAnn Nelson's classroom raised the most money with a total of $213.00. Mrs. Nelson's class chose Gobbler's Ridge Farm owned by Tom Love. This is a 125 acre area known to be the Disabled Veterans Wildlife Facility which can accommodate disabled veterans to hunt, bird watch or just view nature at no cost through a cooperative effort with the American Legion Post #59.
Mr. Love was available to accept the check and was pleasantly surprised! His dream has become reality and the community has been extremely gracious! A big thank you to all of the 2nd graders who helped raise money for the Disable Veterans Wildlife Facility. It went to a great cause!
Written by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
Dexter, Missouri - The Crowley Ridge Jaycees are currently hosting a “Kicks for Kids” shoe and sock drive. This project will help provide shoes and socks to the less fortunate children and students in our Stoddard County area. The deadline for donations for this project will be December third. After the deadline, Jaycee members will work case by case to help pass out the shoes and socks to the less fortunate children who need them through this cold weather season.
All donations for this event are appreciated, whether its money, new shoes, or slightly used shoes. The shoes and socks being collected are needed in any and all sizes available for children. Since the Crowley Ridge Jacyees is a new chapter, they hope to grow by the projects they do throughout their community, just like this one. They are also hoping to make their Kicks for Kids a yearly event that will continue to help the local children that need it.
