Bloomfield, Missouri - The 5th Annual "Claus for a Cause" will be held this Sunday, November 24th from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Come have your picture made with Santa just in time for the Holidays. Picture packages ranging from $10 to $25 will be available for purchase. No appointment necessary.

They have raised over $10,000 in their first four years.  It's a great way to raise money and the memories will last a lifetime!

All proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and 18 Fore Life. The public is encouraged to attend and Everyone is welcome!

The church is located at 704 W. Missouri Street.

Dexter, Missouri - Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.  Everyone should experience the tradition of a great meal, family and a fun afternoon of visiting.

The Student Council of Dexter High School knows all to well how tradition is important and again this year they will host the Senior Citizen's Turkey Dinner on Tuesday, November 26th.

Dinner will be served at the High School at 5:00 p.m. with entertainment and BINGO to begin at 6:15 p.m.

All Senior Citizens are encouraged to attend and no per-registration is required.  There is no charge for this wonderful meal.

Pictured with some of the BINGO prizes are Student Council members: Honey Patel, Alexis Smith, Zach Sims, Lacey Midgett, and Hayli Petty.

Dexter, Missouri - It's becoming a trend.  Youngsters are asking for money for their birthdays, but not for themselves.  They are choosing to donate their birthday money to charities.

Liza King, a middle school student at Dexter, decided to donate her birthday money to the Ben Kruse 18 Fore Life Foundation this year.  They give "love offerings" to local people undergoing treatment for cancer.

In June 18 Fore Life donated their 1 millionth dollar.  A goal Scott Kruse and his fellow fundraisers set years ago.  And until there is a cure for all cancers they will strive towards their next millionth dollar!

"She's a great student," commented Kruse, principal of T.S. Hill Middle School and organizer of 18 Fore Life.  "I am amazed each time a student donates their own money.  My brother would be so proud." 

As many of the Dexter community already knows, Ben Kruse started the ball rolling when he wanted to have a golf tournament to raise money.  He loved helping people and he loved golf.  He was tragically taken away, but his memory is not forgotten.  Today, 18 Fore Life is instrumental in this area to helping those suffering from the hardships of cancer.  They host annual events including Hits for Hope, 10 Pins for Ben, a Charity Golf Tournament, Crappie Tournament, and more.

Liza donated $100 of her birthday money.  What a wonderful contribution as knows the importance of what a community can give to each other.  It hits a little closer to home for her though. Her Dad is currently battling cancer. 

Thank you Liza!  The Dexter community is extremely proud of you!

Written by

Beth Farrah, SMT Writer

Dexter, Missouri – Liberty Hill General Baptist Church will be holding their fourth annual Relay For Life 5K run on Saturday, November 23^th, 2013 at 9:00am. Just like the previous years, it will be held at West City Park in Dexter. This event is not only for runners, but walkers as well.

Liberty Hill focuses on raising money for Relay for Life all year long. It is an incredible effort that they put forth and in 2011, they raised nearly $20,000 and in 2012 they raised $25,000. They have spent many years working and perfecting fundraisers so they are able to contribute to Stoddard County’s very own Relay for Life. They participate in a wide variety of events and fundraisers throughout the year, but the upcoming 5K is one of their larger events that they encourage local people to participate in. The 5K isn’t only to raise money, but it is for the runners/walkers to represent and honor a loved one who fought or is fighting cancer.

The coordinators for this event are up and ready to get this show on the road with pre-registration. Pre-registration for this event costs $20 and this includes the 5K, a t-shirt, and a light breakfast following registration. Late registration or Racing Day registration is only $25 but if you wait to register on race day, your preferred t-shirt size is not guaranteed. If you do not want to participate in the walk or run but you would like to purchase a t-shirt to support this event, you can order a t-shirt for $15. All runners or walkers that participate in pre-registration are guaranteed a t-shirt.

Sponsorships for local businesses are also available for purchase and their company name will be placed on the back of the t-shirts that are being sold. One business logo will be sold at the cost of $100 and the companies that choose to participate will each receive two free t-shirts.

Times will be given out to the walkers and runners at the end of the 5K but no awards will be given out because this is not meant to be a competitive event. The main goal of Liberty Hill’s 5K is to honor those who have been diagnosed with a type of cancer, remember those who have lost the fight to cancer, and raise money to help the awareness campaign for the 2014 Stoddard County Relay for Life Team.

Dexter, Missouri - County Wide Insurance enjoys giving back to the community and this year is no exception.  They are collecting food for the Stoddard County Gospel Mission and will continue to do so even after the holidays!

Everyone knows that there are difficult times for many and fellow neighbors are starving in Stoddard County.  "Through local food drives, you can give back and make a direct impact on the lives of people living in our own community," stated Tracy Horton, County Wide Insurance agent.

"Items needed are any non-perishable foods such as rice, beans, canned vegetables, mac&cheese, peanut butter, boxed drinks, ramen, spaghetti, soups, canned tuna, boxed cornbread, and cereal," according to Horton.  "We just want to give to the community and we realize there are a lot of people who could use some much needed food this holiday season."

You can drop off food between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday at 140 S. Walnut Street.  While you are there pick up a free 2014 calendar!

County Wide Insurance is encouraging employees, insurance company partners and the public to help them make the holidays a little bit easier for those in need.  Please give what you can!

Shown in the photo are Tish Gentry, Kaylin Goins, and Tracy Horton, County Wide Insurance Agents.