Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri – The 3rd Annual Larry B. Jones H.O.P.E. Campaign Fundraiser was quite successful. The family wants to thank all of Southeast Missouri for their generosity, help, and support!
The pork loin sale along with numerous donations raised just over $7,000. This, along with nearly $3,000 in donations and memorials made to the H.O.P.E. Campaign over the course of this past year enabled them to send $10,000 to 18FORE Life.
This translates to 10 area Cancer Warriors who will receive a gift to be used as needed for their treatment and care. Along with this financial assistance, their goal is to offer hope, love, and encouragement with each gift that is given.
Again the family would like to thank the following for advertising this year’s fundraiser: KDEX AM/FM, the ShowMe Times, the Daily Statesman, and Your Hometown Channel YHC-TV, as well as numerous friends who helped get the word out in our schools, churches, businesses and all the communities. They could not do this without everyone’s help!
In memory of a loving dad and in honor of their mother, and for all who have battled cancer themselves or have fought along side a family member or friend, this is their way of giving back. The Jones family celebrate H.O.P.E. – Healing, Optimism, Prayer, and Example.
Since March 2011, the Larry B. Jones charity has raised over $25,000 and can now add another $10,000 to that total for area cancer warriors and individuals faced with this life-threatening illness.
Submitted Article to
news@showmetimes.com
Searcy, Arkansas - Owen Flowers, a 2012 Dexter graduate, was inducted into Harding University's Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) on Sunday, April 13th. ODK is the only national leadership honor society, and only about 1% of Harding University's study body is nominated into this premier group.
Members of Omicron Delta Kappa are highly selected individuals with excellence in scholarship and leadership across five areas of campus life: scholarship, athletics, campus/community service, media, and performing arts. Membership is awarded to college juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, and alumni.
"Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded December 3, 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia by 15 student and faculty leaders. The founders formulated the idea that leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in college should be recognized, that representatives in all phases of college life should cooperate in worthwhile endeavors, and that outstanding students, faculty, and administrators should meet on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and helpfulness. OΔK® was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship. Since its founding, Omicron Delta Kappa has initiated over 300,000 members."
Owen is a junior at Harding University, located in Searcy, AR. He is majoring in the Athletic Training/Pre-Physician Assistant Program. He is the son of Tim and Kim Flowers, and grandson of Jane Flowers and Dale and Jeanice Tanner.
Congratulations Owen! The Dexter community is extremely proud of you!
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Bernie, Missouri – The Bernie Parents as Teachers program has announced their second student of the month for May as Deken Stone. The Bernie PAT chooses two students each month.
Deken just turned four and is the son of Ryan and Melanie Stone and enjoys playing outside, riding his bicycle, and hanging out with the children and teachers at Sunshine School.
During a recent Parents As Teachers visit with Mrs. McGarity, he enjoyed bowling and counting the pins as he knocked them down.
Deken looks forward to this upcoming school year when he will attend preschool at Bernie.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie Parents As Teachers program has announced one of their two students of the month for May, Jameson Robert Beaird.
He is the 7 month old son of Alex and Lindsay Beaird and little brother to Ethan and Tatum.
Jameson enjoys playing with his feet, putting his pacifier in his mouth (he just learned to do this on his own), listening to classical music with headphones (this is his Dad's doing), and playing in his Little Einstein bouncer.
Jameson also enjoys playing with Mrs. Williams when she comes to visit and really likes the high contrast tracking toys she brought him. Recently, Jameson has learned how to sit up steadily on his own. He can also roll anywhere he needs to go.
Congratulations Jameson! For more information about Parents As Teachers in Bernie go to their Facebook page by clicking HERE.
Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Dexter, Missouri - Members of the First Christian Church in Dexter stand behind only a portion of the Easter “baskets” they prepared for Stoddard County families in need and donated to the Stoddard County Mission.
Seventy-five families in need will benefit from their efforts.
Holloway’s Distributing in Puxico delivered paper and laundry products worth nearly $6,000 to the mission. The items were also donated from the church, purchased with proceeds from the “Billie’s Closet” event held in November.
Billie’s Closet is a fundraising endeavor in honor of Billie Harty. When she passed away in June of 2013 her husband, Norman decided to donate her personal items to his church, the First Christian Church of Dexter. Doing this Norman though the items could be purchased at auction and the proceeds could go toward helping local families.
It was decided that a gala evening titled, “Billie’s Closet” would be held at the church in November. The event netted several thousand dollars. In conjunction with the Easter Baskets presented to the Gospel Rescue Mission, Holloway Distributing out of Puxico delivered a truckload of paper products, and laundry and dish soap to the Mission — nearly $6,000 worth of household products, all paid for with proceeds from “Billie’s Closet” event.
“We are so fortunate to have these items on hand for our families in need,” Slavings said upon delivery Wednesday. “This act of kindness is one of the most generous gestures we’ve ever experienced from one local entity, and it is greatly appreciated.”
Pictured above are (front) Debbie Vanslyke, Kellie Reese, Carolyn Carrier, Kim Williams, Mission Director Kim Slavings, Jansen Williams, Nona Robinson, and Debbie Stidham. In back are Sean Vanslyke, Gary Williams, Pastor Michael Williams, Mission Food Pantry Manager Marty Starnes, and Larry Thompson.
What wonderful people we have in our community who come together to help such a wonderful organization. The Stoddard County Gospel Mission helps those who are less fortunate.
"The Stoddard County Gospel Mission operates on donations from the local community. Gently used items are donated and sold for a minimal price in the Mission’s Thrift Store. Money from sales in the store help to support the overall operation of the store and keep the food pantry stocked with food for approximately 1200 families in Stoddard County each month."
“That means a lot of food each month is needed to help with these low-income household needs,” says Kim Slavings, director.
Food drives are a necessity to keep food on the mission’s shelves. Most recently, US Bank and Family Video sponsored food drives to assist in the mission’s needs. In June, Allen Christian Buick GMC sponsors a Stuff a Truck event. In September, the local Faurecia plant holds a Food Drive Challenge, and in November the Boy Scouts Food Drive contributes to the mission’s needs.
Rotary Interact Students of Stoddard County and other schools in the county have also brought in food items. In December, Dexter Schools sponsor a coat and food drive to benefit the mission.
“It is our hope that other businesses and churches in the county will be inspired to keep in mind the less fortunate within our community, as has members of the First Christian Church. We so much appreciate all who continue to have a part in helping us help others.”
