2009 – June

January – February - March – April – May – June – July – August – September - October – November – December-General & On-going

Now through July 4 – Matching Opportunity for Friends for Life. God has given Friends for Life a wonderful opportunity, but they need your help. A friend of the charity feels God leading him to help Friends for Life continue the work it does to serve the elderly and people with disabilities. The charity operates an adult day care center and provides guardianship, money management, independent living and quality of life services. From now until July 4th, every monetary contribution to Friends for Life will be matched up to $100,000. To learn more about the ministry or to help, visit their website at www.friendsforlife.org or call 772.7600. Mail checks to Friends for Life at P O Box 23491, Waco, TX 76702.

Now until school starts - FREE Breakfast and Lunch ALL SUMMER LONG for children 1-18 at participating schools!! For more details including locations and times, click here: Breakfast and Lunch sites. For information or questions call Child Nutrition Services at 752-5522 or 750-3763 or email cns@wacoisd.org.

Now through August — Matching gift opportunity for Waco Habitat. All donations to the Interfaith Build (Aug 12 kick off) will be matched by Joe & Bessie Baxter to fund the construction of a second house for Building on Faith (Sep 12 kick off). Donate on-line at http://wacohabitat.org/donate  , or mail checks payable to Waco Habitat to Waco Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 2124, Waco, TX, 76703. For more information or to use your credit card to make a donation, contact 254-756-7575.

Now through August – Volunteers needed for Family Abuse Center summer children’s programs and thrift store. – Children’s programs are offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:45-8:15 pm. Volunteers for children’s programs must be 18 or older and willing to have a background check. Click here to see a calendar of summer children’s events for which volunteers are needed: FAC Summer Children’s Programs. Thrift store volunteers must be 16 or older and are needed Monday-Friday from 9:30 am-5:30 pm and Saturdays from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities please contact Dinah Husbands by email at volunteer@familyabusecenter.org or by phone at 254-772-8999.

Now through August – School Supplies Collection – Collection Box Sites Being Placed Around Waco….want one? One school year is just ending and we are already seeking your help for low-income families for the Fall 2009 school year! In just over two months, we need to secure thousands of school supplies for hundreds of children. Because Mission Waco believes protecting the dignity of the poor is important and letting them pay a portion of the cost is important, we will “sell” the items below that you donate in the summer in our “School Supply Store.” But the good news is they get an 80% discount! For only a fraction of the cost, these parents can purchase required items for their children. And we use all the money they give to buy more supplies. If you are willing to help and also want a “collection box” for your location, just let us know. For more information or to ask for a collection box contact Kathy Wise by email at kwise@missionwaco.org  or Suzanne Kelly by email at Suzanne_Kelly@vanguard.org  or call 254-753-4900.

June – Sign up for Mission Waco Poverty Simulations. Simulation dates with openings are July 24-26, Aug 7-9, Sept 11-13. Cost $50. If you are interested in participating in a poverty simulation contact Mission Waco by email at povertysim@missionwaco.org or phone 254-753-4900. Or visit the poverty simulation website: Mission Waco Poverty Simulations.

June 10 – “Heal2gether” Diabetes Health Screening and Educational Event - 9 AM to 11 AM, Harrison Senior Center, 1718 N. 42 St. Provided by Providence Wound Care Center, this event is free to the public. For more information contact Rose Moyer at Meals & Wheels, 752-0316.

June 11- McLennan County Hunger Coalition (MCHC) meeting - 11:45-1:00, Caritas of Waco Conference Room, 300 S. 15th. A coalition of representatives of food pantries, feeding programs, governmental agencies, faith-based organizations, businesses, and interested individuals committed to solving the problems of food insecurity and hunger in the local area, the MCHC meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Anyone who has an interest is welcom. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net.

June 13 & June 20 – Volunteer Training for CareNet Pregnancy Center - 9a.m. – 3 p.m., 4700 W. Waco Dr. We are currently seeking volunteers who have a heart to minister to those in our community that are facing an unplanned pregnancy. Please RSVP to Stella at 772-6175 or e-mail her at stella@carenetofcentraltexas.org, if you would like to become a part of our team!

June 15- “Making Waves” Open Swimming Program at Talitha Koum begins. The junior Olympic size pool is located at the corner of 13th and Clay behind the Talitha Koum Nurture Center  facility. If your group would like to rent the pool, it is one of the ways Talitha Koum keeps the pool afloat! Cost depends on the number of swimmers in your group. Reservations and pricing can be made by calling John Cowley at 754-7300, x 4 or by emailing John@CowleyGroup.com . Some morning hours are reserved by Child Care centers. Open swim hours are Monday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is 50¢. Talitha Koum welcomes Dime Days sponsors so that the poorer children of South Waco have opportunity to swim. $100 brings a Dime Day to the children. Or provide a FREE Swim Day for $300. Summer budget for ‘09 is only partially fulfilled. Help is needed to keep swimmers afloat! Call 753-1144.

June 15 – RSVP to get involved with the “Looking, Listening and Learning Tour on Poverty in America” to East Waco & Marlin – This historic event will include several opportunities to participate: lunch with LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers, “A Taste of Falls County” dinner and dreaming session, “Realizing the Dream” walking tour of Marlin, town hall meeting with Martin L. King III and other panelists including Waco Mayor and City Manager, inspirational speeches by Martin L. King III and Coach Ken Carter (the subject of the movie Coach Carter starring Samuel L. Jackson.) For details about all these events including cost and contact information please visit the www.trustworthyconsult.com  website or click here: Looking, Listening and Learning Tour on Poverty in America – East Waco & Marlin. To RSVP about how you would like to be involved contact LaKisha Wooden by email at : lwooden@mclennan.edu or by phone at (254) 644-7057.

June 16 – Crisis hotline volunteer training begins for the Family Abuse Center. First Baptist Church of Waco Fellowship Hall, enter on the Corner of 6th and Clay (across from the VA regional office). Hotline volunteer training is six sessions (attendance required all six days). Sessions will be June 16, 18, 22 & 29 from 5:30 – 9:00 PM, and June 20& 27 from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. On the weekdays dinner will be served. On the Saturdays Coffee and donuts and lunch will be served. Please contact Dinah Husbands by email at volunteer@familyabusecenter.org  or by phone at 254-772-8999.

June 17 – Nonprofits Aligned for Education. 10:30 AM, Caesar Chavez Middle School Library, 700 S. 15th street. Please join us as we explore ways in which nonprofit organizations can make a difference in local educational efforts! At this follow up meeting to the Greater Waco Educational Summit, you will hear plans for increasing literacy in the community and learn how nonprofits are organizing to support these efforts. This informative meeting is for every nonprofit organization in McLennan County, regardless of the types of programs that you provide. Please help with this endeavor by: (1) having at least one staff person attend, emailing us a brief, one paragraph description of any summer programs that you are conducting that address literacy; please include time, location and activity (this information will be distributed at the meeting). For more information contact Cheryl Allen by email at cherylallen@wacofoundation.org.

June 19 – Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition Meeting. 11:45 AM. Location Change: Meyer Center, corner of Washington and 12th streets.  No cost to attend. Join us to stay involved with what is going on in Central Texas to serve the homeless. Lunch will be provided. Reservations are required – please call (254) 722-7644 or email jennyc@ci.waco.tx.us. For more information, click here: www.hothomeless.org.

June 20 – BBQ Dinner/Auction benefitting Waco Habitat. 5 PM to 8 PM, Bledsoe Miller Park, 300 MLK Drive. Tickets: $12 single, $20 couple, $60 table of six. Entertainment by MustardSeed. Cargill is hosting this fundraiser dinner/auction and all proceeds benefit the Cargill Build (July 11 kick off). Click here for a flyer: Cargill Dinner/Auction. For tickets or information call Cargill or Waco Habitat at 799-6211 or 756-7575.

June 20 – Juneteenth 2009 Celebration sponsored by Centex African American Chamber of Commerce. 9:30 a.m. – parade down Elm Ave, 11:30 a.m. – Activities start at Indian Springs Park. A day of FREE activities on the theme of Unity in the Community. Activities include a kick off ceremony at 11:00a.m. Kid’s Korner with relays, games, arts and crafts, Bounce Houses, clowns and more will start at 12 noon. Starting also at noon activities will include Praise Dance Teams,Gospelfest, Healthfest, and Jazzfest. For more information call Gail King at (254) 235 – 3204 or e -mail at gailk@centexchamber.com.

June 22 – Legal Assistance Project: Free Senior Law Forum. 10 AM – 11 AM. East Waco Senior Center, 1809 J J Flewellen Road, Waco.  Participants will learn about advance care planning, wills and probate, Medicare, and guardianship. You will also receive forms such as the Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Health Directive which can be self-completed without the aid of an attorney. For more information contact Francine Lumbard at (254) 757-3401‎ or email legalassistanceproject@yahoo.com. Lunch available aftwards for those who pre-register. For directions or to preregister for lunch call (254) 799-3304.

June 24 – Legal Assistance Project: Free Senior Law Forum. 10 AM – 11 AM. Kate Ross Community Center, 1115 Cleveland, Waco.  Participants will learn about advance care planning, wills and probate, Medicare, and guardianship. You will also receive forms such as the Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Health Directive which can be self-completed without the aid of an attorney. For more information contact Francine Lumbard at (254) 757-3401‎ or email legalassistanceproject@yahoo.com. Lunch available afterwards for those who preregister with the center. For directions or to register for lunch call (254) 754-7531

June 25 - Habitat for Humanity Informational Meeting (English). 7 pm at the Habitat Office, 220 N. 11th Street. Looking for an affordable opportunity to buy a safe, decent home? Wait no more: attend one of our informational meetings. For more information contact Habitat for Humanity Waco by phone at 254-756-7575 or email at info@wacohabitat.org. Visit their website at: www.wacohabitat.org. For a flyer listing the dates for additional upcoming informational meetings, click here: Habitat Info Meetings (English), Habitat Info Meetings (Spanish).

June 25 – Legal Assistance Project: Free Senior Law Forum. 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Itasca Senior Center, 140 W. Main, Itasca.  Participants will learn about advance care planning, wills and probate, Medicare, and guardianship. You will also receive forms such as the Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Health Directive which can be self-completed without the aid of an attorney. For more information contact Francine Lumbard at (254) 757-3401‎ or email legalassistanceproject@yahoo.com. Lunch available afterwards for those who pre-register with the center.  For directions or to register for lunch call (254) 687-2310.

June 25 – World Hunger Relief, Inc. Cordially invites you to an Urban Gardening Benefit Dinner. 6:30 p.m., The Palladium, 729 Austin Ave in downtown Waco. Cost: $75 per person or Reserve the Chef’s table for $1,000. Please join us for a very special meal prepared by Chef Angela Medearis, author, storyteller and Kitchen Diva! Come to learnmore about what the World Hunger Relief Farm is doing to teach and nurture gardening in our community.

June 27 – National Day of Service Healthy Living Pantry Drive – 10 AM – 5 PM Poppa Rollo’s Pizza – 703 Valley Mills Dr. NDS volunteers are collecting food, clothing, and medical supply donations to benefit the Freeman Center and the MCC student pantry. For more information contact Brenda Dunbar (254) 235-0463 or (254) 424-6330.

June 27 – CHIP Application Drive – Organizing for America volunteers will be helping uninsured TX families fill out CHIP applications, free of charge. Applicants need to bring proof of last year’s income for each family member and a social security number for each child. (Proof can be a tax return, pay stub or letter from employer.) Applicants will also need documentation of any other sources of income in the household, include child support, social security benefits, TANF, etc. Times and Locations:

• Saturday, June 27, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at East Waco Library, 901 Elm Ave. Host: LaShawn Brown (214) 705-5773 (Dallas area code)
• Saturday, June 27, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Hoover Library, 1428 Wooded Acres Dr. Host: Diane Waltman (254) 666-9459
• Saturday, June 27, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th St. Host: Diane Waltman (254) 666-9459

June 28 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Salvation Army Food drive – 6 AM – 10 PM, Airport Park and Twin Bridge entrance to Lake Waco. Drop off your nonperishable food items at the collection boxes at the gate’s front entrance and help those less fortunate in our community. Please call 254-756-7271 for more information. Drop off Point for Lake Whitney: Lofer’s Bend and McCown Valley. Contact 254-694-5472 for more information.

June 30 – Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) training – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, MCC campus. There is no charge for the training, but there is limited seating. For an outline of the subjects to be covered, click here: HMIS training outline. For the training schedule, click here: HMIS training schedule. The only requirement to attend is registration. To register or for more information, please contact Natalie Williams by phone at: 254-292-1855 or email at Natalie.williams@hot.cog.tx.us .