2010 – October
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | General & On-going
Now through December 15 - Volunteers needed for AARP TAXAIDE tax preparer program. Volunteers provide free income tax preparation services using IRS-provided tax software late January-April 15, 2011. Training is required. Interested? For more information click here: TAXAIDE information, or contact Jonathan Lindsey, by phone at 254/717-6145 or by email at Jal637@sbcglobal.net.
Now through January 18, 2011 - Help plan for the 2011 MLK Day of Service with the Urban Gardening Coalition. We will be organizing garden events, reflection time and community meals for January 18, 2011. To find out more about how you can help, contact Bethel Erickson – HOT Urban Gardening Coalition at vista@worldhungerrelief.org or cell: 773-494-3613. Or visit the website: http://hotugc.org .
October 1-2 – Family of Faith Worship Center Harvest Fest 2010. This year’s event will be held on the athletic field of Brazos Middle School located at 2415 Cumberland Avenue, adjacent to Family of Faith Worship Center. The festival is designed to encourage a family-friendly environment where families will enjoy Live Christian Music, Food, Games, and so much more. We hope you and your family are able to join us for this memorable event! For more information, click here: Harvest Fest Flyer.
October 2 – Urban Gardening Coalition Crop Mob at Calvary Baptist Community Garden. - 19th & Homan St. Starting at 9:00am. Call Ray Small if you want to help! Cell (847) 687-0148.
October 5 – “Boots, Baskets & BBQ” annual Baskets of Hope Fundraiser for Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) – 6:30 PM, First Baptist Church Woodway, 101 Ritchie Rd, Waco. – Baskets of Hope is a fun evening with a meal and beautiful themed baskets donated by businesses and groups throughout McLennan County. It is an informal evening in which our guests spend time eating and participating in a silent auction of these baskets. It’s a great time to visit with friends and do some shopping. During the evening, a brief program includes three or four of our graduates sharing their stories to give our guests a clear picture of the ways in which women who participate in our program are making positive lifestyle changes not only for themselves but for their families and generations to come. Dinner will be Uncle Dan’s BBQ. For more information, to purchase a ticket or to reserve a table for 8, please call the center at 254-757-0416 or use the website www.cwjcwaco.org . Tickets will not be sold at the door that evening.
October 7 & 8 - Volunteer Training for Care Net Waco. Time: 9:00 – 3:00 pm, must attend both days. Place: Care Net Administrative Offices, 4700 W. Waco Drive. Care Net is searching for volunteers who have a heart to minister to men and women facing an unplanned pregnancy. They have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities including facilitating classes, event planning, peer counseling, office support and many others. Some volunteer positions require 12-hour Care Net training and a period of in-house training. If you are interested, click here to open and/or download a volunteer application and contact stella@carenetofcentraltexas.org. to make an appointment to bring it in, or call her at 254-772-6175.
October 5 – Nonprofit Workshop: Focus, Oversight and Talent sponsored by MCC Community Programs and Waco Foundation. Time: 8:30 – 11:30. Place: MCC. Board and staff members of nonprofit organizations have the responsibility of creating a clear mission for their Board and staff members of nonprofit groups have the responsibility of creating a clear mis¬sion for their organization and designing pro¬grams to improve the lives of the clients and communities they serve. This workshop will highlight techniques to keep your nonprofit on track and will share practical benchmarks for the mission, board, conflict of interest and human resources of a nonprofit organiza¬tion. In today’s environment, it is critical for board and staff members and volunteers to understand their duties and to manage their nonprofit organizations in the most effective manner possible. Content from the nation¬ally recognized Standards for Excellence pro-gram will be incorporated into the workshop. Invest three hours of your time to improve your nonprofit management skills. Cost: $39. Call 299-8888 to register – Please make reservations by September 28.
October 6 thru 8 – Texas Homeless Network Annual Conference – Texas Homeless Network is excited to host its 22nd Annual Conference in beautiful Corpus Christi, TX, the “sparkling city by the sea.” Choose what interests you most from 44 workshops that address homelessness, how we can better serve this vulnerable population, and what we can do to prevent it from happening to more people. For more information, including information about registration, click here: Texas Homeless Network Annual Conference.
October 8 -10 – Baylor University Annual Poverty Summit: Hungry for Justice. – The 2010 Poverty Summit is a national conference, co-sponsored by The Campus Kitchens Project, on October 8-10, 2010 at Baylor University. The conference is entitled, “Hungry for Justice: Social, Economic, Environmental.” Confirmed speakers include Robert Egger, Founder and President of D.C. Central Kitchen, and Shannon Sedgwick Davis, a prominent anti-human trafficking advocate involved in global human rights. The conference aims to stimulate academic thought and raise awareness about poverty; engage students about the issues of social, economic, and environmental justice; and encourage action. To register ($40), to see the schedule, or to get information about hotel accommodations, and travel information, please visit www.baylor.edu/povertysummit.
October 9 – Monthly Crop Mob at Urban Gardening Coalition partner gardens throughout the city (Lake Shore Baptist, WHRI) – in conjunction with Baylor’s Hungry for Justice Conference. Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm. To find out more about how you can help in the garden, contact Bethel Erickson – HOT Urban Gardening Coalition at vista@worldhungerrelief.org or cell: 773-494-3613. Or visit the website: http://hotugc.org .
October 9 – Parent Support Workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Activities Center of First Baptist Church of Waco at 5th Street and Webster Avenue (Waco Transit, Route 2) – hosted by First Baptist Church of Waco with the assistance of other local churches and the Baylor University School of Social Work –– The Parent Support Workshop is geared for single parents and low-income couples with children. More than 15 government agencies and local nonprofit groups will be represented. Attendees can apply for child support, TANF (welfare), food stamps, Medicaid, and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). Attendees can also obtain information and make appointments with government agencies and local nonprofit groups for various types of assistance, including GED and ESL classes, certification programs, job training, computer skills, interviewing skills, resume writing, public housing, health and dental care, prescription drug costs, rent and utility assistance, emergency assistance, guardianship, divorce, WIC, CCS (Child Care Services), and more! Each attendee will be paired with a workshop advocate to provide individualized assistance at the workshop. It’s a “one stop shop” for assistance! Free childcare will be provided for children up to 12 years old. For more information, please contact Jodi Terwilliger-Stacey at (254) 495-7460 or jstacey2@hot.rr.com . A Benefits & Assistance Chart is provided courtesy of the Parent Support Workshop and everyone involved. Click here for chart in English. Click here for chart in Spanish.
October 10 – Waco CROP walk. Registration begins at 2:00. Step-off is at 3:00. Starting at Bledsoe Miller Park (300 MLK Blvd), the 5K walk (optional “Golden Mile”)will take place along the scenic Brazos River. Join us for an afternoon of fun! There will be live music for everyone! Three-fourths of the proceeds from the CROP walk will go to Church World Service (CWS) a world-wide relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry. One-fourth of the proceeds will go to Caritas of Waco. For more information, please e-mail Katie Cook at seedseditor@clearwire.net or call 254-755-7745. Click here for a flyer: Waco CROP walk.
October 12 – Hispanic Forum. Please consider being a part of an upcoming forum. For detailed information, click here: Hispanic Forum. This session is designed for open discussion among all attendees and data gathered at this event will be included in a study that will hopefully one day change future policies. Feel free to invite others. Be the voice for future generations! For more information contact Ruben Andrade Jr. by email at pastor@familyoffaithwc.org.
October 14 – Sweet Sounds benefitting Meals on Wheels. – 7:00 p.m. Featuring The Baylor Singing Seniors, Cogdell United Methodist Church Sanctuary 1201 W. Hw. 6 Waco, Texas. $25 per person. Mail checks to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 85, Waco, Texas, 76703, or to reserve through credit card, call Wayne, 752-0316. For more information call 254-752-0316.
October 14 - 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 welcome. For more information contact Esther Morales at 753-3545 or foodoutreach@grandecom.net.
October 14 – Power of Prevention Coalition Meeting – 11:45am-1:00pm. Collins Street Bakery. Contact Ashley Williams for more information: AshleyW@ci.waco.tx.us
October 15 – Fast of Caring. The McLennan County Hunger Coalition would like to encourage everyone to participate by sacrificing their midday meal on October 15 in order to experience, first-hand, the feeling of hunger. The day before World Food Day, the event is simple but powerful in its potential to focus upon our own blessings and the needs of others, locally and globally. A short ceremony will be held on October 15th, at Heritage Square (Downtown), at 3rd St. and Austin Ave., from 12:15-12:45 pm for participants from various companies, churches and organizations. For a letter with more information, click here: Fast of Caring Letter. For a sign up sheet to encourage others in your organization to participate, click here: Fast of Caring sign up. For more information contact Kenneth Moerbe by email at kpmoerbe@grandecom.net or by phone at 254-715-0134, or contact Ellie Lewis by email at vista@mclennanhunger.org or by phone at 972 536-3227.
October 15- Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition Meeting. Time: Lunch at 11:45 AM, meeting starts at Noon. Place: VA – Waco. Cost: 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. To RSVP for lunch, please call Kevin Allen at 254-750-5967 or send an email to kallen@ci.waco.tx.us
October 15 – 16 – Doulos International Sixth Big Garage Sale – Sale will take place in the parking lot at 3505 Colcord Street. All kinds of stuff is needed–but especially furniture, children’s clothing, tools, small appliances in working order. No junk please. All proceeds will go to orphan care (feeding, clothing, school fees, housing) which is one of the principle concerns of our organization. Donations of items to sell can be brought by 3505 Colcord on Thursday, October 14 in the afternoon/evening. If you need us to pick up your donations, please call Sharon at (254) 662 1531 (a church office) or Sarah Lockett at (254) 717 5233 (Sale Director, cell phone). All donations are eligible as tax free charitable contributions (ask for a receipt). Volunteers needed for Thursday afternoon/evening, Friday all day, Saturday all day. We welcome you even if you can only stay an hour or so–many of our workers come and go during the sale. If you work for Doulos as a volunteer, we will provide a Doulos Tee-Shirt which you may keep.
October 16 – World Food Day. More details coming soon about Waco events. This day can help to inspire more activity within the world’s population to combat hunger. Want to inspire those in our McLennan community? Have an idea for a World Food Day activity? Please send them to: vista@mclennanhunger.org. Meanwhile, please visit www.worldfooddayusa.org .
October 16 – 17 – Second Annual Ride for Relief benefitting World Hunger Relief, Inc. – Riders will bike two hundred miles in two days across Central Texas backroads and byways to fundraise for World Hunger Relief, Inc. (WHRI) located just north of Waco, Texas. A few spots remain for interested riders. For more information, click here: Ride for Relief. For questions contact Dr. Joel Scott at joel.h.scott@gmail.com or Dr. Jackson Griggs at jackson.griggs@gmail.com, or call Joel Scott at 254-537-2779. To learn more about World Hunger Relief, Inc. or to sponsor riders go to www.worldhungerrelief.org.
October 17 – Children’s Garden Fair. Carleen Bright Arboretum. 9001 Bosque Blvd. 2-5pm. Live music, worm composting, scavenger hunt and more – all FREE! Sponsored by McLennan County Master Gardeners. To find out more contact Bethel Erickson – HOT Urban Gardening Coalition at vista@worldhungerrelief.org or cell: 773-494-3613.
October 18 – 22 – Join the City of Waco and Habitat for Humanity Raise the Roof (RTR) Week. This year’s RTR event is 8:00 -5:00 each day, and it is located at 2214 Trice Avenue. Once again we will be providing lunch, snacks, beverages, and t-shirts to all volunteers. For the sign up form, click here: Raise the Roof Sign Up.
October 19 – Free Legal Support Forum for Central Texas Senior Citizens. Time: 9am – Noon. Place: Waco Area Agency on Aging facility located at 1514 S. New Road, Waco (near the VA Hospital.) Topics such as navigating the Medicare system, Medical and Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Directives, Guardianships, Wills and the Probate process, will be covered. All information will be presented in an easily accessible group format designed to help both seniors and their caregivers through the sometimes overwhelming decision-making process involved in long term-care planning. Refreshments will be served at each event. For directions call 254-292-1800 or 254-757-3401. For more information please contact Francine Lumbard by phone at 254-757-3401, or by email at legalassistanceproject@yahoo.com .
October 21 – Nonprofit workshop: Finance, Fundraising, and Advocacy – Three Critical Areas for Today’s Nonprofit sponsored by MCC Community Programs and Waco Foundation. Time: 12:30. Place: MCC. Nonprofit organizations exist to improve the lives of individuals working and living in communities. Whether small or large, these organizations must establish appropriate non¬profit financial systems. Understanding the financial condition of a nonprofit organization is related to a group’s ability to raise funds. Nonprofits do not exist in a vacuum, and the importance of advocacy and public policy work will only grow in coming years. Attend this workshop to learn practical tools for understanding your financial duties, fundraising techniques and public policy efforts. Content from the nationally recognized Standards for Excellence program will be incorporated into the workshop. This workshop will benefit nonprofit board and staff members, as well as volunteers. Cost: $39. Call 299-8888 to register – please make reservations by October 14.
October 23 – Here and There Interactive Art Show Hosted by Waco Arts Initiative and Project (254). 10:00am – 3:00pm. Common Grounds, 1123 S. 8th Street. Support sustainability through the arts by making art and helping fundraise for three local and three global organizations. Don’t miss out on the art auction, community mural, screen printing and portrait stations that will help benefit innovative economy in your neighborhood and around the world. Stick around for music by Ethan Durelle at 7 pm. Suggested donation $2, $4, $5. For a flyer, click here: Here and There Interactive Art Show.
October 26 – Dallas Franchiser to Speak at Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Scholarship Banquet - 6:30 p.m. at the Phoenix Ballroom, located in downtown Waco at 401 S. Third Street. The key-note speaker, Hiawatha Williams, is the founder and owner of the famous Williams Chicken franchise in Dallas, Texas. This year’s event, which is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Doris Miller, will feature business and community awards, a silent auction, entertainment, excellent food, a preview of the proposed Doris Miller Memorial Park, and an opportunity to contribute to the education of local students. Tickets are $30.00 each or $200.00 for a table of eight. To purchase your tickets or tables, call 254-235-3204.
October 26 – Trick or Treat Bring us something good to eat. Bring a canned good(s) for Shepherd’s Heart food pantry to Chick-fil-A on Franklin Ave. between 5 and 7 p.m. and receive a free ice cream treat. For more information visit www.cfawaco.com or contact Debbie Quarles by email at emaildq@hotmail.com.
October 28 – NeighborWorks® Waco Annual Breakfast Banquet. 7:30 am. The Roosevelt Tower Ballroom, 400 Austin Avenue. No cost to attend the breakfast; banquet sponsorships are available for $125. Reservations are required – please call 752-1647 or email admin@nw-waco.org. For a flyer, click here: Neighborworks Breakfast Banquet.
October 28 – Waco Habitat for Humanity Information Meeting (English) – Waco Habitat for Humanity is holding application information meetings for those interested in learning more about owning a Habitat home. Habitat for Humanity makes homeownership possible for low and very low-income persons. Meetings are held at the Waco Habitat for Humanity Office at the corner of 11th and Columbus downtown Waco, 220 N. 11th St. at 7 p.m. You must attend an informational meeting as the first step in applying for the program. For more information please contact us at 254-756-7575, info@wacohabitat.org or visit us online at www.wacohabitat.org. Habitat for Humanity is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.
October 28 - Urban Gardening Coalition Monthly Meeting. 6pm. Mayborn Museum. 1300 University Parks Dr. For more info about the Urban Gardening Coalition, contact Bethel Erickson at vista@worldhungerrelief.org or cell: 773-494-3613. Or visit the website: http://hotugc.org
October 28-30 – Fall “No Need Among you” Conference on Community Ministries sponsored by Mission Waco, Baylor School of Social Work, Texas Baptists and Crestview Church of Christ – For more information click here: No Need Among You or call 254-753-4900.
October 30 – Re-scheduled! – Baylor’s Steppin Out Community Service Day at gardens throughout the city of Waco. Groundbreaking is being rescheduled. Stay Tuned for more details!
October 30 – “Better Block Project” and “Jubilee Music Festival.” Time: 3:00-5:00. Place: in the streets of Colcord and N. 15th. The Better Block Project is similar to one in Dallas Oak Cliff. The streets will be filled with vendors, activities, newly painted buildings, etc. to promote economic development and a revitalized neighborhood. The second annual “Jubilee Music Festival” is 3:00-5:00 in the streets on N. 15th. A Beatles tribute band called “Hard Night’s Day” will play. The area cafes (World Cup, D’s and Beatnix) will stay open late that night. For more information see www.missionwaco.org or call 254- 214- 4933.
October 30 – Speak Up For Kids 5k/1mile fun run benefitting CASA of Mclennan and Hill counties. For a brochure with more information, click here: Speak Up for Kids Fun Run.
October 30 – Deadline for Scholarship opportunities for Homeless Students – The Give US Your Poor organization (http://www.giveusyourpoor.org/index.php ) is partnering with the Horatio Alger Association in offering college scholarships to homeless and at-risk students. The Horatio Alger Association provides approximately 1,000 scholarships each year to eligible students who have overcome adversity in their lives. For the first time this year, in partnership with Give US Your Poor, the Association is reaching out directly to students who have experienced homelessness to invite them to apply for their scholarship programs. The Horatio Alger Association provides scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. National scholarships are awarded at $20,000. Scholarships in each state are also awarded at various amounts. Applications for Fall 2011 may be accessed online at https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships. For further information, please contact John McGah, Director of Give US Your Poor, at john.mcgah@umb.edu
October 30 – Fifth Annual Just As I Am Ministries Gospel Fest. For a flyer with more information click here: Just as I am Gospel Fest. We expect 250 to 300 participants this year since we will include a “Clothes Give Away” from our clothes pantry as well. Last year, there were about 250 attendees and participants. Please RSVP if you would like to participate and/or attend. You may pass this flyer to others who may want to come and/or participate. For more information or to RSVP contact Patricia Iglehart by phone at 254-666-4051 or 914-319-4580 or by email at: Iglehartpa1@aol.com. The website is www.just-as-i-am-ministries-inc.org.
October 30 – Mexican Consulate of Austin coming to Waco. They will be offering services to Mexican nationals that wish to obtain a passport or matricula consular (ID). The documents will be processed the same day. It is a good opportunity for the community as typically Wacoans have to make an appointment at the consulate in Austin. The matricula consular and/or passport are beneficial to undocumented immigrants, as they can use these documents to open bank accounts, cash checks and serve as an official ID. For a flyer with more information click here: Mexican Consulate flyer. If you could, please help get the word out to those in your organization/clients or neighborhood. Also, if you are a representative of a community organization and would like to set-up a table with information at the event, please contact Mayra Vargas at mayra.e.vargas@gmail.com . For more information about the event contact Claudia V. Olivas at (254) 214-5456.
October 31 – Annual Street Party Offers Safe Halloween Fun. Sunday evening (5:30-8:00) activities attract hundreds. Costumed comic-book heroes, angels, and dressed-up cowboys will once again fill N. 15th between Waco Drive and Morrow Ave on Halloween night. Several years ago, when the Dorrells realized almost no one “trick or treated” in our own neighborhood, the street party was started to get local neighbors up and down the street to host various games and activities for area children. In the past few years, hundreds of families have filled the blocked off streets having a safe and fun-filled evening. You are welcome! For more information contact Mission Waco by phone at 254-753-4900 or by email at Office@missionwaco.org .