February 16, 2018 - The 50 Women Impact group met for their second meeting and voted to donate their collective of funds to the AgriLife Extension, Shelby Family Consumer Science program which provides educational programs and resources on nutrition, wellness, life skill developement, and chronic disease prevention. Each member of the 50 Women Impact group donated $100 and the money is combined to make a large donation and a larger impact to the charity selected by vote.
The group had 94 members when they made their inaugural donation and it has grown in size since then. The total amount will be announced soon!
Jheri-Lynn McSwain, Shelby County Extension Agent for the AgriLife Extension Family Consumer Science program started the presentation by introducing a student in 4-H. The 4-Her said, "My name is Laura Anne Scull. I'm a part of Shelby County 4-H. I have done quilting with 4-H, I have done cooking challenges, and my favorite is showing chickens." Scull displayed her quilt which she made and her cooking apron which she wore recently at a food challenge contest where her team placed third. Her team also placed 2nd at district against 22 counties with over 400 children competing. McSwain then spoke more about 4-H which is committed to meeting challenges presented during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. This is a lifelong skills program. Children start out in the program around age nine and by the time they graduate they are ready to move on to adulthood as a leader. One of the important components to 4-H is giving back to our community. The program does an annual food drive, toy drive, and coat drive. All the Family Consumer Science projects require funding from outside sources on the local level.
During the meeting six worthy groups made presentations to inform everyone about their organization. The other organizations which addressed the 50 Women Impact group are also remarkable and are doing amazing things in our county.
The first to speak was Judy Monroe, Celeste Lewis and Amanda Kirby and they introduced Boo’s Battle Support Fund to the group for consideration. Kirby said, "My sister (Brandi Mills) was diagnosed three years ago [February 16th] with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at the age of 28. She was the single mother of two boys. We watched her struggle a lot and if it wasn't for the help of our community and the grace of God we would not have come to make it through those hard times. We reached out to different organizations for help and we were turned down... After she passed away June 27th a year ago we decided that we wanted to help everybody that we could." They named the non-profit organization they started after her sister's nickname Boo. All funds raised go to help anyone fighting any type of cancer. With proof of treatment, the organization will help with everyday bills, wigs, travel, etc. According to Boo's Battle Support Fund Facebook page, "When we had her big fundraiser she chose to give to others who were currently fighting cancer so we want to continue her idea and help others in their battle!" For contact information about this organization or to donate, visit https://www.facebook.com/boosbattle/
Next to speak was Joann Bush on behalf of the Jon, Macy, Misty Bush Foundation. Bush said, "This is in memory of my son, my grand baby, my daughter-in-law. It started in 2000 and at this point we've paid $46,088.58 to help children, $4,500 to help research to find a cure for my granddaughters disease, Juvenile Dermatomyositis." The non-profit organization helps children with major medical problems as well as bring awareness to the very rare disease Juvenile Dermatomyositis. Bush played a slide show which highlighted children the organization has supported over the years. One of the children the foundation has helped included purchasing a wheelchair which cost $5,800. For more information about the Jon, Macy, Misty Bush Foundation or to donate, visit http://www.jmmbush.org/
Shelley Locke spoke about Project Graduation at Center High School. Project graduation is a safe and fun alternative to all night drug and alcohol related parties that are held on graduation night. It is run by parents who host the event, thanks to support from the community. "Our budget is about $15,000 a year and every penny of that pretty much goes to the kids that night. It's for food; it pays for all the prizes that they are given. Center's senior class this year is 155 and normally we have about all the seniors come." The event is organized and chaperoned by the parents with security officers there as well. Graduates enjoy games and activities to win Rider Bucks which at the end of the night is turned in for chances to win prizes which include TVs, laptops, and more. Many of the great prizes are items they can use for college. When the event is over, every graduate receives $50 when they leave. For more information about Project Graduation, contact Shelley Locke at slocke67@yahoo.com or make your tax-deductible donation directly to CHS Project Graduation 2018, P.O. Box 656, Center, Texas 75935.
Robin Connell spoke on behalf of the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center. She said, "It opened in 2002 and I joined the board shortly after that. I had been on several grand juries and I was appalled at the number, just the sheer number of cases that involved crimes against children." She explained the services provided by the advocacy center. The day to day expenses of the organization is being covered which includes giving counseling for the whole family. However, funds are needed to help go past the essential needs that the advocacy center provides and uplift the child to enable them to adjust to a life after. Connell expressed funds were needed at times to help kids get involved with programs such as 4-H, gymnastics, and other extracurricular activities. Those activities can be out of reach for some children who do not have the resources to pay for materials needed for projects, required fees or tuition, and more. For more information about the SCCAC, visit online http://shelbycountycac.com/ or to donate or volunteer contact the Center at 936-590-9864.
A presentation for the Timpson ISD Collegiate Center was then presented by Vernett Richardson and Mary Tinkle. Richardson addressed everyone, "Timpson ISD has made a commitment to the East Texas community and Shelby County especially to provide the students with the skills and talents that this community had." He gave statistics about the program including 95% of graduates in 2020 will have an associates or an industrial certification, and every student at Timpson has the opportunity to obtain an associate degree or some type of marketable skill via an industrial certification when they receive their high school diploma. Fifty percent of the students enrolled in the dual credit program are first generation college attendees. The program pays for tuition, books, and fees for students enrolled in the program. The program started one year ago with 17 students enrolled in the program and now it has 109 students which have a 92% pass rate on a college level. Monitors help the students understand the feedback the students receive from their college instructors and help keep the students on task. Several students involved in the program introduced themselves to the group and told how many college credit hours each will have when they graduate from high school. Tinkle advised the program was seeking outside funding because of how quickly the program has grown and donations would pay for students to take a college class this semester. It's a proven program. For more information about the program, visit Timpson ISD online at http://www.timpsonisd.com
