Book Drive for Childrens' Hospital

My name is Melissa Heraux, and I am a member of the West Knox 4H Club. 

We are collecting gently used books for the Children's Hospital, and we would like your help. On Thursday, March 4th, there will be a box close to the check-in for you to put the books in.

This is a wonderful opportunity to bless the children in the hospital.

Thanks in advance.

Opportunity for Service Hours

Hi Parents,

As you have noticed, we have some concern about the breakroom population between the hours of 11 and 130. We have quite a few high school and upper middle school students who are spending a lot of time in there. We have discussed this issue with the church and Pastor Kevin has given us a list of projects for which he would love to have some teen help. Mary tried to get some volunteers on Thursday from the break room but the teens were really just not interested in having their social time interrupted. So, we are pleading for some help from the parents. Could you please encourage your older kids to volunteer to help with some of these projects so that we can have more space in the break room? The projects aren’t hard……things like helping with bulletin boards, helping Pastor Kevin brainstorm for some community youth events, helping with a promotional video for the church, etc….. We could also use the teens to help in childcare, work as teacher aides, etc… Teens who participate will be able to get hours of community service validated.

We are looking at creative ways to empty that break room! Please help us so that we aren’t forced to limit the kids who can be at Thursday Connection for lunch next year. If you have ideas, please let us know. Email Mary at mwegman@knology.net

Thanks, 
Mary, for the board

Frith Family House Fire

The board of Thursday Connection wanted to make you aware of a situation involving one of our former families, Darryl and Lisa Frith. Darryl, Lisa, and their 5 children lost their home to a fire on Dec 27th.

They have been staying in a hotel while they look for a home to rent. The family is not with us this year, however, they have been with us for many years and have many connections within our group. They also led our cleaning crew for the past 2 years and have given many extra hours to Thursday Connection in this way.

They have many needs as they lost everything. We would like to give you opportunity to give to them if you feel led. This Thursday, we will be collecting gift cards and cash. Since they do not yet have a home, this is the best way that we can donate to them at this time. If you would like to write a check, you may write it directly to them, or if preferred to Thursday Connection with Frith family written in the memo line. The collection box will be in the administration area., near Mary & Wendy.

Update 1/28/10

Thanks to everyone who has donated curriculum, gift cards, money and other items to the Friths in the last couple of weeks! We have blessed them and started them on the road back to school.

They are in temporary housing in a 2 bedroom rental in Halls area on Brown's Gap. They are just now realizing all the items they are missing, mainly kitchen items because they now have a kitchen to use. If you have any gently used items, I can meet up with you and take them to Lisa, or if you're out and about, their address is 5008 Brown's Gap Pike in Halls if you'd prefer to drop items off. (If you drop items off and no one is home, please be sure they are protected from the rain.)

Specifically, their needs are a few pots and pans, plastic bowls with lids or mixing bowls, anything Pampered Chef that you don't use, and a few picture frames of various sizes. Yesterday, they opened a very charred suitcase and it was full of pictures that were damp, but not burned or mildewed. (What a blessing.)

Also, if you have a nice box that you were going to throw away, it could be used when they move from the temp. rental to a larger rental, as well as store some items until they have furniture.

Currently, they don't have room for a lot of furniture, but someone at TC offered furniture about 3 weeks ago and I can't recall who it was and what they had. If that person still has the furniture avaliable, please contact me.

Thank you all and God bless,
Connie Lilly
connielilly@comcast.net or 219-7400

Update 2/11/10

Prayer Request:

The Frith family has found a house that Lisa says is perfect for their family in size and cost - and has asked that everyone who would to pray that God show favor on them and on the agent towards them so they can get this house. This is the 3rd house they've tried to get and the other two were sold or went to someone else - but she says this house is more perfect than all the rest.

Lisa is asking for your prayers for this house and appreciates everyone who has prayed very much. Thanks

Pampered Chef Online Catalog Shower

Hello Friends,

Tiffany Barlow from the Funtastic Friday home school co-op is hosting a Pampered Chef catalog shower to benefit the Frith family (they have been home schooling 18 years). Lisa used to have children who attended Thursday Connection.

To order online, go to www.pamperedchef.biz/anitaduval.

Your order will be shipped to your home. This is for credit card orders only. If you have any questions please call Anita Duval, the consultant, at 687-7055.

If you have friends who use and love Pampered chef and would be interested in helping out, please pass the word along.

If you don't want to use a credit card, we can make arrangements for you to order through Anita and pay by check.

The party will be closed out Saturday. Thanks for all your help!

Why: To bless Lisa Frith with items destroyed in her house fire,

If you would like to bless Lisa or buy goodies for yourself, you can order online. Go to www.pamperedchef.biz/anitaduval.

**Lisa and her husband and 5 children lost their home and their belongings on Dec 27th due to fire. Lisa loves Pampered Chef, and this is a great way for her friends to help her restock her kitchen with fun gadgets.

Mission of Hope

Mission of Hope, Phone 694-4673, needs items that are new or gently used for infants - teens. Items include clothing, shoes, socks, underwear, hygiene. items, diapers, baby wipes, baby food, formula, strollers, car seats, high chairs, cribs, school supplies, backpacks, toys.

Please think of them as you are doing your summer cleaning, yard sale leftovers, etc.

Call them for more info and drop off times.

Also Anglic Ministries on Central Ave. is always in need of items. They give away free to those in need. Just about anything and everything is needed and accepted from food, household items, clothing, furniture, hotel samples, cleaning supplies, etc.

They also need volunteers at both locations to help sort and distribute. This would be a good "mini" mission trip for families this summer.

Do You Love Horses?

STAR, Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding, is a non-profit program that challenges mentally, physically and neurologically disabled persons through the use of horses. We need volunteers to help with our next sessions.

Requirements:

Must be able to commit to at least 1 hour 15 minutes each week at a set time and day for entire session. Classes run from approximately 2:00pm – 8:00pm Monday through Thursday and 10:00am-1:00pm Saturdays Do not have to know anything about horses – but wonderful if you do.

Must be at least 13 years old to assist directly in classes (10-12 yr olds help with barn chores and in preparing horses for classes)

Jobs will include:

Leading Horses (those with horse experience only)
Grooming and tacking horses with and without rider
Walking beside riders while they are mounted
Getting equipment out and putting it away
Cleaning stalls and helping with barn chores
Assisting with special events/fund raisers
Miscellaneous tasks

Call Georgina Karklin at 988-4711 for More Info (E-mail: georgina@rideatstar.org)

Check Out Our Web Site: www.rideatstar.org

Mobile Meals Volunteer Opportunity

Below is some information about Mobile Meals. I really feel like it is a great volunteer opportunity for home school families. The Mobile Meals program serves noon meals, five days a week and holidays, to Knoxville and Knox County citizens who are at least 60 years old, who cannot cook for themselves and have no one to prepare meals for them. Though income is not a factor, clients are given an opportunity to contribute to the program as they can. 

Most Mobile Meals recipients are sweet elderly people.  You could be their only visitor for the day. 

If you can:
 • Give your lunch hour once a month...
• Give two hours twice a month...
• Come whenever you can...

 You can deliver Mobile Meals!

Accommodations are made to facilitate the volunteers' availability including satellite locations throughout Knoxville and Knox County for ease of picking up meals and dropping off insulated containers afterwards.

If you can help, or just want more information, please call Jennifer Oakes, Mobile Meals Volunteer Coordinator, 524-2786, or check the website at www.knoxcac.org/mobilemeals 

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