In the News -
December 2007
Where there's a will, there's a way
LITTLE ROCK - The holidays are a season of giving, and they're a great time
to help share the spirit of giving with family.
Darlene Baker, the assistant director for 4-H Youth Development, says "there
are just a thousand different ways for kids to help out - with visits to nursing
homes, Christmas caroling, playing in musical groups, and with the Angel Tree
project."
Baker says Arkansas' 800 4-H clubs are collecting non-perishable items for
the Arkansas Foodbank Network, to help feed the nearly half a million Arkansans
who live in poverty. They're collecting canned and boxed goods to distribute
throughout the state. The drive will culminate Dec. 10 with a delivery to the foodbank.
The foodbank is also a great place to share with your children the need for
food. The week of December 10-4, the foodbank will need help distributing that food
to those who need it. Families are encouraged to take on delivery
responsibilities. For more information, contact Griffin Coop at the Arkansas
Foodbank Network at (501) 565-8121, extension 22, or e-mail him at
gcoop@arkansasfoodbank.org.
Many clubs and organizations are collecting toys and goods for Arkansas
Children's Hospital's Festival of Stars. On December 13-14, these items will be
accepted at a special drop-off point at ACH. To find out more, visit
www.archildrens.org/volunteer/Festival_of_Stars.asp.
There are many other ways you can involve your family this holiday season.
You can adopt a child through the Angel Tree program and help provide a Merry
Christmas for a young one. You can volunteer with the Salvation Army's bell
ringer program or help distribute items to the needy. You can contact local
shelters in your area and help serve dinners to the hungry. You can even give
through organizations such as the Red Cross, Christmas Seals, Habitat for
Humanity, and Heifer International.
Many churches and volunteer groups create and run their own holiday programs.
Check with your local church or organization and see how you can help. There are
many opportunities out there… sometimes the best way to find out who needs help
is to simply ask.
For more information on how you can volunteer, check with your local
extension office.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
December 14, 2007
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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