HCUW Campaign Workers Kick-Off 2021-22 Campaign With Luncheon
Hopkins County United Way campaign workers gathered for lunch Wednesday afternoon at Southwest Dairy Center to kick off the 2021-22 campaign to raise $150,000 for 18 local agencies.
Board President Mike Horne opened the program with a prayer, asking for a blessing for the safety and health all who have volunteered to hand out packets and collect donations for the campaign, and those in the businesses they visit.
“Thank you for taking time to be here. Thank you for volunteering again this year,” Horne said. “I’m going to be a little biased, anybody that volunteered last year I want to thank you. We had a very successful campaign last year and I know that this year is going to be even better.”
Campaign Chair Kristy Moseley, who noted that as owner of Landers Creek Outfitters, being part of the community is “super important to her.” She too offered thanks to those attending the workers kickoff luncheon for taking the time to be present and participate in the annual HCUW campaign.
Moseley too thanked the volunteers who faithfully each year visit local businesses with packets, asking them to contribute to HCUW, then going back to the businesses to follow up on and collect donations, including those working within their own workspace.
“It’s going to be a great campaign,” Moseley said. “I know I’m following this guy, Mike, who blew it out for being a COVID year – a tough year to be able to do that. So, he did a great job – big shoes to fill here.”
She thanked Diana Ramirez for allowing HCUW to hold the event at Southwest Dairy Center, Chris Voorhees of Edward Jones for feeding everyone, Sandi Wallace at Plain & Fancy, Mike Horne for the brochures and printed materials and local media representatives.
She encouraged everyone to get their packets handed out to the businesses they’ve been assigned to contact, then follow up with them regularly and try to get packets in as early as possible so the campaign can wrap up as scheduled by the first Wednesday in November, if not sooner.
Moseley noted that HCUW is about building a better community through the 18 agencies allocated funding in this year’s campaign.
“You’ve probably all been touched in some form or fashion either by a loved one who has needed help by some of these organizations or maybe you, yourself, have at one time been helped. So you all know how important it is for these funds and how it helps our community,” Moseley said. “I feel like at some time in your lifetime, you’ve been a little down on your luck in some form or fashion that these organizations we have in our community have either helped you or pulled someone through. We all know how important that is.”
Moseley said described serving on the HCUW Allocations Committee, hearing stories from different HCUW recipient representatives, as an eye-opening experience. Hearing representatives from different agencies tell their stories, describe what they are able to do for people in the community, made her want to work even harder to do more to help.
“I will say from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to have this position and be here. I just thank all of you are about to do and all the work collecting the funds,” Moseley said.
A short video clip was then played, with Moseley introducing the campaign, and representatives from the different agency recipients briefly describing their organization, how HCUW helps and personally officering thanks to those who contribute to HCUW.
Executive Secretary Susan Berning said the video drives home the point that contributions received for Hopkins County United Way stay in Hopkins County, where the funding supports 18 nonprofit organizations that support people who live in Hopkins County.
All except 2 percent of the funding remain in Hopkins County. That 2 percent ($3,000) will go to United Way Worldwide so that HCUW can be associated with the greater United Way
Each volunteer, except those collecting at their workplace, received filled with items. A worksheet with each business the individual is asked to contact to help the campaign worker track donations received and contacts made, present and past year contributions, where applicable, and a suggested giving amount to serve as a guideline when requesting a donation. A campaign envelop filled with a campaign brochure and on which the volunteer should place their name (or names if working as a team), a contact number and date they anticipate returning to the business for the packet.
Each brochure contains not only the name of each recipient organization, but also the dollar amount, what they do and how many were served last year.
“We want contributors to know that their donation is going to be stewarded exactly how it’s listed here, and they can trust that it will be stewarded that way,” Berning said, holding up the campaign brochure.
The brochure also notes the $22,250 of the $150,000 goal that has been allocated for administrative expenses, including a salary for a part-time secretary, supplies, utilities, an annual audit, postage and campaign materials.
“We want what you do to be very transparent, and that’s the purpose of this,” Berning said of the campaign brochure.
She offered thanks to Sharla Campbell and Emily Glass for helping to set up for the workers lunch, and Carolyn McKinney who prior to her retirement helped host the workers lunch at the dairy museum and has opted this year to return in retirement to work the campaign as a volunteer.
Donations may also be mailed from individual contributors to HCUW Campaign Headquarters, at PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Donations may be made in cash or by check, or online via PayPal or debit/credit card by clicking the Shop Now button on the Hopkins County United Way Facebook page
To have Moseley stop by a business to speak at the workplace, Questions may be directed to Berning by phone call or text to 903-243-4066.
Data Shows Many Child Car Seats are Misused
NEWS RELEASE
PARIS DISTRICT
Tim McAlavy
(903) 737-9213
[email protected]
DATA SHOWS MANY CHILD CAR SEATS ARE MISUSED
‘Save Me With a Seat’ campaign heralds National Child Passenger Safety Week
Sept. 23, 2021
AUSTIN – A high-speed vehicle crash, and a misused child car seat can lead to an unthinkable disaster, which is why TxDOT is encouraging parents to schedule a free car seat safety check during its annual “Save Me With a Seat” campaign.
Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the nation, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 46% of all child car seats are misused. To encourage parents to schedule a free car seat safety check, the “Save Me With a Seat” campaign is traveling the state to help Texans keep their children safe on the road. “Save Me With a Seat” will coincide with National Child Passenger Safety week which is taking place Sept. 19 – Sept. 25, 2021.
“When child car seats are used correctly, they can help reduce injuries and prevent fatalities when children are involved in a crash,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “We urge parents to schedule a car seat check today to ensure they are safely and correctly using the right car seat for their child.”
The “Save Me With a Seat” campaign will be highly visible during the month of September as a branded digital billboard truck travels across the state to make stops in 11 Texas communities. The digital truck will set-up at community events and other high-traffic locations to display messaging from the “Save Me With a Seat” campaign on lighted LED screens. The digital truck will also display video content that educates parents and caregivers on car seat safety. The public outreach campaign will be supported by TV and radio ads, billboards, digital media and social media.
TxDOT offers free car seat safety checks year-round. Parents and caregivers can visit SaveMeWithASeat.org and enter their zip code to find the nearest TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist in their area to set up an appointment or view child car seat safety tips.
As an incentive for parents who visit the website, TxDOT is hosting a free giveaway for a child car seat or booster seat. To enter, the public is invited to visit SaveMeWithASeat.org to fill out the giveaway form. The entry period for the giveaway will run from Sept. 1 – Sept. 29, 2021 with a winner announced on Sept. 30.
In 2020, 78 children younger than 8 years old died in traffic crashes in Texas, and 31 of those were unrestrained at the time of the crash. Among children ages 8-12 in 2020, 40 died in traffic crashes, with 16 of them unrestrained at the time of the crash. According to NHTSA, child car seats in passenger vehicles can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
TxDOT reminds drivers that Texas law requires all children under 8 — unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches — to be in a car seat whenever they ride in a passenger vehicle. Failure to properly restrain a child can result in a ticket of up to $250. Children under age 13 should ride in the back seat, properly secured in a seat belt or safety seat.
“Save Me With a Seat” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of June 10, 2021.
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Fall Welding Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center
WELDING CLASS
Students from throughout the area filled the fall welding class. The future welders, from left, include: Michael Reagan, Jason Johnson, Christian Contreras, Cory Belz, Lizbeth Camacho, Nathan Brown, Ty Nichols, Darence Rushing, Daniel Gonzalez, Keith Kirkland, Donavon Throneberry, Jarrett Bartley, Kenneth Mize, RaAnn Carter, Jacob Shackett, Joseph Conway Herron, and Shane Peters.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Blood Drive Held at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
GIVING LIFE
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center math instructor Charla Holzbog was one of the blood donors during the Carter Bloodcare drive held Wednesday at the Sulphur Springs campus. Carter Bloodcare specialist Rebekah Wemitt is preparing Charla for the donation.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
AG: 99-Year Sentence Assessed In Hunt County Human Trafficking Case
Hunt County Couple Accused Of Abuse, Neglect, Making Adopted Children Work In Puppy Mill
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that Barbara Barrett of Greenville has been found guilty of Continuous Trafficking of a Child in Hunt County and received a sentence of 99 years in jail. Barrett and her husband, Jeffery Barrett, are accused of abusing and neglecting their adopted children while forcing them to work in a puppy mill attached to their home. Both were charged with Continuous Trafficking of Persons.
Paxton’s Human Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime Division assisted the Hunt County District Attorney in prosecution of Barrett.
“It is heartbreaking to know this horrid abuse was happening in our state, and it is unfathomable that a person could be so heartless to abuse the foster care system and use children in need of a loving, safe home as slave labor,” Attorney General Paxton said. “There is no excuse for this evil behavior, and it will not be tolerated in our state. We can only hope this successful prosecution will bring some degree of justice to the children that were robbed of the love and care they deserved. I will never stop fighting against human trafficking.”
Jettribe Excited to be the Official Clothing & Gear Sponsor of the Water Jet World Grand Prix #1
Jettribe is excited to be back as the Official Clothing & Gear Sponsor of the Water Jet World Grand Prix #1. The Water Jet World Grand Prix is a World Tournament with racers competing in 3 competitions for the title World Cup Champion! Round 1 took place this past July at the Jettribe European Jet Ski Championship in Poland. Round 2 will take place next month at the 40th Anniversary Jettrim IJSBA Lake Havasu World Finals. The 3rd and final round will take place in beautiful Pattaya,Thailand at the Jet Ski World Cup.
Jettribe is so proud to continue as Official Gear Sponsor for the 3rd consecutive year. Each year the organizers of this Championship Series put together amazing, large-scale competitions. The events are viewed by large audiences on shore, and worldwide on Euro sport channels. The PWC racing industry has grown much over the past few years, and are lucky to be along for the ride.
A&M-Commerce Undergraduate Electrical Engineering Program Earns Accreditation
COMMERCE, Texas —The Department of Engineering and Technology at Texas A&M University-Commerce recently announced that its Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is newly accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)is a non-profit, non-governmental agency tasked with accrediting academic programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. Accreditation provides assurance that college and university programs meet the quality standards of the profession for which the program intends to prepare graduates. Criteria for accreditation is developed by professionals from ABET member professional societies.
Dr. Andrea Graham, associate dean of the College of Science and Engineering, said ABET accreditation marks a major milestone for the electrical engineering program at A&M-Commerce.
“Our faculty have worked tirelessly to develop quality course instruction while implementing an assessment process that is robust and delivers sound, continuous improvement,” Graham said. “Students completing the electrical engineering program at A&M-Commerce will be prepared for productive careers in their chosen specialty within the field.”
Dr. Brent Donham, dean of the College of Science and Engineering, reports that the electrical engineering program was implemented at A&M-Commerce in the Fall 2017 semester in response to the growing needs of regional industries.
“Receiving ABET accreditation in this short period of time is evidence of Dr. Andrea Graham’s leadership and the hard work of our dedicated electrical engineering faculty,” Donham said.
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering is the fourth program to be accredited by ABET at A&M-Commerce. The Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering are also accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Additionally, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Learn more about ABET at https://www.abet.org. Learn about the A&M-Commerce B.S. in Electrical Engineering program at https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/electrical-engineering.
3 Additional Hopkins County Residents Confirmed To Have Died From COVID
Fewer New COVID Cases, More Patients Recoveries Reported In Last Week
The daily case counts reported are mixed with overall new cases declining and active case counts declining, each outpaced last week by recoveries for Hopkins County; unfortunately, three additional Hopkins County residents Wednesday were confirmed to have died from COVID-19.
Fatalities
Over the past 7 days, Texas Department of State Health Services has reported five additional COVID-19 fatalities have been confirmed by cause of death on death certificates of people who lived at addresses with Hopkins County zip codes, three of them recorded for the first time Sept. 22. That’s nine new deaths confirmed this month for Hopkins County.
Only two of the latest round of COVID deaths, however, are occurred this month, one on Sept. 7 and another on Sept. 17, increasing the total number of Hopkins County residents who have died this month as a direct result of coronavirus to five. Two Hopkins County residents also died on Sept. 1 and one on Sept. 3, 2021.
The three additional new cases occurred in August, including one on Aug. 31, one of Aug. 19 and one on Aug. 15. Combined with the three fatalities on Aug. 6; two each on Aug. 10 and 2 on Aug. 30; and one each on Aug. 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13.
That makes 63 Hopkins County residents who have died from COVID-19 this year, 20 in the last month and a half after 2 months with no COVID deaths.
Cumulatively, 134 Hopkins County residents have died from COVID since July 17, 2020.
While 134 represents a death rate of less than 1 percent of the total population of Hopkins County, 4.77 percent of Hopkins residents who’ve received lab-confirmed COVID-19 results have died from the virus.
Case Counts
Week three of September began with recoveries outpacing new cases 22-16, reducing the active case count for Hopkins County to 382 on Sept. 22 – the least number of active cases in 20 days.
The total number of new lab-confirmed COVID cases rose from 136 on Week 1 to 148 in Week 2, then dipped to 87 for Week 3 of September. That’s 383 Hopkins County residents who have received positive molecular test results, 115 more confirmed cases from Sept. 1-22 than Aug. 1-22. That makes 1,690 new lab-confirmed COVID cases so far in 2021, and 2,812 since the pandemic began in March 2020.
Another 216 people have been reported Sept. 1-22 as having “probable” cases of COVID-19. DSHS, following the CDC terminology, defines a probable case as one in which a person “has either tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.”
During the first week of September 76 new probable corona virus cases were reported, 98 during week 2 and 38 during week 3. That’s 93 more probable cases reported during the first 22 day of September than from Aug. 1-22, 2021.
That increases the total number of probable COVID-19 cases reported so far in 2021 to 1,026, and brings the cumulative pandemic total to 2,143. Probable case tallies only go back to late last fall as the state didn’t begin tracking probable cases until then, and didn’t begin reporting them daily until Dec. 11, 2020.
Combined, that’s 599 total new COVID cases reported so far this month, 208 more than during the first 22 days of August. In fact, that’s more than the 571 total new cases reported during the entire month of August 2021.
That makes 2,716 new COVID-19 cases reported for Hopkins County in 2021 and 4,967 COVID cases since Spring Break 2020.
Testing
Of course, the daily case counts and active case counts always have the potential to rise significantly with exposure and sickness. For instance 290 people were reported to have been COVID tested on Tuesday, Sept. 21, in Hopkins County — 150 molecular, 1 antibody and 130 antigen tests.
Molecular COVID tests can be nucleic acid amplification tests or NAAT, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (called RT-PCR) tests and loop mediated isothermic amplification (called LAMP) tests that diagnose current infections by looking for a germ’s genetic material. An antibody test or serology test is a blood test that can show whether a person had a past infection by looking for proteins the body creates to fight an infection. An antigen test is the rapid test that uses a nasal swab to check for certain proteins on the outside of a germ.
That’s up from 82 tests performed on Monday, Sept. 20, according to the DSHS data. Overall, that makes 34,181 COVID tests performed in Hopkins County using one of the three methods as of Sept. 21, 2021, including 22,710 molecular, 2,046 antibody and 9,425 antigen tests. On Monday, only 1 antibody test, 35 antigen and 46 molecular tests were conducted in Hopkins County.
To find COVID testing site near you, click here. Those not sure if they should be tested may use the CDC’s Coronavirus Self-Checker to help make decisions about seeking appropriate testing and medical care. When in doubt, call or message your physician for further information.
To find out what COVID testing collection sites are available near you near you, click here to view an interactive option for COVID-19 test collection sites.
| Category | Sept. 19 | Sept. 20 | Sept. 21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular | 22,505 | 22,551 | 22,710 |
| Antibody | 2,044 | 2,045 | 2,046 |
| Antigen | 9,260 | 9,295 | 9,425 |
| Total Tests | 33,809 | 33,891 | 34,181 |
Recoveries
Not only were fewer cases reported in Week 3 of September, but recoveries were on the rise. A total of 524 Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from the virus in September, 123 during Week 1 (Sept. 1-7), 159 during Week 2 (Sept. 8-15), 220 on Week 3, and 22 on Sept. 22. Overall, that’s 524 total recoveries so far in September, 323 more than during the first 22 days of August.
So, that makes 1,026 Hopkins County COVID recoveries reported so far in 2021 and 4,372 since the pandemic began in March of 2020.
While must higher than desired, the smaller numbers of daily new cases last week and increased recoveries have resulted in fewer active cases in the county, dipping from 412 on Sept. 7 and the whopping 498 on Sept. 14 to 388 active cases on Sept. 21 and 382 active cases on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021.
| COVID-19 RECOVERIES | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Month (1st-22) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | 123 | 159 | 220 | 524 |
| August 2021 | 33 | 62 | 86 | 201 |
Vaccines
Across the state 71.06 percent of the population age 12 and older had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Sept. 21, according to the Feb. 22 COVID-19 Vaccination in Texas dashboard on the Texas Health and Human Services/DSHS website. Overall, 30,515,802 doses of vaccine have been administered in the state to 17,103,070 people with 14,601,872 (60.67 percent) of those age 12 and up fully vaccinated.
In Hopkins County, 25,592 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered as of 11:59 p.m. Sept. 21, including 7,133 doses administered from Aug. 30 through Sept. 21, 2021. Fifty-eight doses were administered Monday-Tuesday of this week.
A total of 14,501 people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 12,160 have been fully vaccinated.
More females than male have gotten the vaccine in every age category except one; 258 youth ages 12-15, 129 boys and 129 girls, were fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as of Sept. 21. The largest group vaccinated in Hopkins County, 4,104 people, is that of individuals age 16-49; a total of 1,812 males and 2,197 females had been fully vaccinated for the virus at the conclusion of the day Tuesday. Overall, 5,243 people in Hopkins County had received at least one dose of the vaccine, 2,412 males and 2,823 females.
The “People Vaccinated” tab in the HHS/DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine in Texas dashboard also shows 58.08 of people in Hopkins County who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are white, almost four times more than any other group identified in the charge. Only 14.65 percent of Hispanic individuals and 14.64 percent of people who listed their race/ethnicity as being other than Asian, Black, Hispanic, white or unknown (typically denoted when the person did not select any response for this demographic). Of the 12,160 fully vaccinated in Hopkins County, 5.81 percent identified as race/ethnicity unknown, 5.71 percent are Black and 1.11 percent Asian, according to the HHS/DSHS website.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will continue hosting COVID Vaccine Clinics every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the main lobby of the hospital until further notice. Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older) and Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older) will be available. Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
Boosters are also available for the immunocompromised. The CDC recommends people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Those unsure if they fall into this category should consult their physician.
Most vaccines are available at local pharmacies. Click here to look up the information online.
TWC: Program Offers Free Child Care To Assist Parents Employed In Service Industry
Subsidized Child Care Program Expanded With Emphasis On Industries Hit Hardest By Pandemic
AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission is providing extra help to the service industry, which was hit hard by the pandemic, by providing 12 months of free child care to low-income parents who are employed in the service industry. TWC has an existing child care subsidy program designed to assist low-wage workers in paying for the cost of child care. The new Service Industry Recovery (SIR) program will use federal COVID-relief funds to provide an extra focus on workers in the service industry.
“TWC’s child care assistance program provides an important subsidy many Texas families use to enter the workforce” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “This Service Industry Recovery program provides additional funding to ensure service industry employers maintain access to quality child care as they play an important role in the state’s economic success.”
The industries targeted include low-wage workers in the arts, entertainment and recreation industry, as well as accomodations, food services and retail trade. These industries were some of the greatest impacted by the pandemic.
“For many Texans, lack of access to affordable, quality child care is sometimes the biggest roadblock to getting a job,” said Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Workers should not have to choose between their families and their jobs. They need and want to do both, and this program helps them do that.”
While TWC is targeting aspects of the service sector with SIR child care, all income-eligible families continue to have access to TWC’s regular low-income child care subsidy program. This new program targeting service industries will provide for an initial 12 months of eligibility. Continued eligibility following this time period will be conditioned on families applying for and meeting the regular child care eligibility requirements.
“Service industries are crucial to our state’s economy,” said Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Assisting with getting our Texans back to work helps our Texas employers bounce back, which means a stronger recovery for all of Texas.”
The $500 million program is funded by a Child Care Development Block Grant through the federal CARES, ARPA and CRRSAA recovery legislation passed by Congress. The SIR program is being implemented through grants to the 28 Workforce Development Boards across Texas. For child chare assistance, click here, type in your zip code, then select the child care assistance option near the bottom of the page.
The Hopkins County Community Toiletry Drive A Success
The Hopkins County Community Toiletry Drive was a success, with more than 3,000 items as well as monetary donations contributed by individuals and businesses within the community, which will benefit individuals at all six rural county school districts in Hopkins County – Como-Pickton, Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff, North Hopkins, Miller Grove and Cumby.
“Thank you again for all you did to help market the project. You definitely helped make the project a success! I appreciate it so much!” project coordinator Helena Martinez says to all who contributed and helped.
Martinez is currently working to finish her Master’s of Science in Nursing Administration at the University of Texas-Austin. She was assigned, as her capstone project for the graduate degree program, to lead a community partnership project with a non-profit organization within the community.
After talking with multiple school nurses and counselors at the schools, Martinez identified a need for toiletry items to benefit students at all six rural Hopkins County school districts, which don’t have the funding needed to provide these items; what little each district does have one hand has been provided by school employees, particularly nurses and teachers. Martinez then contacted Shanna Martin to teamed up with CANHelp to collect toiletry donations. The Gilmer Street facility and the Alliance Bank Sulphur Springs Main Branch from June 28-July 11 served as collection sites for donations of hygienic products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, soap, combs and brushes, deodorant, lotion and sanitary napkins.
Donations were divided and distributed to the six rural school districts.
For more information, please contact Helena Martinez at [email protected].”
