NEWS--Valley Church's Charitable Program Receives Donation From Neighborhood Association
Hot Springs’ First Presbyterian Church--whose motto is "the church with a heart in the heart of the city"--is actively engaged in its 2012 holiday mission. Each Christmas the church’s pastor, Rev. Lacy Sellars, works with church members to support and assist those in our community who are experiencing difficulties during the holiday season.
The Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association (WVNA) recently made a cash donation to support the charitable programs at Hot Springs’ First Presbyterian Church. Pictured left to right: Darthy Tyrity, WVNA Treasurer; Vonni Ensz and Michael Carr, co-chairs of the church’s Bargain Box store; Mark Toth, WVNA president; and Jan Meyers, member of the church’s Presbyterian Women’s group.
This year, church members are focusing much of their holiday assistance on providing food to those in need. Using proceeds generated by the Church’s Bargain Box Thrift Store, the church continues to fund its ‘Hugs, Prayer and Food’ program which provides specially-identified area families with food, emotional support (hugs) and spiritual care (prayers). "The program embodies the Christian ideal of aiding people both physically and spiritually," Sellars said.
Vonni Ensz, co-chair of the Church’s Presbyterian Women’s group, described two additional holiday food programs the Church is supporting this holiday season. The church’s Presbyterian Women have provided a cash donation to Samaritan Ministries to provide holiday meals to the less fortunate. The church is also making a donation to the Project Hope Food Bank. Project Hope provides healthy and affordable foodstuffs to food pantries in West Central Arkansas. Using an all volunteer staff and donated warehouse space, Project Hope has distributed more than 600,000 pounds of food to the community over the past three years.
"Also over the holidays we are making a donation to the Caring Place of Hot Springs," Ensz added. The Caring Place assists families and caregivers of people with dementia by providing a relaxed and friendly program of social and recreational activities for those with dementia. "This time of year, donations to the Caring Place fall off as people, understandably, focus their attention on other charitable endeavors," Ensz explained. "The church’s Presbyterian Women, hearing of the need at the Caring Place, and knowing the good work they do all year round, decided to step up and help the Caring Place in December with a cash donation."
Upon learning of these holiday programs, the membership of the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to aid these worthy efforts with a cash donation. "This is the fourth year in a row the Whittington Valley Neighborhood Association has been able to aid the Church during the holidays," said Mark Toth, Association president. "Our members are keenly aware that Reverend Sellars is on the front line of providing assistance to so many our community, especially during the holidays. For this reason this year our members decided to donate to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund at the church."
Funds from the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund are used to aid those in the community who are experiencing emergency hardships, whether it be a job loss, a personal loss or some other personal crisis. As Reverend Sellars explained, "God has recently sent several people to me for assistance and with the help of the Neighborhood Association I can offer strength and comfort to ease the difficulties they face. I want to thank everyone in the Association for the neighborly way they treat all God’s children."
Toth added, "The First Presbyterian Church has been an institution in the Whittington Valley for one-hundred and thirty-six years and they are to be commended for helping the less fortunate through their numerous charitable programs. The Neighborhood Association is proud to be able to support their efforts."
Those wishing to learn more about the First Presbyterian Church and its community outreach programs can call the Church at (501) 624-5646, the Church's Bargain Box co-chairs Vonni Ensz at (501) 760-2329 or Michael Carr at (501) 767-5844.
- Posted 12/29/12 by MT
NEWS--Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Opportunity on October 13th, 2012
Garland County residents can bring unused or leftover household products containing toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive chemicals to the Garland County Fairgrounds for safe and free disposal on Saturday, October 13th, 2012 between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm. Materials need to be in their original container with a legible label. Electronic waste and passenger tires (no rims) will also be taken for recycling.
Acceptable items include: automotive fluids such as antifreeze or brake fluid; paints, thinners, strippers and solvents; household pesticides and herbicides; water-based cleaners and bleaches; compressed gas cylinders; and old kerosene and diesel fuel. Electronic waste can include monitors, computers, keyboards, mice, VCR and DVD players, televisions 19 inches or smaller, electronic games and microwaves.
A free paint exchange area will also be open where people can deliver unwanted or excess paint for use by others.
Explosive materials and lead acid batteries will not be accepted.
This event is sponsored by the Southwest Central Regional Solid Waste Management District. Please note that only household quantities can be accepted. Hazardous waste from companies and businesses will not be accepted. This collection program is intended to prevent hazardous items from ending up in our landfills, sewer treatment systems, storm drains, septic systems or our streams and lakes. This is a great opportunity to clean out the garage, make your home safer and help out the environment.
The Garland County Fairground is located at 4831 Malvern Avenue (aka Highway 270 East). Recyclable electronics are also accepted weekdays between 7 am and 3 pm at the Regional Recycling Center behind the city sanitation office at 218 Runyon Street off of Valley Street. For more information about this event and/or responsible recycling, call the Hot Springs Sanitation Department at 321-6911.
