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HOPE prepares baskets of Christmas spirit
Reports strong response despite economic conditions
By Nathan Straus
nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Dozens of volunteers from various organizations flocked to the Helping Others Pursue Enrichment center in Jacksonville to stock Christmas baskets for families in need.
Despite economic conditions, HOPE officials reported a steady number of baskets compared to last year’s intake.
Barbara Hugghins, associate pastor at First Methodist Church in Jacksonville and secretary of the Ministerial Alliance, said volunteers filled 400 baskets Monday afternoon.
“The baskets were donated by the Texas Basket Factory,” she said.
Hugghins said $5,000 in funds was received from the United Fund of Cherokee County.
She said each basket contains ham, sugar, flour, cornbread mix, cake mix, pears, applesauce, other assorted fruit, two cans of soup, corn, green beans from the HOPE pantry, beans, rice and a greeting card. The cards were inserted by the Jacksonville Middle School Science Club.
“Most of the food was purchased through the East Texas Food Bank and Brookshire Brothers grocery,” Hugghins said.
According to Hugghins, the process of getting the baskets to families starts with organizations and individuals such as churches, school counselors, home health care representatives and housing authorities. These groups turn in names of those who deserve to receive the gift baskets and HOPE double-checks the names to be sure they are valid and there are no repeats, she said.
Representatives from each organization are expected to pick up the baskets Tuesday and deliver them to their respective families, she said.
Among the volunteers working at HOPE to stock the baskets were people from churches, HOPE and the Ministerial Alliance.
Hugghins thanked Wayne Cessna, who she said organized the flow of food products.
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More life jackets needed
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The life jackets were added as part of the “Kids Don’t Float” program just before July 4. -
City hires Silvey as building inspector
Jacksonville has a new building inspector after three or so months of keeping a vacant position.
Building Official Jody Watson said the new hire, Chris Silvey, brings strong Jacksonville ties with him. -
JISD evaluation instrument sees few tweaks
It happens every year at Jacksonville Independent School District: the board of trustees evaluates the sitting superintendent, then decides whether to renew the superintendents contract.
After this, Board President James Houser said the board looks at what changes might need to be made to the instrument used to evaluate the superintendent. -
Chamber joins Texas Trail
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce has joined the Texas Forest Trail Partnership Program for 2010, said Chamber President Peggy Renfro.
It is a partnership that has happened in the past, she added, but now the Chamber will take a more active role. -
Mission House helps community
In Bullard, an organization called Mission House has been working since 2005 to better the community and the surrounding East Texas areas.
“I believe it was 2005 when I opened Mission House,” said Hazel Mason, mission coordinator for First United Methodist Church. -
What's News for July 29, 2010
Get your non-profit organization’s fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress’s What’s News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to living@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content
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JFD fireman electrocuted at incident site
Jacksonville Fire Department Lt. David Glidewell received a medium strength electrical shock at a house fire on the 900 block of Fort Worth at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Fire Marshall Dennis Tate said Glidewell was treated and released from ETMC-Jacksonville Tuesday evening and should be back to work Thursday. -
Mayor holds meetings with residents
Jacksonville’s citizens are looking forward to the coming opportunities for earnest discussions with Mayor Robert Haberle.
Some, such as Janis Adams, said she believes Haberle’s decision to open a room for citizens every other week is a good one. -
Rusk PD arrests 13
The Rusk Police Department arrested 13 people in mid-July for various charges. Among these were five or six arrested for traffic charges or charges alleged in conjunction with being in a motor vehicle. All arrests were made between July 8 and July 23, according to police department officials.
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Take a dive
Five-year-old Dylan Caldwell takes his first ever dive at the Jacksonville city pool. The Alto boy was coaxed in by family members who swam with him.
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