Coat Drive
Anna United Methodist Women are collecting gently used and new coats of all sizes. Children's coats and jackets, as well as adults in all sizes, are needed during this especially cold winter.
A collection box is in the O'Neal Fellowship Hall, which is open every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. for two hours. Call Susan Craft at 214-470-1871 to arrange dropoff or pickup.
Coats also can be left at the Food Pantry located at 118 W. Second St., Anna United Methodist Church, which is open from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Food and monetary donations are always welcome at the Food Pantry, which is run by Anna Community Christian Outreach.
AUMC holds Sunday services at 8:45 and 11 a.m., with Sunday School at 9:45. All are welcome.
2010 VA Diaper Drive
Van Alstyne's annual diaper drive to benefit the Pregnancy Care Center in Sherman started Jan. 31 and will continue through Feb. 28.
The Prgnancy Care Center helps support girls and women who have unplanned pregnancies. Diapers and other baby items can be dropped off at a local church, Diamond Grocery or the Pregnancy Care Center, 105 W. Pecan in Sherman.
For more information, call 903-893-9099.
Pennies for Patients
Melissa High School is participating in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Pennies for Patients program. For three weeks, our school will be raising funds as well as awareness about blood cancers. The funds raised through this program help advance the Society's mission to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Considering leukemia is the most common type of cancer among children and adults under the age of 20, your help is needed.
All of us at Melissa High would appreciate your help in reaching our goal of $2,000 by making a donation. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has made it easier than ever by giving us a link where you can donate on line. Please take a few minutes of your time to visit the site given to Melissa High at melissaisd.org and make a donation.
If you have any questions, contact Nurse Withers at 972-837-4216 or mwithers@melissaisd.org.
Community Education Classes
Medical Center of McKinney offers a variety of community education classes. For a complete listing of available dates and times, visit www.medicalcenterofmckinney.com. For more information, call 972-369-1602.
Medical Center of McKinney's classes include:
Prenatal Yoga. Wednesdays, February 24th - March 31st, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m Medical Center of McKinney, Wysong Campus, 130 S. Central Expressway, $75. This 6-week class series is an excellent fitness alternative for pregnancy. The focus is on stretching and strengthening muscles, alleviating common pregnancy discomforts, and teaching proper breathing and relaxation techniques. Prenatal Yoga is open to healthy pregnant women in their 2nd & 3rd trimesters. Beginners are welcome. Expectant mothers may begin taking classes at 12 weeks gestation and may continue until you go into labor. Participants should be less than 32 weeks pregnant at the time of the first prenatal yoga class. A physician's consent is required.
Prepared Childbirth Seminar. Saturday, February 20th, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Medical Center of McKinney, 4500 Medical Center Drive, FREE to anyone delivering their baby at Medical Center of McKinney. This program is our prepared childbirth classes in a compact full day seminar. It is a comprehensive look into labor and delivery and the early postpartum weeks. You'll learn useful breathing and relaxation techniques, pain management techniques information about Cesarean births and more. A tour of our labor, delivery and post partum units are included.
Breastfeeding and the Working Mom. Monday, February 15th, 7 - 9 p.m., Medical Center of McKinney Wysong Campus, 130 S. Central Expressway, FREE to anyone delivering their baby at Medical Center of McKinney. This class covers choosing the right breast pump, when you should begin pumping, how to store breast milk safely, and much more.
Handle with Care. Thursday, February 25th, 7 - 9 p.m., Medical Center of McKinney Wysong Campus, 130 S. Central Expressway, FREE to anyone delivering at Medical Center of McKinney. This class is for new parents to provide instruction on newborn care, including cord care, circumcision care, feeding, safety, products, signs of illness and more.
Heart Saver/CPR Online. Access www.medicalcenterofmckinney.com, Education, American Heart. This American Heart Association course is a two-step process. Part 1 is an online e-learning module, and part 2 is a skills check off scheduled with AHA approved instructor at Medical Center of McKinney Wysong Campus, 130 S. Central Expressway, $10. The class will provide basic training for first responders, childcare providers and other interested community members.
Anna Community Cookbook
The Anna ISD Education Foundation is putting together a community cookbook.
If you have a delicious family recipe you would like to submit, please email it to Tiffany McFadden at AnnaEduCooks@yahoo.com and include your name or the name of the family member you want to give credit to for the recipe, the names of any Anna students related to you and the schools they attend, and contact information. If you cannot submit your recipe by email, there will be a box located in the front office of both elementary schools where you can drop off your recipes. The deadline for submission is Feb. 4.
Community Game Night
This is a great opportunity to get out of the house, meet new people and for families to play together. Some games are available or you can bring a game of your choice. Bring a snack, we will provide iced tea and coffee. All are welcome to join us on the first and third Fridays of each month starting at 6 p.m. in the Calvary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Texas 5, one mile south of F.M. 455 in Anna.
Free H1N1 Vaccinations
Collin County Health Care Services and Collin County Homeland Security will offer free H1N1 vaccine at a clinic Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Farmersville High School. No appointments are necessary.
For further information regarding local H1N1 vaccine availability, the public may utilize the following resources: the Collin County Web site at www.co.collin.tx.us and the Collin County Facebook and Twitter sites; the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Texas Flu Vaccine Locator at www.Texasflu.org; call the DSHS H1N1 information lines available by calling "2-1-1"; or, call the Collin County Health Care Services at 972-548-5500.
Howe Youth Baseball Sign-Ups
Sign-ups for Howe youth baseball will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 6 and 13 in the Howe Middle School gym. New players need to bring a copy of their birth certificates. $65 for the first player, $55 for each additional player.
Howe ISD Election Calendar
The Howe ISD Board of Trustees Election Calendar for accepting applications for a place on the ballot for the May 8, 2010, election has been set as Feb. 6 through March 8. Places currently held by Greg Akins and Scott Renfro will expire in May.
Interested persons must file an application at the Howe ISD Administration Business Office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call HISD at 903-532-5518.
Unbiological Sisterhood Meeting
The Unbiological Sisterhood is a diverse women's social group commited to promoting sisterhood, friendship and fun. It is completely free to join and open to all women. On Feb. 6 at 11:45 a.m. the ladies will meet for lunch at Crow's Country Cafe. To RSVP for this event and to learn about other events, contact Sallie LeBlanc at sallieleblanc@yahoo.com or join the group at www.meetup.com/collin-county-sisters.
Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction
The Van Alstyne ISD band program will have its annual spaghetti dinner and silent auction from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 6.
Tickets will cost $15 per couple during presale and $20 at the door. The cost will be $5 for kids 5-12 and $10 for students and individuals.
The silent auction will end at 8.
All money will benefit the VAISD band program grades 6-12.
Family Valentine Dance
Students of Joe K. Bryant and their families are invited to attend a Family Valentine Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 12. Admission is one book per child (or $5 per family). Snacks, drinks and desserts can be purchased with a canned good donation. Join the family fun at Joe K. Bryant Elementary.
Rose Pruning Seminar
Claude Graves, recognized Rosarian, will conduct a rose pruning seminar at Chambersville Tree Farms at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. At 2:30 p.m., Collin County Master Gardeners will present a lecture on Earthkind Roses. Visit www.chambersvilletreefarms.com for directions or call 469-247-1379.
GACC Annual Banquet
The Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce will have its annual banquet at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Collin County Adventure Camp near Westminster. The GACC will present awards in eight categories.
The deadline for award nominations is Monday, Feb. 8. Ballot boxes are at the Anna Post Office, Independent Bank, Texas Star Bank, Horizon Cleaners and the GACC office.
Tickets to the banquet cosy $25 per person. RSVPs are requested by Feb. 12.
The GACC also is seeking banquet sponsors.
For more information or to RSVP, contact the chamber at 972-924-8533 or visit the office at 807 S. Interurban St. You also can visit www.greaterannachamber.com.
MHS Financial Aid Night
Senior parents, this night is specifically designed with you in mind! Plan to attend this important work session on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. in the library computer lab. The first step in receiving scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of college financial aid begins with the FAFSA, Federal Application for Financial and Student Aid. Because the FAFSA is somewhat complicated to complete, Melissa High School will host two professional financial aid advisors to assist our parents in completing the FAFSA on-line. Senior parents, plan to bring your completed tax documents, 1040 and W-2, to the workshop and complete your FAFSA privately, but with the help of two trained financial aid advisors. For more information, contact counselor Denise Thomas at 972-837-4216 or dthomas@melissaisd.org.
Aiding Spaces
The women of First Melissa will hold their spring retreat March 5-7 at the Texoma Retreat Center in Mead, Okla. They will serve others by decorating three rooms at a cancer retreat center. The cost is $80 and includes two nights' lodging and five meals. The deadline to register is Feb. 21. The group is seeking donations of twin and full-size sheets, comforters and dust ruffles, artwork, storage shelves, mirrors, fabric, shower curtains, etc. If you have items to donate, contact Kris Harper at 214-315-3130 or krisharper@gmail.com. For information about the retreat, contact Ann Goade at 972-924-3925 or anngoade@sbcglobal.net.
Bryant Spring Fling
The PTO of Joe K. Bryant Elementary School in Anna invites everyone to the Spring Fling carnival from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Anna High School. There will be lots of games with prizes, food and entertainment. Bring the whole family and support Anna schools.