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.

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.

Pennies for Haiti

VA Brownie Troop #8584 will be collecting pennies for Haiti during their annual Girl Scout cookie booth sale Sunday, March 6, at Mattress 101, located at 204 S. Central Expressway (just past McDonald's on the southbound service road, exit McDermott) in Allen, Texas from 10:30am-2:30pm. Come pickup your cookies for those upcoming spring gatherings. Cookie sales end by April 1st. Or please stop by just to donate a few of your pennies to those who have lost so much.

HMS Production

The Howe Middle School Theater Arts Department will perform "Finders Keepers" for family, friends and the community at 7 p.m. March 4. The performance will be held in the elementary/middle school cafetorium.

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.

VA Recycling Day Rescheduled

Van Alstyne's recycling and bulk trash day for Saturday, March 6, has been rescheduled.

A recycling and bulk trash day is set for Saturday, March 13.

National MS Society Fundraiser

Van Alstyne High School National Honor Society member Patricia Self has organized a fundraiser for the National MS Society.

On March 6, 10 percent of all proceeds gathered by The Whistle Stop Cafe in Van Alstyne between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. will be donated to the National MS Society.

Chrystal Opry House Bluegrass Event

The Chrystal Opry House will welcome back Bluefield Express at 7 p.m. March 6.

The Upper Grassmen, the house band, also will perform.

Admission will cost $6 per adult with children under 12 admitted free with an adult. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7. Hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches and refreshments will be available at the snack bar.

The regular bluegrass jam will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4. Doors will open at 6 as usual. Donations will be accepted at the door to defray expenses. We will host a second bluegrass jam at 7 p.m. March 20.

The Chrystal Opry House is located 1.5 miles west of Tom Bean and 6 miles east of Howe on White Mound Road a half-mile south of F.M. 902. No alcohol is permitted and there is no smoking inside the building.

Individuals or bands interested in performing at the Chrystal Opry House should contact Bill Hayes at 903-546-6893 or www.chrystalopryhouse.com.

Dual-Credit Parents Night

The Grayson County College South Campus in Van Alstyne will host a parents night on dual-credit courses from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 9.

AHS College and Career Day

Anna High School will host its annual college and career day from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, March 12, at the school.

Immunizations for Food

Collin County Health Care Services are offering 14 different childhood immunizations in exchange for donations of canned and non-perishable food items to support local food pantries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children be immunized for vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. Vaccines will be available to all children, 6 weeks through less than 18 years of age, while supplies last or until Friday, March 19.

For a suggested donation of two non-perishable food items per vaccination, children can receive:

· Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB)

· Rotavirus vaccine (RV)

· Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis vaccine (DTaP)

· Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

· Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)

· Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)

· Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine (MMR)

· Varicella Vaccine

· Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA)

· Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td)/Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): Minimum age 7 years

· Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV): Minimum age 9 years

· Meningitis (MCV4): Minimum age 11 years

Many colleges and universities now require this vaccination.

· Seasonal influenza vaccine: Minimum age 6 months

Two doses of seasonal flu vaccine, one month apart, are needed for children 6 months through 9 years of age if this is the first time the child is receiving a seasonal flu vaccination.

· H1N1 vaccine: Minimum age 6 months

Available in two forms, as a flu shot and as a nasal-spray. Children, starting at 2 years of age, who are in healthy condition and have no underlying medical conditions can receive the H1N1 nasal-spray vaccine. All children under the age of 10 should receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine approximately 28 days apart.

Children may receive the majority of these vaccines in the same visit.

All donations of canned and non-perishable food items will be delivered to local food pantries serving people who live in Collin County.

Childhood immunizations will be provided at the Collin County Health Care Services clinic located at 825 N. McDonald Street in McKinney. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the Collin County Web site at http://www.co.collin.tx.us/ or call Collin County Health Care Services at 972-548-5500.

Tennis Quick Start

Tennis Quick Start Event for Boys and Girls, first through fourth grade Saturday, March 20, at Forrest Moore Park Tennis Courts from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Racquets and balls are provided. See Van Alstyne ISD Web site for entry form. Contact Lisa Davis at lmdavis@ednet10.net or call 903-482-6932 if you have questions.

Unbiological Sisterhood Ladies Lunch

The Unbiological Sisterhood is a diverse women's social group commited to promoting sisterhood, friendship and fun. It is open to all women. Come out and make some new friends and meet some neighbors. We will meet for lunch at the Italian Villa in Anna on March 27 at 11:45 a.m. To RSVP for this event and to learn about others, join the group at: www.meetup.com/collin-county-sisters.

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 food, entertainment and lots of games with prizes. This event is free to everyone (food/games require tickets). Vendor spaces are still available for just $25 and silent auction donation. Contact Deb Dennis at 214-514-6648 or Deb.Dennis@yahoo.com. Bring the whole family to this fun-filled free event and support Anna schools.

2010 Annual GACC Golf Tournament

Calling all golfers! The planning for the annual Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce golf tournament is well under way. Mark your calendars for Monday, April 19. This year's event will be held at Hurricane Creek Country Club in Anna.

Cost is $100 per player or sponsor a team for $500. There are other levels of sponsorship available! 1,500 postcards will be mailed to Anna and surrounding zip codes. Commit by Friday, March 12 to have your logo included on this advertisement! Contact GACC President Deana Mink at 972-924-8533 for more information.

Volunteer McKinney Center

* Racing through Stonebridge Ranch. Volunteers are needed on Sunday, March 7th at 7:15 a.m. for the Stonebridge Ranch Leaping Leprechauns' 1, 5, and 10K Race. The race will be run through Stonebridge Ranch and includes food, music, prizes, and awards. If you are interested in helping, please contact michhudd@sbcglobal.net for more information.

* Brighten up the Village. Chestnut Square Historical Village, comprised of seven buildings that show visitors how the early settlers in McKinney lived, is seeking volunteers to help with a few repair projects--primarily painting. Recently installed gutters need sealing and painting, and the Reception House, where wedding receptions are held, also needs painting. If you are able to help maintain this historic village, please contact Cindy Johnson at 972-562-8790 or cindyjohnson@chestnutsquare.com.

* The Show Must Go On. The McKinney Performing Arts Center in Historic Downtown McKinney is seeking volunteers to help with ushering, ticket sales, and concessions during concerts and performances. If you would enjoy being a part of the excitement of live performances, call 972-547-2656.

The ninth annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration will be Thursday, April 22. If you are aware of one or more volunteers who deserve to be recognized for their outstanding volunteer commitment, this is your chance to nominate them. There are several categories for individuals and groups of all ages. For additional information and nomination forms, visit www.volunteermckinney.org or contact Volunteer McKinney Center at 972-542-0679.

* YMCA Annual Campaign Volunteer. The McKinney Family YMCA is seeking volunteers to tell the YMCA story and raise funds for the YMCA scholarship fund. This campaign insures that no one will be turned away from the YMCA for their inability to pay. Build healthy spirit, mind, and body. Build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. For contact information, check out the VMC website. Look for "McKinney Family YMCA . . ." under New Listings.

* Be a mentor. There are many opportunities for caring volunteer to be a positive role model to students. Mentoring may include tutoring, listening, encouraging, motivating--any relationship that will help students become successful in their academic or social lives. Mentoring can take place during or after school hours. Opportunities for mentoring include Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County, Communities in Schools, and many other organizations that serve young people. For more information, use Keyword "Mentor" on the VMC website.

* Variety of Duties. Hope's Door offers shelter for abused women and their children. Volunteers provide assistance to shelter staff and clients in many ways including answering the crisis hot-line, assembling resource information and intake folders for new clients, shopping for groceries and supplies, performing general clerical duties, helping with donations, keeping storage facilities stocked, etc. If you are dependable, able to interact well with women and children who are victims of abuse, and can work shifts between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., contact the Hope's Door volunteer coordinator. Use Keywords "Hope's Door" on the VMC website.

For information on these and other volunteer opportunities, contact Volunteer McKinney Center at 972/542-0679 or by e-mail at volunteermck@sbcglobal.net or Web Site www.volunteermckinney.org.

Meningococcal Vaccine Clinic

Collin County Health Services will be coming to the Melissa High School campus from 1:30 to 4 p.m. May 5 to administer meningococcal and tetanus boosters to students who need them. This is an opportunity for our Seniors to fulfill their immunization requirements before they head off to college, and for any student to update their immunizations and prepare for the future.

Please contact Melissa Withers at mwithers@melissaisd.org or 972-837-4216, the school nurse, for prices and forms necessary to receive the immunization(s).