March 19, 2012
Branson, MO

The 4th Annual “Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients” will take place April 26 – 28, 2012. This 3 day event is sponsored by Branson.com, Hand in Hand for Veterans and the Branson Community. I would like to say a special thank you to the following businesses and individuals….The “Hamner Barber Theatre” for their continued support of the event by allowing us to use their theatre as the “home” of the Purple Heart Recipients. The “Entertainers” who sing and entertain for those combat wounded, Central Pro – Am Association who create the “fishing contest,” along with Scotties Trout Dock. Branson Landing Shops for opening their doors for a “culinary experience,” Shepherd of the Hills” for sponsoring the “fish fry,” The Titanic for inviting the Purple Heart Recipients to be guests on their ship and Taney County Sheriff Jimmie Russell for coordinating the motorcycle run, Chip & Sandy Milner for coordinating registration, Jim Jewsbury from MODot and to all the volunteers that help throughout the three days. A special “shout out” to the businesses in town who allow our guests to be PROUD they are Veterans.
Our combat wounded comment each year about how wonderful all of the people in the different business are to them and their families. It gives me great pleasure to pass this information on to all of you in our community.
Without the Veteran we cannot be “FREE” and all of you openly share your love and patriotism for these men and women and I wanted to start our year by saying………THANK YOU, Branson.

Marlyce Stockinger, Event Coordinator
“Hand in Hand Branson Honors Purple Heart Recipients”

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for Gift of Hope!

When: Saturday, April 7th – from 7:30am to 9:30am

Where: Applebee’s, 1856 W. Hwy 76, Branson

Why: To benefit the Gift of Hope programs; helping Taney County children and families in need!

How much: Adults: $5.00. Children 4 & Under Free!

Oxford Healthcare, HomeCare and Hospice will be offering NO-COST bone density screenings and vital signs screenings at their presentation booth at the Health and Ministry EXPO being held at the Tri-Lakes Center, 2527 State Hwy 248 in Branson, MO on Friday, March 23, Noon to 8 pm; and, Saturday, March 24, from 10 am to 8 pm.
Scheduled to appear will be 75 area health, wellness and spiritual exhibitors with entertainment provided by SIX, Hughes Brothers, Jarrett Doughtery, Clay Cooper, Buckets N Boards, American Idols’s Jason Yeager, Voices of Glory, Allen Asbury and more!
Admission is $5.00 at the door for a one-day admission, $8.00 for both days, and children 12 and under are FREE! Please bring one non perishable food item for Christian Action Ministries’ Food Bank. FREE and low-cost health screenings, FREE raffles and door prizes, seminars and Zumba classes will also be offered. Mini Golf and Veggie Tale screenings of Robin Good will be on-going during the event. For more information log on to www.HealthandMinistryEXPO.com or call (417) 336-3636

Today’s paper aside, #Branson Gong Show Benefit is @ 6:49 TONIGHT @ Hamner Barber Theatre. Click here for more information

College of the Ozarks to Sponsor Blood Drive
By: Chelsea Kliethermes

On Thursday, February 16, 2012, the Bonner Community Service Program at College of the Ozarks will sponsor a blood drive for the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. The blood drive is from noon to 6 p.m., in the Keeter Gymnasium.

Each donor will receive a free t-shirt for his/her contribution. Every donation has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life.

For more information, please contact the C of O Bonner Community Service Program at 417-690-3450 or e-mail Director of Bonner Program Nancy Finn at [email protected]

Jesus Was Homeless Prayer Night – Friday, January 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm

You’re Invited!!!
We’re so excited, the “Living Room” at the new Jesus Was Homeless, Yellow Bike Program, Life Support Discussion Groups and Gateway Branson center is just about ready. Through much prayer, hard work and volunteers the center will be operational in just a few weeks.

Because prayer has been and will continue to be a vital part of Jesus Was Homeless, we would like for you to join us this Friday, January 20th, from 6:00-8:00 pm for a night of informal prayer time. You are invited to write your name and/or the names of those that you would like prayer for on the “Living Room” floor of our new location. The names will then be covered with paint but will represent a continual reminder for the importance of prayer.

Please come and join us as we write hundreds of names on the floor. Stay as little or long as you like. Across from Wal-Mart in the Vista Plaza, 2005 W Hwy 76, Ste. 106 (on the backside). For more information contact Amy Stallings at [email protected] or 417-335-0266.

Grace and Peace,
Bryan & Amy Stallings

Over Half Ton of Food from SIX

left to right: (Jak Knudsen, Pat Davis) Jak Knudsen of SIX delivers over a half ton of food to the CAM pantry.

Branson…One of Branson’s top shows, SIX, held a food drive for Christian Action Ministries (CAM) at a recent show. SIX fans came through in a big way with 1,176 pounds of food to help fill the winter shelves at the CAM pantry.

According to Jak Knudsen of SIX, “All of our family members feel strongly about the tremendous job CAM does for the community and we’re proud to be able to help support them, particularly during this time of increasing need.”

Upon taking delivery of the donations, CAM’s executive director Pat Davis commented, “CAM is entirely dependent on the generous charity of the community. SIX, along with so many of the other entertainers and organizations, really enable us to continue to meet the growing needs in Taney County. This contribution will definitely help provide nutritional food supplies for the growing number of people requesting assistance, which is considerably higher than any year in our history. In fact, roughly 25% of the people needing help each month are doing so for the very first time.”

Anyone that would like to help, make a donation, put together a food drive, raise funds, or volunteer time, should contact Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit www.christianactionministries.org.

Little Restaurant Gives Big – Table 22 Donates $2,000 to CAM

Pictured left to right, Angie Ann Makuch, Pat Davis, Dr. Richard Makuch

One of Branson’s newest restaurants organized a fundraiser to bring in funds for Christian Action Ministries (CAM) just in time for the Christmas season. Table 22 opened its doors in March 2011 and its owners Dr. Richard Makuch and his wife, Angie Ann, realized the importance of giving, especially during these difficult financial times.

The Makuches, who also own Palate Fine Wine and Provisions, decided a wine tasting dinner would be a fantastic way to raise funds for CAM. Guests were requested to bring a unique bottle of wine from their own wine cellars to share with the other diners and to make a contribution towards CAM.

Manager Stewart Langer organized the dinner and noted that participants were generous with their contribution to CAM, as well as the wines they brought to share: 1988 Mouton Rothschild Magnum, 1998 Clos de Tart Magnum, and a 2003 Leroy were among the gems.

They feasted on a dinner especially created by Chef Matt Middleton of Table 22. Table 22 is located at 114 East Main Street, 417-973-0022, www.Table22Branson.com. The Palate Fine Wine and Provisions is located at 110 East Main Street, 417-335-2675.

When Executive Director of CAM Pat Davis stated that the cost of peanut butter had risen sharply this fall, and is currently one of their greatest needs, Mrs. Makuch replied, “We hope this $2,000 donation will help purchase not only peanut butter, but a whole lot more for the children this Christmas.”

Anyone that would like to help CAM by making a donation, putting together a food drive, raising funds, or volunteering time, should contact Pat Davis at 334-1157 or visit www.christianactionministries.org.

Churches Support CAM with Food Drive

September 28, 2011… On Saturday October 1^st, a number of local churches are coming together to support the Christian Action Ministries’ food pantries in Branson and Forsyth.  According to CAM board member Larry Johnson, “This is a great way to start the Fall season by helping CAM to stock up our shelves at the pantries.  CAM was founded by 11 churches over a quarter century ago and the continued support from area churches is critical to our longevity in serving those in need.”

Donation stations in Branson and Hollister will be set up at the following grocery stores:

Apple Market, manned by Branson Nazarene Church.

Country Mart (North) by Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church.

Country Mart (South) by Branson Christian Church.

Harter House by Peace Lutheran Church.

Sun Fest by Branson United Methodist Church.

Additionally, there will be a donation station at the Forsyth Sav-a-Lot with volunteers from the Lutheran, Calvary Full Gospel, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches in Forsyth.

Branson’s WalMart Super Center will be the location of a donation station later in the month on October 29^th.

CAM is currently serving an average of over 800 families per month through their two pantries, as well as distributing another 140 deliveries of food to outlying areas on the first Wednesday of each month. Anyone wishing more information, can call CAM at 334-1157 or visit the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org.