The Chamber postponed the Community Day of Caring Project till October since the weather is so hot. I cannot cancel the cinder block, gravel and dirt deliveries. They are all donations and I would hate to have it sitting in the parking lot of the humane society taking up space till October. Since I cannot store the donations and I would hate to put this needed project off I am looking for volunteers this Saturday from 7am till noon at the Shepherd of the Hills Humane Society at 2837 Shepherd of the Hills Expy across from Brashears furniture. We have 4 misters, fans, 15 cases of water and 10 gallons of Gatorade. I was planning it to be very hot but I also took that into account. I would like to get as many volunteers as possible so that we will be able to be done before the heat of the day. If you have any ideas on church groups, other groups or would like to volunteer for an hour or so I would appreciate it VERY much!! Please call or email me my cell number is 417-230-5196. Also please forward this on to anyone that could maybe help!

Thanks!

Megan Plate

Carl is a longtime entertainer/musician who has worked with many shows, including Clay Cooper’s Country Music Express, Tony Roi, Cassandre, Leona Williams, Red Hot & Blue, 14 Karat Country, among others. He also worked as a Stone County Deputy Sheriff, as well as an officer for the Branson West Police Department. Carl is suffering from late stage Lymes Disease which has attacked many areas of his body and resulted in a heart attack, brain tumor, and osteoarthritis in his joints, just to name a few. He has been unable to work for the last year and is facing many more months of rehabilitation and surgeries, leaving him and his family in financial dire straits. In true Branson spirit, Carl’s friends, neighbors, and fellow performers are coming to the rescue!

Sponsored by Clay Cooper Theatre, Branson West Police Department, Bill Merritt and Merritt Family Auctions

For Tickets Call
Local: 417-332-2529
Toll Free: 877-317-2604

$15.00 minimum donation

www.claycoopertheatre.com
Clay Cooper Theatre
3216 West Hwy 76
Branson, MO 65616

By: Shelby Gray

Carrying irrigation pipes, picking vegetables or milking cows is just part of a typical day for a summer C of O student working to pay for his/her room and board. While other college students spend their summer days sleeping in, C of O students are working campus jobs.

The Summer Work Program (SWP) is a room and board scholarship opportunity that provides students the option to work either a 6 or 12 week session during the summer to pay room and board for the following year. Students working six weeks can cover the room and board for the fall semester, and students working all 12 weeks can work off an entire year’s room and board. Additionally, by participating, students receive room and board during the summer program.

Junior Renay Renyer, assigned as a counselor at the College’s summer camp for area children, is just one of the many students who rely on the program every year. One of six siblings, she is the third Renyer to attend College of the Ozarks. She and her younger sister are currently participating in the SWP. Renyer said that with such a large family, money for room and board would be hard to come by. “If it weren’t for the Summer Work Program, I would have to stay at home and work a summer job,” she said. “I don’t know how I’d be able to pay the difference.”

The number of students working varies slightly each year. Each summer the College accepts roughly 500 students, about one third of its student body. Numbers are based on the College’s need for labor, so that all students involved will have a job to do.

Students who demonstrate the most financial need, based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), receive first consideration for the scholarship that equates to roughly $2,800 dollars per six weeks. The scholarship money can only be applied toward room and board.

Flood damage along Table Rock Lake in April has many homeowners and businesses cleaning up and rebuilding, but the mops are put away at the Pink Door in Hollister.  The hard work of Skaggs Regional Medical Center volunteers has quickly turned around the Pink Door thrift shop, which is ready to open its door June 28.

The Pink Door is operated by Skaggs Volunteer Services.  It lost everything in the flood.  “Our volunteers worked daily for the past two months to clean up the Pink Door and get it ready to reopen,” says Corene Spilman, President of Skaggs Volunteer Services.  “They went to work immediately after flood waters receded, tearing out sheet rock, pulling up carpet and throwing away all of the merchandise, which was damaged by flood waters.”

The Pink Door uses proceeds from the sales of donated items to help fund various purchases and projects for Skaggs Regional Medical Center.   In addition to the Pink Door thrift shop, Skaggs Volunteer Services generates funds through the Forget-Me-Not Gift Shop in the Skaggs Outpatient Center and various fundraising projects coordinated throughout the year.  In 2010 Skaggs Volunteer Services provided the hospital with more than $68-thousand for various projects and needed equipment.

The Pink Door reopens Tuesday, June 28 with hours of operation 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  A grand re-opening celebration will be Wednesday, July 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with refreshments, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and door prizes.

Donations may be placed in the drop box outside The Pink Door, located at 181 1st Street in Hollister, inside the Turkey Creek Junction Shopping Center.

Skaggs Volunteer Services first began in October 27, 1949 as the Estella Skaggs Auxiliary.  It served the hospital alongside the former Red Cross Volunteers, later known as the Skaggs Volunteers.  As recent as 2008, the auxiliary and volunteers joined forces to create what is now known as Skaggs Regional Medical Center Volunteers.

There are more than 300 Skaggs Volunteers serving in many areas:  hospital, hospice, Mended Hearts and chaplaincy, Forget-Me-Not Gift Shop and Pink Door thrift shop.  For more details on becoming a Skaggs Volunteer visit www.skaggs.net/volunteer or call (417) 335-7114.

Michelle L. Leroux
Media Relations Specialist

Skaggs Regional Medical Center
The Best Place To Get Better.

The Branson League of Theatre Owners and Show Producers, in conjunction with the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB, plans to present a “Branson Cares For Joplin Benefit Telethon” which is currently scheduled for June 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The plans for the telethon were just announced today. There be a city wide meeting on Monday, June 6, at 12:00 p.m. at the Baldknobbers Theatre for anyone who is interested in participating or volunteering with this fund raising effort for the benefit of our friends and neighbors in Joplin.

For additional information, please call Lynn Berry the Director of Public Relations for Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB at 417. 334-4084.

As most are aware, our friends and neighbors in Joplin, located about 100 miles from Branson, were devastated by a Category F5 Tornado on Sunday May 22. Although the horrific storms did not affect the Branson area physically, the impact of what has happened to our friends and neighbors in Joplin is heavy on our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

In addition, however, they need assistance and help in rebuilding their community and recovering their personal lives from the total devastation they have faced. The information on this page is intended to provide guidance on how you can assist in that effort in a manner that will get the most help to those that need it as quickly as possible.

JOPLIN, MO TORNADO INFORMATION

The outpouring of support from Hollister and Branson citizens and businesses continues. See below for opportunities and drop off sites in Hollister and the surrounding areas:

HOLLISTER DROP SITES:

• MEMCO, INC in Hollister (off the intersection of Hwy 65 & Hwy 86) have cleared out space in their warehouse, donated use of trucks and have coordinated to make deliveries to Convoy of Hope in Springfield. If you cannot make it to Memco, you may also drop off at the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce Office inside the Taney County Airport behind Herrman Lumber. Contact Kim Crosby at Memco for additional information (417-297-0611). The following items have been approved and are needed:

Blankets (new or gently used/clean)
Pillows (new or gently used/clean)
Towels (new or gently used/clean)
Clothing & shoes (only NEW items accepted)
Socks and work gloves
Non-Perishable Foods
Pre-packaged (ready-to-eat) snacks
Bottled Water
Personal Care Items
Toiletry Items (shampoo, soap, etc.)
Baby Care Items (diapers, wipes, etc)
Laundry Detergent
Cleaning Supplies
Trash Bags (large, sturdy)
Paper Products
First Aid Supplies
Pet Food & Pet Supplies

• COUNTRY MART in Hollister. Customers who wish to participate may have $1, $3 or $5 added to their total at checkout. All 48 Pyramid Foods Stores will be participating in this program. The money raised will be given to the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter, specifically designated for relief in Joplin. For more information, please visit www.countrymartgrocery.com

• ARROWHEAD BUILDING SUPPLY in Hollister is collecting non-perishable food items to aid families in Joplin. Please drop off food items or first aid items to help get these families through this devastating time… Thank you for your support and contact us with any questions-

Hollister Location
181 Hollister Pointe Drive (Behind Lowe’s on Birch Rd)
Hollister MO. 65672
417-690-4733

Additional Contact Information:

Red Cross of the Greater Ozarks www.redcross-ozarks.org

United Way Dial 2-1-1 (seeking volunteers and donations) If the number is not operational, please call 800-427-4626.

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks www.cbco.org or 800-280-5337 (all types needed)

To check on loved ones, view the “Safe and Sound” registry of the Red Cross at www.safeandsound.org

Follow on Facebook – “Joplin, Mo Tornado Recovery” – find the page at http://www.facebook.com/joplinmo?ref=ts&sk=wall#!/joplinmo

Branson/Lakes Area Website – Online Directory of Resources http://www.explorebranson.com/spring/2011-tornado-donations.php

Vietnam Veterans of America Branson Chapter 913 Veteran Assistance Fundraiser will be held on May 23 at the Hamner Barber Theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway. A pre-show will begin at 5:30 and main show at 6:30. Entertainers from the Branson area volunteer their time to present a great show for a good cause., All profits from this show go to help veterans in the Branson area. There is also a silent auction going on concurrently where items donated by area businesses can be purchased. Tickets can be purchased by caling the Hamner Barber Theater Box Office. Corporate Sponsorship is also available by contacting Bob Sarver, President, VVA Chapter 913 @ 417-294-0728.

Vietnam Veterans of America Branson Chapter 913 Bar-B-Que and Casino Night on May 21. Come join the at the Lyons Club on East 76 at 5:30 pm for a Bar-B-Que dinner and fun playing blackjack, craps and other games with the play money you receive with your admission ticket. The play money can be used at the auction to purchase items donated by Branson and surrounding area businesses. There is also a silent auction going on concurrently where items can be purchased with real money. All proceeds go to the Honor/Color Guard for item expenses and uniforms. Tickets can be purchased from members or at the door. Corporate Sponsorship is also available by contacting Bob Sarver, President, VVA Chapter 913 @ 417-294-0728.

BRANSON, Mo. Andy Williams Moon River Grill is hosting a summer-long fundraiser to help provide supplemental food for hungry school children in Taney County.  All summer, kids ten and under can eat for only $1 and all proceeds will be donated to Gift of Hope’s Backpack Club.
Andy Williams and his wife Debbie recognize the need for supplemental weekend food and are thrilled to take part in this fundraiser.

“The Backpack Club provides an eligible child with supplemental food to eat outside of the school meal program.  Many children rely on this food to get them through the weekend. Children are added each month to the Backpack Club, so we are grateful to have the assistance of Andy Williams Moon River Grill summer promotion.  The funds collected will make a difference in many children’s lives, right here in our community. We are blessed to be a part of this incredible fundraiser.” –Meghan Connell, Director of Gift of Hope.

By eating at the Moon River Grill this summer, you can help Gift of Hope provide backpacks to hungry children.

For more information about Gift of Hope’s Backpack Club, contact Meghan Connell at 1-417-546-8062, [email protected], or go to www.giftofhopeinc.org.

Record rainfalls in Branson, Missouri in the past 10 days have contributed to a state of flooding that has driven many from their homes. Many others have lost everything that they have. There are an estimated 300 families in the Branson area and its environs that have been adversely affected.

Although a small community, with only approximately 6,000 year-round residents, Branson citizens want to help their neighbors. Branson’s only Irish pub, Waxy O’Shea’s, is spearheading a benefit show, silent auction, and clothing drive to try to help.

“Heads Above Water, Jam Below the Dam” is a benefit show sponsored by The Skillet Licker Songwriter Review, Stolen Windows, Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub, and the God and Country Theatre. The Jam is scheduled to begin at Noon on Wednesday May 11, 2011, and will last until 1AM on May 12 at Waxy O’Shea’s on Branson Landing. Matthew Stoll, Waxy O’Shea’s manager, says, “We are a community, let’s show the survivors what a community does for its members.”

Many local entertainers have already committed to performing at the event, including headliners from the God and Country Theatre, homespun bluegrassers The Skillet Lickers, local jam-band favorites Stolen Windows, and Celtic rockers Eire & Brimstone. All are donating their time, and hope that the entire community will join them for a time of encouragement, good music and hope. Sarah Tweed, star of the Tweed Show at the God and Country Theatre says, “This jam has easily brought together both people of faith and freethinkers for a truly worthy charitable event.”

The performances and entertainment are only one facet of the event. Donations are being accepted by Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub on an ongoing basis for a silent auction to be held throughout the day on May 11. Monetary donations will also be collected at all area Ozark Mountain Bank branches and at Waxy’s; donees should simply make checks payable to “Heads Above Water”. Donations of clean clothing, in good condition, and non-perishable food items may also be delivered to Waxy O’Shea’s for later distribution. Proceeds of the events will be allocated to Salvation Army, K-Life and Christian Action Ministries, as well as handed out directly by the organizers, to stay in the community and be given to families affected by the flood.

The entire Branson community is invited to enjoy “Heads Above Water, Jam Below the Dam” at Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub. For further information, contact Zach and Dee McGrath at 417-230-1595 Or Matthew Stoll at 417-335-1799 or by email at [email protected] .