Home Blog Page 436

Regional Day of Giving in East Texas Set for April 30th

By
Joshua Blackwell
-
0

The fourth annual East Texas Giving Day will be held Tuesday, April 30, 2019 from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. East Texas Giving Day, powered by East Texas Communities Foundation, is an online crowd funding event that happens online at www.EastTexasGivingDay.org.

“Giving Day has raised just shy of two million dollars in unrestricted funds for participating nonprofits,” said Kyle Penney, President of East Texas Communities Foundation. “We can’t wait to see what our nonprofits and donors can do this year.”

The purpose of an area-wide Giving Day is to bring the region together on one day and as one community, raising money and awareness for East Texas nonprofits. The initiative, organized by East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF), provides citizens across ETCF’s 32-county service area an easy platform to support the mission of local nonprofits.

“Last year resulted in 23% of donors indicating they were first-time donors to the charities they supported,” Penney said. “This is one of the key results that inspired ETCF to host a Giving Day in the first place.”

On April 30th, transactions will be securely processed through the Giving Day website and donors will receive an immediate tax receipt via email at the conclusion of the donation process.

Prescheduled giving opened April 15th. “The opportunity to preschedule gifts will allow nonprofits to start sharing in the ‘buzz’ related to giving day” said Penney. “When the early gifts start showing up, and nonprofits promote those donations, it builds enthusiasm and inspires more donors to join in the fun. The excitement is contagious.”

Participating nonprofits and donors can track donations pledged throughout the day of April 30th in real-time by watching the leaderboard on the home page of the web site. The minimum donation amount is $10. All transactions processed on Giving Day will incur approximately 5.09% in fees based on the costs of the Giving Day technology platform and credit card processing fees. Nonprofits will receive funds six-to-eight weeks after the conclusion of the event.

“Our goal in hosting East Texas Giving Day is to reach new donors and give them simple access to support a wide variety of local causes,” said Penney. “We also want to use this opportunity to build a new generation of philanthropists for our communities.”

Ongoing updates about the event will be posted on ETCF’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SimplifiedGiving and the foundation’s website www.etcf.org.

“Social media is key to having a successful Giving Day event,” Penney said. “Follow along with these nonprofits and share their post on Facebook and other apps. By sharing their post, we increase awareness which will benefit participating nonprofits past this one day event.”

Tips to Guard Against Bites and Burns This Summer

By
Statepoint
-
0

For families — and everybody else for that matter — protecting skin should be a top summer priority. After all, there is no shortage of summer skin woes you’ll want to avoid.

From protecting skin from sun to repelling disease-carrying insects, here are some top insights that will help you and your family enjoy a safer, more comfortable summer.

Sunscreen: Get it Right

When it comes to sunscreen, it’s important to understand and follow sun safety guidelines. Fewer than half of moms (48 percent) knew the correct amount of sunscreen to apply to the face and body while at the pool, lake or beach, according to a NO-AD Sun Care-commissioned survey on sunscreen. The correct amount of sunscreen to be applied — or reapplied – is at least 2 tablespoons. More alarming still, the majority of those surveyed (54 percent) believe the proper time to apply sunscreen is as soon as they start feeling their skin burning.

Experts say that parents should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to themselves and children 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun in order to give it time to bond to skin, and then reapply at least every two hours or after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating and immediately after towel drying. Unfortunately, 17 percent of moms were unaware that after an initial slathering of sunscreen, they needed to reapply it following extended exposure.

Beyond application, the type of sunscreen you use matters, too. Luckily, there are quality products at great value, which means you don’t need to skimp on the amount you apply or reapplication. For example, NO-AD has been protecting families for generations at an affordable price per ounce. And for those who want to avoid added fragrance, parabens, alcohol, retinyl palmitate, BPA and dyes, consider trying NO-AD Naturals Clear Mineral Formula SPF 50, which is developed with naturally sourced active ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Oxybenzone- and Octinoxate-free – both of which are chemicals considered harmful to coral reefs – this is also a good choice for the eco-conscious. Parents take note: the line, which offers great value, also carries pediatrician-tested versions for kids and babies.

Other safe sun habits include limiting time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m, and wearing long-sleeve shirts, pants, hats and sunglasses.

Bite-Free Summer

Summer days are full of outdoor fun in backyards, parks, baseball diamonds and more. And any time you and your kids are outdoors, you are at risk for insect bites. Unfortunately, a bite can carry risks beyond discomfort. Mosquitoes can carry Zika, West Nile, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya viruses.

Consider streamlining skin protection with a two-in-one combination such as BullFrog Mosquito Coast SPF 50 Continuous Spray Sunscreen + Insect Repellent, which is DEET-free, Oxybenzone- and Octinoxate-free, and a good choice when you want to pack light or send kids to camp or sports with a simple sunscreen and insect repellant solution.

You can also dodge mosquito bites by wearing loose long sleeves and pants, particularly on hikes, and by keeping your yard free of any standing water.

By knowing the facts, you can better ward off bites, burns and other summer skin pitfalls.

Drug-Free All Star Banquet

By
Joshua Blackwell
-
0
Lufkin High School Drug-Free All Stars. Back row, from left to right: Joe Soto, Cade Self, Alishbah Khan, Aroob Naqvi, and Riley Latham. Front row, from left to right: Jacy Dickerson, Maria Mejia, Janet Mendoza, Elizabeth Jones, and Anisha Rao. Not pictured are Adam Holden, Jake Garza, Jed McDaniel and Joshua Simmons.Lufkin High School Drug-Free All Stars. Back row, from left to right: Joe Soto, Cade Self, Alishbah Khan, Aroob Naqvi, and Riley Latham. Front row, from left to right: Jacy Dickerson, Maria Mejia, Janet Mendoza, Elizabeth Jones, and Anisha Rao. Not pictured are Adam Holden, Jake Garza, Jed McDaniel and Joshua Simmons.

The 2018-2019 Drug-Free All Stars, a group of high school seniors in Angelina County who pledged to be drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free, were honored for their hard work this year at the annual Drug-Free All Star Banquet. The All Stars volunteered their time at various local events throughout Angelina County and helped spread awareness about drug prevention. Thank you to Judge April Earley for speaking to the All Stars about maintaining their substance-free lifestyle and how to motivate others to make the same choices. We are grateful for the group of motivated students who are positive role-models and work hard to promote a healthy, substance-free lifestyle on behalf of The Coalition.

Drug-Free All Stars are selected from all Angelina County schools. Current high school juniors that are passionate about maintaining and promoting a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free lifestyle are encouraged to apply for next year’s program. Applications can be downloaded at http://angelinacoalition.org/drug-free-all-stars/ or a copy can be picked up at The Coalition’s office at 1320 S. John Reddit Drive, Suite C or at any Angelina County high school. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 31st.

Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information about the Drug-Free All Star program, contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

Roadrunners Take Win over Alvin Evans’ Late Homer Lifts AC

By
Gary Stallard
-
0
Angelina College’s Hayden Evans blasts a two-out, eighth-inning homer during Tuesday’s game against Alvin College. Evans’ shot proved the game winner in a 6-5 Roadrunner win. (Gary Stallard photo)

For a team aching for a clutch hit lately, the Angelina College Roadrunners got one from an unlikely source.

Freshman Hayden Evans couldn’t have picked a better time for his first collegiate homer. The Cypress Ranch High School product drove a solo homer over the wall in right field in the bottom of the eighth inning, lifting AC to a thrilling 6-5 win over Alvin College Tuesday at Roadrunner Field.

The ‘Runners needed the lift after the Dolphins stormed back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game at 5-5 in the top of the eighth inning. In the bottom of the frame, Evans stepped in with two outs and proceeded to launch the game winner.

Lance Lusk earned the pitching win in relief, and Dalton Roblin earned the save by striking out the only batter he faced to end the game.

AC also got a two-run homer from JoJo Munoz, a two-run double from Sawyre Thornhill and an RBI single from Alex Ashby.

The Roadrunners (25-18, 11-13) open a key three-game series with Northeast Texas Community College starting on Thursday. AC will hit the road on Thursday for a single game starting at 4 p.m. in Mount Pleasant. On Saturday, the ‘Runners will host the Eagles in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Angelina College Nonprofit Leadership Center Hosting Workshop

By
Nancy Reynolds
-
0

LEADon University® Leadership Workshop May 3 on the Angelina College campus.

The Angelina College Nonprofit Leadership Center (ACNPLC) will host a LEADon University® Leadership Workshop May 3 from 8-11 a.m. and noon until 3 p.m. These are two separate workshops, and attendees may choose to participate in one or both. Attending both sessions is not mandatory.

The cost of these workshops is $49 and participants may choose to register for a full Leanon University membership for $228. This membership provides participants with 12 online courses for one year, an emotional quotient benchmarking tool, a Developing Emotional Competency Questionnaire®, and free attendance to the May 3 workshop and all other workshops offered during the year.

The workshop is hosted by Drs. Steve and Rebecca Wilke, LEADon University® founders. Donna Busler, ACNPLC director, said that the LEADon event held in February by the Wilkes was a major success. “Participants enjoyed the February event so much that they have been requesting additional training, so we arranged for this leadership workshop opportunity,” she said.

The vision of LEADon University® is to equip 21st century leaders who want to develop high performance teams and a corporate culture in order to increase their productivity and profitability through LEADon’s principle-based approach.

For more information about this event and how to register, contact Busler at (936) 633-4532 or email dbusler@angelina.edu. For more information about LeadOn University®, go to leadonuniversity.com.

Georgia-Pacific Partners with T.L.L. Temple Library

By
Joshua Blackwell
-
0

Reading is the cornerstone to success, and no one knows that more than the T.L.L. Temple Library in Diboll. Established in 1960, Diboll’s first public library opened with a modest 1200 donated books and an operating budget of $800 raised by the Friends of the Diboll Library.

Today almost sixty years later the library continues to serve the area thanks to public support and contributions and grants from local companies and foundations. Georgia-Pacific is proud to be among the T.L.L. Temple Library investors. Recently Georgia-Pacific Representatives (l to r) Mike Watson, Diboll Lumber Safety Manager and Yana Ogletree, Public Affairs Manager for Texas and Louisiana, presented Library Director Justin Barkley a $2500 contribution on behalf of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation. The funds will be used to purchase books and equipment.

2019-2020 Drug-Free All Star Application Now Available

By
Joshua Blackwell
-
0

Attention all Angelina County high school juniors! Applications for the Drug-Free All Star program are now available. Drug-Free All Stars serve as role models for a drug, alcohol, e-cigarette and tobacco-free life and share with the community to promote healthy living. All high school juniors that are passionate about being drug, alcohol, e-cigarette and tobacco-free are eligible to apply. Applications can be downloaded from The Coalition’s website at www.angelinacoalition.org/drug-free-all-stars or copies can be picked up at The Coalition’s office at 1320 S. John Reddit Drive, Suite C or at any Angelina County high school. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 31st.

Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information about the Drug-Free All Star program contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

Angelina College Hosting 50th Anniversary Carnival

By
Nancy Reynolds
-
0

Angelina College will host a 50th anniversary carnival Thursday, May 2 from 5-9 p.m. at the Activity Center parking lot. All games and rides are free.

Jordan LaCaille, Student Life and Orientation coordinator has arranged for a wide variety of activities that the entire family will enjoy. “We want to thank the community for 50 years of supporting Angelina College. We hope everyone will come out and enjoy rides, food and games,” she said.

LaCaille has arranged for a bounce house and bungee run, face paining, balloon animals, glow sticks and a pirate ship ride. For those feeling more adventurous, there will be a mechanical bull, a rock wall, and a zip line. Animal lovers can have their photos made with monkeys from Ms. Monkeys Emporium and enjoy petting the animals from Pawsitive Animal Encounters. Heavy C Entertainment will provide DJ services to keep everyone dancing.

Attendees can enjoy free cotton candy, popcorn, and sno-cones. The first 300 attendees arriving between 5-7 p.m. will receive arm bands for free hotdogs and nachos from Great Western Dining.

It’s just not a carnival without games, so carnival goers can try their luck at bottle toss, clown down, plinko, putt-putt, skee ball, teen striker, and moonwalk basketball shootout.

For more information about this event, contact Jordan LaCaille at jlacaille@angelina.edu or (936) 633-3253.

Tobacco Cessation Classes Now Being Offered Monthly

By
Joshua Blackwell
-
0

The Coalition, Inc. is now offering FREE cessation classes every month to adults that want to quit smoking. There are many benefits for people who stop smoking including, reduced risk of tobacco-related diseases and early death. With support and encouragement, you can double your chances of successfully quitting. The Freshstart program can be your start to a new life without cigarettes! The program consists of a 1- hour session each week for 4 weeks. Participants will receive a free workbook plus the support and guidance of a trained facilitator. New classes start every month. For more information, or to register, please call The Coalition at 936-634-9308. Follow The Coalition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @TheCoalition936.

Since 1988, The Coalition, Inc. has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. The Coalition is one of the oldest substance abuse prevention community coalitions in the United States. For more information, contact The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

ALERT:

By
Rhonda Oaks
-
0

The southbound ramp on SL 287 at FM 58/Chestnut Drive in Lufkin will be closed for several hours today and Tuesday as contractors work to replace luminaire foundation. Traffic control beginning at 9 am and the ramp will be closed until work is completed each day.

1...435436437...758Page 436 of 758