Survivor Search Underway

The Relay For Life Central Ellis County is fast approaching. It will be held on May 15 & 16, 2009 at Lumpkins Stadium in Waxahachie and a search to find all cancer survivors is underway. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. with the celebration of the Survivors’ Lap.

Mayors for Meals

Image: Mayors for Meals — Jerry Watson (Italy resident), Terri Murdock (City administrator) and Mayor Frank Jackson.

Every March, Meals on Wheels has an annual national campaign designed to increase public awareness. One of the campaigns is Mayors for Meals. On a designated day in March, Mayors across the country deliver meals to seniors in their community.

Blood Drive Taking Donations Until 5:00

Image: Chase Michaels donates — Carter Blood Center is in town on Thursday until 5:00 pm.  Enough time for you to give blood.

Have you given blood lately? If not, it’s not too late. You can head over to Italy High School and walk right into the dome. Carter Blood Center is in town today and will remain until 5pm this afternoon.

Italy Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry Special Hours

The IMA Food Pantry will operate with one-time special hours on Monday, March 16, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again later that Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The IMA offers these one-time special hours of operation to accommodate those who could not come earlier this month.

Relay for Life Garage Sale

Image: Wayne Boze Building — Silver Bullets Relay for Life team hosted their garage sale from 7:00 AM to 12:00PM.

At 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning some very dedicated members of the Italy Silver Bullets Relay for Life team were at the Wayne Boze building hosting a garage sale. This garage sale was to raise money to help in the fight against cancer. Their efforts were not in vain, they raised over five hundred dollars for the American Cancer Society.

Relay for Life garage sale this Saturday!

Image: Relay for Life’s garage sale is Saturday! — The Silver Bullets Relay for Life team is having it’s annual garage sale to raise money to fight cancer. The sale will be inside the Wayne Boze building in downtown Italy, Saturday March 7th, between 7:00 a.m. and until items are sold.

The Silver Bullet Relay for Life team will be having a garage sale on Saturday, March 7th. Items for sale include: Furniture, clothes, toys, movies, books, appliances, Relay for Life suckers and so much more!!!!!!!!!!

Angel Food Ministries’ March Menu

Image: Angel Food Ministries March Menu

Angel Food Ministries has released their March Menu. Orders must be made on Tuesday, March 10th, from 9 am until noon in Itasca. Pick up day is Saturday, March 28th, from 9-10 am. You may also order through the Baptist Church in Milford.

Passing on the love of Christ in a Hurting World

Image: Italy Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry — The Italy Ministerial Alliance food pantry has changed their hours to 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on first Monday of the month.  Ruth Tarrent, Bill Youngblood and Karen Mathiowetz work the pantry.

With the new year, the Italy Ministerial Alliance has made some changes to the schedule for the local food pantry. Beginning in March, the food pantry located at 124 Harpold (the First United Methodist Church), will be open the first Monday of the month (March 2) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Stafford Elementary collecting “Pennies for Patients”

Image: Lots of Pennies — These pennies will help thousands of people fight blood cancers like leukemia, which causes more deaths among children and young adults than any other cancer.

Stafford Elementary is participating in the program “Pennies for Patients.” If you happen to go into the office at Stafford you will see a huge bottle with pennies inside. The students are really working hard on filling up the bottles. In various places in the school there are lots of jars just waiting for your pennies or spare change.

Angel Food Ministries releases February Menu

Image: Angel Food Ministries February Menu

The February menu for Angel Food Ministries is out and the order dates are fast approaching. Angel Food Ministries is a non-denominational program to help everyone with grocery costs. Each month’s menu is different from the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items.

Central Ellis County Relay Kickoff Slate

Excitement is in the air as the Central Ellis County Relay For Life Kickoff is about to begin. This year’s theme is “Celebrating 25 Years of Hope”. The kickoff will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 6:30 at the Red Oak Municipal Building.

Food boxes delivered to local families

Image: Christmas boxes — The Italy Ministerial Alliance came together on Saturday to deliver boxes to needy families in the area.

Peace and goodwill towards men. That was the sentiment on Saturday at the Italy Ministerial Alliance food pantry. Nineteen volunteers representing area churches came together, young and old, separated canned goods and delivered a big box of food, fruit and turkey to 38 people in need around Italy.

Titus Women’s Club shared coats with many

Image: Happy Coat Recipient — This cute little girl loves her new coat.

Titus Women’s Club of Milford worked with Milford ISD and the Milford Angel Tree to determine who might be in need of a coat in the community. They got busy and called those on the list and got coat sizes. They set up the Milford Senior Center as the site to pick up the coats.

Angel Trees

Image: Independent Bank Angel Tree — As you can see the tree is still full of little “Angels” waiting to be adopted for Christmas.

Tis the season to be jolly and spread the joy of giving to others! There are several “Angel” trees in Italy and Milford with many “Angels” waiting to be adopted.

Five Christmas dinners

Image: Milford Police Chief Phoenix — Chief Phoenix is the man to contact to donate food for the five Christmas dinners.

The City of Milford has come up with a new way to help folks at Christmas time. They are going to provide dinners for five families.

Cupboards Are Bare-Your Help Is Needed

The plea has been issued. The Italy Ministerial Alliance is searching for more food. With serving over 40 families in the Italy and Milford area, the food pantry is depleted. Families are in need and the Food Pantry wants to help them.

A shoebox of Christmas joy

Image: Operation Christmas Child — It is time to submit shoeboxes filled with goodies for children around the world.  Samaritan’s Purse will distribute these boxes by Christmas.

If you are interested in participating in Operation Christmas Child, please submit your filled shoeboxes to Italy’s First United Methodist, Central Baptist or First Baptist by Sunday, November 16. It is time to turn in the gift boxes.

Milford Angel Tree

Image: Angel Tree — This Angel tree already has seven angels on it.

The Milford Police department is sponsoring their fifth annual Angel Tree. Today, Monday, November 10th is the first day Milford Police department is taking names of children that are going to need your help with Christmas this year. They already have seven angels on the tree.

Visit Bethlehem-You’ll Be Glad You Did

Image: The Marketplace — The Marketplace in Bethlehem is very busy.  Peddlers selling their wares to customers as they pass by.

The month of December is quickly approaching. It will be busy but you can take time out and have fun activities planned with your family. Pencil this on your calendar. Bethlehem Revisited in an intriguing view of the past. Walking among characters from 2000 years ago keeps you looking to see what is around the next corner.

Christmas Wish

Image: ’Tis the season — Soon the season will be upon us. Let us help others at Christmas time.

Do you know of a family who won’t have Christmas this year? Or, do you know a family that just needs a little help at Christmas this year?

Little red calf added to auction

Image: Little Red — This little guy has been added to the list of auction items.  The auction begins at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church located at 124 Harpold in Italy.

On November 1, there will be an auction. The likes of which you haven’t seen in a long time. Not only will there be gift certificates and themed baskets to bid on, but collectables and antiques as well. And, of course, no auction is complete without a calf. Read on, to see the list…

Italy Ministerial Alliance food pantry update

The Italy Ministerial Alliance (IMA) food pantry is open every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Italy First United Methodist Church at 124 Harpold. Serving over 40 families this year, the food pantry is gearing up for the holiday season and needs your help.

Chloe Evan’s fundraiser

Image: Chloe and her dad — Ty Evans and his daughter Chloe.

Saturday afternoon Milford ISD was filled with compassionate, loving and caring citizens of Milford, Texas. Everyone came out in support of little Chloe Evan’s need of a hearing aid. The response to her need was heartwarming and heartfelt.

Belk to have a charity sale

Image: Jan Parker has tickets — Jan Parker, Coordinator of the Lord’s Acre Sale, has tickets enough for everyone. They are $5 and every penny goes to First United Methodist of Italy Lord’s Acre, plus you get a little something too.

Do you shop at Belk’s Department Store? If you don’t now, you might change your mind when you read about the charity event they are hosting. The closest store is located on Hwy 77 near the Target in Waxahachie. On Saturday, November 15, Belk is hosting a sale to benefit First United Methodist Church of Italy and other local charities.

Let’s help Chloe Evans hear

Image: Chloe Evans — Chloe needs hearing aids. Lets all help her get some by enjoying a spaghetti lunch and silent auction.

Chloe Evans is the beautiful, 22 month old daughter of Ty and Kim Evans. This little girl is full of personality, you can just see it in her expressions and hear it in her laughter.

Eyeglass donation locations

Lions Club International is a worldwide organization that helps citizens of all ages with glasses and vision problems. Some vision problems may be corrected by a pair of glasses. Others may require a surgical procedure.

Second Annual Benefit for Donovan Lusk

Image: Donovan Lusk — Donovan was diagnosed with Batten disease over a year ago. He has been fighting this aggressive disease and he and his family need your help.

Help us find a cure for Batten disease. Saturday, October 25 at 6 p.m. in Italy’s Wayne Boze Communtity Center a silent auction and dinner will be served to benefit Donovan Lusk.

The power of a simple gift

Image: Samaritan’s Purse — The First United Methodist Church is one of three churches in town that is hosting “Operation Christmas Child”.

You might think it is a little early to talk about Christmas and when you go shopping for Halloween candy, the store’s plans of early decorating or seasonal music might even irritate you. However, you might consider as of October 6, it is 80 days (or 11 and a half weeks) before December 25. Samaritan’s Purse is an organization that can help you get on the right track.

Italy Ministerial Alliance does good for many families

Image: Italy Ministerial Alliance helps — Rev. Beverly Hamilton, pastor of  First United Methodist Church, and Rev. Preston Dixon, pastor of Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, work side by side with the Italy Ministerial Alliance.

According to the President of Ministerial Alliance, Rev. Beverly Hamilton, there are 68 different families served from the Italy/Milford areas by the local Food Pantry. Since January 2008, she has kept a running total and observed, “These are all different families.” Hamilton said they are a wide range of families visiting at different times of the year.

Fill the Boot fundraiser

Image: Chambers and Mathiowetz prepare — Brad Chambers and Brian Mathiowetz prepare for the “Fill the Boot” fundraiser.

Friday, September 12, at 4:30 p.m. members of Italy Relay for Life team and members of the Italy Volunteer Fire Department could be seen out on Main Street asking for help to “Fill the Boot.” Everyone was out on the street holding signs and holding out the “Boot” for donations to the American Cancer Society.

The Gingerbread House: Flashback to the ’50s

The Gingerbread House (Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center) of Waxahachie is putting on a benefit dinner entitled “Flashback to the ’50s” on September 26 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This is to raise money to help their organization help abused children.

Prize Winners – Italy Relay Team Raffle

Image: And the winner is … — Doris Mitchell pulling out the lucky prize winner ticket along with Jenna Chambers and Karen Mathiowetz.

Friday, August 29 the big raffle ticket drawing took place at the Uptown Cafe in Italy. Karen Mathiowetz was busy stirring up all the raffle tickets in a big silver bowl. Doris Mitchell then began to dip into the big silver bowl and pulled out two winning raffle tickets. The two lucky winners were: Doris Mitchell and Kelly Lewis.