2010 VA Diaper Drive

Van Alstyne's annual diaper drive to benefit the Pregnancy Care Center in Sherman started Jan. 31 and will continue through Feb. 28.

The Prgnancy Care Center helps support girls and women who have unplanned pregnancies. Diapers and other baby items can be dropped off at a local church, Diamond Grocery or the Pregnancy Care Center, 105 W. Pecan in Sherman.

For more information, call 903-893-9099.

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.

Community Education Classes

Medical Center of McKinney offers a variety of community education classes. For a complete listing of available dates and times, visit www.medicalcenterofmckinney.com. For more information, call 972-369-1602.

Medical Center of McKinney's classes include:

Heart Saver/CPR Online. Access www.medicalcenterofmckinney.com, Education, American Heart. This American Heart Association course is a two-step process. Part 1 is an online e-learning module, and part 2 is a skills check off scheduled with AHA approved instructor at Medical Center of McKinney Wysong Campus, 130 S. Central Expressway, $10. The class will provide basic training for first responders, childcare providers and other interested community members.

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.

VA Blood Drive

The Texoma Regional Blood Center will conduct a blood drive hosted by Texas Star Bank on Friday, Feb. 26. The Bloodmobile will be at the bank from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is welcomed and encouraged to join the bank in saving lives by donating a pint of blood.

All blood types are always needed, however, at this time, the Blood Center is experiencing a critical shortage of 3 blood types: O Positive, A Positive and A Negative. The hospitals that we serve in Grayson, Cooke and Fannin counties have been using the blood almost as quickly as we receive it.

Our Medical Directors have made changes in a few of the guidelines that before kept some people from donating. The following are now able to donate:

Individuals with diabetes on insulin may now donate blood.

Persons taking Chantix to stop smoking are acceptable.

Persons receiving BOTOX injections are now able to donate.

Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis may donate.

Cancer deferrals have been changed from a 5 year cancer-free waiting period to 2 years waiting period, except for 4 that are still permanent deferrals. They are malignant melanoma, Leukemia, Lumphoma and Hodgkin's Disease.

We hope that all eligible donors will take a few minutes out of the day on Friday to stop by the Texas Star Bank and donate. Be reminded that one pint of blood can save three lives!!

Playoff Basketball Broadcast

The Melissa Cardinals boys basketball playoff game against Boyd will be broadcast live on KFYN 1420 AM and live on the internet at www.kfyn1420.com/sports/index.asp beginning at 7 p.m. Friday. Join play-by-play announcer Trey Graham and color analyst Kenny Deel as they bring you exciting Cardinal playoff action. Green Mountain Energy Co. and First Baptist Church Melissa will sponsor the broadcast.

Chrystal Opry House Gospel Event

The Chrystal Opry House will host a gospel event at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26. The Melody Ranch Gospel Band will perform with special guest Marty Cobern.

Admission will cost $6 for adults with children under 12 admitted free with an adult. Special rates apply for groups of 10 or more. A snack bar with food and refreshments will be available.

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 no smoking is allowed inside the building. Contact Bill Hayes (903-546-6893) for more information.

Pennies for Haiti

VA Brownie Troop #8584 will be collecting pennies for Haiti during their annual Girl Scout cookie booth sales Sunday, Feb. 28, near the northeast corner of U.S. 75 and F.M. 121 at the Benton Luttrell Brown Realtors in Van Alstyne from 2 to 4 p.m. They will then be collecting them again on Sunday, March 6th at Mattress 101, located at 204 South Central Expressway (just past McDonalds 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.

VAISD Calendar Meeting

Van Alstyne ISD invites all interested parents and community members to a public meeting on the 2010-11 school calendar. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, in the Van Alstyne Middle School cafetorium. The meeting is designed to share with our parents and community members the "Flex" calendar option proposed for next school year. In addition to the public meeting the district will offer parents, teachers and community members an opportunity to express their support for or against the option through an online survey located on the district Web site, which also will contain a "Frequently Asked Questions" page. The Web-based survey should be functional by the beginning of next week.

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.

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 lots of games with prizes, food and entertainment. Bring the whole family and support Anna schools.

Volunteer McKinney Center

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

* 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.