So far, our county has not had the devastating weather other parts of the U.S. have experienced this year. This does not mean we should ignore the possibility that we may have it, and we should prepare for a hurricane or gale.
A new group is partnering with the American Red Cross to protect our communities; last week a large group met at the Family Restaurant in Shepherd to listen to Bishop Kenneth Murray talk about this. His group, The National Spiritual Council Coalition.
NSCC invites other pastors and their congregations to join them in partnering with the Red Cross. They are instituting distribution centers and/or shelters in rural neighborhoods, areas often lacking in such support. Poorer areas especially often find their area at the bottom of the list, the bishop said, and we need to prepare before a crisis to make sure we have enough to help everyone.
The American Red Cross is 95 percent volunteer-led. Pastors of local churches are asked if they will assist in this work by having their own team workers join with those from the NSCC staff. The bishop made the point that we must be ready to help ourselves when some of our community is faced with disaster.
To know more and to sign up for this he recommends Pastors have their Church Secretary get in touch with Jeanette Manning, cell: 409-201-3785, email: jmanning2022@yahoo.com. Jeanette is the Director of Hardin County Partnership with the American Red Cross. Doris M. Davis is the Director, Liberty County Partnership w/ American Red Cross. Doris can be reached for information at ddavism@att.net.
This was a well-attended meeting with delicious food served by the Family Restaurant and Daiquiris to Go.
To order food call (346) 988-5059, located at 2700 S. Byrd Ave., Shepherd. Training for this work will be provided.
• July 18 is Bingo Night in Coldspring at the Coldspring Senior Center. This is a fundraiser for the Coldspring Volunteer Fire Department. The cost for 10 games is $25, the doors open at 6 p.m. Extra books will be on sale at the location. Bring your family and friends. Proceeds help support your local firefighters.
The VFD is there for the community and does more than fight fires. They are there when there is an accident, helping in a weather crisis, even attending local events and managing traffic when needed.
• The Rand- McIntyre Helping Hands Food Pantry received a check from SJC Women’s League and this was a perfect opportunity to visit the pantry and meet the volunteers who give their time to help others. Located at 66 Magnolia Ave. in Shepherd, this food pantry is open on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to about noon. Call (936) 628-6959. They distribute food and toiletries also. The building is new and is just about to celebrate its first year in operation.
• Don’t forget to visit the Library. Whether it is in Coldspring or Shepherd, there are programs for everyone to enjoy. Go the their websites and Facebook pages and check out what they have going on. Learn to crochet, join the Books & Banter group, Teen Night and Tiny Tots Tales are great groups for the younger ones. There are many other happenings, so have a look to see what you might like.
• Vendors for the July 5 Independence Celebration in Shepherd may collect a form at the Shepherd Library or download one online. We look forward to seeing the vendors from the Brewtique Shepherd Market coming to the event.
The event will start with the food and outside vendors at noon, and the Community Center will open at 1 p.m. Music from DJ Jaccen Lee and the opening ceremony with Commander Larry Lowe of Camilla Post 629 will lead us in the POW/MIA Colors and Prayer at 3 p.m. Gregg Cones will sing, and Walterine Carr will lead games for the younger set. There is a lot more to come to make sure to attend.
• June 21 will be the “Best Friends” event hosted by the SJC Animal Shelter at 23020 Speed St. in New Caney. Adopt one of the wonderful dogs or puppies there at the Food Zone during their inaugural Community Field Day. There will be games, vendors, a pop-up market, prizes and great food.
Contact the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce at (210) 995-7420 or the Coldspring Chamber at (936) 653-2184.
Yvonne Cones is president of the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce.
