Graystone Hills residents and spectators are invited to join in an interactive conversation with the community through commenting.
Posted on Aug 2, 2010 | Tagged in: Montgomery County , education , charity
Now through August 15, 2010, YMCA Operation Backpack will collect brand new backpacks filled with school supplies at both the Conroe and South Montgomery County YMCA locations. Operation Backpack will then pass out these back-to-school necessities to children in 31 Houston area school districts including Conroe ISD.
This is the 6th Annual Operation Backpack to be held by the area YMCA’s, and just last year alone was able to collect more than 18,356 backpacks and about 167,742 school supplies. These items all went to help prepare more than 35,000 kids for their first day of school. With the economic struggles of many area families, this year’s need is much greater and their goal is to touch the lives of 40,000 or more children.
“With the current state of the economy, many parents just don’t have the money to buy the supplies their kids need to start the new school year off right”, said Roxanne Davis, YMCA group marketing director. “All backpacks and schools supplies donated stay right here in our community. We work closely with our local school administrators who help distribute the backpacks to the students who desperately need the help at the beginning of the school year. We want every student to have the necessary tools to be successful and achieve their fullest potential.”
Posted on Jul 14, 2010 | Tagged in: Conroe , community , charity
Looking for a place to volunteer, but your busy schedule makes it hard for you to commit? Here are some local ideas, right in your own “backyard”, that would be perfect to fill your spare time! With a variety of philanthropic agendas, there’s sure to be an opportunity for everyone interested!
Calling all animal lovers!
WET NOSES WARM HEARTS is an all-volunteer program in Montgomery County that helps disadvantaged elderly care for their pets. By assisting with simple grooming of these animals and monitoring their health and dietary needs, volunteers insure that the owners and their furry friends can continue their loving companionship. A commitment of an hour or two a week is all that's asked.
Posted on Jun 8, 2010 | Tagged in: Conroe , community , charity , business
With work almost complete on Conroe’s new 5,500-square-foot dog recreation area being installed at the Conroe Animal Shelter, located at 407 S. Sgt. Ed Holcomb Blvd, local dogs awaiting adoption are about to have room to roam, thanks to area volunteers and activists.
“It’s a wonderful facility that allows us to exercise the dogs and let them run free,” said John Geiser, shelter director. “We’re very appreciative of all the work and support we get from our volunteers.”
The dog park is being built on land just across from the Conroe Animal Shelter and will have five separate areas designated specifically as a play area, dog run, interaction arena and more. Although the park is not open to the public, shelter employees and volunteers will be able to exercise the potential adoptee and will be available to potential adoptive parents who are interested in interacting with the dog before making a final decision.
Posted on Nov 3, 2009 | Tagged in: community , charity
Dr. Tim Gardner is a local Conroe dentist, but on Saturday October 24th he branched out from his office to help the community by providing more than 120 patients free dental care. This extremely successful event was to help the underprivileged of Montgomery County and provided over $35,000 worth of dental work. While they did not perform any major work, they were able to tackle their goal of treating infection and helping patients get relief from pain. They achieved this by seeing patients on a first-come, first-served basis and limiting their work to cleanings, fillings and extractions.
This was Dr. Gardner’s first year participating in a Dentistry from the Heart event, an opportunity for dentists to help their community and earn positive recognition for the beneficial work they are doing in their society. Dentistry from the Heart is a non-profit organization committed to providing free dental care to those in need. Every year individual dentists across the nation donate their time and resources to host their own DFTH events, as Dr. Gardner did this October for the Conroe Community.
Special thanks goes out to Dr. Gardner and his tremendous team of colleagues and assistants: Dr. Jaime Ramirez, Dr. Robert Truly, Dr. Ron William, Dr. Scott Anderson, Dr. Kip Saunders, Mandy Hutchins, RDH, Leigh Ann Paul, RDH, Christa Schafer, RDH, Karen Saul, RDH and all of Dr. Gardner’s staff.
Posted on Oct 19, 2009 | Tagged in: Montgomery County , education , charity
The MCFA, Montgomery County Fair Association, has been awarding scholarships to high school students from Montgomery County for 16 years, contributing approximately $100,000 in award money to students each year.
This year's MCFA Scholarship Fundraiser has a new flavor - An Evening of Wine Tastings and Food Pairings - which will be held to raise money to fund future students. Charlie Owens, co-chair of the event, has a desire to see the MCFA grow, and has a taste for good food and wine. This year he asked, "Well, how about pairing the two?"
All proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for MCFA Scholarships in the coming year. Tickets are $75 each, and for those wishing to contribute larger amounts Sponsorships are available in amounts/levels of $500, Malbec; $1,000, Chardonnay; $2,500, Merlot; $5,000, Cabernet; $10,000, Champagne; and $25,000 Vintner. The event will be held at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center (2301 N. Millbend Drive) from 6:30-9:30pm. For those purchasing Sponsorships, an additional reception will be from 5:30-6:30pm.
Posted on Sep 23, 2009 | Tagged in: education , Conroe , charity
Posted on Sep 4, 2009 | Tagged in: people , community , charity
On the 64th anniversary of the end of World War II, Conroe war veteran and retired U.S. Air Force 1st Lieutenant Joseph Smith, 89, presented a framed survival map, issued to bomber flight crews on combat missions in World War II, to Lone Star Honor Flight (LSHF) as thanks for their efforts in appreciating World War II veterans.
"I'm grateful to the Honor Flight folks for what they're doing," said Smith. "This is a fine thing they are doing for veterans."
This 32-inch silk survival map showed pilots details on major ocean currents in the East China Sea. Should the pilot have to eject or abandon their plane, the maps helped them know what conditions they should expect and how to direct rescuers. "The silk maps could survive water, wind and being stuffed in a pocket," Smith said. "We hung onto them during missions. I hung onto them after the war."
Parents who can not afford back to school clothes for their children this fall have no need to worry. A group of volunteers with the Assistance League of Montgomery County, located at 126 N. San Jacinto in Conroe, is going through the annual "Operation School Bell". This volunteer effort has the goal of clothing 4,100 school children by August 24th. In addition to that, the program also provides books for any children in need.
This program should help raise the self esteem of new students, who walk into classrooms wearing new, nice clothes for class. Margery Hayward, Operation School Bell chairwoman and Assistance League of Montgomery County president-elect adds, "We think it improves and helps the esteem of the child if they are dressed properly for school like their peers," and "we're dressing them so they can walk through the front doors the first day of school with brand-new clothes on."
Posted on Jul 24, 2009 | Tagged in: education , Conroe ISD , community , charity
This school year, nine Conroe I.S.D. schools will benefit from Operation School Supplies, a program that has raised over $1.607 million since 1990 to provide school supplies for elementary students in need.
Sponsored by the Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company and the University of Houston Alumni Association, and H-E-B, Operation School Supplies will be in full force through August 5th.
How can Graystone Hills residents help?
- Shop H-E-B and pick up an Operation School Supplies coupon at the checkout counter, donate, or purchase and donate prepackaged school supplies
- Buy Coca-Cola products at H-E-B. Each time a Coca-Cola product is purchased at H-E-B, the Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company will donate a portion of the proceeds to the campaign.
- Drop off donations at the Houston Astros' July 26 game!
- Graystone Hills residents can sponsor a Giesinger Elementary for $25 or Conroe I.S.D. for $100.
- If you personally know a student in need of assistance with school supplies, call the United Way of Greater Houston Help Line at 2-1-1
- Also, visit here to learn more.
So, go out and support those in need; Graystone Hills can provide a big help in a big way!
