Free Christmas meal offered at Resurrection Lutheran
Meet your neighbors and enjoy great food at a free community Christmas meal from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 N. CR 2, St. Joseph. All are welcome. The event is sponsored by Church of St. Joseph, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Gateway Church, St. Benedict’s Monastery and Central Minnesota Catholic Worker. Deliveries are available; call 320-363-4232 for more information.
No Newsleader published Dec. 25 or Jan. 1
The Newsleader office will be closed Dec. 21-Jan. 1. A Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 edition will not be published. The office will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4 and will resume weekly publications beginning Jan. 8.
Meals on Wheels in search of drivers
Are you interested, or do you know somebody who would be interested in volunteering as a driver for Meals On Wheels, for the Catholic Charities Senior Dining/Meals On Wheels program in the St. Joseph area? If you would rather not commit to one day every couple weeks/every four weeks – would you be interested in being a substitute for it and somebody can call you, if needed, to fill in for them? If so, please send us a message at aneisen@ccstcloud.org or call 320-229-4584.
Spelling bee encourages home-schooled students
The Sartell/St. Stephen District 748 spelling bee has been scheduled at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 at Sartell Middle School in the multi-purpose room. Any home schools within the district wishing to be represented should contact the spelling bee coordinator, Lori Dornburg, at Sartell Middle School, by Wednesday, Dec. 16. Please include the student’s name, grade, parents’/guardians’ name(s), address, phone number, teacher’s name, school name and home phone number. Participants will join the appropriate grade level bees at Sartell Middle School. Be aware Scripps National Spelling Bee rules require each “school” register with Scripps and pay a participation fee. Anyone with questions should contact Dornburg at SMS, 656-3701 ext. 2674.
Arson survivor asks for Christmas cards
A little girl in upstate New York who suffered burns over 75% of her body and lost her entire immediate family in an act of arson in 2013 is hoping to receive lots of Christmas cards this year. Safyre Terry, 8, has a Christmas card tree she likes to fill with cards, and a family friend has put out an appeal on the internet to fill the tree with cards. If you’d like to send Safyre a Christmas card, you can send it to: Safyre, P.O. Box 6126, Schenectady, NY, 12306.
Dinner with Santa set Dec. 21; Santas needed
The 30th annual Dinner with Santa will be held on Monday, Dec. 21 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in St. Cloud.
An estimated 600 residents and helpers from 25 Central Minnesota senior community locations are being invited to this festive holiday event. Each resident will be served a holiday dinner complete with chicken, potatoes, dessert and beverages. Entertainment will feature groups of chorale singers, handbell players and musical accompaniments. All guests will receive wrapped gifts and have a photo taken with Santa.
Numerous volunteers have already spent many hours contacting the senior communities, arranging bus transportation, wrapping gifts and attending to additional details.
However, volunteer Santa and Mrs. Clauses (in costume) are still needed! To sign up, please call 320-251-1038.
The first Dinner with Santa started in 1985 to provide holiday cheer to residents in a local nursing facility. The event has grown exponentially throughout the years, now serving an estimated 600 people annually.
“We are delighted and proud to sponsor this heart-warming event,” said Jill Magelssen, owner of Express Employment Professionals and coordinator of the event. “The continued generous support of many local companies, organizations and individuals who have donated all of the food, musical entertainment, photographs, gifts, cell-phone use, transportation and location make this a success year after year.”
In the spirit of the season, these volunteers truly know what it takes to give back and look forward to sharing the evening with our special senior guests.
Dinner with Santa is co-hosted by Express Employment Professionals and the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites St. Cloud.
Metro Bus announces holiday service hours
Metro Bus Fixed Route and Dial-a-Ride will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It will operate a reduced schedule for Christmas Eve. Getting around in the winter requires extra planning for everyone. Riders should anticipate a little delay during poor weather conditions and times of high traffic congestion, such as shopping at Crossroads Center now through Christmas, and consider taking an earlier bus to keep themselves on time. Those who drive are reminded to yield to buses merging in traffic. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Dec. 11 Criers.
website version
Metro Bus announces holiday service hours, reminds riders to plan for poor weather
Metro Bus Fixed Route and Dial-a-Ride will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It will operate a reduced schedule for Christmas Eve.
Getting around in the winter requires extra planning for everyone. Riders should anticipate a little delay during poor weather conditions and times of high traffic congestion, such as shopping at Crossroads Center now through Christmas, and consider taking an earlier bus to keep themselves on time. Those who drive are reminded to yield to buses merging in traffic.
Dial-a-Ride last pick-ups Christmas Eve
Metro Bus Dial-a-Ride is not scheduling any rides after 5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Weather-related closings
Riders can stay informed about weather-related closings on KCLD (FM 104.7), KNSI (AM 1450 & FM 103.3) and WJON (AM1240) radio stations. Notifications will be posted on its Facebook and Twitter accounts. Route-specific detours are posted online at ridemetrobus.com.
For more information about Metro Bus routes visit ridemetrobus.com or call 320.251.RIDE(7433).
Metro Bus holiday hours: Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) closes early; Dec. 25 (Christmas) closed; and Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) closed.
Juniors may win MAT scholarship
The Minnesota Association of Townships is proud to again offer a township scholarship program for high school juniors in the state of Minnesota. Up to six $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.
The Minnesota Association of Townships is a non-profit corporation representing Minnesota townships while promoting an understanding of the heritage, future and being a voice for its roughly 9,000 officers. It regularly conducts research and educational programs designed to foster efficient and economical town governmental services and acts as a liaison between township officers and other local government officials to encourage sustained cooperation.
The Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program is designed to heighten awareness among young people about Minnesota’s Grassroots Township government. The program encourages every high school in the state of Minnesota to offer this opportunity for juniors to participate in this scholarship program.
Eligibility
All students currently enrolled in the 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private or parochial high school or a home-study program and who plan to further their education at a college, university or vocational school are eligible for this program. They cannot be the child, stepchild, grandchild or step-grandchild, brother, stepbrother, sister or stepsister of a MAT director or staff member.
Requirements
Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay discussing this year’s topic, which is:
* Throughout its history the United States has adopted policies which took advantage of major technological advances that led to prosperity as a nation. In the 19th century it was the development of canals and a national railroad system. In the 20th century it was rural electrification and the national highway system. Today, high-speed broadband-Internet access is as vital as phones, electricity and roads. Those without this access, particularly people in rural areas, are left stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide. Describe ways in which broadband-Internet access improves the lives of rural residents. What challenges exist in providing broadband Internet in rural areas? And what policies should governments at all levels, (federal, state and local) adopt to ensure that regardless of geographic location all Americans have equal access to broadband Internet?
* Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing.
* Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city, or their local officials in the essay.
* See the application for research tips (application can be found on our website www.mntownships.org).
Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit:
* current high-school transcript
* letter of recommendation from a high-school teacher or counselor.
* All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to: Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 267, St. Michael, Minn. 55376 and postmarked by May 1, 2016.
* Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after May 1 will not be accepted.
Selection
Each essay will be judged by an independent panel based upon originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title, and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation. The judging will be completed by Oct. 1, 2016 at which time up to six $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Winners will be notified in writing in mid-October 2016 and will be invited to attend the Minnesota Association of Townships’ annual meeting to be held on Nov. 18, 2016 in St. Cloud. Scholarship awards will be paid to the appropriate financial-aid office upon receipt of verification of completing their first term at a college, university or technical school.
United Way volunteer opportunities
St. Cloud school district seeks AVID tutor positions
St. Cloud Area School District 742 is in need of community volunteers to serve as AVID tutors at North and South junior high schools. Advancement Via Individual Determination is a global nonprofit organization that operates with one guiding principle: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge. AVID tutors should be excellent role models for youth. They should be motivated, organized, individuals who believe the AVID students can and will succeed, too. The tutors should be people who will work in a supportive manner with a wide variety of secondary students. Volunteers can choose to tutor one, two, three or four periods a week. AVID Tutor Training is available at Minnesota School of Business from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6.
2015 – 2016 Schedule: South Junior High: 10:50 a.m.-noon Monday or 10:30-11:40 a.m. Wednesday; North Junior High: 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday.
For more information, contact Dana at 320-202-6892 or dana.thomsen@isd742.org.
Volunteer to help with tax returns
Tri-CAP’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free tax-preparation services to low- to moderate-income people (individuals < $30,000, families < $53,000 per year) who need assistance in completing their tax returns. Volunteers receive free IRS-certified training to prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country which is a great asset on a resume. The Tri-CAP Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites are located in Stearns, Benton and Sherburne and counties and offer free e-filing. Contact Tri-CAP at 320-257-4510 or e-mail taxes@tricap.org to volunteer or ask questions.
Help someone in need
Great River Area Faith in Action is a faith-based agency which provides an opportunity for people to live their faith by serving others. They have a few specific volunteer needs. A husband who cares for his wife of 58 years who has memory loss is looking for a woman to visit and provide companionship to her once a week when he is away from home. Someone who could re-engage her in former hobbies she once enjoyed and perhaps cook a meal would be greatly appreciated. A St. Cloud couple needs help with grocery shopping at Cash Wise East every two weeks. Should be someone who doesn’t mind the smell of cigarette smoke is preferred. Wife and caregiver in southeast St. Cloud is seeking an older male to spend time with her husband with memory loss when she is away from home. He is a retired professor from St. Cloud State and would enjoy conversing about the “good old days.” All rewarding volunteer opportunities! Contact Cherise, Great River Area Faith in Action, at (320) 290-3428.
Kids Fighting Hunger – MLK Day of Service
Kids Fighting Hunger is excited to announce MLK Day of Service at St. Cloud State University scheduled for Jan. 18. The event will take place in Garvey Commons on the St. Cloud State Campus located at 577 First Ave. S., St Cloud. This event is designed to give 300+ people in our community a chance to help provide food to the Sierra Leone region to aid families impacted by the Ebola outbreak last year. To register, visit www.unitedwayhelps.org or contact Mary Krippner at 320-252-0227.
Gift wrap for the holidays
Tri-County Humane Society is looking for volunteers to help with their gift wrap schedule. Here’s how it works in three easy steps: 1) Click this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/2Myhrk; 2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like; 3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot. VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. Contact Rose Hegerle, Tri-County Humane Society, 320-252-0896 ext. 27.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or Mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.