Foster Grandparent program seeks volunteers
Adults ages 55 and over can receive an hourly tax-free stipend, mileage/travel reimbursement and ongoing training by volunteering 15 hours per week (or more if they wish) assisting children with activities, reinforcing learning, helping with art projects and more. This is a great opportunity if you have time to spare, love to be with children, and could use some extra non-taxable income. For more information, please call Jennifer at 320-229-4589 or contact by email at jlieser@ccstcloud.org.
Veterans Day brunch set Saturday, Nov. 11
The Sartell Senior Connection will honor local veterans with a free brunch at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S. Veterans and one guest will eat free of charge. There is limited space; please RSVP to Ann at 320-253-4036 option 4 by Monday, Nov. 6.
Community food shelf seeks assistant coordinator
The St. Joseph Community Food Shelf is looking for an assistant coordinator. Some of the duties would be opening the food shelf on Thursdays, doing some computer work and helping to buy groceries when lead coordinator is unable to, which happens about three times a year. Takes on average about five hours a week at most. If interested, please call Ann Scherer at 320-363-4179.
Teal Pumpkin Project supports kids with food allergies, special diets
Houses in the neighborhoods of Iris Lane NE, Hickory Drive and Jasmine Lane in St. Joseph will have teal pumpkins in their driveways on Oct 31. These pumpkins symbolize that kids with food allergies or special diets can still participate in trick-or-treating at that location.
Non-edible items such as pencils, books, toys, coloring books and crayons, tooth paste, bubbles and more will be handed out at these locations. Approximately 30 houses will be participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project.
Newsleader website under construction
If you haven’t already noticed, we’re in the middle of updating our website at thenewsleaders.com to ensure a cleaner, better, more user-friendly digital experience for you, our readers. We’ve been assured things will be up to speed within a week or two at the most. We thank you for your patience as the dust settles.
American Lung Association seeks writers, videographers
The Minnesota Educator Academy conference draws hundreds of educators to St. Paul’s RiverCentre each year. The American Lung Association in Minnesota was also there last weekend to announce this year’s Clean Air Choice® Biodiesel Scholarship contest, which has sent winning high school seniors in Minnesota off to college with some extra cash. The scholarship is sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council and administered by the American Lung Association. High school seniors in any public or private school in Minnesota may submit either a brief (1,000 words or less) essay or a brief (three minutes or less) video about biodiesel to the American Lung Association in Minnesota. Rules and online applications are available at www.CleanAirChoice.org. Two scholarships will be awarded: a first-place award of $1,000 and a second-place award of $500. All essays and videos must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2018. Call Robert Moffitt at 651-269-7561 for more information.
Adopt a family for Christmas
Catholic Charities’ Share the Spirit program matches families who are experiencing hardship with groups of people who want to adopt such a family for Christmas. The organization is accepting donors to adopt families now on their website, www.ccstcloud.org.
All families to be adopted are nominated by area social workers from area human-service organizations.
“By definition, social workers work with those who are experiencing the hardest times in life,” said Sheri Brown, program coordinator for Catholic Charities’ Share the Spirit Program. “By asking social workers who needs help the most, we are able to uplift the families who are in the most need during the holiday season.”
“We ask people who are adopting families plan to spend about $70 per family member,” Brown said. “Families of all sizes are available to adopt.” Confidentiality for both donor and recipient families is respected.
Those who would like to volunteer to adopt a family can visit www.ccstcloud.org for details and to fill out an online donor form. All forms should be completed by midnight on Oct. 31.
Wrapped gifts will be delivered to the Sauk Rapids Government Center on Monday, Dec. 11.
Junior Achievement needs volunteers
Preparing today’s youth for future success, Junior Achievement is one of the world’s largest organizations dedicated to educating and empowering young people to transform their future and own their economic success. Through the delivery of cutting-edge, experiential education in financial literacy, career and college readiness, and entrepreneurship, JA enriches the ability of today’s youth to both engage in their own economic development and contribute to the strength of their families, communities and economies. JA programs are delivered by volunteers from the business community who make learning come to life while serving as role models for local students. The demand for our programs has grown dramatically throughout the St. Cloud area. During the 2016-2017 school year, more than 8,500 students participated in Junior Achievement. Volunteer opportunities are available at the following levels: Elementary Classrooms: five one-hour sessions, Middle School: six one-hour sessions, High School: five, seven or 13 one-hour sessions. Contact Samantha Leintz, JA district program coordinator, at 218-343-3862 or Samantha@jaum.org.
