Club news
By Staff
Collinsville Homemakers Club
The Collinsville Homemakers Club met in the home of Debbie Hover for its July meeting. President Margie Lockey opened the meeting and called on Dean Hodgins, who gave the devotion.
Cheri Barry, executive director of the American Red Cross, was welcomed as the guest speaker. She said the Meridian office covered seven counties and had three paid positions. The rest of the work was dependent upon volunteers.
She then told how volunteers could get involved by being trained in disaster preparedness, taking calls from and for military personnel, preparing to help children cope with disaster and learning how to help in your own community in case of a disaster.
She told that classes are offered in CPR, for baby sitting and for lifeguards. She also told how she is always looking for fund-raising ideas so that the chapter will have the money needed to do the work.
She had a first-aid kit on display along with a pet first-aid kit. These items are for sale and make great gifts. She stressed that one of the most important things the Red Cross does is provide food, clothing and shelter for families that lose everything in a fire.
She said that the recent collection of supplies to be sent to the troops overseas was the most rewarding thing she had been involved in lately. Barry said that every family needs a disaster supply kit in their home in an easy-to-carry container. It should include water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies and medications.
It was announced that the next meeting will be Aug. 10 in the home of Linda Cook.
Report submitted by Judy Harwell
Enterprise Woman's Club
Nine members of the Enterprise Woman's Club attended the recent General Federation of Women's Clubs and Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs Summer Institute at the Jackson Museum of Art.
Highlights of the General Federation of Women's Clubs National Convention were given, and members who won awards were recognized. Guest presenters were Barbie Bassett, chairman of Hugh O'Brien Youth, HOBY, and Melissa Cirino, a HOBY alumna.
Bassett updated the members on HOBY's agenda, and Cirino explained how much she benefited by attending the HOBY program.
During the program, a news conference was held to announce the selection of Mothers Against Drunk Driving as the Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs president's special project for 2004-2006.
Danny Barry, executive director of Mississippi MADD, expressed the appreciation of the organization for being selected and cited alarming statistics on alcohol usage in today's world.
It was announced that the 2004-2006 General Federation president's special project is literacy, "Tutoring from the Heart," which is designed to educate members and others about adult, family and youth literacy.
The goal is to train 7,500 new literacy tutors and tutor 10,000 students during the two year period.
Members were asked to emphasize our state institutions, HOBY, CARE, "Operation Smile" and Space Camp for one of the deaf students during the next two years.
Renovation of the Mississippi federation headquarters will be complete in early 2005.
Members attending were Betty Purvis, president, Margaret Buckley, Mary Margaret Mallard, Rachel Kamper, Pat Smith, Brenda Lord, Carol Fortin, Jonie Kidd and Randi Brown.
