Christmas for Moore (formerly the Empty Stocking Fund) is in full gear for this upcoming Christmas season.
The mission of Christmas for Moore is to offer support for individuals and families in Moore County that are in need of assistance at Christmas time. In the last two years, Christmas for Moore has been able to help over 2500 individuals with gifts as well as food vouchers for the holidays.
Myron Dice discusses the programs; both big picture and small picture. Christmas for Moore is a 501 c organization.
Jodi Anderson started Anderson Bears out of love of family. She started making authentic teddy bears for her family and started sharing her creations with family and friends. Today, she is making these bears in memory of loved ones and for many different reasons. Each bear purchased helps fund a bear for the”Legacy Love” program, that donates a Legacy Bear to a senior citizen suffering from depression, anxiety or loneliness.
STUFF THE BUS is in its 12th year this weekend, collecting school supplies for needy children in the Moore County School system. This fundraiser calls to light bigger picture issues and the value of providing all Moore County Students “nets” from the time they enter kindergarten through their high school graduation.
Executive Director, Joyce Clevenger, Director of Mentoring, Anthony McCauley, and Admin, Tracy Gibson join Pinecrest Patriot football coach, Chris Metzgar to speak about the value of MENTORING for students of all ages by many different means.
Their big picture conversation touches on many of the follow points and programs:
1. STUFF THE BUS CAMPAIGN
– In its 12th year
– This weekend 20th—22nd
– Fri/Sat 9-5& Sun 12-4
-100% of supplies goes to the children who need them
-Bus at Wal-Mart and Staples
– shoppers buy supplies and they are deposited in bus
-supplies sorted and distributed to Moore County Schools
-Teachers are able to distribute them directly to those in need
2. PROGRAMS: Reading Buddies
-Adults attend primary schools to help students learn to read
– Receive book donations and distribute to kids Mentoring:
Adults work one-on-one in school or out in community with at-risk kid
-at risk for dropping out, alcohol/drugs/recidivism
-Kids from disadvantaged homes and in need of positive adult role model Career Development Program
-Court referred kids 14-17 years old
-engage with Sandhills/learn of vocational training opportunities
– Job shadow with local businesses to observe jobs in action
– group mentoring-skills based
– field trips, speakers, hands-on experiences
-Hope to spark interest and instill in youth that they can learn/make a contribution
Dr. Stanton is a staff psychiatrist at First Health and focuses on ER/Consult service and the outpatient clinic She specializes in anxiety and
mood disorders. Her conversation pierces thru the media headlines and provides us with good solid information to increase awareness and better our understanding.
An outline of her conversation includes many important talking points:
Prevalence:
. 14th Leading cause of morality globally (World Health
Organization)
. 10th leading cause of death in the US
. 11th leading cause of death in North Carolina
. Gender, Age, Race, Education
Trends in State Suicide Rate:
. 1999-2016 – Increase of 30% in 25 states
. NC increased by 12.7%
. 54% of people who died did not have any known mental health
condition
. Increased likelihood of relationship problems/loss, life
stressors, or impending crisis
. Largest increase in adult age 45-64
. Trends in Moore County
Risk Factors (No single cause):. Prior attempts
. Access to lethal means
. Intoxication from alcohol or other substance
. Social and economic problems
. Poor coping and problem-solving skillsTerminology:. Ideation
. Threat
. Gesture
. Non-suicidal self-injuryPrevention:. Provide financial support to individuals in need.
. Strengthen access to and delivery to care
. Create protective environment
. Connect people within their communities
. Teach coping and problem-solving
. Prevent future risk
. Identify and support people at riskWarning signs:. Feeling like a burden
. Isolating
. Unbearable pain
. Increase substance use
. Hopelessness
. Talking about wanting to die
5 Steps to help
1. Ask
2. Keep them safe
3. Be there
4. Help them connect
5. Follow up
Twenty-three years ago, Lowell and his wife, Amy chose to make Moore County the home for their young family. He had just accepted a job in Montgomery County but fell in love with the beauty of Seven Lakes and the schools in Moore County.
Lowell has started, built and operated several small companies in the course of a 30 year career in business. He’s hired hundreds of people, made payroll and made some profit along the way. Lowell was also an educator in Moore County Schools for more than a decade. He taught math and entrepreneurship at Union Pines High School. As an experienced businessman, he saw how important a quality public education is to developing a quality work force. As a teacher, he saw how our students are often denied that education, squeezed into under-funded classrooms and subjected to meaningless standards.
Lowell has served on one of First Health’s Boards for 15 years. As a result, he has a unique perspective on health care. Expanding Medicaid and providing affordable health insurance are two of his top priorities.
Lowell is running to bring a more balanced and data-driven approach to solving the problems we face. The current leadership in the Raleigh
legislature has proven to be self-serving and has failed to represent the people of Moore County. He believes we can do better. He believes that if we put the needs of working people above the needs of lobbyists and millionaires we can bring fairness and prosperity back to all North Carolinians.
Lowell covers many topics in this informal discussion that includes many of the following subjects:
Constitutional Amendments; Budget process
Government by the few for the many
Separation of branches – checks and balances
No discussion or debate
Amendments
Tax Cap (7% up from 5.5%) Currently at 11%
NCGA control of appointments, powers, duties and terms of
all boards and commissions
NCGA control of nominations for judge vacancies
Photo ID: no details as to how to obtain, type required
A bill which says it helps crime victims but actually makes
things more difficult
The right to hunt and fish
(nothing about education, school safety, health care or jobs)
Education funding
Teacher raises: still almost 10% less than in 2009-adjusted
for inflation
Per pupil spending
Mental Health care in schools
Expand early childhood programs
End voucher programs
Sales tax/ Property Tax in Moore County
Health care
Premium escalation/benefit decreases
Pre-existing conditions
Medicaid expansion: 600,000 in the gap
Federal funds at 90% of coverage, 40,000
good paying jobs
Opioid crisis; white crime, decriminalize marijuana
Small Business development
Entrepreneurship
Veterans businesses (benefit exemption from income tax)
Business education
Improve Broadband access in rural parts of the County
Friday – June 29th – 7:30 p.m. & Saturday – June 30th – 1:00 p.m. – ROBERT E. LEE AUDITORIUM
Director Michael Pizzi & Music Director Larry Arnold host some of the performers from NYC & Broadway in this celebration production of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th Birthday.
Jennifer Mintzer, Greg Roderick, Melissa Bonnetti & George Psomas are some of the singers you will see during this production that will feature selections from West Side Story, On The Town, Candide, Bernstein Mass & many more.
Their talent and passion are obvious and their reflections of their inspirations, their early mentors and their childhood memories of the Arts is inspirational to all the students who have similar dreams and aspirations.
The Sandhills Repertory Theatre in collaboration with Touching Humanity Inc. is a means to provide the Arts to Moore County and to its students.
Touching Humanity Inc. is a community-based arts and health education non-profit organization committed to promoting occupational and social justice and disability awareness through the arts. www.touchinghumanityinc.org
