Byesville Rotary donates books to Bright Beginnings

Pictured: Wanda Hockenberry Bright Beginnings, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President.

Reminders:

• The board meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, December 14, at Plus 1 Pizza in Byesville.


• Breakfast with Santa was a success thanks to the members of the committee headed by Phyllis and thanks to Santa Claus. Seventy-four adults and 24 children purchased a breakfast. Thirty-seven children under five also attended the breakfast.


• The Salvation Army needs help sorting gifts. The Byesville gifts are now located at Bill Hartley's house. These gifts will be sorted at his house. Call him for more information.


• We have 195 families registered for food baskets. We will begin packing on Friday, December 16 at 7:00am at the Main Street Methodist Activity Center.


• Food baskets will be distributed on Saturday, December 17, at the Activity Center.


• Bob still needs people to volunteer for bed bucket bell ringing. Call him to volunteer.


• Phyllis announced that the club will elect a President Elect and a Board member at the next meeting. Dennis Harding and Travis Craig are on the ballot for President-Elect, and Nellie Bichard, Mary Patchen, and Scott Lojas are running for board member.


• Nellie announced that Debbie Robbins will be hosting a reception for the Irwins at the County Administration Building on Wednesday, December 28, at 3--5:00pm.

Wanda Hockenberry, representing Bright Beginnings Preschool and the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center, accepted a gift of 250 books from the Byesville Rotary. One of the services provide by Bright Beginnings is home visits to help prepare children for classroom work. The books will be given to the children being visited.

Tim Welch, Public Information Officer for the Guernsey County Department of Job and Family Services, presented an overview of the services provided by this agency. The agency provides a wide variety of services aimed at promoting independence and well-being for all individuals and family members. In 2010, Job and Family Services provided help to 1500 people.

The Child Support office can help locate a non-custodial parent or help establish who a child’s father is. Staff members can also help establish and enforce child support and medical support orders. This service includes ensuring that support orders are followed.

Another arm of the agency is responsible for administering the Medicaid program. The Food Assistance Program is designed to improve nutrition and health for individuals living in low-income households. Another program provides temporary assistance for needy families. The assistance is income based and can require people to participate in work activities in order to receive benefits.

Job and Family Services also operates the Guernsey County Opportunity Center currently located at the Job and Family Services main office. The Opportunity Center provides workforce services to employers and to people seeking training or employment. Staff will help job seekers write a resume and/or develop interview skills. They also maintain a list of job opportunities in the Guernsey area.

Job and Family Services is located at 324 Highland Avenue in Cambridge. Office hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am—4:00pm. Offices are closed Saturday and Sunday. The office can be contacted at 740-432-2381. More information can be found at www.gcdjfs.com.

Meadowbrook High School Interact club members attending the meeting were Jessica Haught, Colin Harding, and Samantha Roe.

Bob Long reported that club members are still needed to bell ringing through the week of December before Christmas. He needs volunteers to help with bell ringing through the week before Christmas. Donations from bell ringing are used to support the Byesville Rotary Christmas Food Basket program. Anyone willing to work should call him at 685-2630.

Byesville Rotary meets every Tuesday, 7:30 am, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Randy Launder, 740-685-8294