Monticello Live

Drew County United Way Board of Directors
(Left to right, Chair Mary Whiting, Natasha Lucas, Dawn Marter, Zack Tucker, & Kristi Davis, Campaign Manager for United Way Heart of Arkansas . Board member not photoed: Rowena Copico.)

United Way of Drew County announced in Fall 2014 it will award funding to 7 local programs, raising its total community investment to more than $20,000 this year.

United Way’s volunteer board of directors reviewed the 6 grantee awards decided by the organization’s partner United Way Heart of Arkansas; and unanimously approved an additional organization to be funded from surplus grant dollars.

In total since the organization was founded in 1998, United Way of Drew County has invested in over 60 programs totaling nearly $400,000 in Drew County programs, non-profits, or campaigns. The source of United Way funding is the result of local fundraising by volunteers and Drew County’s currently active 13 corporate campaigns.

The 2014-2015 programs granted through United Way of Drew County include: (more…)

The Discovery Skills Center Consumers dressed up blue bulbs as a community service project for the Child`s Voice Autism Foundation. Theses bulbs will be used for the “Light it up blue” Autism awareness event coming in April. Please, remember those dealing with autism by supporting the Child`s Voice foundation during this April event.

When Sidney Burns celebrated her 6th birthday party, she decided to ask for dog food to help feed the local P.A.W.S. animal shelter instead of birthday presents.

She was able to donate eight big bags of dog food plus several cans and boxes. Sidney is the daughter of Farrah and Andy Burns, granddaughter of Brenda Wright Griffin, Danny Gossett, Wayvon and Brenda Burns and niece of Andrea Chambers, all of Monticello

PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving), is a non-profit, no kill, animal shelter dedicated to dog rescue and adoption in our area. Mrs. Vicky Smith cares for over 90 dogs and is in desperate need of these items:

Monetary donations, Dog food, Newspapers, Magazines, Pillows, Blankets, and Tarps.

Volunteers are welcome, so please contact or send monetary donations to Mrs. Smith at: PAWS, P.O. Bo 126, Monticello, AR 71657, or call 870-460-0877.

There will be a monthly article, starting in January on Monticellolive.com, featuring adoptable dogs from this shelter. Please help these animals find a forever home.

*Donations can be picked up on request*

The Gamma Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an International Society of Women in Education, would like to announce Belinda King as the recipients for the Drew Central School District and Brittnay Snow as the recipient for the Monticello School District of a $400 grant. Each winner will use the funds to purchase teaching materials for the classroom.

The Gamma Beta Chapter plans to make both grants available to Drew Central and Monticello School Districts each year to first year teachers , teachers changing subject matter and MAT teachers.

Carlis Johns with a few of his last-of-the-season turnips. Many of the turnips weighed 3 to 4 pounds each.

Mr. Johns and his wife Linda live in the Barkada Community. They grow a Spring, Summer and Fall garden and they often share their produce with friends and neighbors. The turnips shown here were picked by Patricia Kulbeth and Juanita Webb and were delivered to the Senior Citizen Center. The turnips will be used in their Meals-on-Wheels food program as well as their senior lunch program, which is served daily at the center.

Mrs. Barbara Abston, director of the Sr. Citizen Center expressed her appreciation for the generosity of the Johns and stated that the center always appreciates donations of fresh vegetables, fruits, etc. from local gardens.

Dr. Jerry Webb, retired UAM physics professor, and son, David, a teacher at ADC (Dermott), are shown performing much needed repair work on 1st United Methodist Church’s driveway and parking lots. 

Dr. Webb and David, are also well known in the community for overhauling old farm tractors. Dr. Webb finds time to also work a vegetable garden and catch fish that are shared with neighbors and the Church’s Coffee Boys Men Group.

Congratulations to Roger Hoskins II of Monticello for placing 2nd in the National Pepsi Truck Driving ROADeo Challenge in Schaumburg, IL, recently

He placed 1st in the MidSouth Market Unit in May which advanced him to the nationals in IL. The weekend was full of fun filled events, eating at Midievil Times, the ROADeo, and a cocktail dinner where the winners were announced.

Hoskins is employed with the Pepsi Beverage Company in Monticello.

Options, Inc the emergency crisis intervention agency in Monticello for victims of domestic and sexual violence offers group support Thursdays 3pm-4pm and empowerment counseling by appointment for victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Legal advocacy (assistance with filing of Orders of Protection), Court Advocacy (support in court), and referral to other available community resources that are available is also provided. All services are free and all matters are strictly confidential. For more information or assistance call 870-460-0684 or crisis hotline after 5 pm at 870-367-3488, or come by the business office 110 N. Main, during hours 9am -5pm. Offices are also located in Crossett and Dumas for residents of Ashley and Desha County residents.

Volunteers are needed please contact business office for more information at 870-460-0684. Website: www.safeportinastorm.com