Church holds 4th Thanksgiving Day Meal
Special to The Monitor
GUN BARREL CITY–The members of St. Peter Lutheran Church are working hard putting their talents together to offer a Thanksgiving Day meal to those who find themselves alone this holiday, or without the means to prepare a holiday meal.
On Thursday, November 24, the church will open its doors at 11 a.m. and keep them open until 2 p.m.
St. Peter is located across from Pizza Hut at 130 Luther Lane, Gun Barrel City.
“There are so many people in our lake area who don’t have someone to share a Thanksgiving Day meal with,” chairwoman Chris Hoffmeyer said. “Others lack the resources to prepare one for themselves and their family.”
We welcome those who find themselves alone or in need to join us for turkey and all the trimmings.
In addition to donations from church members, several businesses in the area have volunteered food items. Many will donate their time to make this 4th annual outreach to the community a success.
Preparations to host 160 people are ongoing. All are welcome.

 

Christian Life Center joins FRC in toy drive
Applications taken through December 15
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–This week the Family Resource Center started taking applications from those families and individuals who are looking toward having a bleak Christmas.
This year, the FRC is partnering with the Christian Life Center Church to collect donations of toys and gifts and distribute them to families for wrapping and placing under the tree before Christmas.
Walmart is also operating its Angel Tree in conjunction with the two organizations.
Applications are being taken until Dec. 15, between the hours of 10 a.m and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for lake area children birth to 16 years of age.
“We want to help this community meet the needs of children at Christmas time. There’s nothing worse that not being able to give something to your kids at Christmas,” Pastor Barry Boatright said.
“That’s why we want to help. We’re givers not takers,” he added.
Of course members of his own church are making donations and have volunteered to help do the shopping, fetching, organizing and everything else involved in a project of this scope.
“Our goal is to provide 500 (needy) children with a good Christmas,” Boatright said. “We are happy to help the Family Resource Center in this project.”
Boatright added that he knows there are also other generous people in the area and he’s depending on them to help the organizers reach their goal by bringing by gifts, monetary donations, or taking on the task of “adopting” a child or family for Christmas.
Adopting individuals may obtain a child’s name and wish list from either the Family Resource Center or the church.
“We know we’re not alone (in wanting to give) and look forward to having others join in this effort.”
Donation sites are set at several locations, including the church at 2611 W. Main St.
Donations may also be dropped off at:
• the Family Resource Center
• Walmart
• Citizens State Bank branches and
• Reimers’ Jewelry in the Gun Barrel Village Shopping Center.
Volunteer shoppers will also be called upon between Dec. 15 and the 19th to fill out missing items. Anyone who wishes to help in this effort may call project coordinator Amanda Larry at (903) 887-5429.
This is Amanda’s 13th year, working with the church on its annual toy drive. She’s done it since she turned 17 years old.
“I can’t imagine any child not having a gift on Christmas,” Amanda said. “I get to see just how much this means to others ... just seeing a smile on a parent’s face, who wouldn’t have been able to do this on their own is worth it to me” she said.
At the church on Dec. 20, Amanda will distribute the bounty to those who applied.
The FRC is in contact with the other major gift-giving organizations to insure that everyone gets taken care of once, without cheating another needy person from getting the help they might desperately need at Christmas.
Any name found to be applying to more than one organization is tossed out, Boatright explained.
“The need is greater than ever before, but so are our hearts,” he said.
 

Pet adoptions, microchips and vaccines offered
Special to The Monitor
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake and the T Bar T ranch in Kaufman are holding a very special pet adoption event this Saturday.
Dogs, cats, kittens and puppies will be looking for their “forever homes” and hoping to meet up with someone who is looking for their “next best friend.”
The T Bar T ranch is located on East U.S. Highway 175 in Kaufman. For directions, call (972) 962-7677.
Volunteers from the shelter will be tending the animals and helping with the adoption process from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A mobile veterinarian will also be on hand to offer low-cost vaccinations for horses, dogs and cats.
A nominal adoption fee of $65 cats/kittens and $125 dogs/puppies includes spay/neuter, first series of vaccines, worming, microchip, collar, ID tag, and if over 4 months old, rabies vaccine.
You may bring your own dog or cat to be microchipped for a $20 fee.
Please call Lynn Ackerman at (214) 502- 6567 for more information on adoptions.
Have you considered being a volunteer for your local Humane Society, which is the animal shelter for Kaufman County?
Volunteers are always needed to care for the many animals that find their way to the shelter each day, through owner surrender, Animal Control and area law enforcement officials.
A volunteer class has been started at the shelter to help you learn about the shelter and care of these animals. You can find out more about volunteering and other opportunities to help support the Humane Society’s mission, promoting the humane treatment of animals through care, education and advocacy at www.hsccl.org,  or by contacting the shelter at (903) 432-3422.

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

We have many animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals. The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220 County Road 2403 in Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422 after 11 a.m. We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.

For further information visit our website at petfinder.com