The Friday Finish – April 5, 2024
Three Generations of Fun at DeWall
Red Bird Mission’s DeWall Senior Center has only been operating for about 30 years, but one family is proud to say they’re now in the third generation of participation. It started when Lois’ sister-in-law, Zetta, began working at the center when it first opened. Lois’ mom was “of age”, but always said she had too much work to do at home to go to the center. She finally went once and loved it so much she came every day that the center was open until her health began to decline.
Lois and her older sister, Carrie, were the second generation to take advantage of the activities and opportunities for socialization. Both of them enjoy the chance to get together for the good meals, craft making and educational programs that Tammy Adams, DeWall Center coordinator, and her staff design for the in-center participants three days a week.
The fellowship and interesting programs have drawn in Diann and Dennise, nieces of Lois and Carrie. Both enjoy time at the center that Dennise said,
“I come every time the door is open!”
Diann still works part-time but says she arranges her work schedule to attend.
"That’s the days I’m going to be here [when the center is open]."
When asked why they come, Dennise said,
“It gets me out of the house, and I like the people here.
I like everybody here,”
Diann quickly added. “It’s the people here. I haven’t been going here that long, and
feel close to everyone. We do new crafts; good food; it’s fun!”
New emergency food pantry opens at Red Bird
Tracy Nolan, Red Bird Mission Community Outreach Director, announced this week that the new TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) Pantry at Red Bird Mission Community Outreach is now open! The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of nutritious, high-quality USDA Foods, and makes those foods available to state distributing agencies.
Red Bird Mission, one of the distributing agencies in Kentucky, will serve persons residing in a 20 mile radius of the Community Outreach Offices in rural Clay, Bell, and Leslie Counties. Eligible recipients must meet income guidelines of 185% poverty level or below, and can access only 1 TEFAP pantry per month.
Staff “alumni” give to help thirsty volunteers
Having worked at Red Bird in the '70s, we've tried to stay connected to the Mission and their very impactful work. When we learned they were in need of a new Work Camp beverage cooler, we thought of all the thirsty volunteers who have built ramps, reinforced porches and patched roofs as they've interacted with the local community on behalf of the Mission.
We were happy to provide a new machine and hope it helps to serve Work Camps for years to come! We encourage you to find ways to stay connected or meet a need whenever possible!
Dan & Elin Crabtree
Cardinal mascot wins dance off at Remix
It’s a highlight day for students when Remix Education makes a stop at Red Bird Christian School. Teachers and students got involved last week with games and skits as a part of the message of resisting substance abuse. The school’s mascot, Cardinal, took on the dance off challenge with Jiggy, the Remix mascot. As expected, Cardinal won the dance off by the student applause vote.
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