Applications Available Soon for 25th Annual DeKalb Angel Tree Project

October 18, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The 25^th annual DeKalb County Angel Tree Project will soon be underway and your support is needed to help make this holiday season merrier for hundreds of children.

Laura Stone said applications will be available for pickup from October 28th until November 1st.  Applicants must be DeKalb County residents and children from birth to no older than age 12 by December 25, 2019 are eligible. Applications must be picked up at the Department of Children and Human Services office on Walker Drive.  No exceptions. Completed applications must be returned on Monday November 11th.

“This is our 25th year. Anyone in need that picks up an application has to complete it and provide the documentation requested which is to prove you are a DeKalb County resident. You must also prove the ages of your children (up to age 12). Once those applications are taken we fill out the Angel Tree cards and distribute those to the local banks. People of the community can then pick up an Angel and buy for a child. The wish list on the Angels is just a suggestion. It is what the child specifically asks for. Sometimes people will buy only what is on there. In some cases they will buy additional things. It’s not necessary that you buy everything on the list and you don’t have to wrap the gifts,” said Stone.

For more information contact Laura Stone 615-464-7135 (texts only please).

October 18, 2019
By:

Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) provide essential care in healthcare settings by assisting patients with activities of daily living. Seven area residents were recently recognized as CNA’s of the Year at NHC Smithville. Maria Amaya, Destiny Bass, Amanda Buckley, Cassie Dyer, Sandra Farless, Stacie McDonald, and Opal Parker visited Dave and Buster’s in Nashville, TN, and were honored with a day of fun and a banquet. They celebrated with other honored CNA’s from NHC HealthCare Centers throughout Middle and Eastern Tennessee.

The honorees were evaluated on knowledge and performance of their duties, among other key factors. Stacie McDonald was further recognized as NHC Smithville’s overall CNA of the Year and nominee for CNA of the Year for all NHC centers in the Central Region. NHC Smithville Director of Nursing, Molly Merriman, said, “Each of these CNA’s are hard-working, professional, compassionate, caring, honest, understanding, and highly skilled. They are a tremendous asset to NHC Smithville and we are truly fortunate to have them as valued partners.”

NHC Smithville offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to adults of all ages on a short-term and continuing care basis. For more information about NHC Smithville, visit www.nhcsmithville.com or call (615) 597-4284.

October 18, 2019
By: Tecia Puckett Pryor

The 16^th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, held Friday, October 18,  2019, under sunny skies on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse.  There was a record crowd, with 500 bowls of chili being served and approximately $4,500 being raised for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, which will be used towards the building of the next Habitat house (the 7^th house).

“Pick It or Ticket” from the Smithville Police Department took Top Chili Honors, with the “Power House Chili” from Smithville Electric System placing second.  Third place chili honors went to “The Courthouse Gang” from The DeKalb County Officials.

The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “MTNG-Take a Chance Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, with “Power House Chili” from Smithville Electric System coming in second place and “Boo Boo Crew” from the DeKalb County Health Department placing third.

The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised an additional $180.00 for Habitat in cash donations at their booth.

Rounding out the fifteen participating teams were Adoration Home Health, “25th Anniversary Chili” from Evins Mill, “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; “Tennessee Tradition” from DeKalb UT Extension; “First Choice Chili” from First Bank; “Indian Summer Chili” from Indian Creek Baptist Church; “Good Neighbors” from Jackie Smith State Farm; Smithville Rotary Club, “Loan Rangers” from Liberty State Bank, and The Retreat at Center Hill Lake.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County thanks each of these teams for their enthusiasm and support of the event; all those who donated the delicious baked goods; City Mayor Josh Miller and his staff and County Mayor Tim Stribling and his staff for facilitating the event space; and all the fine folks of the community who came out to support Habitat and this great community event.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.  To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181 or find them on Facebook @HFHDeKalb TN.