NC MedAssist Has $55,000 Goal To Provide Inhalers To Patients

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Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

The average person takes between 12 and 20 breaths each minute, which adds up to about 22,000 each day. This simple, but essential, action goes unnoticed by so many, until there’s a problem. Like asthma.

Asthma is a condition that makes that simple, but essential, action more difficult for 670,000 North Carolinians. May 2 was observed as World Asthma Day, and a non-profit agency has a campaign open through May 16 to raise money to help those who live with asthma.

NC MedAssist serves the uninsured and low-income residents of the state, providing free medications to treat chronic illnesses like asthma, COPD. About 17 percent of  patients currently need inhalers to treat these chronic respiratory conditions. “It’s not a luxury item, it’s an item that allows them to continue breathing,” stated Jessica Yarzumbeck, director of communications and marketing for MedAssist.

The Charlotte-based agency receives all of its prescription and OTC medicine through generous in-kind donations, but inhalers have recently been removed from the list of available items, which directly affects 3,236 of its patients, Yarzumbeck said.

The agency has an immediate to provide respiratory therapies like inhalers to the patients it serves. A gift of $111 can support one patient. The goal is to be able to support 500 – making the goal $55,000.

Donate at https://medassist.org/take-action-on-asthma/

 

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VGCC Foundation Scholarship Priority Deadline May 31

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-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Scholarships offered through the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation for the 2023 Fall Academic Year are open for applicants. The priority deadline for full scholarship consideration for Fall 2023 is May 31, according to VGCC officials.

“We know our students are often already working, raising families, and going to college in their spare time,” VGCCF Executive Director Tanya Weary stated. “At VGCC, we work to help them graduate with as little debt as possible.”

The VGCC Foundation has more than 300 endowed scholarships based on a variety of factors – merit, financial need, degree choice and more. Scholarships are awarded individually to curriculum students based on criteria outlined for each award. Selection will be based on an overall assessment of academic performance, leadership skills, character and community service, according to a press statement from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

Scholarship funding is limited, and completion of the application does not guarantee an award. All applicants must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to be considered for a VGCC Foundation scholarship; many scholarships require a minimum 3.0 GPA. Scholarship recipients are selected by a scholarship selection committee unless otherwise stipulated in the criteria of the scholarship.

The scholarships are made possible through the generous support of private citizens, organizations and businesses. To apply for VGCCF scholarships, visit www.vgcc.edu/fao/scholarships. For additional questions, contact foundation@vgcc.edu.

 

Area Chambers Name Winners Of 2022 Small Business Of The Year At May 3 Luncheon

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Four local Chambers of Commerce announced the 2022 Small Business of the Year winners at a luncheon in Henderson Wednesday.

Vance County Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson presented Kilian Engineering with the award. What Michael Kilian began in 2001 with one employee has grown to five offices in Henderson and surrounding areas, Wilkerson said.

The firm is very interested in establishing local partnerships – from the new men’s shelter in Henderson to internships for local high school students.

“They do what they do because they want to do the right thing,” Wilkerson noted. Other groups the firm has sponsored include Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and a recycling program, the proceeds of which are donated to McGregor Hall.

Rhonda Wells accepted the award on behalf of Kilian Engineering.

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Photo L-R: Sandra Wilkerson, H-V Chamber President; Bobby Pegram; Rhonda Wells; Janelle Kilian; Shade Bolling; Bert Long, H-V Chamber Board Chair

In Granville County, Next Door Radio was named 2022 Small Business of the Year. Lauren Roberson, director of the Granville Chamber, called Trey Snide to the podium to accept the award.

“Trey is a pure asset to our community,” Roberson told the group of about 35 at the event. Snide and Next Door Radio give the community a platform to express ideas, opinions and more. “He’s one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet,” Roberson added.

Franklin Chamber Executive Director Richie Veverka presented his award to the Youngsville ABC Store. Veverka said the store, which opened in 1971, has consistently given back to the community. In fact, he estimated that their giving back to various organizations across Franklin County has totaled more than $5.6 million.

Bridget Stanley, general manager, accepted the award. The new location opened at Youngsville Crossing on Capital Boulevard in 2021.

Person County’s Small Business of the Year is 1792 Beer Co., a bottle shop that strives to welcome its customers, whether they come to grab a beer at the bar or choose from the wide variety of beers, ciders and other beverages for purchase. In her remarks, Roxboro Area Chamber Executive Director Samantha Bagbey said owner Kyle James and his partner opened the business in 2019 – just in time to be told they had to shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now they’re thriving and really are staples of our community,” Bagbey said. The business is located at 106 N. Main St. in Roxboro.

Kerr-Tar COG Gets $200,000 To Promote Safety, Reduce Traffic And More Around School Areas

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-information courtesy of Kerr-Tar COG and NC DOT

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments is among a dozen recipients who will share $3 million in grant funding for educational programs as part of the Safe Routes to School program. KTCOG will get $160,000 in federal funds, with an additional $40,000 in local matches for a total of $200,000, according to Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, KTCOG’s communications & administrative coordinator and SRTS coordinator.  Funding is for two years of Safe Routes to School program implementation and operates on a reimbursement basis, which means that once the funds are spent, NCDOT can reimburse the participating organization.

The grant funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration and the money will be used to develop creative and educational programs to teach community members about safe driving, walking and biking practices near schools.

Safe Routes to School promotes healthy and active lifestyles by encouraging children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bike to school. Also, the program facilitates the planning, development and implementation of projects and activities that improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution near schools.

“This is an important way to improve child safety and promote the healthy benefits of walking and biking,” said Ryan Brumfield, director of the Integrated Mobility Division.The local SRTS program began in 2019, when the organization was first awarded funds for this project. The Kerr-Tar COG will use funds from the new 2023 SRTS grant cycle to continue the programs endeavors within the region for K-12 students.  The project evaluates public, private and charter schools within the five-county region to address how SRTS programs could be implemented or improved.

Recommendations for education, activities and future infrastructure improvements will enhance walking and biking activities around the region, Gomez- Jimenez stated. The intent of these activities will be to make biking and walking fun for students and adults, encouraging healthy behaviors for a lifetime. The target audience for this project will include the following: School Personnel, Students and Parents, Law Enforcement, City/County Employees, Individuals who volunteer and otherwise assist with school activities.

The Kerr-Tar COG’s SRTS program is especially committed to ensuring that its initiatives are benefitting all demographic groups, with particular attention to ensuring safe, healthy and fair outcomes for low-income students, students of color, students of  all genders, students with disabilities, and others.

Collaborative partners for the Kerr-Tar COG’s 2023 SRTS grant application include: Franklin County Schools, Granville County Public Schools, Person County Schools, Vance County Schools, Warren County Schools, Henderson-Family YMCA, City of Oxford Parks & Recreation Department, 4-H Vance County, Turning Point Community Development Corporation & NCDOT Division 5 Office.

For more information, visit NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division’s Safe Routes to School.

The Local Skinny! Shriner’s Fish Fry Is Scheduled For May 17th

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The Tri-County Shriner’s Fish Fry is on again for its traditional third Wednesday in May and area Shriners are gearing up for another long, but productive day, with delicious results for its patrons.

Plates are $10 each – take-out only – and sales will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, said chairman Vernon Mustian.

Mustian and Donald Seifert were guests on WIZS “The Local Skinny!” to talk up the 59th fish fry.

You just may spy Mustian near the cookers on Fish Fry Day. “I have been cooking there for awhile,” he acknowledged. He holds the club’s office of First Vice President, but the club also put him in charge of the whole event this year. “It is a chore,” he said, adding that his admiration has grown for those who have organized past events.

“We try to put out a good plate,” Seifert said. “The price is reasonable and if we have good weather, I’m sure we’ll have a good turnout.”

Drive out to 210 Industry Drive near Lowe’s and Mako Medical to pick up plates. Delivery is available for 10 or more plates. Call 919.369.0316 to make delivery arrangements.

You can buy tickets in advance or purchase plates at the take-out tent.

“We are hoping to raise more than last year, “ Mustian said. “We had a good year last year, and we’re looking for a big number – at least $10,000.”

Shriner Henry Gupton told WIZS in an earlier interview that all proceeds after expenses will be donated to the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Greenville, SC.

THIS  STORY WAS ORGINALLY PUBLISHED MAY 2, 2023 AND IS BEING RE-POSTED FOR VIEWING AT THIS TIME.

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TownTalk: Henderson Kiwanis Club Celebrates 100 Years

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The Kiwanis Club of Henderson observed 100 years of service to the community during a special celebration that featured proclamations by city officials, reflections on the civic group’s history and a reminder of the club’s mission to be advocates for children.

Art Falkner, current president of the local Kiwanis Club, was a guest on TownTalk to discuss the club’s past – and its future.

“Not many clubs can say they’re a hundred years old,” Falkner said. “It’s a major milestone.”

The civic organization received its charter on April 16, 1923, just eight years after the very first club was formed in Detroit, Michigan. Today, the international organization has a place for individuals from elementary-school age to adult and boasts of having a presence in close to 100 countries around the world, with 600,000 members in 8,000 clubs.

One upcoming fundraiser event is a golf tournament, scheduled for May 25 at Kerr Lake Country Club.

Just this year, Henderson Collegiate started a Key Club for its high schoolers, Falkner said.

The Kiwanis mission is “molding good kids into exceptional adults,” he said. The Key Club is just one way to help support this mission.

Helping young people understand how to give back to their communities through civic clubs and organizations also can be a way to promote membership in clubs when those young people leave school and head out into the world.

“Just like other civic organizations, we’re losing membership,” Falkner said. But despite lower numbers – the club has 12 members now, down from a high of up to 70 – the club continues to help make a difference.

Falkner said there’s no telling how much money the club has raised throughout its history, but during the 1990’s, Falkner said longtime club treasurer Bill Cox kept meticulous financial records of all the fundraiser projects, and he estimated that the club contributed $75,000 to local projects that directly benefit children just during that 10-year period.

Thinking back on some of the past Kiwanis projects, Falkner said the annual azalea sale was always popular, as were the peanut sales and everyone remembers the funnel cakes that the club sold in front of Frazco on Garnett Street during Colorfest.

“We sold azaleas in pretty much any empty lot in town,” Falkner said with a chuckle. Same for peanuts.

“We’ve bagged peanuts in just about any open place we could find,” he recalled. During the peak of the peanut sales, club member Bob Leggett was a good resource. “He used to let us set up a stand right out there at the entrance to Leggett’s, the department store that was located in Henderson Mall.

Throughout its 100 years of existence, the focus has been on young people. “We’ve supported children throughout,” Falkner said, providing scholarships for high school graduates and in 2014 endowed a scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College in honor of longtime member Robert J. Turner.

Recent projects include providing dictionaries and other sets of books to all 3rd grade classrooms across the county.

The club meets on the first and third Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. for dinner at the Henderson Country Club. “We would love to have visitors come,” Falkner said. “We need young people and new ideas.”

As the club enters its second century of service to the community, members acknowledge the successes of the past and the hope of the future in comments that appeared in the program of the April 22 celebration:

“We take a moment to reflect on the service and dedication of the hundreds of Kiwanians from our community who have preceded us. The Kiwanis Club of Henderson has a remarkable history of assistance to the children of Vance County and a proud legacy of service to our community Looking forward, the Club will continue its efforts to recruit new members so that we may continue our traditions and work in Vance County. May we continue to be guided by the call to Work and Build. On Kiwanis, on Kiwanis – there is work to do!”

Scan of Full Program

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TownTalk: Watkins VFD Plans BBQ Fundraiser

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Watkins Volunteer Fire Department’s upcoming barbecue and chicken fundraiser on Friday, May 5, is one way the firefighters have to help make sure the residents inside their fire district – and beyond – have everything they need when it comes to fire, EMS and other services.

Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Link said this is one of two fundraisers the fire department undertakes each year, with a filler fundraiser in between.

Plates of barbecue or grilled chicken, with potatoes, slaw, bread and dessert, are $12. Plates with both barbecue and chicken are $15 and a pound of barbecue is $10, Link said.

The sales begin at 11 a.m. and they’ll serve it up until it’s all gone. Patrons can eat in or take out.

Watkins Volunteer Fire Department is located at 1590 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Henderson.

Link said Monday on TownTalk that Watkins, like other volunteer departments in the county, receives county funding for operations and to help pay for paid staff, but it’s not enough. Watkins gets $100,000 from the county, which comes from the county’s fire tax.

He estimated that between 15 percent and 20 percent of the department’s funding comes from the community in the form of fundraisers. The firefighters are always looking for ways to be frugal, Link said, and “getting more bang for our buck.”

The firefighters respond to all types of calls, not just fire calls, he said. There’s also EMS calls, and then there are the collisions and wrecks that happen within the district, too.

Link said departments like his use volunteers in creative ways to try to make sure there’s someone in the firehouse at all times. Nights and weekends are problematic, but Link said it’s important to provide the best coverage possible. “It takes some creativity to fill those gaps,”he said.

Of course, the ultimate goal is to have the firehouse staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year long. In the meantime, they’re doing the best they can.

“We make sure we’re using everything that the county is providing us, and taxpayers are providing for us,” Link said. “Everyone pays the same tax rate and deserves the same level of service.”

The fire department uses some of the funds for trainings like an upcoming workshop scheduled at the Vance County Rescue Squad about electric vehicles.

Fred’s Towing is going to do the training, which will help firefighters get up to speed on differences between EVs and traditional gas-powered vehicles.

“EV fires are an entirely different monster,” he noted, adding that they require lots more water than the routine vehicle fire call.

“This specialized training comes at a cost,” Link said, but it’s essential to keep firefighters training updated.

“The end goal is to provide the best service that we can to the taxpayer, to the customer,” Link said. Sometimes that means accepting changes, like when service areas change. There are multiple areas across the county that used to be covered by one department and now it’s covered by another.

“We’re passionate about who we serve,” Link said. “As a department, (with) some things you gotta bite the bullet and let it go – and be the second responder.”

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