Rebuilding Hope volunteers spend a lot of time each year helping people make essential repairs to their homes, mostly fixing roofs and constructing handicap ramps. But the nonprofit’s founder Randolph Wilson said the group needs to turn its attention to some repairs at their own home – namely, the driveway and parking lot.
Project “ROLL ON” is underway to raise $100,000 to complete the repaving project, Wilson said.
And he’s asking for help from the community to make it happen.
“Please consider any gift to project ‘ROLL ON’ when you begin considering this year’s donations, or perhaps budgeting a contribution for early next year. Our desire is to be able to begin these repairs to the worst areas next spring and continue until completion,” Wilson said.
They kicked off the fundraiser campaign on Sept. 29 with an announcement in the monthly newsletter and an insert placed in the chicken plates that were sold on that day.
In a letter to volunteers and to other supporters, Wilson said he hopes to “gain support in acquiring much needed funds to repair the damaged pavement around our building. The parking lot and driveways are in real need of resurfacing to prevent damage to vehicles and also (to) allow proper drainage away from the building,” he stated.
Rebuilding Hope, Wilson said, has always been funded solely from individuals, churches, and business entities. “We must ask our faithful community once again to help us continue this good work. These are very difficult times for many people simply trying to afford housing, food and basic needs. We need to secure this ministry’s ability to respond to people with hope, by repairing this damage.”
The Rebuilding Hope ministry was founded in 2006 following a deployment to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“I knew then, as I know now, that one of the most basic physical needs people have is a place to shelter, to call home. My wife Gail and I, along with our patrons and volunteers, believe that their most important need is spiritual, and that coming alongside to offer help and hope in a time of need gives us opportunities to witness to them about Christ. It has truly been amazing over these past 17 years to see how God has moved through this construction ministry and the lives that have been touched,” Wilson said.
There are a variety of ways to make donations to Project ‘ROLL ON’:
Visit the website rebuildinghopeinc.org and select Donate to make an online contribution, mail donations to 414 Raleigh Rd., Henderson, NC 27536 or drop donations off in person at the office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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The Salvation Army Launches Red Kettle Campaign In Henderson
/by WIZS StaffThose familiar donation kettles are getting set up and ready for the holiday season in Henderson as the Salvation Army kicked off the Red Kettle Campaign Thursday morning in front of Belk department store.
This year’s goal is $75,000, but placing spare change and bills into the iconic kettles is just one way to contribute – The Salvation Army has QR codes and online donation sites available to make donating as quick as a couple of clicks of the computer, phone or tablet, according to information from Capts. Josh and Amanda Keaton.
The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army’s primary fundraiser each year, which helps to provide programming, food assistance, shelter, disaster response and more to those in need.
Volunteers are needed to ring the bell at each kettle location.
“We have integrated Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo into donation options at the Red Kettle,” said Capt. Josh Keaton. “Fewer people carry cash these days and prefer the convenience of using their smartphones for giving. This technology simplifies the donation process and encourages people to contribute to The Salvation Army during Christmas and beyond!” he said.
Across the United States, the Red Kettle campaign raises millions of dollars during the holiday season each year to provide help to families that need support with basic needs – from ultility bills or food assistance.
TownTalk: Granville-Vance Health Dept. Director Lisa Harrison Pleased with Cohen Visit
/by Bill HarrisWhen it’s added altogether, Granville Vance Public Health is getting $9 million in federal and state funds to be used to improve access to mental health resources and battle substance abuse disorders through a variety of programs for young people and families.
For GVPH Director Lisa Harrison, that’s a big deal.
“Our dream is that this is ‘difference-making’ money,” Harrison said on Thursday’s TownTalk.
Specifically, the health department has received $4 million – $1 million each year for the next four years – in federal money to provide behavioral health programs to the school districts in Vance and Granville counties to combat drug use and substance abuse. The $5 million award comes from the General Assembly that will create spaces within the Emergency Department at Maria Parham Health to safely provide care for patients in mental health crises and intensive outpatient services at Maria Parham’s Franklin campus in Louisburg.
“I could not be more excited about all of these opportunities to address these issues. It’s definitely an interesting and exciting time to be in this work.”
Part of the excitement comes from a special group of visitors that spent most of a day last week in Granville and Vance counties. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Dr. Mandy Cohen, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, were the main attraction at Medical Arts Pharmacy Friday afternoon to discuss the importance of access to health care and more in rural America.
“It was such a wonderful opportunity” to host the two high-profile health professionals in Henderson and Oxford, Harrison said. “It was such an amazing visit and so much fun.”
Becerra and others stopped in at the Oxford health department for a roundtable discussion, during which Harrison said Becerra asked good questions of the local representatives and seemed engaged in the dialogue.
Then it was on to Medical Arts Pharmacy, where Becerra, Cohen and others offered remarks about health care equity and the importance of providing adequate health care in rural areas.
In health departments like GVPH, Harrison said there’s always more need than money to satisfy that need, at least from local and state funding sources. Under Harrison’s leadership, GVPH has been awarded federal grants totaling more than $6 million since 2015.
The networking and partnerships across agencies – local, state and federal – are key to providing the very best care in the two counties, she said.
As governmental agencies, hospitals, schools and others all work together for a common goal, Harrison said she believes it will make a difference in the overall health outcomes for youth and families in the community.
Hear the complete interview with Harrison at www.wizs.com
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The Local Skinny! Rebuilding Hope Initiates Project ‘Roll On’
/by Laura GabelRebuilding Hope volunteers spend a lot of time each year helping people make essential repairs to their homes, mostly fixing roofs and constructing handicap ramps. But the nonprofit’s founder Randolph Wilson said the group needs to turn its attention to some repairs at their own home – namely, the driveway and parking lot.
Project “ROLL ON” is underway to raise $100,000 to complete the repaving project, Wilson said.
And he’s asking for help from the community to make it happen.
“Please consider any gift to project ‘ROLL ON’ when you begin considering this year’s donations, or perhaps budgeting a contribution for early next year. Our desire is to be able to begin these repairs to the worst areas next spring and continue until completion,” Wilson said.
They kicked off the fundraiser campaign on Sept. 29 with an announcement in the monthly newsletter and an insert placed in the chicken plates that were sold on that day.
In a letter to volunteers and to other supporters, Wilson said he hopes to “gain support in acquiring much needed funds to repair the damaged pavement around our building. The parking lot and driveways are in real need of resurfacing to prevent damage to vehicles and also (to) allow proper drainage away from the building,” he stated.
Rebuilding Hope, Wilson said, has always been funded solely from individuals, churches, and business entities. “We must ask our faithful community once again to help us continue this good work. These are very difficult times for many people simply trying to afford housing, food and basic needs. We need to secure this ministry’s ability to respond to people with hope, by repairing this damage.”
The Rebuilding Hope ministry was founded in 2006 following a deployment to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“I knew then, as I know now, that one of the most basic physical needs people have is a place to shelter, to call home. My wife Gail and I, along with our patrons and volunteers, believe that their most important need is spiritual, and that coming alongside to offer help and hope in a time of need gives us opportunities to witness to them about Christ. It has truly been amazing over these past 17 years to see how God has moved through this construction ministry and the lives that have been touched,” Wilson said.
There are a variety of ways to make donations to Project ‘ROLL ON’:
Visit the website rebuildinghopeinc.org and select Donate to make an online contribution, mail donations to 414 Raleigh Rd., Henderson, NC 27536 or drop donations off in person at the office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
CLICK PLAY!
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 11-09-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Henderson Police Make Drug Arrest, Seize Heroin, Ecstasy
/by WIZS StaffHenderson police arrested one man on numerous drug charges Wednesday.
Acting in response to a drug complaint, police officers conducted a search at 1932 Oxford Rd. and recovered heroin, Ecstasy, drug-making equipment and a stolen handgun.
Arrested was Marselle Rasheed Johnson, 35, according to information released Thursday by Police Chief Marcus Barrow. The search was conducted at 1932 Oxford Rd.
During the service of the warrant approximately 1,750 dosage units of heroin, 45 grams of raw heroin, drug manufacturing equipment, Ecstasy, and a stolen handgun were seized, according to information from Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Johnson was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver MDMA, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession of a stolen firearm, one count of maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Johnson received a $620,000 secured bond on the drug-related charges and a $99,000 secured bond for outstanding arrest warrants. Additionally, he was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center without bond for a parole violation.
Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: Supervision And Safety, Pt. 3
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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VGCC To Offer Students Access To Virtual Textbooks, Course Materials Beginning Spring 2024
/by WIZS Staff-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel
Vance-Granville Community College is making course materials more affordable and accessible for students. November 3 the college announced the launch of the new VGCC Textbook+ initiative, which lowers the cost of learning materials through a partnership with textbook publisher Cengage. Beginning in the spring 2024 semester, students will be able to access digital Cengage course materials through the Moodle platform starting on the first day of class.
“With textbook prices rising every year, VGCC wants to help students with the cost as much as possible,” said Dr. Kim Sepich, vice president of Learning, Student Engagement & Success at Vance-Granville. “We want our students to have what they need as quickly and as economically as possible, and VGCC Textbook+ makes this happen.”
VGCC’s Textbook+ initiative provides Cengage Unlimited Institutional subscriptions to students, which allows first-day access to a virtual library of thousands of e-books, online learning platforms and study materials covering hundreds of college-level subject areas in one place at a single price. Vance-Granville is helping its students save hundreds of dollars per semester on textbooks and course materials with the addition of the Cengage Unlimited Institutional program.
“Cengage has made a significant commitment to lowering course materials costs for students,” said Edwin Robles, senior vice president and general manager of U.S. Higher Education and Canada at Cengage. “Vance-Granville Community College shares this commitment. Working together, we will support VGCC students by making education more affordable and accessible for all.”
Since its August 2018 launch, Cengage Unlimited has helped more than 5.2 million students save nearly $630 million on the cost of course materials, with $230 million of that savings coming directly from institutional partnerships. For more information on institutional partnerships for Cengage Unlimited, visit www.cengage.com/institutions.
Oak Level UCC Hosts Community Program Saturday
/by WIZS StaffOak Level United Church of Christ in Manson is hosting a program on Saturday, Nov. 11 for the community to come out and learn about how to help young people stay safe from gangs, drugs and gun violence.
It’s called “Around the Table – Substance in the Community,” and Rayenna Wimbush said the two-hour event is free to attend and will begin at 10 a.m.
Guest speaker is Debbie Scott, who will share strategies to help those struggling with addiction, as well as identifying gangs in the community and putting a stop to gun violence.
Plan to be entertained with song, praise dance and more, Wimbush said.
Refreshments will be served.
The church is located at 5631 Jacksontown Rd., Manson.
Greg Hicks New Assistant Commissioner of N.C. Forest Service
/by WIZS StaffA Granville County resident who has worked with the N.C. Forest Service for more than 20 years has been named its assistant commissioner.
N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said the promotion of Greg Hicks was effective Nov. 1.
Hicks had been assistant commissioner overseeing operations at the forest service. He replaces Scott Bissette, who is retiring. “I am always pleased to have well-qualified and dedicated staff members step into new leadership roles at the department,” Troxler said. “Hicks has been employed with the N.C. Forest Service for more than two decades serving in nine different roles and in that time has worked at the district, regional and central office levels. I am confident in his ability to understand the many roles of the N.C. Forest Service and build on the lifelong relationships he has made as a career employee.”
Hicks received a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from the College of Forest Resources at N.C. State University in 1998 and began his career with the forest service in 1999. In his first role, he was based in New Bern and assisted with the four counties that had been heavily impacted by Hurricane Fran. He also has worked as a service forester, an assistant district forester, assistant regional forester, fire chief and assistant state forester.
Oxford Elects Guillermo Nurse Mayor
/by WIZS StaffOxford elected Guillermo Nurse to be its mayor Tuesday, making him the first Black mayor in the city’s history.
Nurse got 1,090 votes to Debbie Ramsey’s 461.
There were seven candidates running for three Town Commissioners spots. The top three vote-getters were two newcomers – Carlos Velez and Curtis McRae – and one incumbent, John Tovey.
Velez got 771 votes, McRae got 694 and Tovey received 657 votes.
In Stovall, two newcomers joined incumbent Jeff Stovall to take the three seats on the Stovall board of commissioners. Stovall got 72 votes to keep his seat on the board; Ricky Sneed Sr. got 65 votes and Angelina Cromer got 46 votes from a field of five candidates.
View complete results from Tuesday’s elections at https://er.ncsbe.gov/