Polk County News - Breakout

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The public relations team included (L-R) Madison Berry, Claire Reitan, Josi St. Martin and Sloane Curtin. COURTESY PHOTO

The Livingston FFA Public Relations team finished in the top 10 at the Texas FFA State Leadership Development Contest Friday and Saturday. 

The team of Madi Berry, Sloane Curtain, Claire Reitan, and Josi St. Martin took second in their heat, qualifying them to the state finals. There, they placed 10th overall in the state. 

FFA contests are not divided by the size of schools like other school events in the competition. Livingston teams competed against schools from 1A to 6A. A total of 21,000 FFA members started at the district contests across Texas, and less than 400 members reached the finals in various events held at the state contest. Livingston FFA is among the top 2% in the state. 

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By Brian Besch
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The Christmas of Hope Empty Stocking Program is set to aid clients in providing gifts for their children this season. 

Clients at Center of Hope will be able to leave little ones in child care to search for gifts with a personal shopper. The gifts can then be wrapped to place under the tree. 

Much like Center of Hope does for its food ministry, the team elected to set up a toy shop with all new toys and gifts to allow parents and guardians to personally shop for what their children would like. Center of Hope believes this gives family leaders a role in choosing what their children would receive and provides dignity with the parents for guardians involved.

The parent or guardian will have a shopper that helps them select guess for Christmas. There are gifts both small and large for all ages. They are then gift wrapped and ready for transport.

Those wishing to help can volunteer in several areas including gift wrapping, personal shopper, financial solicitation, child care, store inventory or prayer and counseling.

Donations for Christmas of Hope are taken at places like Chick-fil-A, Joe’s Italian, Pit Row Pit Stop, and of course, Center of Hope. Donations can be in the form of a toy for cash. The center has not received many toy donations over $20 for those looking to fill a need. Gifts for teenagers have also been a focus of the center.

Last year around 350 families were able to select gifts, but Center of Hope has a goal of 600 families for Christmas in 2023. For more information, call 936-327-7634 or go by 600 South Washington Avenue in Livingston. 

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Three dogs found their new forever homes at the annual SPCA of Polk County “Paws in the Patch” event held recently at the First Methodist Church of Livingston’s pumpkin patch. The event also featured free vaccines and microchipping for dogs and cats, a blessing of the pets, a pet parade, a chili bar and a puppy kissing booth. The event raised almost $1,000 for homeless dogs and cats in Polk County. To make a donation to the SPCA of Polk County so that it can continue its mission to help dogs and cats find loving homes, please visit spcapolk.org/donate, call 936-755-3020 or mail in donations to SPCA of Polk County, P.O. Box 1403, Livingston, TX 77351, or visit 802 S. Houston Ave. in Livingston. The SPCA of Polk County is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit no kill animal welfare organization (EIN: 74-2119232). Courtesy photo

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The SPCA of Polk County’s annual Wine & Whiskers fundraising event held at Tempe Creek Vineyard recently brought in about $3,500 to assist the shelter and its residents. Participants got a chance to listen to Dr. B on the Keys, a Galveston musician. They also got to give and receive kisses from two rescue puppies, snack on charcuterie boxes and bid on silent auction items. To make a donation to the SPCA of Polk County so that it can continue its mission to help dogs and cats find loving homes, please visit spcapolk.org/donate, call 936-755-3020 or mail in donations to SPCA of Polk County, P.O. Box 1403, Livingston, TX 77351, or visit 802 S. Houston Ave. in Livingston. The SPCA of Polk County is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit no kill animal welfare organization (EIN: 74-2119232). Courtesy photo