Chocolate Fantasy Ball for Ronald McDonald House

Twelve members of the council helped staff the Chocolate Fantasy Ball, a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House on February 10 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. The morning crew helped to dress the tables, tying drapes on chairs, folding napkins and polishing silver. The evening crew cut cakes, chocolate squares, dipped up creme bruelle, kept the food tables full and assisted with seating guests and manning the live auction. About 400 elegantly dressed guests generously spent their money at the silent and live auctions and took advantage of the chance to pay for families' lodging at the Ronald McDonald House by the night or by the month. This non-profit provides a home away from home for families whose critically ill children are being treated by Children's Hospital. Pictured are "chocolate girls" Rachel Dennis, Amber Turner, Mallory Grantham, and JoNeece Carter - Jason Gillard with Ronald McDonald - Katya Lyzhina and Rachel tying the chair swags - Rachael and Mallory trying a chocolate-covered strawberry - and Zach House and Shelby Underwood greeting guests.

At the Lions Club

Jason Gillard spoke to the NLR Lions Club on February 8 at their noon meeting. He was there to give them an update on his CyberFamilies program and to tell them about the council's efforts to do some upgrading on the NLR Boys and Girls Club. One Lions Club member brought a computer monitor for CyberFamilies.

Council Member Serves on YSAC Committee

Council member Marshalluna Land serves on the YSAC committee to represent the youth in the community. She is shown here at the February meeting listening to information about the city's mapping of grafitti and tagging in the city. YSAC is made up of youth services providers that meets monthly to network and learn what's going on in the community with issues that involve youth. Marshalluna was employed by the city last summer in their summer youth program. The committee was started by Steve Nawojczyk in the city's Youth Services Program.

Cold Blooded Creatures at the Museum of Discovery

Eight council members helped the museum with one of our favorite volunteer events -
Cold Blooded Creatures.
Visitors at the museum could spend the day with snakes, turtles, alligators, frogs, salamanders, toads and other cold-blooded creatures. They learned about their habitats and habits and learned to recognize the venomous snakes that live in Arkansas.
Members shown are Chelsea Smith, Jessica
Scott, Jason Gillard and Kelli Golden.
www.arkansasdiscoverynetwork.org

Pinnacle Mountain Is For the Birds

Three Council members worked with Pulaski Academy volunteers to make suet and peanut cakes mixed with bird seed. The mixture was formed into balls and put into potato sack holders tied with twine. These were given to the volunteers to take home and to people who came to the Visitors' Center to learn about how to feed wild birds. The view of the river was spectacular and an added treat was the sighting of an eagle that was riding the thermals. Volunteers were Stephanie Davis, Katya Lyzhina and Jeremy Smith.

Group Takes on Renovation of the NLR Boys and Girls Club

The Council is looking for community support in their efforts to rennovate parts of the NLR Boys and Girls Club at 13th and Main. Several areas have been targeted for improvement - re-doing the room designated as a "teen" room and the glassed-in room in the playroom. Other ideas include collecting art supplies for the art room and books for the library; getting donations of new computers, monitors and software for the computer room and teen room; getting donations of board games and electronic games for the library; getting donations of movies/DVD's and popcorn for the teen room; and seeking sponsorship of the various rooms by companies or volunteer organizations.
These ideas were the result of the tour of the facility by council members and students in the STARS program. Students pictured are Zach Hall, Jason Gillard (project master-mind), Katya Lyzhina, Kevin O'Sullivan (whose ideas are listed), Jeremy Smith, Stephanie Davis and Darren Muldrew. Lisa and Nayali are STARS members. Anyone wishing to help with the rennovation by donating, time, items or money, please call Jan Scholl at 834-3784.
www.arclubs.org

Dorcas House Benefits from Molly Leopard's Project

Molly Leopard has chosen to help the Dorcas House in Little Rock for her Start Something Project. Dorcas House is a crisis response shelter for women and children who are endangered by domestic violence. Molly is asking for a collection of women's and children's clothing, toys for kids, and canned and packaged food. Clean, gently-used clothing is acceptable, as are used toys that are clean and in good condition. Please bring your contribution to the February meeting.

Kenya Kids - Cody Styers' Start Something Project

Cody Styers has kicked off his Start Something Project called Kenya Kids. The Council will participate in a drive for items to send to an orphanage in Kenya, Africa, in April. Fellowship Bible Church where he is a member is partnerning with the Kenya Relief Office in Alabama to help fill the needs of the Kenyans. Toiletries will be the focus of the council's collection. Members are asked to bring items to the February meeting. The list of items listed below can be donated by calling 834-3784.
(Cody is pictured working at the Rice Depot.)
toiletries
toothbrush, tooth paste, mouthwash
deodorant, feminine pads, small hand mirrors
soap, liquid bath soap, shampoo and conditioner
hair brushes, combs, tweezers
lotions, hair clippers, q-tips
liquid shower cleaner

Happy New Year to Our Friends at Lakewood Manor

Council members Jessica Scott, Nicole Powell, Katya Lyzhina and Kayla Bradford visited with residents at the Lakewood Manor Nursing Facility on January 21 and wished them a happy new year with handmade cards. Shown below are Mr. and Mrs. Harrington who have been married for seventy-two years.

MLK Day - A Day on, Not a Day Off

Twenty-two council members gave up their MLK holiday to work for three hours at the Arkansas Rice Depot. They boxed the items donated at the Food For Kids food drive that Olivia Austin held in December, separated hygiene items, and worked at culling spoiled packaged food from FEMA boxes. Lots of work got done and we got a chance to say goodbye to our friend Hannah Halfhill, volunteer coordinator, who has decided to be a stay-at-home mom.

MLK Gala an Evening of Elegance

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission hosted a banquet and gala on the evening of January 11, at the Doubletree Hotel. Jason Gillard was honored with a trophy for Youth Achievement for his work in CyberFamilies with the NLR Mayor's Youth Council. The sold-out event had 700 plus in attendance and will be televised several times in the next few weeks on Fox 16, Jason's sponsor. Jason was accompanied by his grandmother, Frenchelle White, and his brother Justin, a former Council member.

New Start Something Projects Taking Off

Molly Leopard, Liz Rogers, and Zach House have taken on the "Evening
with the Arts," an auction that is held to benefit Families are Special Adoption Agency. The Perry Berns Art Galery in Dallas brings framed art for the show and auction. Council members will provide manpower for the reception and for the show. Last year's event brought in over $4000. Watch the blog for the date and place. Pictured with Zach is super-mom, Leisa House.

Swearing In Ceremony Held on January 1

The swearing in ceremony for new city officials was held in the foyer of the City Hall at 10 in the morning on January first. Mayor Patrick Henry Hays greeted new officials, their families and guests as they came for the swearing in and reception that followed. Council member Chelsea Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance and then sang the National Anthem with her friend Amber Utange.

Food Collection for the Food For Kids Program

The cold and rain didn't keep Olivia Austin's Start Something Project for the Food for Kids Program from being a success. Shifts started outside the Neighborhood WalMart Grocery at 10:00 on December 30th and lasted until after 4:00. About 2o kids and several parents stood in a cold rain and asked shoppers to buy food for hungry kids from a list that they were provided. The Food For Kids van was parked in front and the goal was to fill it with kid-friendly food for the backpacks that children take home from school each day. The project was a cooperative effort of the West Campus Beta Club and the Council. The council members will go to the Rice Depot on Martin Luther King Day, January 15, to separate the food that was collected.

Jason Gillard Honored by the MLK Commission

Jason Gillard has been selected to receive the Youth Achievement Award at the 2006-2007 MLK Salute to Greatness Community Service Awards on January 11th at the Doubletree Hotel. Jason, a junior at NLR West Campus is being recognized for his contributions to the community through the NLR Mayor's Youth Council. He is a five year member of the council and served over 1200 hours last year alone. Clear Channel is sponsoring his award and he has been interviewed for a show that will appear on Fox Channel 16 on January 9th. Jason is pictured at right on the set at Fox's Arkansas Now Program with news anchor, Donna Terrell, and with Frank Bateman, Interim Director of the MLK Commission.

Our Club Christmas Party Held December 20

The Sherman Park Our Club was the site of the Christmas Party for the Sherman Park and Silver City members. Each child had been adopted from an "angel tree" at the First Methodist Church in NLR, the home of the Butterfly Commission that partners with Our Club. Some council members had adopted kids and some helped with the party by serving food, wrapping late arriving presents, and handing out gifts. Shown here wrapping are Katy Poinsett, Rachael Dennis, Leighton Teague and Katya Lyzhina.

Group Delivers Handmade Christmas Cards to Lakewood Manor

Several members made Christmas cards for the 65 residents at the Lakewood Manor. They were delivered by Kayla Bradford and Chelsea Smith on December 17.

City Hosts Dashing Thru the Lights at Burns Park

The city hosted another successful Christmas light display at Burns Park during December and kicked it off on December 9th and 9th with a Stroll Thru the Lights, the appearance of Santa (Kyle Drake and Hayden Fischer) and Rudolph, hot chocolate and candy canes, and pictures with Santa. On the morning of December 10th members helped with the fun run. Other members who volunteered were Stephanie Davis, council "mom" Tina Bickle, Kayla Bradford, Rachael Dennis, Aaron Geary, and Skylar Howard. Members braved two of the coldest nights of the year.

December Meeting Brings Out Generosity of Members

The December meeting brought out the true spirit of Christmas as members turned in 70 family stockings for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program. Stockings are stuffed with items for an entire family- with videos, card games, puzzles, popcorn, candy, toys, gloves, scarves, and hygiene items. Members also brought computers for the CyberFamilies Program, more change for the Rice Depot's Food for Kids Program, stuffed animals for needy kids, snack packs for the after school program at Our Club, and videos for Kelli Golden's Films 4 Free Start Something Project. Pictured with stockings are
Mary Catherine Rogers, Daley Johnston, Liz Rogers, Blake Shuler. Sarah Wood is shown with the Food For Kids coin card, and Kelli Golden (in stage makeup for the play) is shown with a box of videos collected for her program.

Christmas Children's Fair and Symphony Kicks off Christmas

Council members hosted the Children's Fair for the Arkansas Symphony's performance at the East Campus auditorium on December 3. Around 200 attended. Kids wrote letters to Santa, had their picture made with him by Bedford Camera, made Christmas ornaments,
had a coloring contest and ate cookies and punch served by council members. Highlights in the musical program were Mayor Hays reading a Christmas story and David Itkin and the Symphony turned the baton over to Eddie Armstrong, a former graduate of NLR West Campus. Pictured with refreshments are council mom Rhonda Sylvester with her daughter Raygan and son, member Cody Styers. Other members pictured are Katya Lyzhina, Mariana, Emmanuel Hayes, Stephanie Jolly, Aaron Geary and Jason Gillard.

Council Helps Get Ready for Our House Fund Raiser

Several members of the Council spent an hour after school on November 27th at the Starting Point Day Care Center to help make tags for teddy bears that will be sold at the Tribute to Mayor Jim Dailey on December 4th. One hundred fifty 18 inch bears needed tags that had to be hand colored. Pictured are Rachael Dennis, Jason Gillard, Chelsea Smith, Ms. Scholl, Board member Heather Dethrow, Nicole Powell and an Our House resident.
Pictured at left is Our House Director, Georgia Mjarten and a little resident.

Kits for Kids

Chelsea Smith's Start Something Project, "Kits for Kids," benefits the chidren at the Our House Homeless Shelter. Chelsea enlisted the help of the other council members to create about 20 baskets for children to be given as they check into the homeless shelter. Each basket contains toys, games and personal items for the children who often have nothing when they arrive at the shelter. Our House provides a home for the working homeless and houses many children during the year.
The following is a wish list for their Starting Point Day Care Center:
3 High Chairs - 3 New High Chair Pads
Indoor Baby Swing - Baby Crib Sheets
Crib Blankets - Toddler Pillows
CDs and DVD for children and infants (Like Baby Einstein, etc.)
Kids Paint - Art Supplies
Poster Board - Book Shelves (small, child-size)
Desk (for an adult) - Vacuum cleaner
Pictured with the kits are Chelsea Smith, Jason Gillard, Rachael Dennis and Nicole Powell.

Lakewood Manor Grannies Receive Handmade Thanksgiving Cards

Members of the Council visited the residents at the Lakewood Manor Nursing Facility on November 19th and took them handmade Thanksgiving cards. Visitors were Melissa Austin, Kaley Scott, Kayla Bradford, Daley Johnston, Blake Shuler, Zach Barber, Sarah Spradlin and Jared Kittler.

The Incredibles

Three families took part in the National Family Volunteer Day on November 18, sponsored by Disney. Family volunteering can help mobilize thousands of new volunteers to meet community needs and instill a lifelong commitment to volunteering. It's a hands-on way to practice the values of kindness, compassion, tolerance, community responsibility and good citizenship. Our INCREDIBLE Families who participated were member Kevin O'Sullivan and his parents Eileen and Patrick - member Stephanie Davis and her sister Tina Bickle - member Kyly Hawk and her mom Sharon. Disney says that being an Incredible Family volunteer:
Strengthens family communication and bonds
Allows family members to be role models
Increases commitment to volunteering and community
Provides quality family time.
These volunteers made Thanksgiving boxes for about 40 families in Hot Springs.
Parents are encouraged to volunteer with members.

Work Day at Our House Homeless Shelter

On November 11, three members of the council took on the job of cleaning out a storage room that had not been opened in years at the Our House Homeless Shelter. The room yielded toys, sets of china, clothing, bedding and hygiene products. The room was being cleaned out to allow storage of the shelter's Starting Point Day Care Center's materials. Shown are Darren Muldrew, Katya Lyzhina, Ms. Scholl, and Aaron Geary. The Council provided new shelving for the storage room.

Artament Bash at Arts Center a Success

The Arkansas Arts Center held its signature Christmas event November 10-12 and council members helped by serving food and working with artists. Hand crafted and one of a kind items are sold to start the Christmas season right. Pictured are Katya Lyzhina and Anna Waller who were servers for the event.

Lisa Alley's Art Chosen for ACH Christmas Card

Arkansas Children's Hospital's
Nutcracker Honor Card
MYC member, Lisa Alley, was chosen as an artist for this year's cards for Arkansas Children's Hospital's annual fundraiser. Auxiliary co-chair Dale Cook says, “They are encouraged to draw up cards that reflect the holidays. The cards are then sold and all of the money raised from the proceeds go back into the hospital to help others." Co-chair Larcie Burnett says, “It's a lovely way to raise money for the hospital but to highlight the children and that's what really we're about it. The cards, fundraising organizers say, is great way to take care of holiday card mailing while supporting a good cause. The group says they netted $72,000 last year and are hoping to exceed that amount.The holiday cards will be sold at retail outlets throughout the state.To order cards, contact the auxiliary office at (501) 364-1259.
The copy with Lisa's card reads: Lisa Alley, Age 15 is a former patient and Star ACHiever from North Little Rock, Arkansas. This card is available for a minimum $10.00 donation per card. Message: "We Salute You! A special gift has been made on your behalf to Arkansas Children's Hospital By(Your Name and/or Business Name)" $10.00 minimum per card, tax deductible. For values greater than $50, call 501-364-1259. Order Quantity: card(s) Donation Amount: $10 $20 $30 $40 $50." Congratulations, Lisa!

Walk As One With NCCJ

Ten members walked with people of all faiths and cultures on November 5th at NCCJ's Walk as One in the River Market. The walk benefits NCCJ's youth programs such as Anytown and Unitown, programs that teach tolerance, diversity, and respect for others. Shown at the Razorback hog fountain are Kelsey Riley, Nicole Powell, Callie Wood, Kayla Bradford, Aaron Geary, Stephanie Davis, Kevin O'Sullivan, Jeremy Smith, and Katya Lyzhina. Also pictured are Alexanne Pitts from West Campus and Kyle Buchannan from Catholic.
Members painted lots of little faces, including NLR Mayor Hays' granddaughter Savannah. Isabella changed her mind... Pictured is Callie Wood with Savannah and Mayor Hays with Isabella. The clown troupe from Central High was the kids' favorite part of the day. After the walk everyone enjoyed pizza and sodas and music.

Members Host Halloween Party for Our Clubs

Council members collected candy and made treat bags for the kids in the Our Club after school programs at Sherman Park and Silver City. They also furnished prizes for games and painted faces. Lots of super costumes were donated by our friend Audrey Ramsey at Wal-Mart. Members shown in costume are Allison Pearson, Nicole Powell, Taylor Columbus, and Kelsey Riley.

Partying With the Blue Angels

Ten members worked an event sponsored by the city of NLR to honor the Blue Angels and their support group who were here for an airshow on November 4th and 5th. Council members greeted guests, showed them to the food tent, took up tickets, and showed them to the Salty Parrot, the Arkansas Queen and the Martime Museum for dinner. They were treated to supper and got to tour the USS Razorback submarine. Pictured are Shelby Underwood, Stephanie Davis, Katya Lyzhina, Dazzmin Murry, JoNece Carter, Zach House, Emmanuel Hayes, and Jeremy Smith. At bottom are Jared Kittler and Sarah Spradlin with Blue Angel pilot "Fat Daddy."

Members Complete a 900 Piece Mailing for FASI

At the November meetings, members stayed late to get an hour of service by labeling, folding and stuffing 900 pieces of mail for Families Are Special Adoption Agency. Members saved hours of time for the agency's one secretary so that their Christmas mailing will go out on time. Shown working hard are Daley Johnston, Stephanie Jolly, JoNece Carter, Shelby Underwood, Jasmine Turner, council mom Leisa House, Laura Chesser, Zach House, Aaron Geary, and in the background, Cody Styers picking up his new T-shirt.

November is Busy Month for Council

Council members Allison Pearson and Kayla Bradford are pictured signing in and signing up to work at the Angel Tree at McCain Mall. This month brings the ARTament Bash at the Arts Center, wrapping gifts for Women and Children First at the mall, National Family Volunteer Day at the Rice Depot, building a library for the children's room at the Our House homeless shelter, and family-sized stockings to be filled for the Salvation Army. Kevin O'Sullivan is shown checking out two stockings. All stockings will be due at the December meetings on the 5th or the 6th. Christmas is just around the corner!

Creepy Trail Hike At Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Twenty MYC members helped Park Ranger Linda Goza create a creepy trail hike shortly after dark on October 28th. The parts that the members played taught a lesson as well as surprised and frightened the walkers. They hid in the deep woods and represented people who were illegally dumping toxic waste, poaching and taking timber illegally, playing the part of a troll under the bridge, the voice of the trees, and operating recordings of owls, bobcats and bears. About 100 costumed hikers enjoyed the walk and the sacks of candy that were handed out at the end of the trail. Pictured are Wael Mohammed, new member and exchange student from Saudi Arabia, Mallory Grantham as Resource Racoon, Darren Muldrew (black bear), Stefani Perry candy person, and a family of friendly hikers.

Adopt a Pet Has a Good Saturday

Adopt a Pet enjoyed a successful Saturday on October 28th at Lakewood Village thanks to the beautiful weather and the help from MYC members Marshalluna Land and Ashley Pettus. They talked with visitors about adopting animals, kept the water bowls full, and helped little visitors learn how to hold the puppies. The shelter is at Lakewood Village every Friday and Saturday from 1:00 until 5:00.

Boo at the Zoo!

Council members volunteered at the 15th annual Boo at the Zoo October 19th through 31st. This event is Arkansas’ largest Halloween festival and is growing at a frightening rate! This is the time of year when ghouls and goblins come out to play, roaming the Zoo grounds. Boo features a haunted house, fortune teller, fun house, and even a beauty shop of horrors! And talking pumpkins exist there! (We know, because pumpkins R us!) About half of the council served at this favorite event. Pictured are Katya Lyzhina, fortune teller - Stephanie Davis, character for the haunted house - and Amber Turner at a treat station.

Members Take Halloween Cards to Lakewood Manor

Six council members visited the Lakewood Manor Facility to visit and distribute homemade Halloween cards to residents. Pictured with residents are Daley Johnston, Kayla Bradford, Zach Barber, and Sarah Spradlin.Not pictured are Katya Lyzhina and Jared Kitler.

Films For Free Launched

Kelli Golden, member of the NLR Mayor's Youth Council and senior at NLR West Campus, has launched her "Start Something Project" called Films-4-Free. She has collected over 200 videos that are appropriate for children up to age 15 and is distributing them to area emergency rooms, to Our House Homeless Shelter, to Heaven's Loft in NLR, to the Open Arms Shelter in Searcy, and to after school programs. If you would like to make a donation to this program - films, a tv or a VCR machine - please call 834-3784. Kelli is shown at top with Georgia Mjarten, Our House Director and the staff of the Day Care Center. At bottom is the volunteer staff at Heaven's Loft.
www.ourhouseshelter.org
http://www.jlnlr.org/heaven

Radio Disney Spotlights CyberFamilies

Jason Gillard's project Cyberfamilies has gained statewide attention. He was interviewed at Radio Disney on October fifth about this program that partners DHS, Families are Special Adoption Agency, NLRMYC and the community. Cyberfamilies places rebuilt computers in the homes of foster children and kids being raised by grandparents. He talked with radio host "Sunny" about the Mayor's Youth Council's service in the community and about the need for these computers. Foster children are often behind in their school work, and not having a computer to do classwork makes an already difficult situation even harder. Kids "age out" of the system at age 18 and unless they have job skills their future is unsure. Many end up jobless, homeless and incarcerated. DHS choses the family, FASI provides the rebuilt computer and teaches the child how to use it if needed. To donate a computer, call FASI at 758-9184. The interview with Jason can be heard on October 15 from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.

October Meetings Bring Announcement of New Start Something Projects

The Council's October meetings saw four new Start Something Projects kicked off. Kelli Golden's "Films for Free" will place videos in Children's Hospital, Open Arms Shelter and Our House homeless shelter. Chelsea Smith and Taylor Colombus will work with Our House to provide "Kits for Kids," age-appropriate kits of books, toys, and activity books for the kids to have when they arrive at Our House. Katya Lyzhina will partner with the Rice Depot to collect food for the Food for Kids program. Zach Barber's goal is to fill the Ark for Heifer International. Pictured are Zach, Taylor and Chelsea. Molly Leopard shows off the coin collection boxes that are furnished by Heifer.

Rice Depot Salutes The Council With a Party

The Arkansas Rice Depot honored the council with an appreciation back to school party on September 30. Twenty members worked for an hour and a half and then ate lunch with the Depot staff. Director Laura Rhea explained the Rice Depot's commitment to the community and thanked the council for their continuing participation in the Food for Kids program. Food for Kids provides a nutritious meal of kid-friendly food for children to take home from school in a backpack every day. The council raised $1500 for this program last year with coin cards and a bake sale. Volunteer outreach coordinator Hannah Halfhill gave members a tour of the Depot's new facility. Council members who volunteered are new members Marquey West, Casey Masters, Melissa Austin, Daley Johnston, Kaley Scott, Birk McClain, Stephanie Jolly, Zach House, Jeremy Smith, Katy Poinsett, Leighton Teague, Emma Hurtado - and returning members Katya Lyzhina, Amber Turner, Kyly Hawk, and Jason Gillard. Pictured are staff members Laura Rhea(top) and Hannah Halfhill.
www.RiceDepot.org

Volunteers at the Race Space for the Race For the Cure

Nine volunteers from the MYC volunteered at the Race Space, the clerical branch of the Race for the Cure. The Race Space is open for two weeks before race day, and volunteer opportunities include folding and bagging t-shirts, registering participants, data entry, distributing packets for pick up and selling in the boutique. The office was doing a brisk business on September 24th and 25th when council members helped out. Pictured are JoNece Carter, Dazzmin Murry, Shelby Underwood, Katya Lyzhina, Fabien Pythoud, and Director Jan Scholl. Not pictured from the Sunday crew is photographer Jason Gillard. Monday volunteers were Christi Ezzi, Samantha Smith, Leighton Teague, and Katy Poinsett. Saturday, October 7 will be the 13th Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure in Little Rock. 40,000 runners and three miles of men are expected on race day. Volunteer opportunities are still open for that day.