On September 19, 2009, the stars will be shining bright in the Silver Eagle Suite of the University of North Texas, as Health Services of North Texas presents “Elton John,” “The Beatles,” “Cher,” “Elvis,” and “Roy Orbison” at their annual Hearts and Heroes Gala. These award-winning celebrity impersonators will provide a high-energy rock and roll show which will—along with dinner and dancing—leave patrons with a song in their hearts and stars in their eyes!

But as much fun as Hearts and Heroes offers to participants each year, Agency Executive Director Dr. Ron Aldridge reminds us that there is a serious side to all of this revelry. He explains that the Gala serves as the primary fundraiser for Health Services of North Texas (HSNT), which offers medical care and support services for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS in Denton, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, and Kaufman Counties. In addition, HSNT offers guardianship care for those persons in Denton County who are unable to manage their medical and life affairs.

These critical care services lead Mandy McKInley, Gala Marketing Coordinator, to point out that you can feel confident about the direct help you are providing to your community through attending the party, offering sponsorship dollars, or donating a service or good to the auction.

The Hearts & Heroes Gala performs another vital role as well, that of honoring outstanding citizens and organizations for their leadership, philanthropy, and community service. This year’s honorees are Charlye Heggins, Pamela and Dale Kimble, Phil Wentworth, Christina and Rudy Andrea, and Star Children’s Charity. Exemplifying the best of giving back from our blessings, these persons and organization inspire the staff, board members, and agency supporters in reaching for higher goals themselves.

Speaking of goals, Fern Bugg shares with us her personal objectives for Hearts and Heroes 2009: to have the most thrilling entertainment ever performed at the gala, a knockout lineup of silent and live auction items, and getting you a ticket before they are sold out. For more information about attending or supporting the gala, please call Fern at 940-368-0655. See you there!

DISD estimates that for the current school year 39% of enrollment live in poverty as defined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Providing these children with back-to-school essentials places additional financial hardship on their families. Over 8,240 children in DISD are qualified to receive assistance through the Apple Tree Project. It is only through the generosity of the Denton community that the needs of these children will be met, and Interfaith Ministries was able to assist over 879 of those students in August of 2008, our largest distribution yet!

Interfaith Ministries’ Apple Tree Back-to-School Project assists children from low-income families with essential items for back-to-school. Each child participating receives a complete set of school supplies, a backpack, two new sets of school clothes, and a new pair of shoes, as funds allow. Apple Tree makes an annual estimated economic impact of over $100,000 in the Denton community. The goal for the upcoming school year is to provide at least 1,000 DISD children with back-to-school essentials. Contributing to the Apple Tree Project is an excellent investment in Denton’s most precious resource, its children. In order to fulfill this larger distribution in 2009, we need everyone to be involved. Volunteers (especially bi-lingual) are needed to assist in taking applications, and as always, donations are greatly needed in order for this project to prosper.

Visit www.ifmdenton.org to learn how you can support The Apple Tree Project, view a list of Host Sites where “apples” are available for adoption, contribute to this program using PayPal, or call 940-566-5927.

Interfaith Ministries of Denton, Inc. seeks to provide emergency basic needs assistance to the people of northern Denton County with the goal of helping those people to become self-sufficient.

Kids and guns? It may sound like a strange combination to some, but each May at the Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville, child advocates and shooting enthusiasts alike come together for the Annual “Pulling for Kids” sporting clay tournament, benefiting CASA of Denton County, Inc.

Since its inception in 2001, Pulling for Kids has raised an amazing $255,000 for child abuse and neglect victims in Denton County. We hope you’ll join us, May 15th, as we “pull” for Denton County kids who cannot always pull for themselves.

$500 – team of 5 shooters; $125 – individual shooters. Sponsorship levels available that includes a team. Visit www.casadenton.org for a team registration form. Mail completed form with payment to: CASA of Denton County, P.O. Box 2885, Denton TX 76202-2885. Call 940.243.2272 for more information.

Event Day Schedule:
11:30 am – 1 pm Event Registration and Lunch
1 pm Shooting Begins
Around 6 pm, immediately following the shoot will be Awards and Gun Raffle with dinner provided by Outback Steakhouse of Denton.

Pro-Shooter Auction, golf carts for rent, mulligans, Best Shooter Awards, and more!

Interested in providing media coverage or becoming a sponsor for this event? Contact Lauren at 940.243.2272 for a list of sponsorship opportunities.

May is National Fitness Month and Jazzercise of Denton is looking for 20 women to take part in our Fit & Fine Challenge. If you need to loose 15 pounds or more, improve muscle tone, reduce stress and develop better nutritional habits our challenge is for you.

This program is devoted solely to women who need accountability, feedback and motivation to begin and keep going with a program. Upon acceptance, you will be measured, weighed and have your body fat analyzed. Participants will also begin attending our workout program to help them burn calories and increase muscle strength and tone.

Each week you will be in touch with your designated Fitness Coach who will provide you with nutritional information and feedback. You will also weigh in each week with a fitness coach. Upon completion of this program, one participant will be selected to be profiled in an upcoming Lifestyles magazine with her testimony and results!

The program is 12 weeks long, begins May 11th, and the total cost is $149. If this sounds like a program that will work for you call us at 940.891.4566 immediately to reserve your spot!

It only takes a small change. Instead of telling yourself you can’t, tell yourself you can. Let our fitness coaches help you make being active part of your everyday life!