The Family Resource Center of North Texas (FRCNT) strengthens and supports families through education. Our mission is based in PREVENTION. Our goal is to reduce the number of children, women, and men requiring victim’s services. We accomplish this by focusing our efforts on encouraging healthy births and parenting skills, and preventing child abuse, child injury, relationship violence and substance abuse. The agency began serving families in the city of Denton in 1999. The amazing outcomes of the programs spread quickly across the region so that by 2006 the service area had grown to 8 counties. In the past two years, families from more than 90 cities across the state were served and the needs continue to grow.

FRCNT has been recognized for outstanding programs and services by Children’s Trust Fund of Texas, March of Dimes, Texas Dept. of Transportation, Nat. Highway Transportation Safety Admin., U.S. Mayors Conference, Points of Light Foundation, Practical Parent Education, University of Michigan, UNT and TWU.

FRCNT’s award-winning programs include:
•    Prenatal classes
•    Teddy Bear Cottage – incentive program provides
support, coping skills, and parenting skills for
new parents
•    Parenting skills classes and workshops
•    For Kids’ Sake – skills-building workshop
for divorcing parents
•    Substance abuse prevention and intervention
•    Child car passenger seat safety

Family Resale is a major source of dollars to fund the agency’s award-winning programs. Our customers enjoy an upscale shopping experience at resale prices. Family Resale sells clothing, shoes and accessories for the entire family plus housewares, books, DVDs, and jewelry. Quality, gently used donations are always welcome. Our volunteer teams process donations and provide super-friendly customer service. Family Resale is located at 218 W. University at Bolivar in Denton.

Family Ties Luncheon and Silent Auction is our annual fundraising event. We are currently preparing for our upcoming Family Ties event which will be held February 24th at Denton Country Club. We extend a warm invitation for you to join us!  For information on sponsorships or auction donations, contact Fran Moore at 940-566-1800, ext 105 or fmoore@familyresource-nt.org.

The Family Resource Center of North Texas, a 501c3 non-profit agency, is located at 1316 East McKinney Street in Denton.
You can find us on the web at www.familyresource-nt.org

Denton ABATE, our county’s Motorcyclist Rights Organization, spends some of its time riding, some of its time lobbying, and some of its time giving to Denton’s disadvantaged families.

Every year, the bikers host two Toy Runs that benefit Denton County Toy Store and Shop With A Cop.  A food drive is held along with the runs, with the collected non-perishables donated to local food banks.

“We do this from our hearts,” says Kelly McColpin, Run Coordinator for the group. “We’re more than just black leather and loud bikes, we are people who know how hard life can be sometimes, and we want to help where we can.”

Denton ABATE has sponsored a November Toy Run for 13 years, and recently added a Christmas in July Toy Run in memory of one of its members, James “Scruffy” Stevens.  Last year’s Toy Runs drew more than 500 people who donated money, toys, and food to needy families and children.

Sue Hill of Asbury Methodist Church, who spearheads the toy distribution, says “Toy Store provided gifts to over 2200 children last year. Denton ABATE has supported us for longer than I can remember, and when we ran out of toys on distribution day two years ago, they started a second Toy Run.  ABATE has truly blessed us through the joy evident in their giving each year.”

The Toy Run brings together bikers (and a lot of non-riders) from all walks of life, some who are ABATE members and some who just want to contribute to the effort.  The long line of motorcycles include both big chrome Harleys and brightly colored sport bikes, both vest-wearing club members and clean-cut recreational riders, both men and women.

“Charity really is an equal opportunity thing,” says Chapter Coordinator Rick Boland.  “We have everyone here for the same purpose – helping out people who are having a hard time making ends meet during the holidays.”

The Denton ABATE Memorial Toy Run and Food Drive is being held on November 20th at noon, starting at Stonehill Center (formerly the Factory Stores) and proceeding to the toy drop-off at Asbury Methodist Church.  The run will continue to American Legion Post 88 in Lake Dallas, where a party including great food and live music will continue throughout the day. Entry is one new unwrapped toy and a nonperishable food item, or $10.

For more information, call Mandy at 940-368-7189 or email tarynwithat@hotmail.com

Health Services of North Texas Hearts and Heroes “Havana Nights”

September 18th  •  6:00 pm
Silver Eagle Suite
“Havana Nights”, a recreation of the 1940’s-50’s Tropicana nightclub scene in Old Havana, featuring live dancers, authentic cuisine, and the thrilling Sax and Big Band sounds of Johnny Reno.  A silent and live auction, award ceremony, live music and dancing will add to echoing the yesteryear tunes of that era. Tickets are $125 per person and benefit the needy clients of Health Services of North Texas; please contact HSNT at (940) 381-1501 for more information or to purchase tickets.

Access 1st Capital Bank presents The Greater Denton Arts Council’s Fourth Annual Wild Beast Feast

September 25th  •  5:30 to 9:30 pm
North Texas Fair Grounds
A great fun family event for the entire community that features cooking teams from the community preparing a wide variety of “Wild Beast” dishes.  Thad Bounduras and the Fun Addicts will provide live music.  A live auction will be held.  Cooking teams will vie for Best of Beast. All proceeds benefit the Greater Denton Arts Council’s programs and projects.  Don’t miss the great event!
Margaret Chalfant 940-382-2787 or exdir@dentonarts.com
dentonarts.com

Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home Eighth Annual Fall Family Festival

October 9th  •  10 am to 4 pm
Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home Campus
1304 Bernard St.  •  Admission is free
We’ll have giant inflatable’s, pony rides and a petting zoo, a hayride and pumpkin patch, carnival games, a car and truck show, festival food, and much more! All proceeds from the event support CPCH’s programs for vulnerable kids, teens and families.

Denton Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Annual Benefit Musicale

October 17th  •   3:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church of Denton
The Sundance Brass Quintet, comprised of faculty members from the University of North Texas and TAMU-Commerce, will be performing.  All donations benefit music scholarships at UNT and TWU.

Denton Benefit League’s
Eighth Annual Sensational Settings
October 26  •  Denton Country Club
“Every Day’s a Holiday”
For information dentonbenefitleague.org
or call Karen Milnes 940-497-4191

Our Daily Bread Community Soup Kitchen

Our Daily Bread serves a noon meal Monday through Friday to the homeless and those in need. No questions, paperwork or sign-in. Just a desire to provide a daily meal in a safe environment for all who are hungry, as well as physical and emotional support for the needy people of Denton County. Our Daily bread located in the kitchen and fellowship hall of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church at 300 W. Oak Street in downtown Denton. A professional chef, assisted by volunteers from more than 26 local churches and other community organizations, prepares and serves an average of 175 meals a day, Monday-Friday (12:00 noon until 1:15 pm daily, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). Also, snack packs are being offered to patrons for the weekend, when Our Daily Bread is not open.

The program is dependent on the gifts of time, talent and treasures generously given by a large community of volunteers and donors. Individuals, church partners, local business and community groups support the program through volunteer hours, money, grants, goods and prayer.  These folks participate in a wide variety of activities in support of Our Daily Bread, including meal preparation, serving and clean-up, produce and commodity pick-up, agency coordination, special holiday distributions, and fund-raising.  Our Daily Bread receives no local or national funding.

Clients also have other programs available to meet their needs. A volunteer Program Director works closely with clients, referring them to appropriate agencies such as HOPE Inc., Interfaith Ministries, Family Resource Center and area Clinics.  Bus tokens and gasoline vouchers are made available for necessary transportation needs.  Hygiene products are distributed as needed and a nurse is available once a week for blood pressure checks.

The food is good, nourishing and filling.  The hearts of those who serve and those who are served at Our Daily Bread are filled too, with gratitude. There are many types of volunteer opportunities, as well as supplies and food items that Our Daily Bread always needs. Or, just come and visit.  Homelessness is isolating, and you can help by starting a game of chess or checkers, or discuss the latest book you read. Come be a part of something that makes a difference in Denton County.

For more information, contact Helen at 940 262 0871
or Billie at 940 271 4712, www.ourdailybreaddenton.org

A new sign, donated by First State Bank as part of their sponsorship program, could mean a lot of extra money for Ryan High School’s baseball team. The local bank is placing a new sign in the school’s stadium, offering donations in $2,000 increments when players hit the sign on a home run.

The colorful sign will display First State Bank’s traditional logo along with the slogan, “We hang it. You bang it.”  Ryan High School Baseball Coach, Bret Warnack said, “First State Bank has been  a mainstay in the Denton Community. The Raider Baseball program is proud and appreciative to have their support for our student-athletes.”  The new sign is just one example of the commitment First State Bank has in giving back to the local communities it serves.

“We support our community in a variety of ways, and this is just another example of how we can help,” said Marty Rivers, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of First State Bank. “The bank is excited to help Ryan High School’s baseball program. They rely on the booster club for a lot of their funding. The money will be a big help for them,” Rivers concluded.

Chartered in 1905, First State Bank is the oldest state bank in Texas. Combining the friendly customer service of hometown banking with innovative, state-of-the-art technology, First State Bank brings you a legacy of banking experience. First State Bank has 8 locations throughout North Texas, and a new branch is currently under construction in Rayzor Ranch and opening this summer.

For more information about First State Bank, please visit www.F-S-B.com.

Impacting Generations One Step At a Time

By Stacey Duncan

As an eighteen-year-old college freshman, she had it all: a new red Mustang for graduation, the latest designer clothes, and some great friends . . . when suddenly she discovered she might be pregnant.

What would she do?  How would she find help, information, and a caring, listening ear?   A friend told her about the Woman to Woman Pregnancy Resource Center, a clinic that offers free pregnancy testing and information on all pregnancy options. Woman to Woman is an organization that offers practical assistance to women and their families facing unplanned pregnancies.  But Woman to Woman doesn’t only serve pregnant women, it also offers services like STD testing, relationship education, and peer counseling at no charge.

Woman to Woman is a nonprofit organization supported through monetary and material donations.  New and gently used household items, furniture, and clothing are donated and sold through the Twice as Nice Resale, located at 413 East Oak Street (at the corner of Bell and Oak) in Denton.

This year’s Walk for Life offers an opportunity to gather pledges and walk a short two mile distance to benefit this local organization that has been providing practical assistance to women in unplanned pregnancies since 1986. Multiple locations offer supporters a convenient location to walk and enjoy family-friendly activities.

If you would like to help Woman to Woman Pregnancy Resource impact generations by participating in the Walk for Life, pledge forms are available at Twice as Nice Resale after March 15th. The Walk for Life will be held Saturday, May 1st. If you have any questions, email info@dentonprc.org or call 940-383-3150.

Woman to Woman is impacting generations one step at a time – won’t you walk with us?