Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Master Wellness Volunteer Program
Did you know that Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers contributed 55 hours of volunteer service in April? From helping with Kids’ Safe Saturday to Kids’ Camp planning, from assisting with the Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes series to helping distribute educational information at the Region 8 Education Service Center Parent Fair, our certified volunteers have helped make an impact!
Finding reliable resources of health and wellness information can be a challenge. Since 1906, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has provided Texans with guidance in various health areas and is now training volunteers to provide more communities with the education and tools needed for healthy living.
The Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative is an AgriLife Extension program that provides volunteers with 40 hours of training in health and nutrition education. In return, the volunteers agree to give back 40 hours of service. The volunteer opportunities are diverse – giving presentations for local community groups, assisting with periodic cooking schools, distributing information at health fairs, and much more. Previous health or wellness training is not required, but an interest in living healthfully and helping others do the same is a key factor.
Nell Shipp, long-time volunteer, is perhaps the most “seasoned” volunteer, and she always provides a smile and a hug! She was recognized in 2014 as the Outstanding Extension Volunteer of the Year at our annual Extension Leadership Banquet. Nell took the very first training offered in Hopkins County (2007), and has not slowed down one bit!
Volunteer training for the next program will be held in January and February, 2017, in five sessions (one day a week for five weeks). Tentative dates are on Mondays, January 30, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2017. The training will focus on physical activity, nutrition, food safety and food demonstrations, child health, various AgriLife Extension health programs, and more. The first and last training days will be face-to-face, with the other sessions being offered face-to-face or on-line, whichever is most convenient to participants.
If you are undecided about taking the training, but would be interested in learning more, put this date on your calendar: Thursday, July 21, 2016. A regional Master Wellness Volunteer Conference will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension & Research Center, in Dallas. I will be taking a carload of current volunteers and invite anyone else who would like to attend. The conference will be from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m. Contact my office at 903-885-3443 for more information!
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education – Last Call!
As of this writing, five couples have signed up for the Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. That’s a good group, but we have room for more! This workshop has had great reviews, and the price can’t be beat – free! Topics covered are: Marriage Expectations, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Money Management, and Goals & Dreams. Video, couple interactions, and group discussions are all part of the workshop.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and perhaps the best advantage is the great information couples receive. Engaged couples have an added advantage of saving $60 when applying for a marriage license.
Whether engaged, seriously dating, or married, all couples are invited to participate. To sign up, simply call my office at 903-885-3443. For more information, go to www.twogetherintexas.com.
Closing Thought
“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is like eggs and ham for breakfast: the chicken was involved, the pig was committed” – unknown
