HNwCC Community Food Pantry ready to serve

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September, 2012
HNwCC Community Food Pantry ready to serve
After months of preparation, the Houston Northwest Community Food Pantry recently opened on the campus of Bear
Creek United Methodist Church at 16000 Rippling Water Drive in northwest Houston.
Bridging the gap left by the departure of another neighborhood assistance ministry more than two years ago, the facility is the only pantry in the Bear Creek/
Copperfield area which provides emergency food relief to those in need. Hours of
operation are the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Hundreds of volunteers collected food to stock
the shelves of the Community Food Pantry. Copperfield and Bear Creek area Boy Scouts, Cub
Scouts as well as their leaders and families participated in the initial effort, which yielded more than
8500 pounds of nonperishable goods.
“We are delighted that our pantry is now a reality,” explained Karen Clayton, who chairs the
Community Food Pantry. “However, its opening is
just the beginning. We are looking for partners — individuals, churches and businesses —
to help the pantry grow.”
Clayton said current needs include canned and jarred food products, especially vegetables, meat, soups and pasta. Helping hands are also appreciated to sort and distribute
donations. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up by contacting Karen Clayton at 281859-8655 or karenc5759@comcast.net.
Boots, Buck les and Bolos Gala - Sunday, Oc tober 21
HNwCC kicks off its third anniversary with Boots, Buckles
and Bolos, a gala celebration at Pine Forest Country Club on
Sunday, October 21. Doors swing open at 6:00 p.m.
“Come comfy — no ties and suits allowed — and ready to
party,” said HNwCC Board member Janelle Meyer, who is
chairing the gala. “This event is as much to let the community know what we have done to improve lives of children
and families, as it is to raise a few dollars to support the programs.”
Individual tickets are $50 in advance and may be purchased
by contacting the website or HNwCC (281-859-8655) which
will receive a prompt response. Table sponsorships are also
available.
Festivities include a barbecue buffet and toe-tapping music as
well as silent and live auctions.
The event will honor Copperfield Area YMCA Community Affairs Director Catherine Hollis; KHOU-TV Channel 11 Sportscaster Matt Musil; and Boy Scouts of America Senior District
Director Robert Gonzalez. Each honoree has played an instrumental role in HNwCC’s continued growth.
Boots, Buckles and Bolos will be emceed by the New 93Q Radio’s “Cactus Jack” Barnes. Country and pop music band “The
Guzzlers” will entertain.
Tickets will not be sold at the door. Those interested in supporting HNwCC by attending the event and/or donating
goods or services will find more details at hnwcc.org..
A summer worth celebrating . . .
Matt Musil inspires better basketball, good sportsmanship
An incredible cadre of coaches, professional athletes and volunteers joined KHOU-TV Channel 11 Sportscaster Matt Musil in
June to teach 71 youngsters the fundamentals of basketball.
Brett Gunning, Orlando Majic Assistant Coach, was on hand to remind the young players that being on a team is important,
and that you only learn if you pay attention and look for your teammates in working together.
For the 6-year-olds, it was challenging. The older boys and girls were encouraged to execute good passing and defense , to
practice, and never quit working at being better.
Musil’s reason for sponsoring the basketball camp for 12 years is simple: “It’s a passion of mine to watch kids learn to play
sports that I enjoy.”
“Real Cool” Summer Camp reels in raves
It was a hot summer program that promised to be “real cool.” But to the campers, it was just plain fun. In partnering with
friends on the Bear Creek UMC campus, games, athletics, and learning created such an excitement among the young campers
that many did not want to leave at the end of the day.
“One mother said that she had never seen her son so excited about science,” said Joanne Cox, program director, who credits
her amazing team of instructors for developing “real cool” times that included crafts, games and field trips.
ESL/GED Program enriches lives
“I want to hear the awards
that my children receive in
school at the end of the
year,” said Sandra Garcia, a
mother of three. “So I must
learn English.”
Garcia admits that once her
children were embarrassed to
speak English to her at home;
today they are proud that
after one year, she is rapidly
progressing through the English as a Second Language (ESL) program conducted by Harris
County Department of Education and hosted by HNwCC on
the Bear Creek United Methodist Church campus.
In thinking about how the program has changed her life, Sandra added: “I could not read the words on the side of the
packages in the store, but now I can. I also participate easily in
conversations with people who speak only English. I join in
and order items in the restaurant in English.”
Kay Vacarro, director for Harris County Department of Education was pleased to see six ESL classes filled for the six-week
term from July through August. About 180 adult students
from a variety of countries, are working hard to master English so they can progress to the GED program, an essential
step for admission to a vocational school in Texas. Last year,
there were 411 students, with 27 receiving GED diplomas at
the end of the year.
School supplies support students
Thank you Keller Williams Realty Greater Northwest Office and its
over 100 agents for collecting school supplies that were distributed to
kids in the Bear Creek/Copperfield area by HNwCC. Keller Williams
welcomes donations of gently used heavy coats beginning in October, with drop off at its Highway 290/FM 1960 office.
Moving forward . . .
Houston Northwest Community Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation which seeks to address needs of emergency food, parenting support, adult education, child care, and family support in the communities in northwest Houston. It serves children and adults in present
need for a hand up.
Organized in 2009 with the inspiration of then Bear Creek Methodist
pastor, Dr. Burt Palmer, HNwCC reaches out to neighborhoods, businesses, schools, agencies and churches. Many corporations may extend matching gifts to this non-faith based charity matching funds
given by their employees.
Anyone interested in learning more about HNwCC, donating or volunteering is invited to call 281-859-8655. Your inquiry will be promptly
returned.
Donations to support the many programs of HNwCC are welcomed.
Every gift is appreciated. Tax deductible gifts may be sent to: P.O. Box
841075, Houston, Texas 77084-1075.
Golf with the stars November 12
Is golf your game? Mark your calendar for Monday, November 12 to play golf with KHOU-TV
Channel 11 Sportscaster Matt Musil and sports
celebrities at the 22nd Annual Matt Musil All-Star
Golf Classic. This year’s move to BlackHorse Ranch
places the tournament closer to many participants. Players of the BlackHorse course appreciate
both its beauty and challenges.
Matt Musil All-Star Golf Classic is a charity that provides support throughout the community, including Houston Northwest Community Center, a cobeneficiary of this year’s tournament proceeds.
Individuals or foursomes may reserve a spot by
calling HNwCC at 281-859–8655.
Immunizations prepare kids for school
Uninsured families took advantage of the VAXANATION
program hosted by HNwCC on the Bear Creek UMC campus, Saturday, August 18. Low-cost shots for polio, measles, mumps, TDPP and Meningitis were given to children
in the back-to-school shot clinic. More clinics will be scheduled as needed.
HOUSTON NORTHWEST
COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Larry Burleson
Vice President, Gasfrac, Inc.
Karen Clayton
Educator, Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District
Martin Loa
Program Director, Harris County Department of Education
Janelle Meyer
Treasurer, Meyer Instruments, Inc.
Torrey Mosvold
Senior Vice President, Scandrill, Inc.
Frank Nance
Chief Financial Officer
Marks Balette & Giessel
M
Harry Thomson, Jr.
Attorney, Law Office of Harry M. Thomson, Jr.
OFFICERS
President
Harry Thomson
Treasurer
Frank Nance
Secretary
Janelle Meyer
Community Food Pantry Chair
Karen Clayton
Our Northwest Houston Community
Bounded by I-10 on the south, Beltway 8 on the East, I-290 on the north and Fry Road on the west, your Houston Northwest area is primarily residential. It hosts 22 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and six high schools, in both the Cypress-Fairbanks and Katy Independent School Districts and is home to approximately 200,000 residents.
Our neighbors come from over 80 countries, seeking a better life with the promise of a great education in the Cypress
Fairbanks and Katy independent school districts.
Within our 24-neighborhood suburban community, there are many “urban” issues, including crime.
The sad reality is that many struggle paycheck to paycheck with an emotional impact on their children. Incomes vary, but
a majority of the schools are Title I meaning that the school receives significant federal funding due to the income levels
of the families. Addressing the simplest needs for kids can place them mentally ready for school and learning – a key to a
better life.
Houston Northwest Community Center presents . . .
BOOTS, BUCKLES AND BOLOS GALA
Sunday, October 21 at Pine Forest Country Club
See details on Page 1!