Housekeepers Help Women Battling Cancer
A Lewisville-based nonprofit organizes professional housekeeping businesses that donate their services to women who are receiving cancer treatment, The Star-Telegram reports. Debbie Sardone created the Cleaning for a Reason Foundation a little less than three years ago. By her calculation, its volunteers have donated services worth $180,000. "It’s probably been my greatest joy in my career," said Sardone, who owns a Lewisville-based cleaning company that covers Flower Mound, Frisco and other nearby cities. "We’ve helped over 1,100 women." Click here to read this story from the Star-Telegram.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Builts Keller Family New Home
The Augustins of Keller take the spotlight in "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The lucky family received the treatment after they had to leave a flood-damaged house last year. The Augustins also support the March of Dimes and created a group called "Tiny Works of Heart" to take pictures of prematurely born babies at local hospitals without charge. The foundation's photography studio was in the Augustin's garage -- which was flooded out on Father's Day in 2007 along with the rest of the house. Click here to read this story and see photos on NBCDFW.com
Teacher to Use Prize to Boost Girls’ Health
A desire to present a course for sixth-grade female students on healthy living earned a Sanger teacher a $5,000 cash prize recently, the Denton Record Chronicle reports. The Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund -- a contest funded by Avon Products Inc. -- named Sanger Sixth Grade Campus science and health teacher Kathy Hootman its weekly contest winner last week. The contest recognizes people for their work in presenting programs that improve society while also empowering girls and young women. Click here to read this story from the Denton Record Chronicle.
Coppell Artist Designs White House Christmas Ornament
Jerry Malzahn, a 62-year-old Coppell resident, has a hand-painted Christmas ornament hanging on the 30-foot evergreen Christmas tree in the White House, the Coppell Gazette reports. His Christmas ornament has a Texas emblem and a landscape that includes a bright blue sky and a field of bluebonnet flowers. Malzahn painted an outline of the state of Texas at the bottom of the ornament, just in case it was placed high on the tree and out of general view. To his surprise, the ornament he painted was placed in the center of the tree at eye level. “It was just an honor to be selected, much less have my ornament placed at such a great venue,” said Malzahn. “I was overcome with joy when I saw my ornament hanging there.” Click here to read this story from the the Coppell Gazette.
Clinic Initiates Food Drive and Offers Donors Free Back and Spinal Exams
From Tuesday through Friday, Cornerstone Chiropractic will offer a free spinal exam to any community member that drops off nonperishable canned food items at the clinic, the Frisco Enterprise reports. All food collected will be donated to Frisco Family Services Center at 8780 Third St. and will be used to help feed Frisco residents who are in need during Christmas. "This is a great way for us to be involved in the Frisco community and make a difference, both by helping raise food for families in need and by offering a free evaluation for those suffering from back pain, headaches and other spinal-related problems," said Dr. William Goolsby of Cornerstone Chiropractic and Health Centers. Click here to read this story from the Frisco Enterprise.
Injured Puppy Sparks Aid for Others
Efforts by Denton resident Julie Hudson and the city of Denton Animal Shelter helped a puppy and made way for the creation of an emergency medical fund for animals, the Denton Record Chronicle reports. An 8-week-old Australian shepherd puppy, now named Woody, was picked up as a stray on Feb. 10. He was seriously injured with wounds on his eye, shoulder and lip. At the request of Debbie Lhotka of Denton Animal Services, the puppy was examined by local veterinarian Dr. Granville Wright. Wright determined that the major injury was due to the puppy being shot by a bow and arrow. Wright and Lhotka paid the initial medical expenses, because they felt the puppy should be given a chance for adoption and knew the puppy would require additional surgery. Click here to read this story from the Denton Record Chronicle.
