Arnold talks to Rotarians about Child and Family Services programs

Sheila Arnold with Child and Family Service Programs in Kilgore was the guest speaker for the Kilgore Rotary Club on Wednesday.

Arnold has an office in the First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore. But, her church, New Beginnings in Longview, went to Latvia this summer to host a 10-day event similar to a Vacation Bible School. They taught children crafts, games, gave them clothing and supplies and also had Scripture memorization, worship services and other spiritual growth activities.

Arnold described her trip and said the temperature, first of all, never got above 60 so she was cold the entire time she was there. But, she also said the children were swimming in a pond because, to them, this was summer and warm temperatures.

She described one young man who she called Wild Man and told about her bonding experience with him. She said she had never seen a child so hungry, and if she brought back one thing from her trip it is the fact that she never wants to see a child that hungry again.

She said the experience was very nice and that 40 children made professions of faith after the 10-days were completed and the final worship service was being held. She also said the group who went felt like they had made a positive difference in the lives of the children they contacted.

Arnold also described some of the activities she is undertaking through her office in Kilgore, and introduced a case worker who has joined her in her office. She talked about the school supply program which begins this week, and she also talked about several other ventures which will allow the children of Kilgore to be served throughout the year.

Arnold thanked the Kilgore Rotary Club for their involvement with children by hosting the Christmas Store in Kilgore each December. This allows some children to give their parents the only Christmas gift they will receive.

She also thanked the Kilgore Rotary Club for the shoe program they undertook last year, and she is hopeful that private donations will cover the program again this year since the Rotary Club cannot do the same project two years in a row under the guidelines of the District Simplified Grant Program for Rotary International.

In other Rotary news, Charles Whiteside was feted for 27 years of perfect attendance, and Jerry Camp was honored for three years of perfect attendance.

Flags will be put out on Labor Day, September 1, and the club is busy starting work on planning the Fish Fry for this fall.

This week, J.J. Eckert, head football coach at Kilgore College, will be the guest speaker for the Kilgore Rotary Club.

Kilgore Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon in the ballroom of the Meadowbrook Country Club. Guests are welcome.