FYI

Parkway Place seniors raise funds for needy 

Residents at Parkway Place, a senior living community in Houston, recently held a gently-used sale to raise funds to assist area families at Christmas.

Items at the sale were donated by residents, staff and the National Charity League, according to a press release.

The event raised nearly $700 which, in part, will be given to the Salvation Army and The Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

The fundraiser was the idea of Vonceil Crowder, a former Salvation Army minister and Parkway Place resident.

“I like to get people involved, and I enjoy helping others,” said Crowder in the press release. “During my 34 years with the Salvation Army, I served in disasters, hurricanes and tornados and I feel I was placed here for a purpose.”

Crowder is president of the assisted living resident council at Parkway Place. The group participates in fundraising activities throughout the year. The residents also recently bagged rice and beans for the Houston Food Bank.

“I think it is wonderful to see how much Parkway Place residents give back to the community,” said Shannon Schmidt, assisted living activity director, in the release. “The activities give the residents purpose and the ability to participate in something that makes a difference in the lives of others.”

Parkway Place is at 1321 Park Bayou Drive, Houston.

For more information, call 281-677-5912 or visit www.bucknerparkwayplace.org

Houston agencies team up to find homes for vets

 Several Houston-area agencies have recently joined to offer housing to homeless veterans.

Agencies involved in the effort include the City of Houston, the Houston Housing Authority, Harris County, the Veterans Administration and multiple local community organizations. The groups want to find homes, social services and jobs for homeless military veterans, especially those with disabilities, according to a press release from the mayor’s office.

“The original goal was to house 100 homeless vets in 100 days,” Mayor Annise Parker said in the release. “We have now doubled that number, but I won’t be satisfied until all our heroes have a safe place to stay at night. To accomplish this goal we will need all of our community partners to remain engaged. Our homeless veterans also have a role to play by accepting the helping hand that is being offered to them.”

For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov/mayor/press/20121109.html

Hadassah event to honor Women of Courage

The ninth annual Hadassah Women of Courage Awards event will be held Sunday, Feb. 10 at the Bayou City Event Center.

According to a press release, the event recognizes extraordinary women who have focused on important issues and have made in a difference in the lives of others. Honorees will include Debbie Levine, Women of Courage founder; Marcie Natan, Hadassah’s national president; and Elizabeth Smart, abduction survivor and child advocate. Smart will also be the keynote speaker at the event.

A silent auction, co-chaired by Memorial resident Melissa Horn and Meyerland resident Julie Handel, will be held at 10:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon, co-chaired by Memorial residents Golda Baker and Ann Baker Ronn and Oak Forest resident Marcie Baker Turrin, at noon.

The cost to attend the event is $118 per ticket. Registration is available online at www.houston.hadassah.org

To sponsor tables or donate auction items, call 713-661-1022 or send an email to houstonadmin@hadassah.org

Proceeds from the event will benefit The Hadassah Medical Organization.

Bayou City Event Center is located at 9401 Knight Road, Houston.