Leon County TEEA holds annual Christmas Party

Receiving thank you gifts for their support of EEA work are AgriLife staffers: L – R: Tommy Neyland, Wendy Neyland, Lenora Oden, Cayla Christianson, Clara Jones and Clayton Loftin. Contributed photo Leon County Texas Extension Education Association had their annual Christmas party and fundraiser Silent Auction on December 9, 2009 at the Jewett United Methodist Church. Proceeds from the event are collected for the educational scholarships awarded by the Leon County EEA Scholarship Committee to 4-H high school recipients yearly.

The homemade fabric Christmas trees were the main centerpieces for each of the 14 tables along with green garland, ornamental silver and gold balls and wrapped packages—just like you would see in your home on Christmas morning—only in miniature. We thank each club for their special touch to the event: a) Jewett EE Club for the decorations; b) kitchen preparations by Buffalo EE Club; c) Oakwood Club’s coordination of the program and entertainment; d) silent auction duties by Normange; and e) Leona/Centerville for registration and name tags.

Attendance was high for the party and the entertainment was absolutely fabulous! Guest speaker, Michael Thomason, had us laughing and sniffling throughout his heart-warming talk on “A Leon County Christmas.” If you have never heard this tale of the …(item to be mentioned only when you hear his presentation—I don’t want to give it away!) you have missed a priceless story. Mike is a wonderful speaker and we in Leon County are glad he and his wife, Judy, have moved from Palestine to our community. He still has his Ranger Heat and Air business in Palestine, but otherwise, he is here.

Special thanks to Pastor Donnie Holt from the Jewett United Methodist Church for allowing us to use their fellowship hall for this occasion. The facilities were wonderful.

Another part of our annual Christmas party is to provide toys and gifts for the Leon County Child Protective Services organization. Each member brings gifts for this worthwhile project. Making a better Christmas for these needy children is part of what Christmas is all about for us.

The fundraiser silent auction bidding was intense and competitive. We raised over $600 towards 4-H scholarships. We at Leon County TEEA will continue to help our “next.generation” to bless this community and country in the future with their career development.

Be on the lookout for informational signs in stores and businesses about our upcoming free Educational Day for any and all people in our community. It will include the following topics: 1) Talking to your Doctor; 2) Protecting our Natural Resources; 3) Connecting Generations; 4) Character and Ethics; and 5) Picture Yourself. It will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Buffalo Civic Center. A covered dish lunch will be provided.