News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, November 9, 2016 A3 Words for Thirds program give students a vocabulary boost By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle Samaritan’s Purse/Kim E. Rowland Operation Christmas Child morning shoebox distribution through Jesus Loves You Church in Thmey village, Svay Rieng province, Cambodia. Big gifts come in small packages By Rylan Boggs Blue Mountain Eagle Operation Christmas Child is about to send shoeboxes filled with gifts to children in need around the world. Local donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, at Cornerstone Christian Fel- lowship, 139 NE Dayton St., John Day. Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes filled with donated gifts and hygiene products to give to children in hospitals, orphan- ages, refugee camps, areas af- fected by natural disasters and other situations of extreme poverty. Since 1993, the organi- zation has delivered over 135,000,000 shoeboxes all over the world. Last year, Grant County residents donat- ed about 780 shoeboxes. “The shoebox gifts donat- ed by John Day volunteers at these drop-off locations will shine a light of hope to chil- dren living in poverty over- seas,” said Michael Ishmael, Northwest Regional Direc- tor for Operation Christmas Child. “Anyone is welcome to pack a shoebox and help a child facing difficult circum- stances to feel loved and not forgotten.” Those interested in do- nating gifts should pick up a shoebox and information- al brochure at participating churches or Len’s Drug. Those donating can pick whether they would like to send gifts to a boy or girl and choose an age category, 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Items such as toys, school supplies and hy- giene items are encouraged, while items such as war toys, liquids and anything that may break or melt should be left out. Anyone donating can also include $7 for shipping. For more information on Operation Christmas Child, call (253) 572-1155 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. For more information about local donations, call Carla Teague at 503-899-7543 or 541-820- 3682. Several hands shot up as American Legion Auxilia- ry member Joyce Nodine asked a group of Humbolt Elementary third-graders the definition of “veteran” last Wednesday. “A soldier who fights for the country,” said one student. Nodine, a retired teach- er, was visiting the school on behalf of the auxilia- ry, which, along with the Mt. Vernon Grange, do- nated copies of the “Mer- riam-Webster’s Dictionary for Children” as part of the Words for Thirds program. The two organizations have partnered for over 20 years in the effort. Nodine explained how the auxiliary works to help veter- ans and their families, as well as children. She told the children the importance of the word “help” and that the dictionar- ies can help them build their vocabulary. Other auxiliary members assisting were auxiliary pres- ident Ruth Harris and Jessie Lewis. Grange members Mary Ellen Brooks and Jean Sagert also spoke to the group of 44 third-graders, describing how the grange supports youth and youth programs such as 4-H. Fundraising efforts in- cluding the American Legion The Eagle/Angel Carpenter Jean Sagert of the Mt. Vernon Grange hands out Merriam-Webster dictionaries to third-graders at Humbolt Elementary School in Canyon City. Students at Seneca, Long Creek and Dayville schools also received dictionaries from grange and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers. hamburger stand at the Grant County Fair and the Christ- mas bazaar at the Grange help raise money for the books. Students from Seneca, Long Creek, Monument and Dayville schools also received dictionaries, and Prairie City students have Words for Thirds through Prairie City’s American Legion Auxiliary. A total of 44 students from Joan Walczyk and Caroline Colson’s third-grade classes at Humbolt received the books, each child thanking the vol- unteers. Jean Sagert hands dictionaries to Natalee Clarry and Dominic Donathon, behind her, and other third-graders in line last Wednesday at Humbolt Elementary School. Jean Sagert is a member of the Mt. Vernon Grange and, in foreground, Jessie Lewis is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Veterans and students rub elbows in Long Creek Blue Mountain Eagle Several veterans were welcomed at Long Creek School on Monday where they shared their experienc- es serving in the military. About 45 students in grades 7 through 12 from Long Creek and Ukiah at- tended the veterans presen- tation. This is the second year Ju- lie Menennga, a Long Creek English and social studies teacher, has organized the event. She said she enjoyed watching the students visit with the veterans. “It was touching to watch the kids interact with the men, and just watching their faces, they were completely involved with listening,” she said. Long Creek students helped with preparations, making posters, including hand-writing the names of all the Oregon men and women known to have died or gone missing in action, listed by county. Among the presenters were Mennenga’s father, Larry, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, and Karl Coghill, a teacher at Long Creek School. A group Veterans of For- eign Wars from Union fold- ed the U.S. flag while Long Creek student Jaynee Davis read the symbolic meaning behind each fold. Junior Emile Stainier, a Long Creek student from Belgium, said he enjoyed the presentation, and already knew some of the history. “My host family’s dad also served in Vietnam,” he said. Junior Lorrayne Costa, a Long Creek student from Brazil was also at the pre- sentation. “I liked it when the vet- erans did the flag-folding ceremony,” she said. “It was interesting, the reason for each fold.” Freshman James Kream- ier said he helped make the posters and spoke to the au- dience. “I spoke about what hap- pened to the men who signed the Declaration of Indepen- dence,” he said. “The ones that the British captured were tried as traitors, and many were on the run and had to hide their families.” He was left with a great- er appreciation for veterans and Veterans Day. Menennga said the school plans to make this an annual event, and more veterans are always welcome to sign up to help. Students and staff of Long Creek and Ukiah schools enjoy viewing a display of military pins and other memorabilia at Monday’s veterans presentation at Long Creek School. Cowboy Chapel Hour Contributed photo/Linda Studtmann “This is set up for the students so they can under- stand the sacrifice that vet- erans give for our students and for our country,” she said. Your Rural Fa mily Health Clinic KJDY, Sunday, 7 a.m. “It’s “Easy me again Listening” Lord.” MOVIE SCHEDULE NOV. 11 - NOV. 17 HACKSAW RIDGE R WWII Army Medic Desmond T. Doss refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. FRI & SAT (12:45) (3:45) 6:45 9:30 (12:45) (3:45) 6:45 9:35 SUNDAY MON-THURS (12:45) (4:10) 6:45 9:35 DOCTOR STRANGE PG-13 A former neurosurgeon embarks on a journey of healing only to be drawn into the world of the mystic arts. FRI & SAT (12:45) (4:00) 7:00 9:40 SUNDAY (12:45) (4:00) 7:00 9:35 MON-THURS (12:45) (4:10) 7:00 9:35 TROLLS PG After Troll Village is invaded, Poppy, the happiest Troll ever born, sets off on a journey to rescue her friends. FRI & SAT (12:45) (4:10) 7:10 9:35 (12:45) (4:10) 7:10 9:35 SUNDAY MON-THURS (12:45) (4:10) 7:10 9:35 $9 Adult, $7 Senior (60+), Youth Grant County HEALTH Department 528 E. Main, St. E, John Day Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm Services Provided: Karen Triplett, FNP • Primary Care • Acute Care • Women’s Health Exams • Men and Children Exams • Immunizations • Family Planning • Contraception • Pregnancy Testing & Referrals • HIV Testing & Referrals • Cacoon • WIC • High Risk Infants • Maternity Case Management Grant County Health Department does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activitie s, or in employment. Appointments available Call and schedule your appointment today! TOLL FREE 888-443-9104 or 541-575-0429 Bravery lives forever. Blue Mountain Chiropractic proudly salutes all the brave men and women who serve our country and those who gave their lives to protect ours. Baker City 2830 10th St. 541-524-0122 1913 Main Street • Baker City 524-1999 • Monday - Saturday 9:30 - 5:30 BLUE MOUNTAIN CHIROPRACTIC 155 NW 1st Ave., John Day • 541-575-1063 Every other Monday in John Day at Blue Mountain Hospital 170 Ford Rd. 541-575-1311 04718 By Angel Carpenter