Arc of the Ozarks celebrates 60 years; police, firefighters face off at Guns N Hoses

Arc of the Ozarks celebrates 60 years

The Arc of the Ozarks is celebrating 60 years of serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The public is invited to join the celebration Aug. 8 at the Timothy Grant Newport Activity Center, 1501 E. Pythian St.

The event will start at 10 a.m., with light refreshment and a program at 11:30 a.m.

Branson church marks 100 years

Last month, Branson Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Founded on June 24, 1924, the church has been on the corner of Commercial and College streets since 1926.

Past and present church members and pastors took part in the June 22-23 celebration, consisting of an ice cream social, dinner and entertainment at College of the Ozarks, a fellowship breakfast and a Centennial Celebration Sunday service. A large quilt containing squares with names and handprints of members and pastors was presented to the congregation to commemorate the centennial and honor the quilters who were an essential part of church history.

Branson Christian Church s the second oldest church in Branson, the oldest in its original location. Learn more at www.bransonchristianchurch.com . Sunday services are at 10:45 a.m.

Guns N Hoses supports BBBS

Get ready for a night of action and community spirit on Aug. 10 when Springfield’s police department and fire department face off in the annual Guns N Hoses Basketball Game, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks.

The event will take place at Glendale High School, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Arrive early to explore Fire and Police vehicles on display before the game tips off at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5 each, and children 12 and under get in free. To purchase tickets visit https://bit.ly/gnh2024 , grab them from either the Springfield Police Department or the Springfield Fire Department, or buy them at the door.

Presented by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, this competition extends beyond the court. Both departments are competing to sell the most tickets, all in the spirit of supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks. Every ticket purchase plays a vital role in fulfilling the organization's mission: building a strong community by connecting local youth with dedicated mentors.

Arvest’s Million Meals raises funds for food

Arvest has announced the bank’s 14th annual Million Meals campaign raised $7,422.25 to help provide the equivalent of 37,111.25 meals to benefit Ozarks Food Harvest. Each year, the Million Meals campaign raises money to feed local communities across Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas while raising awareness about food insecurity. Every dollar raised through the campaign provides up to five meals for local, hungry families. Monetary donations collected during the two-month-long campaign were given directly to food partners to help stock pantries during the busy summer months. Bank-wide, the campaign provided more than 2.6 million meals by donating $524,451 to 85 food partners.

Five other southwest Missouri food pantries also received a total of $11,050 from the campaign. They include Christian Action Ministries in Branson, Harvest Church in Aurora, Least of These in Nixa, L-Life Food Pantry in Lebanon and Webster County Food Pantry in Marshfield.

Mini golf tournament helps Humane Society

The Humane Society of Southwest Missouri will host its second annual Putting for Strays mini golf fundraiser Aug. 5 at Getaway Golf, 3833 E. Sunshine St.

Registration starts at 5:30 p.m., with a shotgun start at 6 p.m. Cost for a four-person team is $60. Sign up at putting4strays.givesmart.com .

Doggy Style Hot Dog food truck will be on site, as well as Getaway Golf’s concessions menu and bar.

The event will also include a lineup of activities, including raffles, games, spin the wheel and more.

Sponsorships are still available. Contact Susan Aromando at saromando@hsswmo.org.

Boys Ranch gets state funding

Good Samaritan Boys Ranch has received an appropriation of $635,000 in the state budget to help cover a portion of the $1.6 million resource center for youth aging out of foster care. Studies show that 31-46% of youth aging out of foster care experience homelessness within five years. The resource center will offer 5,000 square feet of office and warehouse space where these young adults can access furniture, life skills training, and relational support to help them create a home environment that promotes security and well-being. In addition to supporting individual youth aging out of foster care, constructing the resource center will also pave the way for expanding Good Samaritan's female group home program. By relocating furniture in storage to the new resource center, Good Samaritan will be able to enhance living spaces, add therapy rooms, and expand the program to serve more youth. With continued fundraising efforts underway alongside ARPA funding from Greene County, and gifts from the Sunderland Foundation and Hulston Family Foundation, Good Samaritan Boys Ranch remains committed to providing critical support services that benefit the youth who need it most.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Arc of the Ozarks celebrates 60 years; police, firefighters face off at Guns N Hoses