Mid-Cities

THE CONNECTION Care Corps

Published by Mid-Cities Care Corps (MCCC)

www.midcitiescarecorps.org Fall 2009

MID-CITIES CARE CORPS VOLUNTEER HONORED

WITH THE LONE STAR LEGEND AWARD
The North Texas Volunteer
Center (NTVC) held their an-
nual Lone Star Salute at the
Stampede Room in the Stock-
yard’s Station on September 16.
The Lone Star Salute celebrates
volunteerism in Tarrant Coun-
ty. Mid-Cities Care Corps was
recognized and honored in two
ways during this celebration
attended by representatives
from 38 non-profit organiza-
tions and businesses support-
ing this effort from throughout
the area.
Jo Ann Pankey received the
2009 Lone Star Legend Award
for her service to Mid-Cities
Care Corps (MCCC). For nine JO ANN ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM MIKE SNYDER painting Ms. Ione’s home and
years Jo Ann has been the Tuesday voice for
MCCC. Jo Ann began as a volunteer driver and lat-
er became the office volunteer responsible for an-
swering client calls for rides and scheduling MCCC
volunteers for drives. Her gentle spirit is always on
display as she talks with the clients, and her efficien- to working with MCCC again on the May 15, 2010
cy coordinating transportation through volunteers
is incredible. Jo Ann’s dedication and commitment
for volunteerism at MCCC is exemplary. MCCC is
thrilled to have a caring volunteer honored along
with other individuals in Tar-
rant county for their legendary
and kindred volunteer spirit. Jo
Ann is a valued MCCC volun-
teer worthy of the recognition
as a 2009 Lone Star Salute
Honoree!
MCCC was also recognized
during the celebration for our
participation in the 2009 North
Texas Volunteer Challenge. Al-
con Laboratories was recog-
nized as the corporation with
the most employee volunteer
participants from the
Metroplex. The Alcon corpo-
rate team participated in the
MCCC project on July 11,
tending to extensive hedge trimming on her proper-
ty. Ms. Tamara, Manager of Community Involve-
ment at Alcon, shared that all the Alcon employees
who participated at the MCCC site were very
touched by the experience and Alcon is committed
challenge. Thanks to all the friends of MCCC who
have contributed to the mission over the years. The
legacy of MCCC continues to grow within the non-
profit community in our serving area!

MCCC REACHES NEW HEIGHTS: 100/1000

Mid-Cities Care Corps reached two significant highlights in August!! We completed 103 Helping Hands
Work Orders and 1008 Drives year-to-date!! We are very grateful to all our caring volunteers who give their
time and talents to enable MCCC to reach this milestone so early in the year. Mid-Cities Care Corps is out in
the community attending Health Fairs and Mission Fairs, spreading the word about our services to senior
neighbors, and seeking new volunteers. We ask that you keep your eyes and ears open in your community for
potential needs, perhaps a senior neighbor who needs transportation for a medical appointment or could use a
helping hand with the leaves, general yard maintenance, or washing windows. As the population of Northeast
Tarrant County continues to age, Mid-Cities Care Corps will be there for our senior neighbors providing our
core service of transportation and “helping hands” services to enable our senior neighbors to stay independent
and in their homes as long as possible. Thanks again to our volunteers for helping us reach new heights!!
 Page 2 THE CONNECTION

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE CONNECTION

The Mid-Cities Care Corps (MCCC) quarterly CONNECTION publication is focused on highlighting hap-
penings at MCCC. While national media is experiencing market share declines with the advent of the elec-
tronic age, the MCCC newsletter distribution continues to grow in response to an audience that still wel-
comes information in print.
Another dividend of the quar-
terly CONNCECTION publica-
tion is the behind the scenes vol-
unteer time shared with support-
ers who help collate, fold, and
apply mailing labels for distribu-
tion of over 1,000 copies each
mailing. As Darlene shared when
the process was completed at a
recent session, “Wait a minute, I
have more stories to tell”.
Thanks to all the MCCC sup-
porters who volunteer time to
compile the newsletter. Please
call the office if you would like to be included on the list of folks contacted when we go to press. Be assured
by volunteering you will know, as the infamous saying of Paul Harvey, “the rest of the story”.

HOLIDAY BASKETS: A MCCC TRADITION CONTINUES

One of the most cherished traditions of MCCC is the Holiday Basket Program. MCCC has been
matching Senior Neighbors with churches, civic groups and individual families for over 10 years.
Holiday Baskets provide some Christmas Spirit at an often lonely time of year for seniors. The Holi-
day Basket recipients receive a selection of groceries and goodies that allow them to prepare a spe-
cial dinner, and the Holiday Basket providers have the joy of being able to bring cheer to someone in
need, an opportunity to share some special holiday memories, and a hug as well.
The Holiday Basket request form has been included in this newsletter (to
senior neighbor mailing list only). We ask that our Senior Neighbors who
are in need of a basket fill out the form and return it to us by October 31.
If your church or group would like to provide and deliver baskets, contact
our office (817-282-0531), and we will get you on our list. We also welcome
individuals and families to this Christmas outreach.
We also partner with The Wellington Retirement Community in North
Richland Hills for their “Sugar Plum Christmas” tree display. Visitors to The
Wellington are able to view an array of fully decorated trees and vote for
their favorite tree by placing a gift for the “young at heart” under that tree.
MCCC coordinates the distribution of gifts to Senior Neighbors on Christ-
mas morning. The trees are sold via a silent auction with proceeds going to MCCC programs. The
Wellington invites local businesses to explore donating a fully decorated tree by calling Beverly
Brewer, Marketing Manager at 817-577-0226. Consider stopping by The Wellington to get the holi-
day spirit and support the cause.
MCCC hopes you will share the Spirit of Christmas with our Senior Neighbors this year.
 Mid-Cities Care Corps Page 3

DIRECTOR’S MUSINGS:
The expectation I share with every prospective new volunteer is once you become a MCCC volun-
teer you will have a story to share. The genuine expressions of appreciation and a thank you from a sen-
ior are the simple but priceless rewards for volunteering with MCCC.
This observation hit home for me in a very heartrending way September 16th. I arrived at the office
and was advised of a voice message from a neighbor of Juanita Storey informing us that Juanita had passed
away. Juanita, like so many of the MCCC clients, had a unique personality, a feisty independent West
Texas persona that was so engaging to me. I’m certain volunteers of MCCC understand this sentiment,
whether it was Juanita or the personality of another senor neighbor MCCC calls clients. Going the “extra
mile” was a natural reaction to Juanita’s requests for assistance.
The beauty is that I and many MCCC volunteers have a “Storey” of how Juanita touched our lives.
Upon reflection, the service provided always started out as an outreach to assist a senior neighbor in
need, but with Juanita it always ended up being an entertaining and rewarding memory to be cherished
for a lifetime!
The mission of MCCC is “to preserve the independence of senior neighbors in N.E. Tarrant County”.
The reward IS the “Storey” and the lasting memories that touch our lives through volunteering.

Blessings, Duane E. Buuck

Helping Hands — Come in all Sizes & Ages
A volunteer group from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS) Catholic Church demonstrated that
“helping hands” come in all sizes and ages. This group of six families, a bible study group, want-
ed an outreach opportunity for all the family members to experience and address needs in the
community. David, a father in the group, volunteered to explore such opportunities and contacted
Mid-Cities Care Corps (MCCC).
MCCC provided a client project that the group tackled on September 27th. What a hoot to see
the “expressions” on the 14 youngsters of the families as they tended to the yard clean-up and
painting the home, guided and encouraged by their parents. Everyone pitched in to make a real
difference! When one of the kids was asked the best experience of the day, he paused to reflect
and shared “being here today”!
The objective of the MCCC Helping Hands
program is to tend to minor home mainte-
nance and repairs for our senior neighbors to
enable them to stay in their home as long as
possible. This program is an exciting MCCC
outreach that has expanded in 2009 because
of the interest and support of faith based
groups and friends in the area. Please be an
ambassador for MCCC by:
 Being the eyes and ears for such sen-
ior neighbor needs in the community
 Encouraging your friends, your church
family or civic organization to become
MCCC Helping Hands volunteers
Thanks to the members of SEAS for
demonstrating the value of “helping hands” of all sizes when combined with a spirit to focus on
needs in our community.
 817-282-0531
Permit No. 9 Hurst, TX 76054
U. S. Postage Paid
745 W. Pipeline Road
Non– Profit Organization
Mid-Cites Care Corps

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE 2009-10

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS November 25-November 29
Last Day for Drives 2009: DECEMBER 18
Mid-Cities Care Corps Office Open for Calls: Dec. 21 & Dec. 22
Mid-Cities Care Corps Office Closed: Dec. 23, 2009-Jan.1, 2010
Mid-Cities Care Corps Office Open for Calls: January 4, 2010
First Day for Drives 2010: JANUARY 6
Please be aware of the Holiday Schedule as you make your appointments for year end.
Drives for Jan. 6th-9th, 2010 need to be made by Dec. 18.