Tour to raise money for community projects by Starkville Civic League

BY GWEN SISSON
sdnlife@bellsouth.net [2]

With a variety of ideas for a beautifully decorated Christmas, the 2010 Christmas Tour of Homes will not disappoint.
This year, four home in the Sherwood Forrest Subdivision will be part of the annual event that raises money for the Starkville Civic League. Tickets will be on sale from 1:30 to 5 p.m. today at the Starkville Public Library for $20. Refreshments will also be available at the library.
Homes featured on the 2010 Christmas Tour of Homes includes the Carey and Bonnie Hardin home, the Tom and Lynda McReynolds home, the Robert and Vicki Katz home and the home of Amy Tuck.
Starkville Civic League has hosted the Christmas Tour of Homes event since 2003 as a fund-raiser for the organization. The proceeds from the Tour of Homes event helps to fund a wide variety of community projects sponsored by the Starkville Civic League.
Some of the community projects the Tour of Homes event helped to finance this past year includes:
• Presented each year $1,500 scholarship to local high school graduate;
• Adopted two elementary school classes presented each teacher $200 to purchase items not typically included in the school budget;
• Club members provided tutoring for class members, provided refreshments for special occasions, and school supply gifts at Christmas with each child receiving a book as a Christmas gift;
• Supported the Starkville Public Library where books were purchased monthly in honor of program leaders for Civic League meetings;
• Supported the Starkville Cemetery Association in its effort to rehabilitate and maintain Odd Fellows Cemetery. Purchased and erected the urns at the University Drive entrance gates; planted trees in the cemetery and landscaped the entrances; and provided volunteer assistance for restoration of grave markers;
• Participated and assisted in community recycling program;
• Sponsored monthly bingo for residents at Starkville Manor Nursing Home and provided small prizes for all participants;
• Provided volunteers for Salvation Army “Ringing of the Bells;”
• Gave a $500 donation to Catch a Dream Organization;
• Provided volunteers for Starkville-MSU Symphony Children’s Concerts;
• Made financial contribution to CLARE’S BEARS;
• Club members contributed items for the “Friendship House Garage Give-Away” at Mississippi State University;
• Made financial contribution to Habitat for Humanity and provided lunches for volunteer workers;
• Made financial contribution to Palmer Home as a memorial for Mrs. Ruth Camp, founder of the SCL, and purchased the Palmer Home Cookbooks to assist with their fund-raising project;
• Contributed $6,000 toward purchase of downtown clock;
• Contributed combined total of $2,500 to the Oktibbeha County Hospital (for purchase of large planters for front entrance to hospital building) and to the Heritage Museum (for purchase of needed display cabinets);
• Participated in “Heavenly Hats” Program for cancer patients;
• Provided Military Family Support by sending cards to deployed, packing boxes of goodies; and provided funds at Starkville Daily News Office to assist with shipping;
• Provided stuffed toys to the Starkville Police and Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Departments when needed to give to children in domestic violent situations;
• Provided Valentine treats for Departments of Starkville Fire, Police, Oktibbeha County Sheriff, National Guard Armory, and Starkville Daily News;
• Purchased 18 decorative Christmas banners (approximately $2,000) for downtown (Main Street) for Christmas decorations to add to the beautification of the City of Starkville;
• Provided Walmart gift cards and cash donations to a family that lost everything in the Crossgates fire.
For more information about the Christmas Tour of Homes, contact Genevieve Swartzberg at 323-5877.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The home of Amy Tuck at 104 Tuxford Road will also be part of the 2010 Home Tour. Due to scheduling conflicts, we were not able to photograph Tuck’s home prior to today’s tour.