Giving multiplied with school supplies for children overseas

As the school year approaches, shoebox packers are making use of back-to-school prices to purchase gifts and essential items for children in need around the world. Residents in Rochester are collecting school supplies, along with personal care items and fun toys, to pack in shoeboxes. Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, will deliver these gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 100 countries.

For many children, access to these simple items is essential to an education. This was the case for Justin Thomas, a shoebox recipient in Southeast Asia whose parents could not afford the supplies needed for school. Thomas remembers the specific day he received a gift-filled shoebox from Operation Christmas Child and found it filled with toys and most exciting to him — school supplies.

Growing up with hand-me-down clothes and used items, Thomas used to write with a pencil so short that he held it using a pen cap. Having an entire packet of new pencils and a pencil sharpener all his own was a treasure to him. This simple gift made a life-changing impact for Thomas because it opened the doors for him to receive an education. For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. National Collection Week is Nov. 13-20. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 30th year of ministry.

Chamber’s annual chili cook-off seeks entries

The Fulton County Chamber of Commerce is seeking entries for its 31st annual Chili Cook-Off and Red Hot Car show, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 14.

Cash prizes are awarded for first and second places, the people’s choice and best decorated booth. Teams will compete for the votes with the hope of being named the area’s “top chili.” Preregistration is required. Entry forms and rules can be found at fultoncountychamber. com/chilicookoff. The deadline to enter is noon Friday, Sept. 18. For further information, contact Kellie Scobie at (574) 224-2666, or kellie@fultoncountychamber. com.

Gospel concert with The Littles

A gospel concert with The Littles, Monroe, N.C., will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at Riverview Community Church. The church is loated at 2780 SR 110, Tippecanoe.

The Littles have become a favorite family group in Christian music. In 2006 Jack and Jan, and daughter Rebecca, began traveling as a family. Their progressive style of gospel music built around great arrangements, close family harmony, and strong vocals is sure to minister to audiences of all ages.

The Littles have a very clear mission that compels them to be used of the Lord to tell his story of salvation and to sing his praise through the medium of music. They participate in revival services, concerts, and other special events.

The Littles have received several industry achievements

They have three Singing News Top 80 radio releases from their first nationally promoted recording, “Someday Soon”. They have appeared on the National Quartet Convention Main Stage each year since 2012.

Whether in a church service, revival services, or on a concert stage, the Littles are certain to encourage believers in their walk with Christ and challenge unbelievers to come to him.

The public is invited to attend the concert. There is no charge for admission. There will be an opportunity given for a love offering.

What is prediabetes?

changes include eating a healthy diet and increasing physical activity.

State Health officials report first signs of West Nile Virus activity

State health officials report this year’s first signs of West Nile virus activity in the state.

At this time, Fulton County has had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus.

West Nile virus is commonly found throughout the state each summer, so it is expected to see activity in more counties as the season progresses. In 2022, West Nile virus was found in mosquitoes in 43 Indiana counties.

neurological syndromes, including flaccid muscle paralysis.

Some individuals may die from the infection. Health officials say although individuals over age 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness and even death from West Nile virus, people of all ages have been infected with the virus and have had severe diseases.

the proper precautions to prevent being bitten.”

Dr. House is also asking Hoosiers to take steps to rid their properties of potential mosquito breeding grounds by doing the following:

• Discard old tires, tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other containers that can hold water.

Editor’s

Note: Aryn Bowser is the wellness coordinator for Woodlawn Hospital.

It is common knowledge that diabetes is on the rise. The American Diabetes Association states 36 million people across the country have diabetes and another 96 million have prediabetes.

While being diagnosed with diabetes can be life changing, hearing that you are only “prediabetic” should not give you a sense of relief. It should be a call to action to preserve your health.

Prediabetes happens when your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes requiring medication. Walking out of your appointment without prescriptions for diabetic medications may feel like a win, but the grey area of prediabetes is a tipping point. You can continue living life as you have and ultimately become diabetic, or you can make a few changes and enjoy good health for years to come.

Since not all factors that contribute to prediabetes can be treated, such as genetic factors and age, lifestyle changes are the primary treatment. These

Your healthcare provider may recommend avoiding excessive carbohydrates and eating less unhealthy fat, sugar, red meats and processed starches. Instead, they’ll likely recommend eating a diet of whole foods that include more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and lean poultry. There are endless resources or diet tips, planning and menus. A few include: myplate.gov, diabetes.org.

Getting regular amounts of moderate-intensity physical activity helps increase glucose energy usage and improve muscle insulin sensitivity. A single session of moderate-intensity exercise can increase glucose uptake by at least 40%. So, take a walk around the block, play outside with the kids, work up a sweat in the garden, ride your bike, dance in your kitchen, or do anything that gets you moving and keeps you motivated.

“As soon as we start detecting West Nile virus in mosquitoes, we know people are at greater risk for infection,” said Jennifer House, DVM, veterinary epidemiologist at the Indiana State Department of Health. “The good news is there are simple, effective steps Hoosiers can take to protect themselves from being bitten by a mosquito.”

House recommends people take the following protective steps:

• Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn, when possible.

• Apply insect repellent containing deet, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin.

• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home.

• When possible, wear longsleeved shirts and pants when outside.

West Nile Virus usually causes a mild form of the illness, which can include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands or a rash. However, a small number of individuals can develop a more severe form of the disease with encephalitis or meningitis and other

Since 2002, when Indiana had its first human case of West Nile virus, more than 20 Hoosiers have died from the illness.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have first bitten an infected bird. A person bitten by an infected mosquito may show symptoms three to 15 days after the bite.

“Mosquitoes are very active this time of year and can spread several different disease causing viruses, including West Nile, St. Louis Encephalitis and La Crosse Encephalitis;” said Dr. House. “Mosquito transmitted diseases commonly occur in August and September so Hoosiers should take

• Repair failed septic systems.

• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.

• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed.

• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains.

• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls.

• Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically.

• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with predatory fish. The basic rule is; if water lasts more than four days, mosquitoes can reproduce. Even a small bucket can produce up to 1,000 mosquitoes in just a few days.