Red Bird Mission School started back  August 4 with 157 students K-12, an increase over last year's enrollment. The first day for middle and high school began with a creative devotion from Mr. Mark Smallwood, the music teacher, reminding the students of God's desire to have a personal relationship with every person.

Approximately 130 volunteers will impact Red Bird Mission on August 27, 2011, a day for Kentucky Methodists to share God's love in nine eastern Kentucky counties, and to carry out Rethink Church, a quadrennial emphasis of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Many volunteer opportunities are still available at other sites within the Red Bird Missionary Conference, but registration for projects organized by Red Bird Mission has already been closed due to an overwhelming interest and response to be a part of the Mission's outreach in its service area.

The day will be filled with home repair projects such as painting a house, repairing a deck, building a stoop or skirting around a trailer and many more projects from 9 am to 3 pm. The Community Housing Improvement ministry is looking forward to extra helping hands. The volunteers' hard work and effort will be recognized with a celebration at Red Bird Mission School beginning at 4:30 pm.

Red Bird Mission encourages volunteers to register for a neighboring destination. Over 200 volunteers are already signed up to give back in the various communities. Keep in mind as Impact Appalachia Day approaches that capacity at the projects will limit Kentucky Methodists to a maximum of 300 volunteers. If you would like to register, click here.

Please keep in mind groups must register each volunteer individually. 

     "The 2011 Tri-County Health and Resource Fair was a huge success," exclaimed Angela Hubbard, Red Bird Mission's Public Health Nurse and coordinator of the annual event. The gymnasium of Red Bird Mission School was occupied with 21 organizations including Red Bird Mission Community Outreach ministries on July 21, 2011. Among the organizations represented were Hear the World Foundation, Cumberland Valley Area Development District, Manchester Memorial Hospital, and other organizations.  

     Over 200 community members received free screenings for hearing, blood pressure, osteoporosis and many more. The fair was an opportunity for people who do not have health insurance to receive simple diagnostic tests and advice that could help them avoid a medical catastrophe.

     Backpacks filled with school supplies were given out at the fair for the new school year. Approximately 120 low income children from Red Bird's tri-county area were served. If you would like to donate school supplies to refill backpacks at Christmas, contact Tracy Nolan, Director of Community Outreach at (606) 598 -0520. 

     Grow Appalachia, an agriculture program under Family Ministries is transitioning from summer to fall season. Forty-four families received education in basic gardening, cooking, and food preservation skills this year. Gardening improves one's healthy food choice options and can generate extra income.

      On the evening of August 2nd participants attended a four seasons gardening seminar taught by Magan Meade, a volunteer intern. Twenty-five community members learned to make nutritious dishes from fall, winter and spring greens, and also learned about affordable resources to extend the growing season. Participants were given a four season harvest chart and fall/winter/spring seeds.  

     As the summer season comes to a close and harvest is near, Grow Appalachia hosted a potluck picnic on August 5th. Participants of Grow Appalachia and the Red Bird Farmers Project were invited to bring a recipe with at least one locally grown ingredient for a cookbook. The goal for the event was to inspire fellowship, foster community among the participants, and exchange knowledge with each other.

     For more information contact Bettina Balmer at (606) 598-3155.