Bollinger County Caring Council minutes

Bollinger County Caring Council met at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, in the conference room of University of Missouri Extension-Bollinger County in Marble Hill with the following in attendance: Sue Brewer, BCCC chairman, Salvation Army; Juanita Welker, BoCo Health Center; Stephanie Wall, BCCC treasurer, BoCo Health Center; Candy Wilfong, BCCC vice chairman, Crown Hospice; Tina Buchheit, Genesis Home Care; Nikki Kraust, Building Blocks of Missouri-Southeast; Erin Cook, BoCo Health Center; Cortney Cox, BoCo Health Center; Nikki Wolfe, Southeast Prevention Resource Center; Michelle Moon, Birthright of Marble Hill; Elizabeth Shelton, United Way of Southeast Missouri; Kristy Hawkins, Community Counseling Center; Dotty Gholson, Cape County Health Center; and Jessie Green, Safe House for Women.

• Introduction of all parties present: The BCCC chairman requested that all members introduce themselves and highlight new programs they may be working on or have available, as well as employment opportunities.
• Juanita Welker, BoCo Health Center and Long-Term Recovery Committee: Welker presented an update on the long-term recovery efforts. Vaccinations are available at the health center. Call (573) 238-2817 for an appointment or more information.
• Elizabeth Shelton, United Way of Southeast Missouri: During frigid temperatures, an emergency warming center was open at the Salvation Army Center in Cape Girardeau. Hours were 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Erin Cook, BoCo Health Center: Bollinger County Health Center can do free screenings. Call (573) 238-2817 for an appointment or more information.
• Sue Brewer, Salvation Army: Update on Salvation Army, including the holiday bell-ringing season.
• Michelle Moon, Birthright of Marble Hill: Birthright has recently had formula available. Birthright is thankful for the donations from the community.
• Dotty Gholson, Cape County Health Center: Shared information on Smiles of Hope, a program held in Dexter in January. This program was for veterans to receive free tooth extractions.
• Nikki Kraust, Building Blocks of Missouri-Southeast: Southeast Hospital transitions to Mercy Hospital Southeast.
• Jessie Green, Safe House for Women: At capacity at the current time. Serving in the community as well.
• Kristy Hawkins, Community Counseling Center: A suicide bereavement support group is being planned to serve the center's five counties through Southeast Missouri Suicide Prevention Office. There will be a virtual option for attendees. For additional information, email krhawkins@cccntr.com.
• Candy Wilfong, Crown Hospice: Aging Matters' upcoming town hall meeting will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.
• Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be at 8 a.m. Friday, March 8, in the conference room of University of Missouri Extension-Bollinger County.

KRISTY MAYFIELD is secretary for Bollinger County Caring Council.