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Many charitable organizations rely on contributions of time and goods to serve the needy, homeless, disabled and suffering people. The organizations here responded to The Eagle's annual request for information about year-round volunteer and supply needs as well as holiday needs. Many agencies need specific types of items; it's best to call and check with them before donating. Some may prefer donations of money instead ofgoods. The programs are in Wichita unless otherwise noted. Basic needs Caring Hearts, 5911 N. Maize Road, 316-722-2680, provides assistance with bills, food and clothing to families in the Maize school district. Needs 30 frozen turkeys, kids' socks and underwear, hygiene items, 100 plain cardboard boxes, monetary donations.
Mississippi is getting more than $280 million in federal hurricane-recovery money for a pilot program to replace government-issued trailers with Katrina cottages. The cottages are safer, more-permanent structures than travel trailers or mobile homes. The modular homes look like traditional houses., but are smaller. U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said Thursday the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Alternative Housing Pilot Program is a giant step forward in Mississippi's recovery. "Helping people to live in a real home will speed Mississippi's reconstruction efforts, not just in terms of restoring physical structures, but also by helping to improve the spirits of those still without a good home," Lott said in a news release. It was not immediately clear whether the state has set up a system for people to apply for Katrina cottage housing or money.
Some days, Leah Farley sits on her front deck in Kansas City, Kan., and watches the cars trickle by. She gets a kick out of people's reaction when they notice the bizarre edifice behind her, the rectangular structure she calls home. "I think most people who live around here have pretty much gotten used to it," she said. "But sometimes, people stop and stare." They squint, incredulous. They roll down their windows, trying to get a better look. And sometimes, she said, "They almost wreck their cars." Farley lives in an award-winning, modular house designed and built by graduate students at the University of Kansas. The home — nestled amid older homes at 534 Riverview Ave. in Strawberry Hill — is an architectural marvel that, as Farley put it, "sticks out like a sore thumb." It also has attracted national recognition.
Private individuals and representatives from various organizations will be gathering in the Okeechobee county commission chambers at the Okeechobee County Courthouse, at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, to present their concerns and requests for funding to the Okeechobee County Legislative delegation. The legislative delegation representing Okeechobee County is made up of State Senator J. D. Alexander, State Senator Ken Pruitt, State Representative Frank Attkisson and State Representative Richard Machek. In addition to funding requests from the city and county governments and the Okeechobee Utility Authority, Okeechobee County Sheriff Paul May and Okeechobee County Economic Council (OCEC) executive director Joey Hoover will address the delegation. Mr. Hoover said his organization would be endorsing the agendas of the city and county governments and the school board.
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