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Local church sponsors Turkey mission trip

Local church sponsors Turkey mission trip

Ridgeway Baptist Church, located in East Memphis, sent a Mission Team to Istanbul, Turkey.  The team arrived in Turkey on Friday, September 21st and was there until Saturday the 29th.  One of the team members, Renee Shackelford, shared her experiences and photos on the Ridgeway facebook page.  Here, in her words, is what the team participated during their time in Turkey.  Later in October the mission team will be traveling to India.  More information about Ridgeway Baptist Church can be found here.

Friday, Sept. 21

Local organizations collect donations for children in Ecuador

Local organizations collect donations for children in Ecuador

Christmas giving came early for Germantown Presbyterian Church as they partnered with the International Children's Heart Foundation to help children in Ecuador. 

A local nonprofit based out of Memphis, ICHF provides surgical support and direct care to children born with congenital heart disease in developing countries. 

ICHF leaves for Ecuador in early December to help children in need of these medical services. Thanks to GPC, the ICHF team will have Christmas gifts to give to recovering children. 

The donation room at GPC is filling up with dolls, trucks, stuffed animals, puzzles and other popular toys. However, many donated gifts do more than serve entertainment purposes. Many of these items mildly challenge the children recovering from surgery.  For example, balloons are donated because it helps build lung capacity, soccer balls because it provides exercise and legos as it helps with fine motor skills.

Benefit will raise funds for Memphis musician

Benefit will raise funds for Memphis musician

(WMC-TV) - Local musicians and friends of the Memphis music scene will join together this weekend for a benefit for local guitarist Pat Taylor. 

Pat, who was a member of the very popular 80s band, The Breaks, was recently diagnosed with cancer. 

In an effort to show support and to offer financial assistance to Pat and his wife, Susanne Jerome Taylor, a group of friends and local musicians put together a Memphis music packed fund raiser that spans two weekends. The first show took place Sunday, September 23 with a full house at Neil's Music Room on Quince in East Memphis. 

Local mom finds Mid-South kid-friendly restaurants

(WMC-TV) - Are you looking for Mid-south restaurants that have separate play areas for the kids?  Here is a list of Memphis-Mom approved restaurants. 

One restaurant that has many locations and is family-friendly is Chick-fil-A.  They have separate and sound-proofed play area for children.  They also provide free Wi-Fi for those parents that need to get some work in while the kids play.

There are several great places with play areas in the Collierville area.  One is the Dinks location in Collierville.  They have a playroom for kids in the back corner.  The Back Yard Burgers on Houston Levee also has a great play area.

A Cool Way to Help

A Cool Way to Help

(WMC-TV) - It's always nice to do something you enjoy and help others at the same time. Here's an opportunity to do both this Saturday!

The "Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival" will be held this Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at AutoZone Park (at the corner of Union Ave. and 3rd Street), and it benefits the Ronald McDonald House.

Participants will be able to enjoy a variety of ice creams, frozen treats, snacks, and drinks from several local vendors. There will be games and activities for kids, including face-painting and photos with costumed characters, as well as an Entertainment Stage featuring live entertainment and fun contests.  Additionally, there will be a silent auction.

Tickets are $7 in advance, and $10 at the door.

Humane society holds family reunion

Humane society holds family reunion
(WMC-TV) - Everyone who has adopted a cat or dog from the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County is invited to bring their pets to a family reunion. The event is Saturday from 3-5 p.m. It's a chance for staff and volunteers to see former favorites and get updates from their families. There will be fun stuff for your pets to do as well as light refreshments.

 

Make-A-Wish Mid-South joins Straight Talk Wireless to raise $1 million

Make-A-Wish Mid-South is encouraging consumers in the Memphis, TN region to go to their local Walmart starting this Saturday to show their support for Make-A-Wish by taking part in a brief demonstration of a Straight Talk Wireless Android smart phone.

For every shopper who participates, Straight Talk Wireless will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, with the ultimate goal of raising $1,000,000.

Carried out under the banner “One Minute One Million,” the Straight Talk Wireless/Make-A-Wish initiative will take place from 10-4 p.m. over four consecutive Saturdays starting September 22, 2012 at 23 participating Walmarts in the Memphis, TN region.

The funds contributed by Straight Talk Wireless will help grant wishes in Make-A-Wish Mid-South communities and other cities and towns across the country.