Local News
Volunteer Services Council (VSC) of Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma recycling fundraiser set March 27
By Paula Cawthon
Mar 9, 2010

The Volunteer Services Council (VSC) of Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma has a fundraiser planned that can help you recycle many items you no longer want or need. So clean out those closets, storage units, and garages and donate the items you longer need. The items can be in any condition: damaged, obsolete, non-working or fully operational. The recycling event will be held Saturday, March 27, 315 West McLain, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information call: 903-957-4865.

Harold Wright, VSC Chairman, states, "This is the community’s chance to recycle all types of products and equipment. Your donations help ensure proper recycling of e-waste and save valuable landfill space. The VSC is working with Bubb Fund-raising. Bubb Fund-raising conducts this type of event throughout the metroplex and then safely disposes of the items. For your peace of mind, delete personal information from your computers and cell phones. This event is not a garage sale. Please do not bring clothing or decorative items."

"Last year the event was a huge success due to general public and businesses donating literally truck loads of items. We hope it will be even more successful this time. Modern Woodman of America, Camp 12352 of Sadler will be helping and providing a matching grant up to $2,500. We are truly excited about the match. Businesses and school districts that have a large amount of items can call the number listed above and arrange a special pick-up. Individuals will need to bring their items the day of the event. We will not pick up items nor can we store them. Do not deliver items to our building. We cannot accept microwaves or television sets," ended Wright.

Collections will include the following items:

-Computer Equipment - desktops, laptops, servers, monitors, mice, speakers, and all other computer components

-Cameras - camcorders and all non-disposable film and digital cameras

-Office Equipment - fax machines, typewriters, inkjet cartridges, printers, scanners, routers, shredders, and copiers

-Entertainment Electronics-car and home audio equipment, satellite and cable boxes, VCRs, DVD players and recorders, headphones, and multimedia projectors

-Multimedia - DVD and VHS movies, audio books, and music CDs (All items must include original covers.)

-Portable electronics - cell phones, GPS devices, calculators, portable CD and DVD players, PDAs and MP3 players

-Video Games - video games, systems, and accessories

-Sporting Goods - golf clubs and bags, athletic helmets and pads, baseball bats and gloves, basketball shoes, cleats, hockey sticks, ice skates, and roller blades

-Musical Instruments - guitars, percussion, strings, woodwinds, brass, and electronic keyboards

-Home and Garden - air purifiers, baby monitors, vacuum cleaners, power tools, electric razors, sewing machines, and medical equipment

-Non-Fiction Books - cookbooks, craft books, and textbooks

-Vehicles - cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, trailers, and RVs

-ATVs - dirt bikes, go-karts, 4 wheelers, 3 wheelers, and jet skis

Collectibles - comics, figurines, trading cards, etc.

-Pottery, Cookware Glass, and Dinnerware - China, porcelain, art pottery, stoneware, etc.

-Jewelry - costume jewelry, watches, and hand-crafted jewelry

MHMR Services of Texoma has provided services in Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties to individuals with mental retardation since 1974. The mission of the center is to provide services that improve quality of life and support self-determine for persons with mental, intellectual, and developmental challenges.

The services provided by MHMRST are:

• Mental Health Program- 24 Hour Emergency Services, Crisis Hotline and Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, Case Management, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Community-Based Assessments, Crisis Intervention, Medicaid Eligibility, Medication-Related Services, Respite Services, Skills Training, Small Groups, Supported Employment, Supported Housing, and Transportation

• Mental Retardation Program- Consumer Benefits, Continuity of Services, Intake/Eligibility/ Diagnostic Services, Service Authorization, Service Coordination, DADS Waiver Programs (HCS and TXHML), DADS ICFMR Residential Program, In-Home and Family Support, Transition Planning; MR/IDD Provider Services: Adult Day Habilitation/Client Worker Training Program, Community Support Services, Representative Payee Management Services, Respite Services, Supported Home Living Services, and After School /Summer Children’s Day Habilitation Program

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services- Crisis Intervention, Case Management, Family Support Services, Medication Related Services, Screening, Assessment, and Referral for children under 18 years of age with mental health problems.

• Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)- ECI serves children (birth to three years of age) who are developmentally delayed in some area with screening, assessment, and developmental services.