Mayor hands out first pillar award

Mesquite Mayor John Monaco presented Sharing Life Outreach Center Founder and Executive Director Teresa Jackson with the Mayoral Pillar of the Community Award during the center’s 10 year anniversary banquet on Sunday night.

“Our pillar award celebrates individuals who provide support, strength, stability, leadership and foundation, and Teresa Jackson is an excellent example of someone in our community who fits that description. It is my pleasure to have her as the first in our community to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Mesquite Mayor John Monaco.

The event was held at Lake Pointe Church Town East. Following the presentation of the award, a proclamation announcing Nov. 1 as Sharing Life Community Outreach Day in the city of Mesquite was read by Monaco.

Jackson is the founder and executive director of Sharing Life Outreach Center, which has helped thousands of people get food, pay bills and develop job skills during the past decade.

As Jackson states in her director’s message on the center’s Web site: “The vision for Sharing Life Community Outreach was born in my heart many years ago. I envisioned a place of hope for people who find themselves in need. I envisioned a cheery place; warm and friendly; a place where the client would feel respected and welcome; a place of encouragement and even opportunity. I believe that is the kind of place SLCO is becoming,”

Monaco said he chose Jackson to be the first recipient of the award after careful thought and consideration.

“This is an organization that I have worked with for 10 years. The first award had to be significant and without controversy. I don’t know anyone that would debate giving the award to Teresa Jackson. She was a great candidate,” Monaco said.

Monaco says that he, along with help from communications director Greg Sowell, selected the pillars based on the foundations that the United States was built on — family, faith and the flag (patriotism). Monaco said he encourages anyone who knows someone in the city who should be considered a pillar of the community to contact the mayor’s office with recommendations.

The Mayoral Pillar of the Community Award was created in conjunction with the Pillar of the Community program unveiled in October.

The Mayoral Pillars of Community Web page can be accessed on the city’s Web site at www.cityofmesquite.com.

Center seeks donations

for holiday program

The Sharing Life Community Outreach Center wants to assist as many families as possible with Christmas gifts for children this year.

The center needs help for its holiday programs to be successful since they do not have a budget for the programs. All of the gifts that the center provides to needy children come from donors.

The center has identified some most-needed items for its Holiday Faire 2009. The center’s goal for 2009 is to serve 1,100 low-income children and families.

Most needed items:

•New, unwrapped teen gifts — such as electronics, watches, billfolds, cosmetics

•Infant gifts

•New, unwrapped toys for kids age infant to 11

•New socks and underwear

•Diapers

•Wrapping paper, tape and bows

•Food for the center’s pantry

•Financial gifts

•Volunteers

•Grocery store gift cards

Donations of grocery store gift cards are one of the most effective ways you can give to the center’s holiday program. These donations allow the center to honor the traditions and culture of each client family for their Christmas meal.

The center also is always in need of the following items:

•Peanut butter

•Canned jelly

•Tuna

•Beef stew

•Soups

•Canned pastas

•Dry pasta & jarred spaghetti sauce

•Rice

•Instant potatoes

•Mac ‘n’ cheese

•Dry beans

•Canned vegetables

•Cereal

•Oatmeal

•Canned fruits

•Infant formula

Non-food necessities: toiletries, cleaning supplies, toilet tissue and infant supplies

Clothing, Shoes & Accessories: gently used clothing, shoes and accessories, new underwear and socks

Household Items: bed and bath linens, cookware, tableware, furniture, appliances, books, toys, etc.

Limited Financial Assist-ance: housing, utility, medication, child care and gasoline

Education Assistance: financial literacy, computer training.

The center also accepts monetary donations as well.

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