2008
east texas clubs & organizations

PHOTO: Carolyn “Khaki” Toups and Ginger Dillard tune their flutes for a Tuesday night rehearsal of the Canton-area community band which draws its 60 members from all over Van Zandt and surrounding counties. Membership is open to anyone who’s out of high school and wants to play in a band. The Van Zandt Community Band meets every Tuesday at the Canton High School from 7-9 p.m. Call 903.567.6561 for more information.

AARP-VZC Chapter 1313. Meets the fourth Tuesday each month at 1:30 p.m. Van Community Center

Best Hearts for Bereaved Parents Support Group. Support group for parents who have lost children.7 p.m. twice a month at the American National Bank of Canton. 903.567.6618.

Canton Castillian Masonic Lodge. Meets for dinner at 6:30 p.m. and meeting at 7:30 p.m. every second Monday of the month. Lodge is at Hwy. 64 one mile north of Canton.

Canton Chapter 667 Order of the Eastern Star. Meets at 7:30 p.m. every third Thursday. Masonic Hall in Canton.

Canton High School Student/Parent Support Group. Meets at 7 p.m. every third Thursday in the Canton High School Library.

Canton Lions Club. Meets each Wednesday at noon. Van Zandt Country Club. 903.567.2826.

Canton Rotary Club. Meets noon every Thursday. Ranchero’s.

Canton Seniors Center. Persons age 60 and older and spouses are eligible to participate in all activities and services. Transportation around Canton (doctor, dentist, optometrist, senior center, grocery store, drug store, beautician, etc.) available for persons age 60 or above. Tues.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Voluntary contribution of $1.25 per day of ridership. Persons under 60 pay $4.25. Request ride at least 24 hours in advance. 903.567.6686.

Canton Trail Riders. 903.567.6581

Christian Motorcyclists Association: Resurrection Riders. Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7p.m. Come at 6 p.m. to eat and fellowship prior to meeting. Rancheros, I-20, Canton. For more information contact: Glenn Strutton, President. 903.873.2083.

C.L.A.W., Citizens League for Animal Welfare meets at 7:00 pm on selected Tuesdays at the Chamber of Commerce Office located at
119 N. Buffalo, Canton. Please call (903) 865-1638 or e-mail clawanimals@yahoo.com  for dates of meetings. C.L.A.W. Provides domestic animal rescue and adoption services in Van Zandt County, including spay & neuter, shots, foster care and educational programs.

Colfax Community Men’s Group. Meets 7 a.m. every second Saturday of the month. Colfax Methodist Church.

Colfax Community Womens Group. Colfax. Pot luck luncheon meeting every first Wednesday. Come enjoy lunch, programs and visit with neighbors. Members plan fundraisers and other projects to better the community. All are welcome. Noon. Colfax Methodist Church.

Depression Support Group. Meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. 903.829.2336.

East Texas Beekeepers. Discuss bees and how to best care for them. 6:45 p.m. first Thursday of each month. Regional Training and Development Center on Tyler’s West Loop 323. 903.581.6375.

East Texas Crisis Center. To bring help, hope and healing to victims of family violence, sexual assault and violent crime. Information and referral hub for Van Zandt County. Salvation Army office on premise. 205 W. Tyler, Canton, 903.567.6426.

East Texas Diabetes Support Group. Every third Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. Dailey Medical Clinic, 1108 S. Buffalo St., Canton, 903.567.1910.

East Texas Women Connection. Meets from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. Van Zandt Country Club. 903.865.1624.

East Texas Women Prayer Connection. Meets each third Thursday of the month from 10-11 a.m. for coffee, sharing and prayer. American National Bank Community room in Canton 903.567.6312.

Edgewood Lion’s Club. Meets first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. Edgewood Diner.

Edom Bulls, Bears and Bunnies. Basic investing, educational analysis of buying and selling stock. Visitors welcome, $1 fee. Edom Community Center. 903.852.3975.

Edom Historical Society. Meets quarterly on second Monday. 7 p.m. Edom Community Center (old school house). 903.833.5597, 903.852.3990.

Friends of the Van Zandt County Library. Meets at 1:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month. Buchanan Room, Van Zandt County Library in Canton.

Gaining Health Naturally. Garden Valley. Meets the second Monday each month. 6 p.m.-healthy pot-luck dinner. 7 p.m. meeting. Garden Valley Baptist Church at the corner of 110 North & FM 1253

Garden Valley Toastmasters. Improve public speaking skills in comfortable climate. Meet Tuesdays at Noon for one hour. Mercy Ships, Family Dormitory, 2nd Floor. 903.93.7000. ryanm@mercyships.org

Ghostriders Equestrian Drill Team. Five-time championship teams. Youth National Champion 2003. Trains youth and adult riders to perform in rodeos and competitions. Practice in Canton and Myrtle Springs. To join, request info, sponsor or make donation call 903.963.1833.

Grand Saline Community Nutrition Center. Serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. $2. 903.962.3773.

Grand Saline Lions Club. Noon. Every first and third Tuesday. Community Nutrition Center, Houston St. 903.962.3333 or 903.962.7247.

Grand Saline Rodeo Association. Meets at 7 p.m. second Tuesday of each month at the Grand Saline rodeo arena.

House of Plenty. Furnishes temporary housing and clothing to families in need. 17897 FM 1255, Canton. 903.829.2097.

Help End Abusive Relationship Tendencies. Support group for women who are or who have been in abusive relationships. 903.567.6426.

Heritage Quilt Guild of Van Zandt County. Meets the third Monday of every month at 1:30 p.m. First United Methodist Church in Canton. 903.963.7425.

Mathea Guild. Meets at 10 a.m. every second Thurs. American National Bank in Canton.

Nicotine Anonymous. Tyler. Uses the 12-step approach that has helped people overcome addictions worldwide. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using tobacco products. The program is free and is not connected with any other organization. Meets Mondays 7-8 p.m. Trinity Mother Francis -Tyler Cancer Center, North Park Medical Plaza - 910 E. Houston, First Floor - Room 100. Free Parking. 903.894.7808 or 903.534.8257.

Northeast Texas Fine Art Alliance. Meets at 7 p.m. every second Thursday. Furlough Middle School in Terrell. 903.560.1672.

Parents with Special Needs Children Support Group. 903.873.4513 or 903.873.3640.

Poets of East Texas. Meets 10 a.m. third Saturday. Van Zandt County Library.

Republican Club of Van Zandt County. Meet monthly at 7 p.m. third Monday each month. Community Room in American National Bank in Canton. 903.873.6632. www.vzrepublicans.com

Texas Democratic Women & Democratic Party of Van Zandt County. Meets 7 p.m. every third Tuesday. American National Bank. 903.896.4412.

Texas Future Farmers of America Alumni Association. Promotes and support agriculture, agriculture education and the FFA. Meet first Tues. each month. Canton High School Ag Building. 903.567.6561.

Texas Wildfire Express Equestrian Drill Team. Performs at rodeos, visits nursing homes, helps with handicapped children’s events, always looking for new experienced riders and good horses. Sponsored by Cowboy Magic and Rio Vista. Call Angela Ramirez, president at (903) 498-8994 or Shawn Perrin, captain at (972) 962-5357; or Katherine Veno, founding member and ambassador at (903) 887-1510.

United Daughters of the Confederacy. Meets at 10:30 a.m. every third Mon. at Dairy Palace.

Van Area Crime Watch Committee. Meets 5:30 p.m. Third Monday of every month. Van Community Center.

Van Family Al-Anon Group. Meets at 7:30 each Tuesday at the Van Church of Christ, 199 Cherry Lane, 903.752.3684.

Van Kiwanis. Luncheon meeting at noon every Thursday. Van Community Center.

Van Zandt County 4-H Clubs. Kid's Inc. meets third Wednesday of the month at Todd Berry Building and Women's Building (Van Zandt County Fairgrounds) at 3:30 p.m. Martin's Mill meets third Monday of the month at Martin's Mill High School Ag. Shop at 7 p.m. Van 4-H meets Tuesday of the month at Colfax Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Wills Point 4-H meets third Tuesday of the month at Lester House (aka Charlie's place) at 7 p.m. Pathfinder's meets fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at Todd Berry Building (Van Zandt County Fairgrounds). Sharpshooters (shooting sports) meets first Saturday of the month 2 p.m. at Women's Building (Van Zandt Co. Fairgrounds). Horse Club meets last Monday of the month at Todd Berry Building (Van Zandt County Fairgrounds) at 7 p.m. For more information, please contact the County Extension office at 903.567.4149.

Van Zandt County Community Band. Canton. Meets every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. Open to anyone who’s out of high school and wants to play in a band. Canton High School, 1110 W. Hwy 243. 903.567.6561

Van Zandt County Genealogical Society. Meets 2 p.m. fourth Saturday. Buchanan Room, Van Zandt County library, 317 First Monday Lane, Canton. 903.567.5012.

Van Zandt County Humane Society. Advocacy group against over breeding of domestic animals, primarily cats and dogs through public education and sterilization programs. Provide education to children and adults primarily to develop humane attitudes inside and outside the classroom. Adoption Clinics each Saturday, and a General Meeting every third Thursday of the month. Donations can be made sent to Van Zandt County Humane Society, P.O. Box 4, Grand Saline, TX 75140. 903.962.5700.

Van Zandt Crime Stoppers. Canton. 7 p.m. first Monday of each Month except on Holidays. Van Zandt County Criminal Justice Center (Sheriff's Dept). www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org

Van Zandt Memorial VFW Post 9171. Meets at 7:30 p.m. every third Tuesday. 123 S. Service I-20, Canton. 903.567.2906.

Van Zandt Memorial VFW Post 9171 Ladies Auxiliary. Meets at 7:30 p.m. every first Monday. 123 S. Service I-20, Canton. 903.567.2906.

Van Zandt Optimist Club. Lunch meeting Noon every Tuesday. Dairy Palace, Canton. 903.848.1021.

Whitton Quilting. Meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday. Whitton Community Center.

Wills Point American Legion. Meets 7:30 p.m. third Tuesday. 1100 Pecan.

Wills Point Historical Society. Meets 5 p.m. every second Monday of the month. Heckman Investments, 142 N. 4th St. 873.4449.

Wills Point Kiwanis Club. Service organization geared to helping young people. Sponsor of key clubs, leadership and service clubs. Help with scholarships, fundraisers and yard flags. Meets noon every Wednesday. Wills Point Community Center. 903.873-4066.

Wills Point Rotary Club. Noon Fridays. Wills Point Chamber of Commerce Building.



Volunteer Opportunities
• Mercy Ships. The international, interdenominational relief organization located near Garden Valley is looking for volunteers for one or two days a week to help support the teams that go on the ships and land based outreaches throughout the world. Whatever your skill, talent, gift, experience or ability, we can use you in service to the poor and needy in our hurting world. Call 903-939-7066. valentip@mercyships.org

• Cozby-Germany Hospital Auxiliary. Volunteers needed for positions in patient needs, visitor assistance, and office and support staff personnel for the only full service hospital in Van Zandt County. Call 903.962.4242 for information.

• Friends of the Grand Saline Public Library. Volunteers needed for staffing, story telling and reading programs. 903.962.5516.

• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains people to act as advocates for children that have been removed from the home due to abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers are the child’s voice in court. CASA for Kids of East Texas is currently looking for volunteers in Van Zandt County. No special skills required, just a strong desire to help a child in need. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, please contact the CASA office at 903.597.7725.

• Volunteers in Probations is a program to assist Van Zandt County Juvenile Probation Dept. in rehabilitating offenders on probation Volunteers are needed for mentoring, clerical services like typing, filing, telephone answering, foster care and special group projects including camping trips, field trips, arts and crafts and many other structured groups. Call Van Zandt County Juvenile Probation Department at 903.962.6292.

• The Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, Northeast Region is seeking volunteers to make wishes come true for children in the Van Zandt County area. By volunteering from home for a few hours a week by your own schedule, you will give local children the courage, hope and strength to keep fighting a very grown-up battle. 903.597.9474.

• The Heritage Park & Museum in Edgewood needs volunteers to assist with school and individual tours. The park and museum also needs volunteers for grounds and building maintenance. Knowledge and experience in restoration and historical information is helpful. For information call 903.896.1940.

• The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive Van Zandt County cancer patients to nearby hospitals for treatments. Most of the patients in question need transportation to and from hospitals in Tyler and Mesquite. It’s anticipated that volunteers will only need to drive once or twice a month. 903.567.2766.

• The ABC Room needs volunteers to assist in signing up organizations and clubs to donate new items for children 9-18, and to help periodically with inventory duties. Call 903.469.3696 for information.

 

This page last updated March 31, 2008