Villisca

A Great Villisca Christmas Gift Idea

Just in time for Christmas, the VHS Jr. Class Parents are selling Bluejay license plate frames and at what a price - 1 for $10; 2 for $14. and 3 for $15. If the frames will be shipped parcel post, the shipping and handling would be $2.50 for 1; $2.75 for 2 and $3.00 for 3.  The frames are expected to be here by December 17.  To order - send name, address, quantity ordered and a check payable to VHS Jr. Class Parents to the school or to Michelle Gillespie, 1080 260th Street, Nodaway, IA 50857.  The design is pictured below.  The frame is royal blue with white lettering.

    

Keep those wallets closed

I was just on the Boxtops4education website and learned the following information. The boxtops4education website shows what other SW Iowa schools earned last year. Are we really to be beat out by Stanton, Red Oak, Clarinda and Corning. Throwing away a boxtop label is like throwing a dime in the wastebasket.  Thanks to those of you who already are saving boxtops labels. You can send your labels directly to Enarson Elementary at 219 Central Avenue, Villisca, IA 50864.

Top Schools within 25 miles of Villisca. Last year's boxtops4education earnings:
1. SHENANDOAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA/PTO, SHENANDOAH, IOWA $1,765
2. CLARINDA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Clarinda, IOWA $1,549
3. INMAN PRIMARY, RED OAK, IOWA $1,055
4. STANTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL, STANTON, IOWA $949
5. CORNING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, CORNING, IOWA $839
6. ESSEX COMMUNITY, Essex, IOWA $827
7. BEDFORD COMMUNITY SCHOOL, BEDFORD, IOWA $427
8. CUMBERLAND MASSENA ELEMENTARY, Massena, IOWA $396
9. SYLVIA ENARSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, VILLISCA, IOWA $309
10. NODAWAY VALLEY WEST ELEMENTARY, BRIDGEWATER, IOWA

On my soapbox again

In these difficult economic times when we hear reports of declining charitable contributions, I am amazed that more people are not taking advantage of free money for our charities.  This week we received word that a check is on its way to Villisca Community Schools from igive.com. The $98.12 covers sales through September 30, 2008.  A total of $140.14 (The $98.12 is a part of that $140.14)has been earned at igive.com for the Villisca Community Schools through the efforts of just 3 people.   $9.80 of that $140.14 was earned just by people searching the Internet through isearchigive.com.  Just think what it could be if everyone who shops online started at either igive.com or goodsearch.com?  If just 30 people did it - that could be as much as $1,401.40 to the school.   My church (the Advent Christian Church) has earned $35.51 for their mission program through goodsearch.com (a similar site to igive.com) since spring 2008.  I admit that my "search" money has gone to the church.  That is free money coming into our community.  

I don't know how much the school is due to receive from boxtops4education but if you are not clipping those boxtops and saving them for the school - it is just like throwing a dime into your wastebasket each time you throw them away. 

So, remember to start your online shopping at igive.com, goodsearch.com or boxtops4education.com. And start your Internet searches at isearchigive.com and goodsearch.com. And clip, clip, clip those boxtops4education and get them to the school.

Villisca, a great place to start your Christmas shopping

I experienced that old saying - "you can't see the forest for the trees" this morning. I've been busy the last week or so developing some materials for distribution encouraging people to start their Christmas shopping in Villisca.  Well, I don't do much Christmas shopping period but I have been struggling to figure out what to buy my son's significant other for Christmas. They are in Florida and I have never met her so it is a quandry what to buy.  Daniel is no help with ideas of things I can afford.  This morning I was just about to buy something online for her when I thought of a business that probably has something I could purchase for her.  So, when I am out this afternoon, I will stop and make the purchase.  Remember that many of the businesses that are not considered "retail" have items for sale besides their services.  It is such a business that I will be stopping at this afternoon. I say all this just to remind all of you that given some thought - you might be able to find gift solutions for many on your list. 

Yesterday I had an e-mail from someone who was thinking about the idea of giving gift certificates to Villisca businesses and he commented that he had asked several what they got for Christmas last year and most could not remember.  A gift certificate that comes in handy in the year ahead can mean a lot and "wrapped" in a unique way can still make it a fun thing to open on Christmas morning.

A full list of Villisca businesses can be found on the business pages of both villisca.com and villiscareview.com.     Merry Christmas!!!