Are you looking for a place to volunteer? There are many wonderful organizations to plug into that could use an extra hand. Many non-profit organizations depend on volunteers just like you and me to extend their reach beyond what they can do financially as well as physical “hands-on.” There are many benefits to volunteering and working to help others. Beside the fact that it’s the right thing to do, it gets the focus off of ourselves and on to others and gives us a feeling of satisfaction. Volunteerism can actually reduce stress, give you the opportunity to make new friends, build relationships, make a difference in your community, learn new skills and can even lead to new career opportunities. It has been proven that people who focus on others instead of themselves are happier, more content and lead more productive lives. Giving your love makes you feel more loved and less alone. Church is a good place to start, because it’s a great place to find your purpose for living and there are many great churches in our area to plug in to. Other non-profits in the Leeds/Moody area include your local Chamber of Commerce, Leeds Arts Council, The Red Barn, Relay for Life of Greater St. Clair County, the list goes on. For more information on any of these organizations, please visit their websites and/or Facebook pages.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce High School Ambassadors toured The Red Barn this month. The Red Barn is a non-profit organization, which provides weekly riding lessons for children with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities and special circumstances such as foster care, adoption, social delays and grief.

The Leeds Arts Council will host their annual Fall Fashion Show from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept.15. Tickets are $25 each. They are also in need of door prize donations! Call or email to find out more about donating a door prize. The LAC will also present ENCORE: Musical Memories on Friday, Sept.23-24. Tickets are $10. This is a yearly fundraiser put together by our play director Cliff Keen, Jr. for the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. The songs will be performed by familiar faces from their past musical productions. Please call (205) 699-1892 or email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net to reserve tickets for both events.

An opening reception was held at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center last Sunday for Tanna Rose of Moody, Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist in Sept.Rose has worked over 25 years in the graphics industry, which includes five years at Ebsco Media; nine and a half years at Southern Progress Corporation, working with both Southern Living and Cooking Light Magazines, and with Luckie and Company since 2011. Her favorite painting medium is oils and her favorite drawing mediums include pencil, pastel, and conté, though she has worked with a variety of other mediums. Please stop in during the month of Sept.to view her beautiful paintings.

The Moody MerryMakers have a full schedule planned for Sept. Activities include line dancing, Bingo, crafts, music, weekly Bible study and a trip to the Shops of Grand River on Tuesday, Sept.13, 2016. There’s always something exciting going on. If you are 55 or older and would like to plug into this exciting group, please contact Addie Duke at 205.640.2536.

Leeds Lions Club will meet on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. in the Leeds Masonic Lodge building. Please contact T.V. Weaver, President, at (205) 699-6742 for more information.

Ladies, you are invited to enjoy five special events with Mom’s Night Out – Organizing Your Chaos at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, Sept.1 with UPCYCLE – REUSE: Decorating on a Budget at the Leeds River Campus of Eden Westside Baptist Church followed by weekly workshops each Thursday night in Sept.: 1) HELP! I’M A MESS! Organized Not Chaos, 2) HELP! I NEED MORE TIME! Time Management for the Modern Woman, 3) HELP! I NEED A KEEPER! Who Can Help Me? 4) LET’S GET FOCUSED! Working Smarter, Not Harder. The River Campus is located on Hwy 78 just past the Shops of Grand River. Please RSVP for the Event at EdenWestside.org.

The Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3. Breakfast is free, but donations would be appreciated. All donations stay in the City of Leeds community involvement programs. Please contact T. V. Weaver for more information at (205) 699-6742.

Tuesday, Sept. 5 is Labor Day, held in honor of working people. I am very thankful for the people who have a job and career. Happy Labor Day and have fun at the lake with family, friends and plenty of BBQ!

Moody Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Liaison Participants will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Moody City Hall. If you are a business professional or individual who would like to participate on community projects, please feel free to attend. There is no cost to attend.

Moody Kiwanis Club is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Moody City Hall.

Leeds Redevelopment Authority / Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 11:30 a.m. Jenny Seals, St. Clair County Schools Superintendent will be the guest speaker. Lunch is $10 with RSVP or $15 without RSVP to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262 and includes lunch, a great speaker and the opportunity to build relationships with other area business professionals.

Chick-fil-A Leeds will host a Spirit Day for Leeds Fire & Rescue Local 3973 on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 6 – 9 a.m. Come out & support Leeds Fire Department. They will have Sparky, giveaways, the opportunity to “Touch a Truck” and appointments available for car seat safety checks. Make sure you mention that you are there to support them and they will receive a portion of the proceeds.

Be sure to support Shepherd Supply Mission as they host their Second Annual Celebrity Roast at 6 p.m. on Sept. at Bethel Baptist Church. This year the celebrity being roasted will be Dennis Russell. Tickets are $50 per plate or $350 for a table of seven. For more information, please contact Jennifer Monday at (205) 441-2340 or visit their website at shepherdsupplymission.com.

You will not want to miss this year’s Moody Oktoberfest, which is right around the corner scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1 at Moody City Park from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This year’s festival is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with plenty of entertainment, activities, arts and crafts, vendors, food, and more all day long; and don’t forget the C & C Motor Co & Carpenetti’s Pizza Car Show. Mark your calendars now to enjoy all of the fun and excitement this year!

Job Openings: Full-time and part-time openings for sales and cashier at Sears Hometown Store and Right Stuff Bargain Center. Applicant must be able to work every other weekend. For more information, please stop by the store at 7480 Parkway Drive to fill out an application.

Quote for the Week: “One of the great ironies of life is this: he or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.” ~ Gordon Hinckle.

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news, so please remember to send your Leeds and Moody news to me at leedsmoodynews@gmail.com. See you next week!