On December 22, 94 children under age 18 received gifts from their mothers who are serving time at the Houston County Jail. Volunteers chose a name from the angel tree, purchased and wrapped Christmas gifts, and allowed the mothers to give the gift to their kids. The original Angel Tree program was founded by formerly incarcerated Alabamian Mary Kay Beard. Beard held the first Angel Tree for children of incarcerated parents in Birmingham in 1982. The program is now international.

Special thanks to volunteers Karrie and Holley Hart, Kristy Kirkland, Barbi Nolan, Marie Stone and all our sponsors.

Mentor Pat Dickinson recently taught a crochet class for the ladies living in Genesis II. Residents had a chance to practice their craft with Dickinson's help. If you are interested in volunteering or mentoring with the Genesis II Transitional Home, please call 334-671-7774.

Do you know a teenager who aspires to personal excellence and inspires their peers to do the same? Now is the time to nominate them for Healthy You’s UpTeen program! UpTeen is a movement empowering teens to be the solution to their own problems through relationship and leadership training, restoring a sense of personal responsibility and excellence to teen culture. UpTeens will complete training sessions and workshops on healthy relationships, responsible leadership and successful mentoring.  After receive training, UpTeens will have a chance to bring these values back to their community. Using the Chick Fil A Core Essentials Re:Connect Program®, this influential group of students will focus on one character-building word each month and challenge their peers to infuse that word into their own lives. Service is at the heart of UpTeen. Participants will give back to their community through projects and volunteer work. By participating in these activities, UpTeens will learn to be leaders through service. The ideal candidate uses strength of character to stand for positive values. UpTeen nominees must be enrolled in grades 10 – 11, have no criminal background, have a GPA of 2.5 or better, have some involvement in extracurricular activity, be sensitive to different educational, economic or cultural backgrounds, be willing to make a time commitment of at least one year and be able to devote time to participate in activities. Visit www.jtfstraighttalk.com to download a nomination form. Deadline is January 31.

On January 24, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., local barbers will offer advice and encouragement to fathers through the national Fatherhood Buzz program. Fathers are invited to visit a participating location with their families for information on how to stay healthy in the new year. Healthy  You, Inc. will facilitate the conversation. This event is part of the national campaign through President Obama’s Fatherhood Initiative, Fatherhood Buzz, typically done four times per year. Fatherlessness is a growing crisis in America, one that underlies many of the challenges that families are facing. When dads aren't around, young people are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, be involved in the criminal justice system, and become young parents themselves.

Participating Locations:

DOTHAN
His and Hers Barber and Beauty: 460 W. Main St. 334-792-1240

Styles Unlimited: 1838 Montgomery Hwy. 334-699-1838

H Town Barbershop: 697 East Burdeshaw St. 334-33-4550

Squirt and Louie’s Perfect Cut: 1775 Montgomery Hwy. 334-792-1713

DJ’s Classic Cuts: 486 W. Main St. 334-718-1890

Upper Kutz: 1535 Montgomery Hwy. 334-587-2016

Cutz by Stalk: 102 Montana St. Ste. 1. 334-405-9293

Who’s Next Barbershop and Beauty: 1156 Reeves St. 315-240-4424

MOBILE
Blend Masterz: 4690 Spring Hill Ave. 251-259-1442

Bladez Barbershop: 3221 Spring Hill Ave. Bldg. 2. 251-470-7009

Blending Endz: 2066 St. Stephens Rd. 251-471-1478

Thaddeus Barbershop: 4055 Cottage Hill Rd. 251-660-1112

OZARK
Autrey Recreation Center Banquet Room: 749 W. Reynolds St. 

NFL Pittsburg Steeler and Ozark native Steve McClendon, along with vendors from Dawg Pound Olympic Boxing Gym, Dale County Hospital Education Department and others, will offer information to men about how to stay healthy. Bubba from Taijah’s Barbershop will offer haircuts. Nutritious refreshments will be available. Special thanks to volunteer Joycelyn Kennedy. 

Celebrate National Marriage Week with us! 

• Visit www.jtfstraighttalk.com for healthy marriage resources and classes. 

• Beginning February 2, submit your story on "What Makes My Marriage Successful" on 95.5 FM WTVY's Facebook page for a chance to win a date night to O'Charleys.

• Visit www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org for quizzes, tools, kits and tips for a healthy marriage. 

• Talk about your past, celebrate your present and plan your future as a couple. 

Special thanks to The Radio People and O'Charleys.