COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE CREATES BUCKET LIST FOR JENNY. Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas, now based in Sugar Land, has come up with a bucket list for a special dog. Jenny has cancer and will be put down soon. “We created a bucket list for her,” said Jennifer Sooy, secretary for Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas, “and it’s now under way.”

The dog was treated to a day at the Lone Star Pet Lodges’ Bluebonnet Spa in Missouri City where she received a soothing bath, aloe wrap and a trim. Other items on her list include meeting George and Barbara Bush, a ride in a Jaguar on her way to get a Starbucks latte, a visit to the San Jacinto Monument in honor of Texas Independence, a ride on the Bolivar Ferry, and taking a stroll on the waves at the beach.

Sooy said Jenny came to Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas in December. She found herself at a local shelter and had a mass the size of a golf ball attached to her right jaw. “CSR got Jenny to the vet immediately and had the mass removed,” said Sooy. “The biopsy revealed that Jenny had bone cancer.”

Jenny’s foster mom said she could live out her life at the Cocker Inn. To celebrate her spirit and her life, CSR created Jenny’s Bucket List. As long as she is feeling well, Jenny will be completing her bucket list. “We will be posting on our web site and Facebook page Jenny’s progress,” advises Sooy. CSR wants Jenny’s life to symbolize all the rescues that come through its doors.

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FORT BEND SENIORS MEALS ON WHEELS RECEIVES GRANT FROM GEORGE FOUNDATION. Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels has been awarded a $50,000 grant from The George Foundation. The grant will help fund daily meals to home-bound senior adults in Fort Bend County for 2012.

“We are thrilled to once again be awarded a grant from The George Foundation,” said Manuela Arroyos, chief executive officer at Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. “This grant will help ensure that the home-bound senior adults we serve in Fort Bend County will be guaranteed a daily meal in 2012. The continued support we receive from The George Foundation is greatly appreciated and much-needed to help our programs for senior adults run seamlessly from year to year.”

The grant awarded from The George Foundation will cover daily meals, seven days a week, for the next 52 weeks, for the 1,400 home-bound senior adults in Fort Bend County who receive meals as part of the Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels program.

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GOLF FOR GREATER HOUSTON BREAKS ALL-TIME RECORD. It has been a record-breaking year for the organizers of Golf for Greater Houston. The tournament, which was held in March, earned $200,000. Golf of Greater Houston, formerly Golf of Fort Bend, is hosted and organized by Fluor employees. Monies raised from the event benefits four area nonprofits: Hope for Three, The Arc of Fort Bend, Casa de Esperanza and Children’s Advocacy Center.

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HOLIDAY TRADITION CONTINUES WITH FBJSL SUGAR PLUM MARKET.  The holiday season is months away but planning is already under way for the 12th annual Sugar Plum Market. Presented by the Fort Bend Junior Service League and title sponsor Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, the market will be held Nov. 2-3 at the Stafford Centre. A special Preview Night shopping event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 1.

Working to top last year’s record-breaking market, which awarded $200,000 to local Fort Bend charities, are co-chairs Susanne Hiegel, Laura Taylor, Stephanie Van Horn, Haley Millis and Cari Middaugh. “It’s exciting to be a part of the planning for such a popular, fun event that benefits our community in such a big way,” said Middaugh.

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FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH SIGNIFICANT GRANTS. The Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, in its 30th anniversary season, received $25,000 from The George Foundation. This grant will provide scholarship assistance to choirboys for tuition, workshops, vocal instruction, camps, summer performance tours and more.

In addition, The Madison Charitable Foundation awarded $30,000 to the organization for general program support for all five performing ensembles; this is after a $10,000 grant was awarded in August 2011.

“Given the state of our economy, these grants have truly been a blessing to our music programs. Now, we can reach out to many more deserving and talented boys in the Greater Houston area who have the desire to sing,” says William R. Adams, founder and artistic director.

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BANK OF TEXAS HELPS SAVE LIVES AT PARKS YOUTH RANCH. Bank of Texas made a donation for the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for emergency needs at the Fred and Mabel R. Parks Youth Ranch.

Although cardiac events or death among adolescents are rare, the risk factors in teens and adults are largely the same. Should an adolescent ever suffer a cardiac emergency while at the Ranch, the facility is now equipped with an AED and the staff is trained in how to use it.

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LCISD RECEIVES PROCEEDS FROM OPENING WEEK OF APART. Ryan Rettig, producer of the film Apart, presented a $4,000 check to L.E.A.F. Executive Director Janice Knight and Lamar Consolidated ISD’s Director of Fine Arts Ram Estrada.

The money was raised during the first weekend’s showing of Apart in Houston. The movie was filmed in the Richmond-Rosenberg area, including many LCISD facilities. The movie stars Lamar Consolidated High School graduate Josh Danziger, who also co-wrote the film. The donation will support the theater programs at the district’s four high schools.

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AREA YMCAS BENEFIT FROM PRE-OPENING EVENT AT FADI’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL. The New Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill in Sugar Land opened its doors for the first time in February for a special pre-opening sampling that benefited the Fort Bend County YMCA’s Partners Campaign. More than 160 YMCA supporters, volunteers and staff were on hand for the fundraising event, which was fully underwritten by the new Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill.

Between the dinner and dessert courses, Keith Borgfeldt, YMCA board member and 2012 Partners Campaign co-chair, led a short program that included evening recognitions and a description of the YMCA’s Partners Campaign efforts. Borgfeldt welcomed the crowd of supporters, and then asked Fadi Dimassi, owner of Fadi’s Mediter­ranean Grill, to come forward. Dimassi was presented with an appreciation plaque and YMCA gift bag by Charlie Myer, YMCA Regional Advancement officer. Borgfeldt also recognized Dee Koch, event honorary co-chair, for her efforts in developing, promoting and organizing the event for the YMCA. Lastly, Borgfeldt recognized the city of Sugar Land for its support and participation of the event. Sugar Land Mayor Pro-Tem Jacqueline Chaumette accepted the recognition on behalf of the city and welcomed Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill to Sugar Land.

One hundred percent of the support from the evening’s event went to the YMCA Partners Campaigns of the three YMCAs in Fort Bend County. All of the funds will be used to provide program and membership scholarships to local youth and families who cannot afford the services of the YMCA.

Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill in Sugar Land is located at Highway 6 and University Blvd.