Rotary hosts Prairie View A&M University-Extension, Family and Community Health

The Falls Community ARC Coalition was represented by Myriam Virelli, Program Coordinator II Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Rosondra Hartsfield, Family and Community Health Extension Agent Prairie View A&M University-Extension, on April 23, 2025, at the weekly Rotary Club of Marlin meeting at The Chicken Place, Marlin.

Why present to Rotary? Rotary consists of a fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders united by a common goal, serving others and making a positive impact on the world.

Locally, they engage in projects to improve the quality of life in its community. Rotary supports local charities such as food drives, clothing closets and warming center, books for Pre-K, Kindergarten, First and Second Graders; Youth Leadership Camp for Junior students; schools and students through its awards for vocational and scholastic studies, and community events such as the Falls County Youth Fair and National Night Out and Trunk or Treat events.

“The Prairie View A&M University-Extension, Family and Community Health Unit recognizes the vital role families play in building successful and thriving communities. The extension staff works diligently to plan and deliver programs focus on health, well-being, parenting, life skills, and nutrition.” (Let’s Connect PVAMU) Falls Community ARC Coalition was formed January 2024, under the auspices of the Falls County Prairie View A&M University-Extension, Family and Community Health. The commitment and energy of its members is to care and proactively work to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Falls County. They promote and attend community events, encourage individuals to ask questions for assistance, and volunteer at distribution of food or goods. They seek out needs throughout Falls County, such as clothing for primary school children while at school. Whatever needs to be done to facilitate help to others in the Falls County community, they stand ready to act.

On May 24, 2025 at the Lott Fire Department, the Greater Jude Tabernacle Mission Department presented a Finance Conference with Dr. Kenton Edward Emmanuel Connor, author of over 60 books.

Conference topics included how to start a business with $100, how to own a home, how to fix credit, how to get generation wealth. The conference was hosted by Pastor Robert and Co-Pastor Donna Curtis, both Falls Community ARC Coalition members.

On May 19, 2025 at the Greater Jude Tabernacle hosted Baylor Scott & White’s new Community Health Unit. The mobile health team provided free screenings and wellness education: diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and cervical cancer.

On July 25, 2024, Chilton ISD hosted its 3rd Annual Chilton Family Health & Back to School Expo. There were healthy lifestyle and gardening education: Starting a Home Garden/ Growing Vegetables, Cooking and Preserving Produce; health screening for adults.

Co-sponsored by Feed My Sheep Free Children’s Walk-in Clinic – vaccines, physicals, vision, hearing, dental checks; school supplies, backpacks, bouncy house, food distribution and many other local resources and tips. Faithfully, volunteers assist with the distribution of food on the fourth Tuesday of every month from Central Texas Mobile Pantry at the First Baptist Church (FBC) Marlin, a member of the Fall Community ARC Coalition.

FBC Marlin shares its growing church food pantry and clothing closet.

In all, the support by Family and Community Health Prairie View A&M University-Extension was there.

Communication is key. By it, information is clarified and shared. It helps build relationships, teamwork, and trust.

The presentation by Myriam Virelli, Program Coordinator II Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, provided much-needed information needing dissemination.

Did you know of the following programs available through the Falls County Prairie View A&M University-Extension, Family and Community Health Extension Agent? They are designed to strengthen families and improve their overall quality of life to strengthen the individuals and communities they serve. Nutrition: Choose Health, Food, Fun & Fitness; Teen Cuisine; Eating Smart, Being Active. Under Financial Literacy: Money Matters; Welcome to the Real World; Your Money, Your Goals. Under Life Skills and Parenting there are: Balanced Living; Take A Stand. Contact Rosondra Hartsfield, Family and Community Health Extension Agent, 1910 Industrial Park Road, Marlin, Texas 76661, Falls/McLennan County, Rohartsfield@pvamu.edu, (254) 8831410.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family and Community Health’s focus on understanding health needs in rural communities to lead in optimal intervention has resulted in numerous, and stillgrowing number, of guided programs and resource development.

Rotary Club of Marlin extended its gratitude to agents of the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension office for its diligence in forming the Falls Community ARC Coalition, now sixteen months old. Rotary Club of Marlin appreciates the ARC’s many members who selflessly volunteer for the sake of the community, and it welcomes the opportunity to help, to serve.

“Service Above Self” is Rotary’s core motto and principle, emphasizing the commitment to helping others.