WSMV reports on the local nonprofit’s need for school supplies after losing all of their inventory in the flood:

There’s one place thousands of Metro school teachers can go every school year to get educational tools for students who couldn’t otherwise afford them. But for the first time since the LP Pencil Box opened, the shelves are bare and the nonprofit needs help itself helping some of the neediest children in Metro.

“It really hurts our heart because usually this room is full of school supplies,” said Ulli Heregger, who runs the Nashville donation site. “It’s colorful, and it’s fun.”

Heregger was heartbroken when the store had to throw away $35,000 worth of its donated items after they were contaminated during the flood. The nonprofit runs solely on donations, and now that wish lists have replaced real supplies, she fears students will suffer.

“A lot of these kids got affected in the flood already in their homes; they lost their belongings, and now we can’t even help them in their schools through their teachers because we don’t have enough supplies to give out,” said Heregger.

The floodwater entered the store, rushing through part of the hallway and going through every room. The Pencil Box had new floors put in.

“This year, we really need everything: basic school supplies, basic office supplies, anything teachers can use in their classroom for their students,” said Heregger.

The LP Pencil Box gives teachers the donated supplies so they don’t have to dip into their own paychecks.

Now many hope the same flood that washed away donations won’t wipe out the beginning of a new school year for students.

The LP Pencil Box organization is having a grand opening and appreciation day Aug. 2.for all the volunteers who have helped post-flood.

Click here to find out how you can help!

WSMV reports on the nonprofit’s difficulty since losing a residence that housed women in the program:

But the three Magdalene Homes in Nashville have become overcrowded because earlier this year, a fourth home on Arthur Avenue was torn down because it was structurally unsafe, meaning the 21 women currently in the program have been divided among just three houses. Eighty other women are on a waiting list.

“We got women all the time that’s coming out of jail that are continuing to be on the streets that we cannot service,” said program director Donna Grayer.

The plan all along was to build a new home in place of the old one, but for an organization that relies solely on donations and grants, leaders with Magdalene House said the economy has put the plans on hold.

More than $15,000 is needed to start construction.

“It’s so many other women that need help like we do, you know, because I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do when I got here, and, you know, they gave me some hope,” said Gasaway.

“If we don’t provide the resources to get these women in, we’re going to pay for it in the long run,” Grayer said.

According to the founder of Magdalene House, 70 percent of the women who complete the two-year program remain clean. Since opening in 1997, more than 100 women have received help from Magdalene House.

To donate, call 615-322-4798 or write to Magdalene, Box 6330-B, Nashville, TN 37235.

Click here for the video report.

WSMV reports tonight on how a reduction in funding due to the economy could potentially impact this free summer festival. The report features an interview with Executive Director of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nancy Van Reece.

WSMV reports:

The doors close will close on Friday for a popular fitness and rehabilitation center in the Green Hills area of Nashville.

The Easter Seals center located on Woodmont Boulevard is closing as part of a bankruptcy plan to shed $10 million of debt. Two-hundred people who relied on the center found out about the closing two weeks ago.

Donations to Easter Seals this year are about 40 percent below expectations.

The people who use the Easter Seals facility are being told their best option is to look for a similar program at a YMCA.

WSMV reports on the career assistance Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is providing to recent college graduates:

“When you graduate college, your dream is not to move back in with your parents and search for a job four hours a day,” said Amanda Cherry, who graduated from University of Tennessee-Martin three weeks ago but started her job search in January.

Cherry applied at Goodwill for a public relations job.

“We’ve seen a lot more people with higher skills and maybe even a college degree come into our career centers throughout middle Tennessee,” said Betty Johnson of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee.

“I’m a little surprised, but I guess it makes sense. People just need work, and where there are jobs, people are going to apply,” said Johnson.

As many adjust their career dreams for the time being, Goodwill helps in more ways than one.

“My hope right now is just to find a job anywhere, and it may not be my ideal job and it may not be exactly what I want to do, but I just want to find a job,” said Cherry.

From WSMV:

The Nashville Zoo is offering evening picnics designed to bring families together for food and fun. Zoo-rific Family Romp & Chomp takes place after zoo hours from 6 to 8 p.m. and will be offered on June 7, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 6.

The event includes a family-friendly, all-you-can-eat buffet, free carousel rides and access to the zoo’s popular Jungle Gym playground.

Each Romp & Chomp will have a different theme to the event:

June 7 – Mexican Fiesta

July 12 – Southern Style Barbeque

Aug. 9 – Classic American Fare

Sept. 6 – Fish Fry

Admission to the Romp & Chomp is $29 for adults and $20 for children ages 2 to 12. Price includes zoo admission all day as well as the after-hours event, which includes buffet, unlimited carousel rides and Jungle Gym access from 6 to 8 p.m.

Zoo members can attend for $15 per adult and $10 per child.

Discounts are offered for those registering for three or more evenings. Reservations are required and can be made at http://www.nashvillezoo.org or by calling 615-833-1534.

The nonprofit which focuses on mentoring and tutoring high school students has a pretty impressive rate of success:

A Nashville group that works with low-income students is pushing to aim high and make college a reachable goal for area students.

The program, called In Full Motion, focuses on tutoring and mentoring students.

Legendary local high school football coach Maurice Fitzgerald and his attorney wife, Cynthia, have been pushing kids to reach higher for 20 years. On Saturday at 7:30 a.m., there were 250 kids who packed the Galilee Baptist Church for their ACT/SAT prep classes.

At a time when Nashville’s high school graduation rate is a big issue, In Full Motion asks kids to go to college and has an astounding rate of success.

“We have a 100 percent (high school) graduation rate this year in our students, ” said Cynthia Fitzgerald.

 Full story

As reported by WSMV, many of the unemployed are making use of their spare time by giving to others:

Debbie Maloney is doing work that is benefiting others and helping her soul as a volunteer helping to furnish rooms at the Hospital Hospitality House near West End Avenue in Nashville. It’s a facility where out-of-towners can stay when a relative is getting treatment at an area hospital.

Maloney was recently laid off from her job as a concierge at a local hotel.

“There was a fog over me for a couple of days because I loved my job,” said Maloney.

Currently, she represents a growing number of middle Tennesseans who are out of work and now using their time to volunteer as they look for a new job.

“We’ve seen a real spike in the number of volunteers and in interest (during) the fourth quarter of last year, the end of 2008 coming into 2009. (There have been) a lot of first-time volunteers,” said Brian Williams of Hands On Nashville.

 Click here to view the video of this story.

Today, President Obama is signing into law the economic stimulus package.  If you are like me, you are wondering what this means for Tennessee. Congressman Cooper and Finance Director Rich Riebeling spoke to a group of engineers yesterday to offer some insight into what the package will mean for the state. WSMV did a story on the event that you can read in full by clicking here. Here is the breakdown of how Tennessee plans to use the federal money, as reported by WSMV:

• Medicaid: $1.62 billion.
• Education: $791 million.
• Highways and bridges: $593 million.
• Special education: $243 million.
• Title I education: $225 million.
• General purpose: $171 million.
• Weatherizing homes: $97 million.
• Transit capital grants: $91 million.
• Criminal justice grants: $74 million.
• Public housing capital fund: $65 million.
• Clean water projects: $58 million.
• Child care: $42 million.
• Dislocated workers: $28 million.
• Youth job training: $25 million.
• Homelessness prevention: $20 million.
• Drinking water projects: $20 million.
• Community services: 20 million.
• Head Start: $14 million.
• Education tech: $12 million.
• Vocational rehab: $12 million.
• Adult job training: $11 million.
• Unemployment insurance administration: $9.6 million.
• Employment service: $7.4 million.
• Elderly nutrition: $2.6 million.
• Food assistance: $2 million.
• Emergency Food and Shelter: $2 million.

WKRN also did a story on breakdown, calling the details “vague.”   

Fox 17 examined how the stimulus will impact the unemployed.

WSMV did a story last night on the funding issues facing the Tennessee Rep. An anonymous donor has promised a grant of $100,000, but the theater needs to raise that much in order to receive the contribution. Rene Copeland, the Rep’s artistic director says that a combination of lagging ticket sales, and a reduction in sponsorships has created the financial hole the Rep finds itself in. To contribute to the Rep, visit their Web site at http://www.tennesseerep.org/

You can view the full video of the report here.