It’s a little more than 120 miles from the Golden Triangle to Jackson.
Even so, a luncheon to honor some of the state’s top volunteers at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson included some familiar faces.
Of the 14 organizations and individuals chosen for this year’s Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) awards, five came from the Golden Triangle, three from Starkville alone and one each from Columbus and West Point. Two of eight honorable mentions were also local folks (Columbus and Starkville). If you’re keeping score that means 7 of the 22 chosen for this statewide honor (almost a third) make their homes here, much to the benefit of our communities.
There are, of course, far many others whose volunteer work continues to make our communities better places to live, work and play.
Meanwhile, eight volunteers are working with young students in Columbus through a the school district’s Volunteer Impact Partners, as the school year draws to a close, providing students with the extra attention they might need. It’s an invaluable service to students and teachers alike. Like so many other volunteer efforts, it often goes unnoticed.
That’s why we applaud the efforts to recognize our volunteers.
The awards ceremony only serves to affirm what we have already come to know about our little part of the state: Whatever else the Golden Triangle may be noted for, there is little doubt that a culture of volunteer-ism has become a distinguishing characteristic. In many cases, volunteer efforts emerge organically. A need emerges and someone responds. In other cases, volunteer groups have been working for years, even decades, to meet needs that are always among us. In either event, regular citizens respond and respond in impressive fashion.
Deborah Mansfield of West Point took it upon herself to brighten up downtown West Point soon after she moved to town from Texas six years ago. Soon, she had collected a group of like-minded downtown merchants to join her efforts. To date, the group has completed eight murals on downtown buildings, added planters with flowers and trees throughout the downtown and added charm to a downtown that just needed some finishing touches.
Mansfield is but one example. Her community spirit and willingness to serve is something we see throughout the myriad organizations in our communities that are sustained and driven by volunteers.
“Everyone has something they can do,” said Mansfield, an artist. “You don’t have to have any certain skill. You can give money. You can give somebody who’s working a bottle of water. Even a kind word can mean so much.”
That seems to be the philosophy that guides our community. It has become a shared value.
Our communities are not without problems; No communities are.
But when needs emerge, our citizens have proven over and over they are ready to answer the call to service.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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