Vicksburg’s generosity on display with donations to Harvey’s victims

Published 6:16 pm Monday, September 4, 2017

Vicksburg is a giving community. Organizations and churches throughout the city have come to the aid of those living in communities that have been flooded by Hurricane Harvey.

Thursday afternoon, the city of Vicksburg collaborated with area churches and the American Red Cross to donate 16 pallets of one-gallon water jugs to the areas impacted by the storm. The water was left over from the water crisis that occurred in Vicksburg in May.

“We were so blessed that so many communities from all over the place were able to help Vicksburg and Warren County,” John Elfer, Warren County Emergency Management Director, said. “It only made sense that we could return the favor to an area that had been impacted like they have been. We knew we had the resources. We have other water in case we need it locally. This is not going to be a burden on us. It is something that worked out really well that we were able to do.”

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A semi-truck that was loaded down with the water is one of three that will be sent to Texas. Once there, it will be taken to two distribution centers in Houston where churches in impacted areas are collecting supplies.

Students dressed in costumes and participated in a career parade at Sherman Elementary School’s career day. The Friday event marked the end of career day at the school, which included guest speakers from a variety of fields coming to talk to the students.

“We wanted to make sure we exposed them (the students) to the various careers that are available to them when they leave or graduate school,” Sherman Avenue principal Tameka Davis said. “Like (Chad) Shealy says, all roads lead to employment. This is a great way for children at the lower level to learn about various career paths they can take.”

Three firefighters from the Vicksburg fire department were among the speakers as were Miss Alcorn Kristina Brown, Elmira Ratliff, an associate dean at Hinds Vicksburg, and Charlie McCullum, a former probation officer and criminal justice teacher.

More positives in Vicksburg:

• On Wednesday, Vicksburg resident and 2017 Miss Mississippi Anne Elizabeth Buys was named a finalist for the Jean Bartel Quality of Life award during events at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City.

• On Thursday, the members of the Vicksburg Warren School District Athletic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017 were honored at a banquet at the City Auditorium. Members honored included Michael Phelps, Taylor Tankersley, Eddie Burns, Robert Morgan, Mary Logue, Jackie Pettway and George Nasif.