Meekins gets joy of giving back to youth

Published 9:27 pm Thursday, July 11, 2019

: Jeremy Meekins, left, poses with children during the 2018 Back-to-School Drive. This year’s event will be Aug. 2 at Rodney’s Store. (Submitted Photo)

Jeremy Meekins remembers hard times growing up in Vicksburg.

As a young boy, he recalled watching his grandmother struggle to make ends meet.

“I grew up on Ethel Street in Marcus Bottom,” he said. “It was a rough time for me growing up in the community.”

Now, as a resident of Atlanta, Meekins has not forgotten those in his hometown who may also be experiencing hard times. For that reason, he is again organizing his annual Back To School Drive. The 4th annual drive, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 2, will be held at Rodney’s Store, 1318 South St.

“I have been doing my back-to-school drive for four years,” Meekins said, adding last year the event gave out more than 400 book bags to Vicksburg area students.

The free back-to-school-drive, is geared for students entering kindergarten through twelfth grade.

The event will also include games, face painting and guest speakers.

Meekins said speakers will include Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace, whose speech will focus on youth crime, and Vicksburg Police Deputy Chief Eric Paymon, who will talk about youth mentoring. Emmarie Flaggs will be discussing health issues.

For those who would like to make donations to the back-to-school drive, Meekins said items can be dropped off at Kiddie City Day Care, 1783 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.

In addition to aiding school children with school supplies, Meekins said, he hopes the event will instill school spirit and encouragement to those who attend.

“I hope the kids will be able to start school off with a bang,” he said.

Sponsors for the 4th annual back-to-school-drive include: McDonald’s, Walmart, Simply Dop3 Xperience, River City DJs, Chick-fil-A, Those Who Cater, Nubian Kruzers United, StemPossible Inc., Secure One LLC, Sno Biz, #WetheParty, Sullivan’s, Corner Market, AT&T, Thomas and Thomas Security, Vicksburg Homecoming Benevolent Club, City of Vicksburg, Love Realty of Mississippi LLC and Kiddie City Day Care.

For more information or to donate, call 601-559-2222 or email simplydop3.info@gmail.com.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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