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Cindy Melton ranks among the ardent supporters of Mississippi College’s United Way drive this fall.
“They are the hands and feet serving and meeting the needs of communities,” says Melton, incoming dean at the MC School of Education in January.
“The United Way organization is more than a Band-Aid fix. They’re helping find long-term solutions,” adds Melton, who chairs the school’s Teacher Education and Leadership Department.
From providing safe houses to women and children, paying for books and summer reading programs to offering GED classes to adults, the United Way of the Capital Area reaches out in so many ways.
A United Way leader since 1993, President Lee Royce recently announced the Christian university’s goal to reach $25,000 to benefit three dozen agencies in metro Jackson. MC seeks to gain support from 40 percent of its 550-plus faculty and staff members. The new campaign wraps up prior to the Christmas holidays.
For the past six years, MC faculty and staff raised more than $130,000 for United Way to help needy families in Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties.
“I believe this is a tremendous way to address so many needs,” Royce said. At a time when people get caught up in fall football games and tailgating, the MC president noted it’s important to “remember the children, teens, single moms and seniors who count on United Way donations each year.”
As Acts 20:35 says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
It’s pretty easy to spot United Way supporters at the main campus in Clinton and the MC Law School in downtown Jackson. Donations enhance the Magnolia Speech School, the Shelter for Battered Women and Children, Goodwill Industries and the 4C’s in Clinton, among others.
“I have given to United Way for over 30 years,” says MC business professor Billy Morehead.
“I’m picky about whom I give donations to because I want to know the who, what and where my money is going,” says Morehead, who teaches accounting classes at Self Hall. “I give because the United Way really does put their contributions to use in the local community.”
Worldwide, United Way raises more than $5 billion every year. The money comes from 9.6 million donors worldwide. The agency also benefits from 2.6 million volunteers.
Needs are widespread in Mississippi that traditionally ranks among America’s poorest states. An estimated 246,000 Mississippi children or 34 percent live in poverty.
Last year, MC faculty and staff contributed a little more than $20,000 to United Way-supported programs. But university employees seem even more passionate as they begin another drive in early October.
Melanie Fortenberry, director of MC’s graduate programs in health administration, regularly gives to United Way because it boosts the lives of the less fortunate. “It benefits others and costs me very little,” says the Clinton resident. “I am glad of the combined efforts to make a brighter world for those who benefit.”
Shari Barnes has successfully coordinated United Way campaigns at MC since 2008. The director of the university’s Community Service Center, Shari works hard to collect every United Way dollar she can. Her faithful work is paying dividends.
Since 2008, Mississippi College remains the United Way leader among Jackson area colleges. The United Way trophy showing that achievement remains on display at Shari’s office in the B.C. Rogers Student Center.
A few miles from the Clinton campus, United Way support is going strong at MC Law in Jackson. “Every year, MC Law strives for 100 percent participation from our faculty and staff,” says Wendy Scott, the MC Law dean. “We get closer and closer each year because we know how important the work of United Way is to our communities.”
Eric Pratt, vice president for Christian Development, remains committed to United Way as well. “The United Way is a great vehicle to get funds to agencies that work directly with individuals and groups that need assistance or a jump start to get things back on track.”
Laurie Lawson, director of the 4Cs in Clinton and leader of the MC social work program, says it is always heartwarming to receive so much help from her campus colleagues. United Way donations do everything at her agency from helping seniors travel to medical appointments to operating a thrift store for low-income Mississippians.
This fall’s United Way campaign is expected to generate more support from students at Mississippi College.
For more information, contact Shari Barnes at 601-925-3267 or sbarnes@mc.edu
Photo: Cindy Melton
