35
Years Young
An
anniversary is a time to honor the past while looking eagerly
toward the future. We’re doing just that here at Operation
Shoestring, as we commemorate 35 years of service to families
in the Bailey Avenue neighborhood. We marked this milestone
in November with a special celebration, at which we highlighted
our exciting new building projects.
A
festive crowd toured our facility with the guidance of Shoestring
staffers and volunteers. Reverend Chuck Poole, a longtime
supporter and former staffer (and now Tougaloo College chaplain),
and Reverend Eric Williams led the audience in prayer. Donna
Thompson led a group of Project KIDS students in a welcome
cheer and a rendition of “Happy Birthday” on
the piano. Shoestring communications consultant (and musician)
Scott Albert Johnson also entertained the crowd with some
acoustic music, with local blues legends Jesse Robinson and
Abdul Rasheed making guest appearances as well.
The
occasion was an opportunity to show off the latest improvements
to our classrooms and offices. We have converted most of
the back area of our facility, once briefly a gymnasium but
long used mostly for storage, into a beautiful new library
and art classroom. Thanks to His Way, Inc., Northminster
Baptist Church and several very generous individual donors,
we also fixed a roof that had been leaking for some time,
causing extensive interior water damage, and repaired and
painted walls throughout the 13,500 square-foot building.
The
total cost of all of these improvements was in excess of
$175,000. The women of the Junior League of Jackson provided
funds, computers and cataloguing software, and hands-on work
to help bring the library and art classroom vision to fruition.
The Hinds County Bar Association also contributed a new heating
and air conditioning system. Construction and design work
were provided (respectively) by Benson Builders and Properties
and Hollomon Architects.
All
of these improvements will go a long way toward our mission
of improving the lives of local families, one child and one
family at a time. In 2038, we hope to celebrate 35 more years
of progress. Until then, we will continue to respect and
value the members of our community, while we try to make
Jackson a better place to live for all of our brothers and
sisters.
Newsletter
Archive:
Home |Who
We Are | Programs | Newsletter | Contribute | Contact
Us
Operation
Shoestring
1711 Bailey Avenue
Jackson, MS 39283-1223
(601) 353-6336
©2004-2008. All rights reserved.
Check
out our