The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation’s largest annual event is their Community Reinvestment Awards (CRA). For outstanding service to Mississippi children, Operation Shoestring will be one of four community organizations honored as 2009 Grand Award Recipients at the event. The 13th Annual CRA is being held on Thursday, November 5 in the Medical Mall’s Thad Cochran Center at 6:00pm. This year’s guest speaker will be Dr. Benjamin Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John Hopkins Children's Hospital. Special thanks go to Executive Director Primus Wheeler, Deputy Director Lori Greer, and Public Relations Manager Zakiya Summers, as well as all of the Medical Mall Foundation’s board for this wonderful distinction.
For more information on the event, tickets, and sponsorships, click here.
On Saturday, September 26th, Wells Church staged their 26th annual WellsFest at Jamie Fowler Boyll Park on Lakeland Drive. After a week of rain, and even some that morning, the sun emerged for hours of local music, kids activities, and craft booths. Despite the early precipitation, a signal of the event’s good fortune came in an editorial on Wells and Shoestring in that morning’s Clarion-Ledger. Wells was kind enough to designate Operation Shoestring as this year’s beneficiary of WellsFest. Over 40 years ago, the original Operation Shoestring site was a back room of Wells Church. Great thanks to Keith Tonkel and Wells not only for their support from the proceeds of this event, but also decades of community partnership!
To see more pictures of WellsFest as well as The Clarion-Ledger editorial, click the following links.
On Monday, September 28, the Delta Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Jackson State University held an on-campus economic forum centered on money-saving tips. Attendees were asked to bring canned goods, specifically to be donated to Operation Shoestring. Most Tuesday mornings, Shoestring conducts a food distribution for neighborhood households that qualify. Thanks very much to the Delta Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for generously providing a literal truckload of food!
We want to thank everybody for helping make September 17th's "A Conversation About Community," a resounding success. In addition to the abundance of topical candor from the panelists, hundreds of civic-minded individuals filled the Trustmark Ballroom at the Convention Complex. Our event income increased by more than 25% over last year. Given the state of our economy, that is huge - and necessary!
As the one night a year that helps keep the Ellen Harris Center staffed and lit year round, we cannot overemphasize the importance or appreciation surrounding last Thursday. Shoestring’s community-wide effort has lasted over 40 years, and with generosity and effort of those that see the big picture, it will continue to flourish.
By teaching children and inspiring families, Operation Shoestring ensures we are all rising.
For more pictures from the Conversation, click here. Thanks to Patrick Taylor.
(From L-R) Oleta Fitzgerald, Jim Barksdale, Luther Ott, Aaron Shirley
Every business day, the Jackson Free Press’ “JFP Daily” email recognizes a “Person of the Day” – among other things. In the week leading up to Shoestring’s “A Conversation About Community,” the JFP profiled two individuals at the center of the event. Dr. Aaron Shirley, who served as one of the four panelists at The Conversation, was featured on Thursday, September 10th. And Shoestring Executive Director Robert Langford was picked on Thursday, September 17th. Additionally, JFP correspondent Ronni Mott’s coverage of “A Conversation About Community” appeared online the following day.
To see the two “Person of the Day” pieces, as well as the event coverage, click the links below.
Operation Shoestring’s annual dinner, “A Conversation About Community” is just two weeks away, and in the meantime you should see word of it, all over. Look for print ads in the Jackson Free Press, Jackson Advocate, and Northside Sun. Tune your radio dial for airings of Executive Director Robert Langford’s appearances on Todd Carter’s Metro Matters (Mix 98.7, Y-101, and US 96.3), Randy Bell’s community update (Score 620, Miss 103, Z106, News 1590, Hallelujah 95.5), as well as a live appearance on Othor Cain’s Cain’s Corner (WJSU). Turn to WLBT’s Midday Mississippi on Monday the 14th or various times on TV23 for televised interviews of Robert. And while you’re cruising around, keep an eye out for banners at the corner of State St. & Pearl St., in Parham Bridges Park, and in Jamie Fowler Boyll Park on Lakeland.
September 17th’s “A Conversation About Community” sets itself apart by encouraging powerful civic dialog rather than self congratulation. This year’s panel is exceptionally qualified to discuss such tough issues as the economy, poverty, education, and race.
For information on individual $50 tickets, as well as sponsorships click here.
Operation Shoestring’s Annual Dinner
A CONVERSATION ABOUT COMMUNITY
A Panel Discussion With:
Jim Barksdale Founder, Barksdale Reading Institute
Over 40 years ago, the original Operation Shoestring site was the basement of Wells Church. And it’s time once again for the Bailey Avenue neighbors’ annual celebration, WellsFest. It will be held Saturday, September 26th, at Jamie Fowler Boyll Park, next to Smith-Wills Stadium on Lakeland Drive. All of this year’s proceeds will go to Operation Shoestring. The festival features a 5K run and walk and a one-mile fun run, as well as live music, food booths, children's activities, a pet parade, arts and crafts booths, a plant sale, and a silent auction for goods and services. Admission is free.
In addition to the traditional Saturday fun, this year includes WellsFest Art Night on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Mississippi Crafts Center on Rice Road in Ridgeland. This event also is free. The preview party begins at 6 p.m., and the live art auction gets under way at 7:30 p.m.
Great thanks goes to Wells not only for their consideration of this event, but also decades of community partnership!
For 40 years, Operation Shoestring’s work has fostered empowerment in its inner-city target neighborhoods as well as reconciliation throughout the larger community. Operation Shoestring began in the back room of a small neighborhood church in 1968. Through the years, it has grown into a multi-faceted interfaith ministry that nurtures neighborhood development and helps families achieve greater self-sufficiency.
Our programs include: • After-school and summer programs for children • School dropout prevention services • Family communication and parenting classes • Art, music, and dance programs • Athletic summer camps • Food pantry, among others. Shoestring is supported by the gracious generosity of individuals, congregations, businesses, foundations, and some public funders. It is a United Way agency and an affiliate for the Christian Children’s Fund.
WANT TO STAY IN TOUCH?
To be added to our email and/or mailing list, drop a line to info@operationshoestring.org
Hold a Drive at Your School or Office!
Here are items you can collect to be donated for Shoestring’s various programs:
• Canned Vegetables and Non-Perishable Food (Peanut Butter, Beans, Rice, etc.) • School / Art Supplies • Paper Plates, Napkins, and Towels • Cleaning Supplies • 100% Juice Boxes
2009 Board of Directors
Doug Boone:President Dorian Turner: Vice President Wade Overstreet: Treasurer Evelyn Edwards: Secretary Donna Barksdale Ken Barton Chris Bell Cecil Brown Debra Brown Lee Bush George Evans James E. Graves, Jr. Jonathan Lee LeMoyne Martin Vickie Mason Sally Molpus Lamar Nesbit Trey Porter Mary Largent Purvis Chris Ray Melinda Ray Keith Tonkel Trey Waterloo Primus Wheeler
The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation’s largest annual event is their Community Reinvestment Awards (CRA). For outstanding service to Mississippi children, Operation Shoestring will be one of four community organizations honored as 2009 Grand Award Recipients at the event. The 13th Annual CRA is being held on Thursday, November 5 in the Medical Mall’s Thad Cochran Center at 6:00pm. This year’s guest speaker will be Dr. Benjamin Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John Hopkins Children's Hospital. Special thanks go to Executive Director Primus Wheeler, Deputy Director Lori Greer, and Public Relations Manager Zakiya Summers, as well as all of the Medical Mall Foundation’s board for this wonderful distinction.
