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PRESS RELEASE:                                                     

Contact:   Crystal McNabb

Volunteer Coordinator

662.449.5002

GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY A SUCCESS!

13,229 cans of food were collected by local high schools as part of Global Youth Service Day April 25.  The project ‘You CAN Help!’ was sponsored by Volunteer Northwest Mississippi, the volunteer center of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.  The food is being donated to various food pantries across DeSoto County in an effort to feed approximately 1,200 families. 

 Monetary prizes were offered to the schools that collect the most cans and the overall winner was Horn Lake High School with 7,000 cans of food receiving $500.00.  Second place went to DeSoto Central High and third place was awarded to Southaven High School.  The Spanish teacher Maria Routt coordinated the Can Food Drive for Horn Lake High.

Pictured with the 7,000 cans (boxed and ready to go to the Sacred Heart Southern Mission Volunteer Program) are Kelly Tartt of Sacred Heart, seniors Maegen Dillingham and Samantha Holland, Spanish teacher Maria Routt who also served as the coordinator for the project, seniors Amanda Eddington and Erica Napper, Principal Jim Ferguson and Lois Harrison of Sacred Heart.

Three of the high schools used their cans of food to compete in the CANNED STRUCTURE contest where unique structures are constructed from the cans.  Following specific guidelines, teams from Olive Branch, DeSoto Central and Southaven High Schools worked the week of April 21 to construct their entry.  Judges visited the schools the morning of April 25 and chose Southaven High School as the first place winner for their CANNED STRUCTURE entitled ‘A New Day’ receiving a $500.00 check.   A pond of water consisting of blue cans of tuna was flanked by two fruit trees constructed of various canned food.  The rolling hills in the background gave way to the rising sun constructed with yellow labeled cans.  English teacher Robin Avant coordinated the project with students from every grade. 

Pictured are some of the SHS youth who assisted in constructing "A New Day."  (Seated on the left) Chasidy Smith and Arielle Bryer.  (Standing) Dustin Darby, Crystal McNabb, Volunteer Northwest Mississippi, presenting the $500 check, Brandon McIlwain, English teacher Robin Avant who served as the project coordinator, Cody Reynolds, Kevin Bunyard, Alexandra Hooper.  (seated on right) Brynn Curtis and Michelle James.  The Samaritans picked up the cans for their food pantry.

Second place went to DeSoto Central High School for their STRUCTURE ‘Gumby Cares’ and third place was awarded to Olive Branch High School for a STRUCTURE entitled “Let My People Eat’ (pyramid).   

“This Global Youth Service Day project was not just about collecting cans of food or building CANNED STRUCTUREs, it was about fighting hunger in Mississippi.  The state is ranked number one in hunger according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture.”  (Crystal McNabb, Volunteer Coordinator for Volunteer Northwest Mississippi).  18.1 percent of Mississippi’s households struggled with hunger in 2006.  That is more that half a million people.  This is our way as a volunteer center to help this cause and involve youth in our volunteer programs.  We are proud to be the Lead Agency for Global Youth Service Day 2008” (Crystal McNabb).  Each of the five mayor signed a Proclamation proclaiming April 25 at Global Youth Service Day in DeSoto County. 

Global Youth Service Day is the largest youth service event in the world. GYSD is a year-round effort to expand the impact of the youth service movement. The initiative launches new service organizations, policy changes, and sustainable service programs to create a culture of engaged youth. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor. More than 125 national partners and 70 lead agencies throughout the United States organize campaigns.  Youth Service America seeks to improve communities by increasing the number and diversity   of young people, ages 5-25, serving in important roles.  Founded in 1986, YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments.   

“Volunteer Northwest Mississippi is an initiative of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, and working through Youth Service America and Global Youth Service Day is another way of fulfilling our mission of connecting people who care with causes that matter.”  (Peggy Linton, Volunteer Center Director).  To learn more about Volunteer Northwest Mississippi call 662.449.5002 or visit www.volunteernwms.org