A rose to The My Book program, which recently wrapped up another year of providing books to first-graders in the Columbus Municipal School District and at West Lowndes Elementary. The My Book program was established by CREATE Foundation 10 years ago. Throughout the year, My Book representatives work with teachers and librarians to purchase and distribute the books to first-graders. Over the past decade, My Book has distributed nearly 20,000 books to 4,000 students. This year, the nonprofit has provided each first-grader at CMSD elementary schools and West Lowndes Elementary with at least five books for them to take home. The organization uses donations to fund grants for librarians or teachers to choose and purchase books for the students. As the group prepares for the next school year, My Book is soliciting donations to ensure the program continues next year. A $100 donation purchases books for 20 students, and a $250 donation buys 55 books for students. Donations can be made online at createfoundation.com. The ability to read and comprehend is an essential building block to a successful life, both in academics and in the workplace, which is why we encourage everyone to help support this program through making a donation.
A rose to our local school districts that are doing their best to make sure no school children go hungry during the summer break. Both Columbus Municipal School District and the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District will again serve free breakfasts to children under the age of 18 beginning Monday. CMSD will provide meals through July 12 at all schools except for Union Academy. The Summer Food Service Program is federally funded and aims to fight summer hunger by providing free breakfast and lunch for children after the school year ends. The Mississippi Department of Education reimburses schools that participate in the program with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture. With 95% of CMSD students qualifying for free meals during the school year and 70% of SOCSD students qualifying, the summer feeding helps ensure students don’t go hungry. The very idea that a child could go without food in a country of such wealth as the USA is heart-breaking. We thank our schools for going above and beyond for meeting these most basic of all needs.
A rose of remembrance to former Columbus councilman Bill Gavin, who passed away Monday at age 74 after an extended illness. Gavin served his community in a number of ways. As a profession, he was an educator at East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State, but he is also remembered as a popular disc jockey at events all across the Golden Triangle. His most important role as a public servant was his three terms as Ward 6 councilman from 2009-2021. Gavin possessed the qualities we admire in a leader. He was upbeat and positive, fair-minded and thoughtful. At a time when tempers flared, as is inevitably the case, Gavin helped bring the temperature down. He could disagree without being disagreeable, a quality that served the city well. We extend our sympathies for the Gavin family and his multitude of friends.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
