Name: Amy Mehaffey
Title: Communications & Main Street Director
Phone: 936-559-2573
Email address: mehaffeya@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us
City of Nacogdcohes, SFA, & NISD Partner To Put Citizenship and Service in Action as part of National Day of Service
Hundreds of SFA students will step up to serve as volunteers on the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Volunteers will participate in over 5 service projects across the city, joining hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country in volunteer service.
The City of Nacogdoches and Nacogdoches ISD has planned a project that will leverage the strength of local citizens to help tackle local problems and advance Dr. King’s dream of opportunity for all. This project will take place at Brooks-Quinn Jones Elementary school. Students will pick up trash and clear brush to make a clear path for students at the school to walk to and from a housing unit located behind a lot of trees near school property.
“This is a true example of a community partnership,” Amy Mehaffey, City of Nacogdoches, Communications Director said. “The Public Works department identified this project and all parties involved have worked hard to make it a reality for the youth in this neighborhood.”
“I feel fortunate to have these different entities working together for the good of our children. It will greatly enhance the safety of our students that live in the neighborhood as they travel to and from school,” Tom Miller, Principal of Brooks Quinn Jones Elementary School said.
In preparation for the project, the City of Nacogdoches and Nacogdoches ISD have begun devoting resources to the property. Both entities have worked on creating a clear opening to a preferred path so teachers can clearly watch youth walk through the trees. This preparation will assist the volunteers in a timely clean up of the lot during their day of service.
“We have already received comments about how thankful nearby residents are for these initial efforts,” Mehaffey said. “This area has become a popular area for youth to congregate late at night and we just want to make a safe place for the youth to walk. SFA’s volunteer efforts could not have come at a better time.”
The Office of Multicultural Affairs, the department organizing volunteers, has over 100 students registered to participate in each designated project. More walk ups are expected the day of the event as well.
“We look forward to answering Dr. King’s call to serve and are making a difference in the lives of Nacogdoches residents,” said Dr. Osaro Airen, Director of Multicultural Affairs said. “Volunteer service is a powerful tool that builds strong communities. We are putting the core American principles of citizenship and service into action, which is a resourceful way to meet local needs.”
