By EASON FRANKLIN
The Lowndes Signal

The Lowndes County Commission recently approved a motion to allot $2,000 of its discretionary funds to the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program.

Willia Gadson of HIPPY appeared before the County Commission Jan. 24 to ask for the continued support from the commissioners for the children of Lowndes County.

“We want to tell the folks, our Commissioners are concerned about the success of our children,” said Gadson.

The motion to approve the dispersal of the $2,000 from the Commission’s discretionary funds was passed unanimously.

“A child’s education has to start at a young age to compete with other kids in the future,” Lowndes County Commission Robert Harris said. “HIPPY works that way because they are able to interact and get the parents at the same time to work with their kids. Some of the parents end up being good teachers.”

Commissioner Marzett Thomas was not present during the vote due to illness, said Lowndes County Commissioner Charlie King, Jr.

HIPPY works with a total of 72 families throughout Lowndes County to help parents educate their children and further their success, prevent rising drop-out rates within the county and “prevent the growth of the criminal element,” said Gadson.

Over the holidays, HIPPY worked with local churches from each community to provide Christmas presents for Lowndes County children and their siblings, Gadson said.

Gadson was thanked for her continued work with the children of Lowndes County.

“We need quite a few more people like you,” said King. “If we can get them, Lowndes County will be much better.”

The Lowndes County Commission’s next scheduled meeting is Feb. 8.

Other agenda items discussed:
– A motion was passed to donate $500 to the Auburn Extension Program’s Lowndes County Youth Livestock Program.

– A contract among the Lowndes County Board of Education, the Lowndes County Commission and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department was amended to include all three entities. The original contract did not include the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department as an entity.

– Commissioners approved a motion to donate $500 of discretionary money to the American Cancer Society.

– A motion was passed to donate $800 to Patricia Means’ class at Fort Deposit Elementary.