Gang Free Inc. Awarded $5K Grant for Community Service
Gang Free Inc., a program focused on reducing crime in Vance County, was the recent recipient of the Coastal Credit Union Foundation’s Hometown Hero Award.
One nonprofit organization from each of the 16 counties in North Carolina served by the Coastal Credit Union was selected by the foundation’s committee members to receive this honor.
Melissa Elliott, recent candidate for Vance County Sheriff, founded Gang Free Inc. in 2009 to serve at-risk youth and adults. With the main focus on youth ages 5-17, the mission of the organization is to “educate and empower individuals to live a life liberated of crime through innovative progress and services.”
Melissa Elliott (left) and Dr. Jeanette Floyd (right) with Gang Free Inc. pose with the organization’s Hometown Hero Award. (Photo courtesy Melissa Elliott)
Led by Elliott and a group of approximately 10 consistent volunteers, Gang Free Inc., located at 940 County Home Rd., Henderson, currently serves 56 youth. “We are focused on prevention and we address the kids’ emotional and social needs,” Elliott said.
The majority of participants are students from Clarke Elementary School, LB Yancey Elementary School, Henderson Middle School and Southern Vance High School.
“We do so much with our kids,” said Elliott. “From literacy programs, bullying and gang prevention, mowing grass, cleaning up neighborhoods, helping the Henderson Optimist Club with their Christmas trees or picking produce from our own garden, we keep them engaged and involved in their community.”
According to Elliott, this level of community service and involvement keeps participants away from crime and gives them a sense of purpose and of responsibility to be good stewards of their community.
For their efforts to reduce crime in Vance County, Gang Free Inc. was awarded a $5,000 grant on May 24, 2018, at the Coastal Credit Union Foundation’s third-annual Power of Sharing Gala held at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley.
“It was very meaningful to me to attend the gala and to see that there are other people out there trying to make a difference in their communities; there are other like-minded people,” said Elliott. “It was an incredible experience.”
Elliott plans to use the bulk of the grant for new programs, including Guiding Good Choices, a drug prevention program for ages 9-14 with a focus on opioid and heroin abuse.
In addition to the $5,000 grant to be used for operating expenses and programs, Gang Free Inc. received an IBM Impact Grant that allowed Elliott to attend the recently-held “Becoming a Leader of Change” training.
This leadership training helped Elliott identify effective change management skills, as well as provided insight on how to implement improvement processes within her organization.
While formal training sessions are important to Elliott and her growth as a leader, learning on the job and making changes as necessary is also an invaluable teacher. “I’m learning as I go and running this organization on faith.”
Elliott thanks her volunteers and community organizations for the “overwhelming support” that they have provided Gang Free Inc. “Dr. Jeanette Floyd, the educational director, is the glue and nails of this organization,” said Elliott. “This would not be possible without her and without our numerous individual volunteers and organizations.”
To learn more about Gang Free Inc. or to become a volunteer, please visit their website at www.gangfreeinc.org.
Still Plenty of Upcoming Fourth of July Events to Enjoy!
WIZS wishes you and your family a very happy and SAFE July 4th holiday!
Tuesday, July 3 –
The City of Creedmoor and Town of Butner will host a “spectacular” fireworks display at Lake Holt, located at 1200 Old Highway 75 in Butner, on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Gates open at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Concessions offering a selection of hot dogs, bottled water, and soft drinks are available (no alcoholic beverages are permitted), and a DJ plays music to add to the celebration.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and a personal-size flashlight. Due to the loud nature of fireworks, event organizers request that all pets be left at home for this event.
Parking and security are organized by officers of the Creedmoor Police Department, the Creedmoor Volunteer Fire Department, Butner Public Safety, and Granville County Sheriff’s Office.
This event is sponsored by Granville County, Town of Stem, Town of Butner, City of Creedmoor and City of Oxford.
For more information, please visit www.butnernc.org
Wednesday, July 4 –
Mark your calendars for the greatest small town celebration in NC! For those of you who have been…just a simple “Don’t miss the celebration in Wise on the 4th…” is all you need! For those of you who haven’t been yet, it is a “must” event for 2018.
Wednesday, July 4 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. all roads lead to Wise. For nearly an hour they close down US 1 through Wise for a hometown parade. Following the parade, everyone gathers on the grounds of the Wise Baptist Church (the Stone Church) for fellowship, food, fun, live music from The Deep Creek Band and some of the best homemade ice cream you’ll ever taste.
With activities for the entire family and lots of vendors and crafts, you’ll remember your 4th in Wise for years to come!
As an added entry in this year’s parade, they will have a Vietnam era Huey Medivac Helicopter. Mr. Jesse McGee of Hollister, NC will be the Grand Marshal this year. Mr. McGee is a WWII, US Army Air Corp veteran.
This year there’s the additional Classic Car Show. A $10 entry fee gets your classic rod in the competition for a chance at 1st, 2nd & 3rd place trophies.
Wednesday, July 4 –
The Creedmoor Lions Club and City of Creedmoor will host a Fourth of July picnic from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4 at Lake Rogers Park, 1711 Lake Road in Creedmoor.
The event is open to the public and features free hot dogs, watermelon slices, live music and a cake baking contest. Cake contest begins at 1 p.m.
For more information, please contact Lynwood Hicks at (919) 793-3172 or (919) 528-2137.
Saturday, July 7 –
Cokesbury Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual “fireworks extravaganza” on Saturday, July 7.
Fireworks will begin around 8:30 p.m. Those interested in the event are encouraged to arrive early.
Food, including Chick-fil-A and Pelican Snowballs, will be available for purchase.
Masonic Home for Children at Oxford to Hold Annual Public Service Appreciation Day
-Information courtesy Gene Purvis, Vocational Counselor, Masonic Home for Children at Oxford
The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College St., Oxford, will hold its 6th Annual Public Service Appreciation Day on Friday, July 13, 2018. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Public service workers who received invitations to the event include those from the Oxford Police Department, Granville County Sheriff’s Office, EMS personnel, Oxford Fire Department, City Commissioners, City Manager, County Manager, Mayor and postal employees.
The luncheon will be held by the children and staff of the Masonic Home in appreciation of all that public service workers do to make the Oxford community a better place.
According to the invitation sent by the Masonic Home, “We recognize the dedication you demonstrate and the long hours and often difficult work that you do. For providing this valuable service to our community, we would like to say thank you and demonstrate our appreciation by treating you to lunch.”
While lunch is served, Masonic Home staff will provide free car washes to the guests of honor.
Please RSVP to (919) 603-3923 or email gpurvis@mhc-oxford.org by Friday, July 6, 2018, with the number from your department who plan to attend the luncheon.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
EMS, Fire Redistricting & Broadband Slated for Review at Upcoming County Meetings
-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to the Board, Vance County Board of Commissioners
The Vance County Board of Commissioners has scheduled three individual committee meetings for the month of July. Meetings will be held in the Administrative Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.
Meetings are open to the public.
Human Resources Committee (Faines, Taylor, Wilder)
Tuesday, July 10 at 4:15 p.m.
– Manager’s Evaluation Format
Public Safety Committee (Wilder, Brummitt, Faines)
Wednesday, July 25 at 3 p.m.
– EMS Matters
– Fire Redistricting
– Fire Restructure
Technology Committee (Brummitt, Feimster, Taylor)
Thursday, July 26 at 3:30 p.m.
– Broadband
Welcome Chapel Missionary Baptist to Celebrate Homecoming
-Information courtesy Gloria Hawley, Welcome Chapel Missionary Baptist Church
Welcome Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 237 Welcome Ave., Henderson, will be celebrating Homecoming on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at 11 a.m. during morning worship services.
Please come out and join us for a good word from Rev. Saint Silver, good fellowship and dinner to be served after the service.
Casual dress encouraged!
(This is not a paid advertisement)
