OXFORD, Miss. – Local elected officials will join representatives of volunteer organizations serving the Lafayette-Oxford-University community Tuesday (April 4) at the Pantry to observe Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service.
Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson and Jeff Busby, president of the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors, are set to join volunteers and staff from the Lafayette County RSVP, Lafayette County Foster Grandparent Program, the North Mississippi VISTA Project at the University of Mississippi and Volunteer Oxford at 8:45 a.m. for a morning workday.
The annual observance spotlights the importance of citizen engagement, recognizes the dedication of national service members such as RSVP volunteers, foster grandparent volunteers and AmeriCorps VISTAS, and inspires more people to get involved in their community.
“Overall, we want to recognize the positive impact of national service in Oxford and Lafayette County, to thank those who serve and encourage more people to give back to the community,” Patterson said.
The group will get to pitch in to help meet a community need, said Arledia Bennett, director of the Lafayette County RSVP and Foster Grandparent Program.
“Tuesdays are usually busy days at the Pantry with food trucks coming in and shelves needing to be stocked, so we thought helping the Pantry would be a perfect way to celebrate Mayor and County Day and highlight national service volunteers that give back daily through so many volunteer activities” Bennett said.
Given the many social needs facing communities, county and city leaders are increasingly turning to national service as a cost-effective strategy to meet local needs. The day is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties and Cities of Service.
“AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers make our counties better places to live,” Busby said. “As president of the Board of Supervisors, we are grateful for the dedication of these citizens, who are helping make our county stronger, safer and healthier.”
For more information, contact Arledia Bennett at 662-232-2773 or rasvp@oxfordms.net.