A new club has been formed at Picayune Memorial High School called Veterans and Citizens Supporting Students. The name covers a broad spectrum: veterans both active and retired are encouraged to get involved as well as anyone who would like to support the students for all the activities they may want to undertake.

The Exchange Club of Picayune has also committed to get involved in helping with projects so we encourage your participation.

Two great teachers, Allison Wheat and Robin Jenkins are overseeing all the projects for the school and club.

The club at the school has approximately 30 students signed up so far.

The main project this year is to do three things. 1)  Prevention of child abuse   2) Suicide prevention (the school had two suicides last year) and 3) Prevention of bullying among students. A $500 scholarship will be awarded to the senior who contributes the most to these three categories.

The other important project will be students helping students.

Last year about 150 used prom dresses were collected and re-cycled to give to students who could not afford to buy a dress for the prom. This was a huge success  and a whole bunch of smiling faces were in attendance at the prom.

A “student closet” was created at the school to collect everyday necessities of life for students, such as, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair spray, soap, deodorant, good clothes, shoes, jackets and anything a student may need in everyday life.

A good many of these students can’t afford to buy these items, but the club is stepping in and addressing the problem.

As you can see, your help is needed. Maybe you had everything you needed when you attended high school, but a lot of these students have nothing, not even life’s necessities.

There are many other worthy projects in the works this year and we need your help to go forward.

At the street fair on Nov. 7 and 8, the students will have a booth (located almost at the end of West Canal Street) and they will be selling cakes, cookies, candies, lemonade and ice tea to raise funds to support all of the projects this year.

If you can donate a homemade cake or homemade candy or just make a cash contribution to the students, then please contact me at 601-749-0910 or email me at wvroberts400@yahoo.com

If you go to the street fair, then stop at our booth and say “hello.”

By Bill Roberts.