In an effort to represent the various professionals in Pearl River County who have been instrumental in providing various essential services in this time the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of Picayune and Pearl River County Board of Supervisors are launching a Hometown Heroes Banner program.
Blaine LaFontaine, Pearl River County’s Economic Development Council director, said the idea was based off of similar programs held in other communities and cities, but most of those programs focus on recognizing military personnel. Pearl River County’s leaders have modified those programs in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to create a way to recognize those in this community who are providing various services to local residents.
Banners will feature the name and image of the hero, the person’s name and their branch of service, or title in their career that has been so essential during this time.
Families, businesses, educational organizations, churches or any other group can recognize a person of their choice by submitting that information and paying $150. The cost will be used to cover the expense to make and display the banner, with any proceeds being deposited into the Chamber’s scholarship fund.
The deadline to purchase a banner is Aug. 28. Once the banners are ready they will be displayed in various points on light poles across the city between Oct. 1 and Veterans Day. At the conclusion of the program, the banners can be picked up by the organization or individual who purchased it, or it can be stored at the Chamber.
LaFontaine said the goal is to make this an annual program.
If that organization or individual would like to display a previous year’s banner, they can do so for a fee of $75.
This year, there will be a cap of 50 banners for purchase, so they will be sold on a first come first serve basis.
For more information or to purchase a banner, contact LaFontaine at 228-493-8283, Laci Lee at the Chamber at 601-402-0546 or call the Chamber at 601-798-3122.