Greene County Democrat

Tag: Miriam Leftwich

  • Charity Days provide $116,00 in grants Greene County Racing Commission distributes $720,000 for first 2 quarters of 2025

    Front Row – Commissioner Donald F. Means, Commissioner Linette Brown, Commissioner Morris Hardy, State Representative Curtis Travis Back Row – Johnny Isaac, Lameka Bryant, Cortnei Hood, Mollie Rowe, Reginald Spencer, Marquita Lennon, Christopher Jones, Marcia Pugh, Andrea Woods, Charlie McAlpine, Miriam Leftwich, Darlene Robinson, Johnnie Knott, Marilyn Gibson, Brandon Merriweather, Hodges Smith, Hattie Samuel, Howard Crawford, James Morrow, Teresa M Atkins, Brenda Burke, Anita Lewis.

    The Greene County Racing Commission (Linette Brown–Chairperson, Morris Hardy–Vice-Chairman, and Donald Means–Secretary), was joined by Alabama State Representative Curtis Travis, legal counsel Brenda M. Pompey, Esq., and Office Manager Gerry Coleman on August 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. to welcome recipients of its 2025 Charity Awards disbursements. Also, welcomed were recipients of disbursements under Senate Bill #40, Act No. 223-206 (“Bill”) for the first and second quarters of 2025. These awards were made possible through proceeds generated from licensed gaming activities at the Palace.
    Chairperson Brown explained that the Racing Commission hold two charity days each year – one in March and one in July – which are advertised approximately two weeks in advance. The funds raised during these events make up the money distributed as charity disbursements. The Commission’s goal is to assist as many qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations as possible that provide vital services to the community. These organizations offer a range of support, including health initiatives, food drives, parenting and adoption guidance, housing assistance, youth development and camps; fire and emergency services, educational, and social services. The Racing Commission encourages everyone to support charity days at the Palace.
    This year, the Racing Commission was proud to support a total of 12 charities, including the Greene County Volunteer Fire Association which represents 14 volunteer fire departments. Chairperson Brown said, “We’re proud to support the important work being done across our communities, and we recognize the impact these funds have for those in need.” The Commission remains committed to ensuring that these proceeds benefit organizations that align with its mission to promote public welfare and community enrichment. The total amount for charity this year was $116, 500.00.
    The second group of disbursements, based on the Bill, covered both the first and second quarters of 2025. Under the Bill, each recipient’s percentage is determined by legislation. Chairperson Brown reminded the mayors representing the various municipalities across Greene County of the importance of encouraging their constituents to complete the Census survey, as each municipality’s award is determined by its population – the larger the population, the larger the award.
    The Statement of Distribution details the amounts allocated to each recipient under the Bill. The distributed for the first two quarters of 2025 was $720,000.00.
    Future allocations under the Bill will be made quarterly, subject to the continued availability of funds. The Commission has requested that the Greene County Commission issue payments within the next 10 days (by August 18th) to recipients who receive funds under the Bill.
    On behalf of the Greene County Racing Commission, Chairperson Brown said, “Though it’s been a long time coming, the Commission is grateful that the road has led to this moment, where we can give back to the people of Greene County. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the citizens of Greene County for their patience, kindness, and support along the way. Every bit of the funds shared today is meant for the citizens of Greene County, and for the good of the county we all call home.”
    Chairperson Brown thanked everyone for attending, for the work they do in their communities, and for their continued partnership. She said the Racing Commission looks forward to seeing the positive impact these funds will make in our county.
    Linette Brown, Chairperson
    Morris Hardy, Vice-Chairman
    Donald F. Means, Secretary

     

     

  • Spiver W. Gordon Day

  • Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes citizens and volunteers at annual banquet

    L to R : Corey Martin, Miriam Leftwich, Hodges Smith, Dr.Carol P. Zippert and Carrie Logan, Director of the Chamber. Smith, Martin and Zippert were honored as citizens of the year. Leftwich and Ralph Liverman (not shown) were honored for volunteer of the year.

    March 30, 2023. At Thursday night’s banquet, the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce honored citizens and volunteers of the year. Vaughn Poe, Greene County resident and Director of the Alabama Real Estate Commission in Montgomery was keynote speaker.

     

     

  • BBCF Greene County Community Associates collect and ship water donations to Jackson

    Shown Darlene Robinson, BBCF Board President, Community Assoicates Mollie Rowe, Miriam Leftwich, Geraldine Walton and John Zippert.
    Volunteers load truck with water
    L to R: Employee of Stay N On the Move Trucking Co. Amos Dewayne Cameron, his Dad Daniel Gill UHaul Driver and Rev. Wendell H. Paris of Jackson, MS, upon arrival in Jackson.


    Submitted by Miriam Leftwich

    Cities across the county had been collecting water donations since the beginning of September, after the clean water crisis broke out in Jackson, MS. The Greene County Community Associates, of the Black Belt Community Foundation, took the lead in Eutaw, Alabama to help our neighbors in Jackson get bottled water. We knew that we needed to help out however we could.
    Special thanks to our Mayor Latasha Johnson, who allowed the trailer to be parked on the premises of the Robert H. Young Community Center which was also the collection site.
    Stay N On the Move Trucking, LLC allowed use of a trailer and transported the collected bottled water to Jackson, Mississippi. Donations poured in from the beginning of the Water Drive up until minutes prior to departure.
    I am so grateful to this community, to all of the Pastors and the church families who took part in this drive, and to the Pastors and Deacons that helped to load and unload water from various destinations, to all of the Greek Letter organizations, Volunteer Fire Departments, Masonic and Eastern Star Lodges, Greene County High School Principal, students, and staff, Flowers Bakery, Tishabee Senior Citizens, Eutaw Housing Authority, Greene County Retired Educators Association, McInnis Mortuary, Greene County Ushers Alliance, Commissioner Allen Turner, Jr., Black Belt Law. All of the support that you showed was absolutely great.
    There were approximately 38 organizations and 45 families that represented by showing up and donating numerous cases of water. Donations poured in from as far as California. We even had donations shipped via FED EX. Hale, Sumter, Choctaw, and Tuscaloosa counties also contributed. All of the love that your residents showed us will never be forgotten.
    Approximately 325,000 bottles of water were collected. We are forever thankful to each and every one of you. We collected enough water to fill the trailer and had to get a second vehicle for the excess water. To our Sheriff and his staff, we tip our hats to you for such a wonderful sendoff. The Sheriff escorted the trucks from the Community Center to the Boligee exit.
    The drivers had a safe trip; water was delivered and those on the receiving end were grateful to have it and expressed their appreciation for a job well done.

  • Community seeks donations of water to fill truck for our neighbors in Jackson, MS

    The Greene County Community Associates of the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) initiated a program to fill an 18-wheeler trailer truck with water to send to Jackson, Mississippi. Over 200,000 residents of the City of Jackson have faced low pressure and contaminated water for several weeks due to flooding and the decay of their infrastructure.
    The BBCF Associates were able to enlist the support of the Greene County School System, the City of Eutaw, the Eutaw Police Department, the Eutaw Chamber of Commerce, local churches, and other allies, in the efforts to gather water donations.
    Miriam Leftwich, Coordinator of the BBCF Greene County Community Associates, said, “We are collecting bottled water, to fill up a trailer truckload to help our neighbors in Jackson, Mississippi, who face a devastating situation due to the failure of their water system.”
    Leftwich says you can bring cases of water to the Robert H. Young Community Center (former Carver Middle School) at 720 Greensboro Avenue in Eutaw from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday; and 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Fridays, through September 15, 2022.
    Leftwich is coordinating the water drive with a Black radio personality in Jackson, who will help distribute the water to people in need in Jackson.
    “We welcome any donations of water, from a single case to a pallet of cases of water, we want to fill the truck up, “said Leftwich.
    Mayor Latasha Johnson of Eutaw said, “We are asking all citizens of Eutaw to contribute to this worthy cause, and we have made our Robert H. Young Community Center available as a collection point. We also have our staff there aiding in the collection and loading of water.”
    For more information on the water drive, contact 205-496-2070 or 205-344-0739.

     

     

  • DST Chapter provides gifts for family of 10 children

    Shown L To R: Shirley Ezell, Carolyn Young, Marva Smith, Miriam Leftwich, Tameshia Porter, Isaac Atkins, Phillis Belcher, Johnni Strode Morning, Carol Zippert and Jacqueline Allen

    The Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. partnered with the Greene County Department of Human Resources to provide Christmas gifts for a local family of 10 children. The sorority members provided toys, games, books, various electronics as well as clothing for each child in the family. All the gifts were selected in attempts to fulfill the wishes of the children. The various lists of the children’s wishes were provided by the DHR staff.
    Mr. Wilson Morgan is Director of the Greene County DHR office.
    Mrs. Carolyn Young and Ms. Jackie Allen serve as chairperson and co-chairperson, respectively, of the DST Chapter’s Adopt-A-Family Committee. Mrs. Isaac Atkins serves as Chapter President.

  • BBCF Community Associates raise $41,000 for foundation

    mrs-lucky

    This past year, you may have bought a raffle ticket, or purchased a BBQ sandwich, or a box of donuts from one of the ‘community associates’ of the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF).
    At the BBCF Community Associates Annual Retreat in December in Tuscaloosa, the volunteer community associates from the twelve counties served by the foundation raised over $41,000 through grassroots fundraising during 2016.
    “This is a great achievement to boost the work and value of our community foundation. Our Community Associates Program is one of our secret assets which helps us to grow our foundation from the bottom up,” said Felecia Jones Lucky, President of the foundation.
    The BBCF Board of Directors has decided to use all of the monies raised by community associates toward making small community grants ($1,000 to $3,000 per grant) in the 12 county service area. The BBCF has not been able to make general support community grants for the past two years due to funding cutbacks. “Based on the outstanding work of the Community Associates and funds raised at our Legacy Award Dinner, we will be able to make at least $5,000 in community grants, in each of our twelve counties: Choctaw, Sumter, Pickens, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Dallas Wilcox, Lowndes, Macon and Bullock counties,” said Lucky.
    The BBCF has had funds from the Alabama State Arts Council to make arts grants and other specific grants for summer educational activities, support for mentoring and other special activities for African-American boys and young men and other targeted projects.
    “At our retreat, we discussed ways the Community Associates could share ideas, work on joint projects and help to strengthen the foundation,” said Christopher Spencer, who is on loan to BBCF from the University of Alabama Community Projects staff to help develop, inspire and grow the BBCF.
    Each of the 12 counties has a group of Community Associates from 3 to 10. “We are always looking for new associates who want to build our county chapter. We give people information about the foundation programs and we do grassroots fundraising year round, “ said Miriam Leftwich, Chair of the Greene County Associates. “We also accept checks and funds from people, who don’t want to buy raffle tickets or donuts but we know it takes grassroots efforts to make the foundation grow,” said Leftwich.
    Persons interested in becoming associates or contributing to the Black Belt Community Foundation can contact the website at http://www.blackbeltfound.com or visit the office in Selma, Alabama.