By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

A group of kids from Lowndes County will be spending their day having fun as a reward for their participation in a local enrichment program.
Children from the Hayneville Boys and Girls Club will be leaving for Alabama Adventure July 28 to close out their 10-week summer program of education and activities.
Themed Winners Walk Tall, the program has encouraged the children over the past weeks by teaching self-motivation and independence.
“We have a mission to enable all young people, especially those that need it the most to recognize their full potential,” said Boys and Girls Club South-Central Director Claude Douglas.
In its third year, the program joins with the efforts of the Lutheran Ministry in Birmingham to offer lessons about financial management, prevention, fitness, character and leadership to children ages 6-17.
“It is important the children learn about the importance of fitness, character and leadership,” said Hayneville Boys and Girls Club Director Marilyn W. McCall.
The groups of children have taken field trips to the Shakespeare Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum, the Hyundai plant and even participated in the E.D. Nixon Summer Olympics where some walked away with medals.
The kids were also able to enjoy some days swimming, skating and a Fun Day that allowed the Boys and Girls Club groups and children involved with STEP to raise money for their trip to Alabama Adventure.
Club member Chelsea Jordan and her mother, Aronda Heatley won a cash prize for raising the most money of all the groups, according to McCall. Runners-up were awarded certificates for their contributions.
The children and parents were able to collect a total of $2,150 for the trip.
“The program would not have been as successful as it has been without help from the children, their parents and our staff members,” said McCall.
Club members gathered at Hayneville Middle School to hold a closing ceremony in recognition of the children’s, parents’ and staff’s efforts over the past weeks.
EMA Director and Mayor of Mosses Walter Hill spoke at the ceremony about taking the positive aspects and characteristics of youth and applying it to society.
“Attitude determines altitude,” said Hill. “A person must have the right attitude to be successful.”
Lowndes County Probate Judge John Hulett and Hill also received certificates of recognition at the ceremony for their outstanding contributions to the Boys and Girls Club.
Archie Baker-Thomas, Marie Stafford, Jelisa Williams, Leonia Coley, Dorothy Tyson, Wendale Pierson and Gwendolyn Cosby were able to volunteer time and supplies to the kids throughout the course of the program, according to McCall. The 10-week program ends July 30.