Page 30 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2016

COASTNOTES CHILDREN
LADS2LEADERS Boys learning
through youth program
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Lads 2 Leaders
A local church is providing a way for boys to gather and compete in speeches, song leading, art work, Bible Bowl and other fellowship events. The national organization is Lads 2 Leaders (L2L), a youth program of the Church of Christ that’s implemented locally by the Orange Grove Church of Christ in Gulfport.
“The L2L annual meetings are conducted in several regions of the country each year. In March our group attended the Atlanta Meeting of L2L with about 4,000 people attending,” said Gordon Redd, one of the local adult leaders. “It’s a great spiritual opportunity for kids. We’ve been having a great time watching the kids perform in speaking events, Bible reading, art, photography and other events.”
Redd gives credit to Verlon Carrell, Minister of Orange Grove Church of Christ, and his wife, Ginger, for doing an excellent job spearheading L2L activities this year. “Besides the annual competition, there are numerous activities throughout the year that add to the competition awards that are given at the annual meetings,” he added.
Lads 2 Leaders
www.lads2leaders.com
IN NEED
story by
Lynn Lofton
Harrison County volunteers needed to help children
With a high case
load of abused and
neglected children and
few volunteers, Court
Appointed Special
Advocates (CASA) of
Harrison County needs
help. CASA volunteers are trained to work with abused and/ or neglected children and their families.
From January 1, 2015 to February 8, 2016, the Harrison County Youth Court received 5,044 referrals for abuse and neglect of children.
“There are children today waiting for a CASA. Will you join us and become a voice for a child?” said Rhonda Collins, event coordinator and advocate. “We are almost desperate for volunteers. We already have a large influx of reports on children, and it will get worse as school ends for the summer. We only had four wonderful people sign up for our last training and we need so many more.”
Volunteers are asked to register now to participate in
the summer 2016 training session, which begins June 14.
An online volunteer application can be accessed at www. casaharrisoncounty.org and clicking on the volunteer link at the top of the page. For assistance with registration, contact CASA of Harrison County at 228.865.7078.
30 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • June 2016
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