Harrison Co. group honors King's legacy with service to seniors - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Harrison Co. group honors King's legacy with service to seniors

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By Trang Pham-Bui - bio | email

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GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

A non-profit organization in Harrison County honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy with a day of service. It is a project in which senior citizens reach out to others who are elderly, sick, and some are homebound.  

Myra Carter wanted to make Monday a memorable one for her neighbor. Carter chose Catherine Alexander of Gulfport as her friend for the day.

"We get to go shopping? Oh, I love spending money," Alexander exclaimed when Carter said she would take her to the bookstore at Edgewater Mall.

The special visit was Carter's way of celebrating Dr. King's "Day of Service."

"Being able to help someone, let them know that you're loved, you're cared for, you're appreciated, because this is what Dr. King did. He was about love, honor, respect," said Carter.

"I used to take the bus to go to the library, since I can't walk to the bus stop anymore. This makes it so much more fun," said Alexander.

Carter is one of 44 volunteers with the Harrison County Senior Companion Program. The non-profit organization, made up of people ages 55 and older, helps the elderly who are frail, disabled, or homebound. They run errands, prepare meals, or give caregivers a much-needed break. On the Day of Service, the volunteers reached out to senior citizens across Harrison County who were not their clients.

"It's good to be able to help people, period," said Geneva Akers, a volunteer with the organization.

"It's such cheerful voices. That means a lot when you're kind of feeling down yourself, to have bright, cheerful people around you," said Mildred Woodard of Gulfport.

It is a day of service that can leave a lasting impression. Volunteers with the Harrison County Senior Companion Program will participate in a similar service project during National Volunteer Week in April.

If you'd like to learn more about the Senior Companion Program, call (228) 896-2241.

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