Kiwanis Hears about ML&J Program
The Monticello Kiwanis Cub met Monday and honored a high school student as student of the month, and heard a program from spokesmen with the Mercy, Love & Joy (ML&J) group.
Morgan Studdard, a senior at Jasper County High School was selected as student of the month by her teachers. She was the honored guest at the club’s meeting Monday. She chose as her special teacher, her math teacher, Christy McAlum.
Miss Studdard said after high school she plans to attend Gordon State College and play softball. She said that her teacher has pushed her to be a better student.
Her teacher had nothing but praise for her, saying she is a a Beta Club officer, and that in class she goes above and beyond what even good students do. She said it speaks well of her interest and drive. She praised her work ethic, saying good isn’t good enough for Miss Studdard. JCHS Principal Robyn Mullis is a Kiwanian and was presnt for the award.
After the presentation, School Superintendent and Kiwanis Secretary Mike Newton introduced the program, saying the Christmas holiday is about what we can do for others. He said the school system’s motto is Our Children, Our Community, Our Responsibility.
He then introduced the speakers for the program. Mary Lou Jordan gave a little history about the ML&J program. Now called the Mercy, Love and Joy program, it was begun by Mrs. Jordan and her husband, Jimmy, making the initials ML&J, about 10 years ago. This year she had serious health complications and had to turn much of the work over to others.
At that time, she said she felt a new name was in order. Mercy, Love and Joy fit, and it epitomizes what the program is all about. The ML&J Program tries to provide Christmas for children who otherwise would not have one, and also gives school supplies and clothes to children starting school.
Tricia Armistead who has hosted the “Polar Express” for three years shared how she became involved. She said she started the Polar Express to teach children how to give. She gave some history of how she came to own her historic home on Forsyth Street, and said that the Lord provided for her and she explained to her son, Ben, that it was important to give back.
She came up with the idea of teaching lots more children about the gift of giving. Each year, children come to her house with a present for a needy child. Then the child rides the special “Polar Express” train and visits witih Santa. She said she wants to plant the seed in the children about the importance of giving.
Ms. Armistead said before she started doing this, it started at home. One year her son said he didn’t need so much for Christmas, and he saw others doing without.
That year she gave her son a card that explained about others being helped by his generosity. She read the card to the Kiwanians.
This year, a Girl Scout troop also helped with Polar Express. The young ladies earned a badge for their effort, and helped a lot with hosting the day of the event and preparing goodie bags in advance.
The Monticello Kiwanis Club is dedicated to helping the children of the community. It meets each first and third Monday at noon at Deptula’s Restaurant, and everyone is welcome.
