Meridian and Lauderdale County residents are encouraged to donate markers, hand sanitizer, crayons and more as a class of Leadership Lauderdale members works to gather supplies for The SPOT as part of their class service project.

 

Stacie Roy, who is part of the group, said The SPOT, which stands for Special Place for Others to Thrive, is a relatively new organization in town but has already been making a big impact in the lives of special needs residents.

 

“They’re kind of a young program, and so we’re doing a supply drive for them to help them, just for the events that they put on,” she said.

 

The SPOT participates in TOP Soccer and Camp Hoops, both of which are athletic programs for children with special needs, she said. The organization has also put on Valentines Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas programs, as well as helped with the recent Night to Shine event for people with special needs at Central United Methodist Church.

 

“So we’re doing a supply drive just to collect paper, crayons, markers, zip lock bags, fishing string,” Roy said. “We’ve got a whole list, a supply list of items that they’ve requested, that they need.”

 

Romande Walker, who serves on the Meridian City Council and is also part of the Leadership Lauderdale Group, said the group also wanted to use the drive as a way to bring attention to The SPOT and the work it’s doing in the community. By increasing awareness of the organization, she said, the goal is to open the door for even more resources to flow in.

 

Residents are encouraged to get involved with the project by donating requested items. Items can be dropped off at Singer H&R, Commercial Bank, First State Bank, Key Field and Little Wildcat Pre-K Academy.

 

To make it even easier to give, Roy said the group has created an Amazon registry where residents can donate items online and have them delivered directly to The SPOT at its offices at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church. To access the registry, scan the QR code on the supply drive flyer.

 

Those wishing to make monetary donations to support the organization can also do so online at thespotfamily.com/donate or by mailing a check to The SPOT, PO Box 206, Meridian, MS 39305. Checks can be made out to the Community Foundation of East Mississippi with The SPOT in the memo line.

 

Roy said the class plans to accept donations through March 21 before turning over the items to The SPOT for use.