International Paper grant to support construction of Good Shepherd Gymnasium
Published on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 16:04
- Pictured at the check presentation on Wednesday are, from left, United Way board member Ginger Donohue; United Way board chair Fermika Smith; Vicksburg Mill pulp operations coordinator Jeremy Jones; United Way executive director Michele Connelly; Vicksburg Mill mill manager Oren Ruth; Good Shepherd executive director Cindy McCarley; Vicksburg Mill communications director Liz Johnson; Vicksburg City Councilor Alex Monsour; Good Shepherd administrative director Mark Mitchell; Vicksburg City Councilor TJ Mayfield; Vicksburg Mill human resources director Danielle Williams; and Good Shepherd board chair John Ferguson. (Submitted photo)
International Paper’s Vicksburg Mill has awarded a $50,000 campaign capital grant to Good Shepherd, an organization that serves one of the River City’s most historic and poor neighborhoods.
This capital campaign grant, funded by the IP Foundation, will enable Good Shepherd to complete much-needed renovations to the facility’s gymnasium, IP officials said.
“When the mill considered making this significant charitable donation, we knew it had to be an agency whose longevity and strength in the community mirrored our own,” said Oren Ruth, manager of the Vicksburg Mill. “We have been making paper on the Yazoo River for nearly sixty years, so the Vicksburg Mill really has deep roots in our community. Good Shepherd provides important services in our community and we are proud to partner with them not only through this donation, but also through future hands-on volunteerism.”
Good Shepherd, a United Way-affiliated organization, opened as a daycare center in 1987. Today it offers preschool/afterschool classes, summer camps, mentoring, life skills training, financial literacy, and the Jullia’s Place special needs program.
