On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, Mr. Ronnie Burke, Coordinator of Decatur County Family Connection, met with the Decatur County Lions Club and received a $400 check for use in the Backpack Program.  He discussed some of the Family Connection functions and described how that organization makes a significant and positive difference in the lives of many Decatur County residents. 

It has been famously, and perhaps arguably said that, “it takes a village to raise a child”.  For most children, all the components necessary for happy and healthy developmental years are inherently part of their lives.  However, due to circumstances of their birth or other factors, a shocking number of children lack basic things that so many of us take for granted.

Many needs are met through the generosity of caring hearts and hands of churches, organizations, business and individuals within the Decatur County “village”.  In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of many of those efforts, Family Connection coordinates the work and contributions of a variety of sources.  One example of that is the Backpack Program, which is designed to meet the needs of approved County elementary students who would be hungry at times when other resources are not available, such as on weekends during the school year.  Nutritious, child-friendly foods are included in the backpacks, and once a month a book is included to encourage children to read.  As the program serves approximately 100 kids per week,

Mr. Burke reported that the $400 donated by the Decatur County Lions Club will provide backpack funds for two weeks.  An estimated $8,000 per year is expended on the Backpack Program.

Members of the Decatur County Lions Club are honored to be a part of the “village” making a positive difference in the lives of our community’s children.