Members of this year’s class of Leadership Jones County are assisting the Animal Rescue League of Laurel/Jones County by replacing and extending fences around the building that houses animals rescued by the organization.

Calling themselves “Team Rescue,” Pamela Munger, Chick-fil-A; Scott French, Wayne Farms; Pollyanna Gandy Magee, Dixie Electric Power Association; Pamela Munger, Chick-fil-A; and Tony Hales, Mississippi Army National Guard, broke ground for the project at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Team member Anna Thornton of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation was absent.

“We toured the (ARL) facilities during are session on non-profits and social service organizations,” explained Munger. “That’s when we decided to choose them as our project.

“We plan to replace the part of the fence that’s old and rusty and move the fence back 20 feet to make more room for the animals.”

French said the group made a choice of three possible projects. In the end, the Animal Rescue League came out on top. French noted that brothers Jimmy and Billie Morgan from United Fence Company, along with their sons, Robert and Justin, are assisting the team with putting up the fence.

There are 15 members in the 2010 Leadership Jones County class. They were divided into three teams and each team had to select and complete a community service project as part of the program.

Leadership Jones County is a program that was introduced by the Jones County Chamber of Commerce to identify and prepare the community’s future leadership resources. The objective is to provide the county with a network of current and emerging leaders who possess the skills and the sense of commitment to improve the community for all Jones County residents. Class members must live and/or be employed in Jones County and be at least 21 years of age.

The other two teams are “Team Restoration Inspiration ” and “Team Arabian Classics.” Team Arabian Classic consists of team members Anna McLeod, Laurel Bone & Joint Clinic; Laura Brame, WM. F. Horne & Co. PLLC; Lindsey Gavin, a’la mode Design; John Pates, Primerica, and Ray Palmer, BancorpSouth. Their team project is the installation of a motion picture screen, audio equipment and a projector in the Arabian Theater in downtown Laurel.

Team Restoration Inspiration, consisting of Ryan Maki, Verizon Wireless; Amie Herrington, Jones County Junior College; Daryl Spier, South Central Regional Medical Center; Shona Kelly, Ellisville State School, and Stacy Tucker, Ellisville City Alderman, chose Ellisville State School as its project. The team plans to rebuild a school campground that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. 

Munger noted that in addition to working on the fence, Team Rescue also plans to purchase dog houses and other items the shelter needs on a routine basis. They also want to enhance the shelter and its surroundings by painting and making repairs to the building.

“We will check with them to see what they need and then see what we can do to help,” said Munger.

“We’ll also continue to raise funds for them,” added Magee. “We want people to know the project is not over yet. They can still donate money to help.

“There are a lot of needs here, a lot to be done,” continued Magee. “We’re just glad to be able to help.”

ARL Director Denise Bozeman said the organization’s whole mission is centered around what can be done to improve the lives of the animals in their care.

“To have community leaders to come in and choose us as their project, it’s quite an honor,” said Bozeman. “We appreciate all of their efforts to make this happen.”

When the team questioned her about other things that are needed at the facility, Bozeman said there is a constant need for newspapers, old blankets and towels, cleaning supplies, bleach, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, food, treats and stuffed animals.

“We would also like to have some landscaping done in the front of the building,” said Bozeman. “The back is OK, but we need to have some greenery.

“I know there are battered women shelters, food missions and churches that need support, too,” said Bozeman. “I’m so glad that someone had something left over and wanted to help us take care of the animals.”

Those interested in supporting Team Rescue can make donations in the team’s name to the Animal Rescue League at 2511 Moose Drive or the Economic Development Authority of Jones County at 153 Base Drive, both in Laurel.