We had the privilege of being invited to Morrison Middle School’s annual career fair.  We stood side by side with area business organizations and government agencies to explain various career paths.  The students learned about the Jimmy Smith Foundation and the important role that non-profit organizations have in our community.  In addition, students learned about law enforcement and Paramedic careers- students even got to see the Metro 1 Law Enforcement helicopter land on school grounds.  The pilots fielded many questions from the students.  The museum, area doctors, lawyers, retailers, and food professionals were all on hand as well.  Thank you Morrison for the wonderful time we were able to share with your students.

Jimmy recently joined Laura Lee Lewis, Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen, to speak to 3rd and 4th grade students at Brookhaven Elementary School.  Laura Lee presented her H.E.R.O. program, which is a character building program for kids and stands for Honor, Excel, Reach, Overcome.  Jimmy spoke to the students about the importance of making good choices and different ways they can strive to build character in their lives at such a young age.  Click here to read the article in The Daily Leader:  http://www.dailyleader.com/news/article_cb724f24-302e-11df-af0e-001cc4c03286.html

The Foundation would like to say Thank You to all the Jackson State University students and student body government who have been working so hard on our mentoring program, “Molding Minds for Success.”  If you are interested in a mentorship, come see us March 20th…The “One Million Mentors” Tour will be making a stop at JSU!

Jimmy and Foundation staff had the absolute honor to meet one of the greatest NFL players of all time, Jim Brown.  Mr. Brown recently visited the city of Jackson to meet with public figures and area non-profits about his “Amer-i-can” program.  We had the opportunity to discuss the serious issue of community needs, and also had the pleasure of sharing in his birthday celebration!  We look forward to working with his staff in the future!

Jimmy Smith speaking with Jim Brown and Attorney General Jim Hood

Jim Brown celebrating his 74th birthday

Jimmy with Mr. Brown and his wife, Monique

Thank you to the MS Firefighters Memorial Burn Association for their recent Fundraiser, “Gridiron Heroes” at Alumni House in Ridgeland.  It was great to see NFL present and former players Jerious Norwood, Nate Hughes, Justin Jenkins, and Willie Richardson show unconditional support to their community.

Willie Richardson, Jerious Norwood, Nate Hughes, and Justin Jenkins signing autographs

Congratulations to our kids and the Mississippi Basketball Association 14 and under team for their good play in this past weekend’s Dallas AAU Tournament!

The Jimmy Smith Foundation will be helping to host an after-school event this evening with students from Brinkley Elementary, Blackburn Middle School, and Lanier High School.  The students will be brought to Jackson State University and treated to pizza and a JSU Basketball game which will be televised on ESPN.  They are participating in a JSU mentoring program called Molding Minds for Success which is powered by the Jimmy Smith Foundation.  We would like to thank the Erin Shirley Youth Intervention Program for their strong partnership and all of the student volunteers who make the mentoring program possible.

Foundation staff are continuing to make their usual Patient Care rounds with the help of the sweet ladies at First Baptist Church of Jackson.  Floral arrangements were picked up and delivered to patients at local hospitals as well as church members’ homes.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them…