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Unfortunately, good things always come to an end
Such has been the case this past year, with the ending of the Jackson Civitan Club and now Genesis Inc., both fine organizations, whose community services will certainly be missed. Due to falling numbers in membership, the Jackson Civitan Club retired its charter. Unless two of the club's service projects are taken over by other organizations, Jackson will never be the same. On national patriotic holidays, several of the club's members would put out American flags at a number of locations throughout the city. Although the club distributed the flags to participating businesses, it is yet to be seen how many will actually remember to put them out. Then there's the annual "Citizen of the Year" award, recognizing an outstanding citizen of Jackson who goes above and beyond the norm in support of this community. I truly hope that some organization or group of organizations decide to take over this great morale booster for our town. The past honorees read as a list of who's who when it comes to the movers and shakers in Jackson. To let this program fall by the wayside would be a shame. We've already missed one year, let's not let another go by without putting forth the extra effort it takes to recognize these deserving individuals. Genesis Inc. has been no slouch either when it comes to service to Jackson and the surrounding areas. Each year they have kept the dream alive of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alive by organizing the annual silent march and retreat in downtown Jackson. No matter what race you are, deep down inside, we all know that Dr. King was right in that we must all learn to live and work together as a whole to realize the full potential of our country. Until we all realize the entire meaning of his teachings and everything he stood for, we will never move past the injustices that have occurred and into true harmony. Genesis Inc. recognized this and worked hard for nearly three decades to make it happen right here in our little corner of the United States. I believe through this group's efforts to bring together the community with events such as Culture Fest and the Heritage Tours Series, Jackson did become a better place. But, there is still a lot of work to do. I hope someone will take over what Genesis started and continue to work toward what that organization's founders envisioned. Thankfully, there are other civic organizations, volunteer and mentoring groups, still working to reach many of the same goals that Genesis and Civitan embodied. I encourage those who are interested in helping this community grow through civil dialogue and service to his/her fellow citizens, to take advantage of the opportunities that still exist within these organizations. Without you, there is one less person who may get the help or encouragement he or she needs to be successful.
I am certain that both Civitan and Genesis Inc. made a difference in the lives of many during their years of community service. I do know that there were members of each organization who were committed to Jackson and helping it reach that level of harmony among its citizens is needed for prosperity. I also know that there are many of those who will continue to work for this community although the organizations they were once affiliated with no longer exist.
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