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According to Dr. Marsha Sturdevant, Chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party, “We’re Democrats. We’re here and we want to help.” This statement is the foundation for regular charitable activities of the large and growing group in the county.
In each month of 2022, a group of volunteers in the Shelby Dems organized a donation drive or community service project to fill specific needs of people in the county. Democrats nationwide have for generations worked to create a stronger, fairer economy in which no one goes hungry or without necessities. Because this is an as-yet unrealized dream, Shelby’s Democrats challenged themselves last year to make a difference in the lives of county residents every month by collecting items needed by struggling families and unhoused individuals.
The energetic and knowledgeable Leslie Tyus, MA, LPC, NCC, who is also head of community service activities for the Democrats, reports that in 2022 her committee accumulated the following:
· 30,000+ items of school supplies and school hygiene
· 3,000+ diapers of all types and sizes
· Many thousands of shelf-stable food items
· Hundred of items of cleaning essentials
· Hundreds of items of personal hygiene
· An SUV load of Halloween treats for Warrior Met families
The items collected were turned over upon receipt to several charitable organizations, among them Shelby Baptist Association Ministries, Shelby County Emergency Assistance, Oak Mountain Mission Ministries, and Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging, along with individual schools, churches, and groups. Shelby County is fortunate to have a robust group of non-profit agencies with the same mission – helping people who need help. The organizations coordinate and cooperate to make sure that their clients’ needs are met.
The next donation drive sponsored by the Democrats will be on March 25 at 10 am – 12 noon in the Community Room at the Shelby County Services Building in Pelham. Donations of diapers, for babies from infant size to the largest pull-ups, plus diapers and underwear for adults with incontinence, all sizes, are requested. The Community Room is in the DMV building, up the hill and around back. Anyone wishing to participate in or contribute to the donation drives can get more information on this website: shelbycountydems.com.