Page 78 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2019

FAMILY INTERACTIVE CENTER teamwork
story by Susan Ruddiman photos courtesy of Aaron Jones Family Interactive Center
As the idea person behind the Aaron Jones Family Interactive Center (FIC), Superintendent Wayne Rodol ch is also its best salesman.
He credits Debbie Anglin, the school district’s director of communications, as an asset by arranging meetings with key people.
“If Debbie could get someone here with me, I could make the sale,” he said.
Chevon and Mississippi Power were early sponsors.
“The Family Interactive Center represents a great partnership for Chevron. It encourages learning and promotes development from cradle to career, providing a well prepared source of
future employees from our neighboring communities,” said Alan K. Sudduth, manager for policy, government and public affairs at Chevron’s Pascagoula Re nery.
Employees embraced the concept of children learning while having fun, so Ingalls Shipbuilding also became a key contributor, according to Dorothy Shaw, manager of community relations and government affairs at Ingalls.
Both Chevron and Ingalls engineers
and other professionals participate in the “Mad Scientist” Super Saturday event each September where they work with the children on fun STEM activities.
“Our employees want to come back and volunteer at other events throughout the year,” Shaw said.
As nonpro ts, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and United Way
of Jackson and George Counties are strong community partners.
sharing around an effort and initiative, and in this case, it’s education and business related. The FIC provides kids the opportunity to dream and explore in a meaningful learning environment,” said Paige Roberts, president and CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
The United Way, with its 19 member agencies, kicks off its fundraising campaign each September at the FIC gymnasium/auditorium, said Tee McCovey, CEO of United Way for Jackson and George Counties. He said anytime the FIC needs volunteers, he sends out emails to his member agencies and can quickly get responses.
“Look at its location. The Family Interactive Center is an intricate part of the community, and many families don’t have to travel a great distance to enjoy its services,” McCovey said.
Todd Trenchard, executive director of
the Bacot McCarty Foundation, praised Rodol ch’s vision for the school district. He said he’s proud to bring people from all over the state to the FIC. “Wayne has said for years that education is the strongest economic tool we have,” Trenchard said.
Community Partners/ Sponsors of the Aaron Jones Family Interactive Center
• Bacot-McCarty Foundation • Bain Capital
• Carver High Alumni
Association • Chevron
• City of Pascagoula
• Coldwell Banker United
Realtors • Excel by 5
• First Chemical Corp.
• FL Crane & Sons Inc.
• Ingalls Shipbuilding
• IP Casino Resort Spa
• Jackson County Chamber of
Commerce
• Jackson County Board of
Supervisors • JBHM
• Jerry Lee’s Grocery Stores
• Junior Auxiliary of Pas-MP
• Lyons, Pipes and Cook
• Merchants & Marine Bank
• Mississippi Power Foundation • Pascagoula Rotary Club
• Pascagoula Board of Trustees • Stewart Construction Co.
• Think First
• Turf Masters
• United Way of Jackson and
George Counties
“A community is made up of people
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COMMUNITY
Partners
Students with Louie the Lightning Bug from MS Power.
Theresa Blair, Yasmine Coleman, Sharron Berry from Ingalls
Amy Brandenstein, Stephanie Barthes, Jackson Caulder from Chevron