Children are our most valuable natural resource.
— Herbert Hoover
If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand for much.
— Marian Wright Edelman
Frank Richards, president and chief executive officer of America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc., was recently honored with a Big Voice for Children Award. He was one of seven people recognized across Georgia for his outstanding work as an advocate for kids in the area.
As David Gibbs, a board member for Voices for Georgia’s Children, a nonprofit organization, said, “Frank doesn’t stand around waiting for others to do something. He’s the first to say, ‘I’ll do that.’”
At the age of 21, Frank Richards became leader of America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc., an organization that serves a 10-county area and looks forward to the day when every American has quick and easy access to safe food in a clean and nurturing environment.
Under his leadership, America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. has raised over $70 million and distributed over 60 million pounds of food to hungry men, women and children across South Georgia. Knowing that nearly 1 out of every 4 of the people eating at a soup kitchen in Georgia is a child and recognizing that school lunch programs are the only meals for many poor children, Frank Richards established the Kids Café program.
This program serves free and nutritious meals to more than 1,300 children after school at 22 locations in the area. Plus, it provides each child one hour of homework assistance. Kids Café also feeds more than 4,000 children three meals a day throughout the summer and during school breaks.
Recently, Frank Richards established Teacher's Harvest, a school supply store that provides much-needed supplies for children attending school who cannot afford them.
South Georgia’s children are fortunate to have a man like Frank Richards working for them. He is not afraid to think outside the box and take risks, if he believes doing so will help better the life of a child. If he gets frustrated, he perseveres because he knows that a solution is out there.
He knows that the children are the future, and he works tirelessly to help ensure that the future is a bright one for all of us.
What We Think
The children are our future
- What We Think
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
