Pat Rice has retired as director of Helping Hands Ministry and Mary Davidson has been named interim director by the board of directors.
Mrs. Rice leaves the ministry following almost 30 years of service to needy and impoverished families of Attala County. “Helping Hands has been my family. It has been a challenge as well as a dream. We all worked together. Some of the volunteers have been there throughout the years,” she said.
She served as a volunteer during the early years of the ministry with Mrs. Jewel Harden, who was the founder of the ministry. She was instrumental in the relocation from Highway 35 north to its present location in the gym of the former Christian school just off Youth Center Road.
Under her leadership, the ministry has grown with the addition of several areas of assistance to the needy of Attala County.
In addition to distribution of food every Tuesday and Thursday, clothing is also provided for all ages. Help with clothing, food and household items are available to those losing homes from fire or from other circumstances.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Rice, a Thrift Shop on North Madison Street has opened and provides the biggest source of income. She has coordinated various fund raising events throughout the year for the non-profit organization.
Other projects include toy distribution at Christmas. Last year, 250 families with children under 11 years of age benefitted. A diaper bank is also operated for families with infants. According to Mrs. Rice, Helping Hands is one of only three provided in Mississippi.
Mrs. Davidson has assumed the interim position with a number of years experience as a volunteer as well as serving on the board of directors. Other serving on the board are Mary Al Alford, Kenny Dungan, Richard Carter, Owen Oliver, Chip Hawkins, Cliff Davidson, Celeste Poole, Pam Chadick, Sissy Aldy, Marie Harmon, Bernard Teague and Rebecca Doty.
Mrs. Davidson said she was asked to serve as interim as the board felt that since she had served for years as a volunteer her knowledge of the workings of the ministry would be beneficial in making the transition to a new director.
Mrs. Davidson and her husband, Cliff, who live in the Springdale Community, have served as volunteers for several years. She is a native of Attala County and is retired from Paul Moak automobile dealership in Ridgeland as office manager.
“I am happy to be able serve as an interim director and help with the transition,” she said.
