The Indianola Promise Community C.A.R.E.S. Mentoring program recently delivered paintings to the Delta Cotton Belles organization to provide inspiration and encouragment to local residents battling cancer. Pictured from left are Shaherrian Woodfork, Tytianna Sims, Marcquis Cobbins (with box), Yalanda Preston, Docia England, Terranecia McGee, Alton Hunter, Jayden Willis, Melissa Walker. Photo by: Recardo Thomas
For the second year, the Indianola Promise Community C.A.R.E.S. Mentoring program has partnered with the Delta Cotton Belles organization to provide a touch of inspiration and encouragement to local residents who are battling cancer.
On Monday, they presented paintings to the Delta Cotton Belles organization of Greenville for inclusion in its "Blessings Bags."
Docia England, chairperson of services for women with breast cancer, said, “last year we were the recipient of these wonderful pictures, and one of the ladies, when she received it in her blessings bag said it was her favorite thing and then she framed it and put it by where she has her coffee in the morning, because it was so uplifting to her.”
C.A.R.E.S. Site Coordinator Yalanda Preston said this is one of their annual service-learning projects and many of the patients that Delta Cotton Belles serve said the pictures done by the children are inspiring.
She said it was also an opportunity to create dialog between the mentors and mentees about cancer and to get the children acclimated to giving back in small ways.
The program's mentors and mentees worked together to create the inspirational paintings for breast cancer patients and survivors.
England said they pass out the bags to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and they generally include a variety of helpful items, devotional and educational materials and added pink articles.
England said they were delighted to receive the paintings from the group and that they would make sure the recipients knew the origin.
She also noted that she was on her way to see one of her Indianola clients as soon as she picked up the drawings from the students.
