Care for children and community members is a driver of an impactful collaboration between Lockard Elementary School and First Baptist Church of Indianola. Under the leadership of Dr. Guy Burke, FBC Indianola connected with Lockard Elementary School’s principal, Daphne Smith Heflin, to support and improve the lives of children in Sunflower County Consolidated School District’s K-3 school, which serves approximately 400 students in the community.
Dr. Burke asked how the church could support Lockard Elementary School, and Principal Heflin shared her belief that all children deserve the BEST opportunities to learn and play in a safe, inviting school.
FBC Indianola and Lockard Elementary worked together to develop plans for working on the school grounds, adding interest through a paint project, supporting teachers during the beginning-of-year and end-of-year events, and installing play equipment in the play area explicitly designated for students with developmental delays and physical disabilities.
The collaborative efforts began over a year ago, and most recently, the installation of the play equipment was completed. Members of First Baptist Church of Indianola are responsible for donating the equipment and the time and physical labor of the installation. Our community, school district, and Lockard’s students will be blessed for ages through the generosity and efforts to complete this project and others.
