In Sunflower County, one thing that many residents love to do is to give.
Whether it’s gently used clothes, food, recognition, money, or time, citizens across the county give of themselves often.
Two Thursdays ago, Ayanna Lynn, owner of Fire Lane Logistics, joined in the giving. She gave out scholarships at Indianola Academy.
The candidates who received the scholarships were Gracyn Fike and Caleb Johnson. To receive the scholarship, the students had to write an essay on leadership. The purpose of the essay was to test the skills to see how we can better Indianola, Mississippi.
When I asked Ayanna what led her to give out the scholarships, she replied, “I believe that we need the young people in our community to grow Indianola. It seems as if people are ready to skip town as soon as they graduate high school, which is okay, BUT it will be even greater if they come back to Indianola to invest and make a difference once they are established.” Being an inspiration to the teens and young adults was not the only reason Ayanna gave out the scholarships. “This scholarship was also special because it was in remembrance of my best friend Aronechia Kimber Townsend. She passed away January 22nd. She was a teacher, and her goal was to give back to her students,” she said. Ayanna desires to keep her friend’s dream and memory alive by giving scholarships annually.
This year, the scholarships were sponsored by Fire Lane Logistics. Over 10% of the business’s profits go toward scholarships and helping the community. Love in the form of generosity and giving is what is needed to help a community thrive, to help citizens survive and live, and to help the younger generation find purpose and passion for its hometown.
When giving towards a greater cause is what drives us, our living will not be in vain.
