Aspiring academicians and senior citizens have received a little extra help thanks to the efforts of BellSouth's Greenwood district office.
The communications provider has donated $500 to an Itta Bena community program and $5,000 to Mississippi Valley State University's honors program.
"We want to do whatever we can to make sure we are fully involved in the community," said Carolyn Manning, regional director of BellSouth.
Valley administrative staff and Itta Bena Mayor Thelma Collins received the checks at an informal gathering in President Lester C. Newman's office Tuesday.
BellSouth's contributions to the honors program has a variety of uses, such as funding a trip to the national competition for Valley's mock trial team.
A new program in Itta Bena's L.T. Brazil center will help senior citizens electronically enroll for Medicare's new drug plan.
BellSouth has set up high-speed DSL Internet for free in the community center. Tuesday's check will be applied to future bills.
Manning said education is BellSouth's No. 1 philanthropic effort. "We believe that by supporting the best and brightest of Mississippi we are creating a future work force."
Valley's honors program usually has about 50 annual participants. Students with high academic achievements use the program to participate in activities such as a national United Nations council.
Mark Reger, director of the honors program, said it teaches students skills such as presenting research and speaking before large crowds.
Those skills come in handy for students planning to attend graduate school, Reger said. "They don't have to just jump into it."
Itta Bena plans to put its check to good use. Collins said many senior citizens have already enrolled in a Medicare plan.
But she's concerned about the few who might have slipped through the cracks.
Medicare applicants have until March 17 to apply for the new program. The next enrollment opportunity is in May.
The "BellSouth Pioneers," a volunteer service group, and Itta Bena volunteers will be on hand to sign up beneficiaries.
Collins expects the program to operate five days a week for several hours once it is up and running.
The mayor encourages people from all over the county to come use the Brazil's Center's services.
Having this extra funding helps the mayor do her job to help the community, Collins said. "We're suppose to be servants in the community."
