Connie Makamson and Garry Makamson Farms have chosen to make a $2,500 donation to the Leflore County Humane Society using money from a program conducted by Monsanto.
In the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, farmers enter to win money through the Monsanto Fund that they can donate to a favorite nonprofit.
“By allowing us to pick our own nonprofit to donate to, Monsanto makes this program unique and the donation more special and personal,” said Karen Edwards, daughter of Garry Makamson of Makamson Farms.
The Makamson family has worked with the late Woody Woodson, Monsanto Fund regional representative, for the past 25 years. They have been farming for more than 40 years.
“A program like this gives us farmers a chance to give back to our local friends and family that we live and work with,” Edwards said.
The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program has been going on for five years. With 1,324 winners, one in each county, the company contributes $3.3 million to rural organizations across 40 states.
Prior winners have included Richard Brown, James Littleton and Ed Bledsoe, who directed their donations to Greenwood Mentoring Group, Leflore County Elementary School and Pillow Academy, respectively.
Garry Makamson Farms selected the Humane Society, where their dog, Matilda, came from. The 8-year-old pitbull mix is the most loving, caring and patient dog the family has ever had, Edwards says.
“But I don’t think she’s ever forgotten we rescued her,” Edwards said.
Many animals don’t, says Debbie Clark of Leflore County Humane Society. That’s why it’s so important that organizations such as the Humane Society receive the donations that help them find homes for animals.
“These animals don’t have a voice to say what they need or ask for help,” Edwards said. “Here, they give that to them. They give them another chance, another life.”
The $2,500 donation will go toward medical treatments, vaccinations and antibiotics for the animals.
“We have a lot of support from our community,” Clark said. “Monsanto and Makamson are just two of them, and we thank them.”
Angela Allen, customer advocacy manager for Monsanto Fund, said the money from this program “helps farmers and local nonprofits fight issues like hunger or purchase equipment and support ag youth.”
For some small nonprofits, the donation of $2,500 could be 10 percent of what they raise in a year, Allen said.
In Mississippi, 27 counties are eligible for this program. The winners were drawn in December and announced in January.
“We are a big company, and we want to give back where our employees and customers live and work; that’s rural America,” Allen said.
•Contact Laura Kay Prosser at 581-7233 or lprosser@gwcommonwealth.com.
