The Museum of the Mississippi Delta is making the final preparations for its second annual benefit, which is coming up Thursday.
The $100-per-person benefit, featuring a cocktail buffet, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, which is at 1608 U.S. 82 West.
Wade Inc. and Greenwood Utilities will be presented awards for their contributions to philanthropy, said Cheryl Taylor, the executive director of the museum.
Taylor said Wade Inc., which operates 11 John Deere agricultural dealerships from Greenville to Batesville — including Greenwood — has a long record of corporate giving.
First founded as a hardware store in 1909, Wade has been “really very generous to the community,” Taylor said.
She said Bill Litton, the president of Wade, described the company’s corporate giving philosophy this way: “‘If you have a business in the community and you’re not involved, you’re shortsighted.”
Greenwood Utilities, a municipally owned utility, started as the Greenwood Light & Water Co. It was purchased by the city in 1904 from C.E. Wright.
“They contribute a lot of time and energy. They allow their staff to help with community projects,” Taylor said.
Some of the utility’s more muscular men helped with the museum’s recently completed renovations. Those efforts included moving several of the heavy displays, she said.
Thomas Gregory will serve as master of ceremonies for the awards program.
Anyone wanting to make a reservation for the benefit may call the museum at 453-0925 or stop by, Taylor said.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
