After almost 11 trips around the sun with United Way, Shelia has a lot to drink about. Oh the stories we could tell! So come wish her a little love and luck for her retirement!

We hear she's planning some trips with her perfect partner, Jerry. Maybe to enjoy those Bama breezes or to see the coast of Carolina. Will she be the oldest surfer on the beach or head out on a lovely cruise? Or will they just hang out at home with barefoot [grand] children? Only time will tell, but if you know Shelia, you know she's up for anything, anytime, anywhere!

Whatever her plans, come Monday (or well... May 31), she'll be livin' it up! It's time for her to breathe in, breathe out, move on.

So where's the party? In the Carpenter board room of the McLean Center, 213 West Main Street. May 30 from 3-5 PM (come and go, no gifts please).

Shelia, we will miss you so badly!

You probably got an email from Jason, the executive director of the Hunger Coalition, about the new Summer Backpack Program for Lee County children (covering Lee County, Tupelo, and Baldwyn school districts). Many children rely on their school breakfasts and lunches for most of their food during the week, and the weekend backpack programs led by some local organizations help fill in the gaps for weekends. But in the summer, kids lose access to all of these sources of food.

The Summer Backpack Program will provide a box of food each week for children identified by their school counselors as most in need of food over the summer.

If you donated to the program, a HUGE THANK YOU from us and from all the kids who will benefit. If you haven't given yet but would like to, just visit www.unitedwaynems.org/summerbackpackprogram to give today.

We also need volunteers to pack all these boxes! If you can come help, sign up to volunteer on the Volunteer Northeast Mississippi website: https://www.givegab.com/nonprofits/tupelo-lee-county-hunger-coalition/opportunities/summer-backpack-program-packing-day

We need about 300 volunteers total so there's plenty for everyone to do.

Questions? Contact Jason at 662-432-1894 or jason@unitedwaynems.org