Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Volunteers Honored

On Wednesday, May 8, Gurdon Head Start held an appreciation brunch for this year's volunteers.

Volunteers include head start parents and many members of the Gurdon community.

The most loyal, dedicated volunteers for the 1995-96 program year have been the Gurdon Jaycees, according to a news release. In addition, Earlene Self, Kim Hammonds and Tambra Smith were named. The Gurdon Jaycees were presented at the brunch by Jaycee president Kenneth Harper and Tommy Potter.

Head Start is funded by 80% federal funds. The remainder of the budget must come from local contributions. These contibutions may come in the form of gifts, cash, or time.

Without contributions, the local program could not exist. Legislators placed this requirement on programs, believing that community support is an indication of the need for such programs.

"Gurdon supports its children, Lynn Johnson, director of the center, said in the news release. "This is evident to me at head start and public school programs and functions. Parent and family involvement is an important indicator of a child's success. I am very proud of Gurdon for its commitment to youth."

Piggly Wiggly deli very generously contributed doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, juice and chocolate milk for the brunch.

Gurdon Head Start began operation in October 1991. Since then, it has served 19 families yearly, providing quality child development services and parent training and support. Gurdon Head Start is administered by Central Arkansas Development Council.