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United Way Dollars Support Clinton Agency Helping Seniors


Laurie Lawson

Mississippi College students made history as the founders of a remarkable Clinton-based agency serving senior citizens and local families in need.

Launched in 1971, the United Way-supported Clinton Community Christian Corporation continues to do an incredible amount of work in MC’s hometown.

Under the guidance of MC Baptist Student Union Director Bradley Pope, students at the Christian university created the 4Cs about 45 years ago. Ties to the Baptist-affiliated university remain strong nearly a half-century later.

Today, the executive director of the 4C’s, Laurie Smith Lawson, doubles as director of Mississippi College social work programs. She began with the non-profit agency as a student intern in 1983. In July of that year, Laurie became its first social work director.

Her leadership as executive director in the 21st Century is exceptional. Laurie sees each day at the agency on West Northside Drive as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Clinton citizens. The agency helped a needy grandmother suddenly raising 5 children after their 27-year-old mom died of kidney failure. The 4C’s adopted the family for Christmas and supplied the kids with holiday gifts.

Support from United Way, including a faculty/staff campaign at community service-oriented Mississippi College, is crucial to the success of the 4C’s. “It is very heart-warming to know that support is coming from my colleagues at MC,” Lawson says. “Support from United Way is critical to our programs, especially for senior citizens.”

So is steady financial backing from the City of Clinton, the Hinds Board of Supervisors, churches, area businesses, and individuals.

MC’s new United Way goal this fall is to raise $25,000 that are distributed to the 4C’s and more than 30 other agencies in metro Jackson. Others getting help from MC support include Goodwill Industries, the Shelter for Battered Women & Children, and the Magnolia Speech School, to name a few. MC seeks to garner support from 40 percent of the university’s 550 faculty and staff members. President Lee Royce announced the campaign in early October. Its drive reaches employees at the MC campus in Clinton and the School of Law in Jackson.

Last year, the 4C’s in Clinton received $15,000 from the United Way drive in the Capital Area.

Making a big difference as well are the Mississippi College social work students, who volunteer with the 4C’s year-round. They are fulfilling a social work component of their major, but each student is passionate about what they are doing. A student typically spends at least one hour per week assisting a Hinds County senior citizen.

Last year, the 4C’s served 1,687 Mississippians.

The agency recorded 33,000 units of service, including trips to take seniors to doctor appointments, bring them meals to their homes, and help them deal with family emergencies. Volunteers help operate a thrift store, provide educational services to children, do home repairs and adopt needy families during the Christmas holidays. Volunteers team up with Clinton men and women at the Seniors Day at the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson every October.

Lawson succeeded Linda Soles Stone, who served as the first executive director of the 4Cs in 1971.

Making a big impression on both leaders over the years is the helping hand coming from faithful Mississippi College student volunteers. There were more than 400 volunteers pitching in last year at the 4C’s.

For more information about the United Way campaign at Mississippi College, contact Community Service Center Director Shari Barnes at 601-925-3267 or sbarnes@mc.edu