Local agency hosting community gathering

One area organization is looking at new and exciting ways to raise money for the services they provide to four different counties, including Franklin County.

The Shoals Family Success Center will sponsor “Meet Me on the Mountain” on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Gardiner Farm, 85 Underwood Road in Tuscumbia.

The day-long event will feature a slate entertainment and a mix of food that Shoals Family Success Center Executive Director Corinne Reese said all families will be able to enjoy.

This is a brand new event for us and we are really excited about it because we think it is a great concept,” Reese said. “This is a family-friendly event in a great location with a great mix of music to keep everyone entertained all day.”

Scheduled to perform are Abby Olive, the Muscle Shoals High School student who recently won the Regency Jr. Idol Competition; contemporary jazz/R & B musical group the Eric Kirkman Combo, which includes three Sheffield High School students; local favorite The Midnighters; and nationally and internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Lenny LeBlanc along with his band.

A low country shrimp boil with corn, potatoes and seafood flown in fresh from the coast courtesy of Crocodile Ed’s Restaurant will be offered as well as hot dogs, hamburgers and Mildred Sinks’ special fried pies.

“There are so many different programs offered by Shoals Family Success Center and we have 12 non-profit organizations who are housed under the same roof,” Reese said. “This organization helps us manage programs and services designed to help families lead successful lives.”

One program managed by the Shoals Family Success Center that was particularly helpful to Franklin County residents in the aftermath of the April 27 tornadoes was the 2-1-1 information and referral line.

Reese said this line is the social service equivalent of 4-1-1 and can direct anyone in the counties of Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale and Marion to social services in the area that person might be interested in.

“The 2-1-1 line is actually a nationwide referral line developed by the United Way that is accessible most anywhere in the U.S.,” Reese said. “In 2008, the United Way of Northwest Alabama entered into an agreement with the Shoals Family Success Center where the Center would take over the day-to-day operations of the 2-1-1 line.

“After the tornadoes came through the area, we were able to use this line to become a part of the communication puzzle and help to coordinate people who wanted to volunteer and get them in touch with organizations like the American Red Cross and VOAD.

“We were also able to help other people find services and help they might be needing.”

Reese said Gov. Robert Bentley passed along information about the 2-1-1 line to others in the weeks following the tornado disaster because of its ability to help connect people with where they needed to be.

“It’s a great service and we were glad to be a small part of that,” Reese said.

Reese added the 2-1-1 line is open to anyone who might need to know, for instance, where they can receive financial assistance, if there is a support group in the area for someone with diabetes, if there is a GED program close to their home or what types of mental health services are offered.

“When you call the number, it will prompt you to enter your zip code and if it falls within our area, it will ring to our office at the Success Center, which is staffed with people as much as possible,” Reese said. “We may not always have the answers, but we will do everything we can to make sure we find out how you can get them.”

In addition to the 2-1-1 referral line, the Success Center also offers a food assistance outreach program, a place for non-English speakers to work on their English skills and case management to work directly with families to reach their success goals.

“The money we raise at the ‘Meet Me on the Mountain’ fundraiser will go to support these programs so we hope lots of people will show up for the event,” she said.

Tickets to the event are $20 for adults; $15 for members of the military or students w/ID, seniors (60+), and groups of 10 or more; $10 for children ages 6 to 13; and free for children five and under with a paying adult.

Tickets are available at the following locations: Florence – Shoals Family Success Center, HoneyBaked Ham Café, Pegasus Records; Muscle Shoals – Counts Bros. Music; Tuscumbia – Fiddledee D and the Colbert County Tourism Office; Russellville – Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

Guests are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs but no outside food will be permitted. For directions and information, call 256-765-0033.