Motivating Youth Holds First Appreciation Day Give Away For Bibb Board of Education Employees
Roger Jackson, Executive Director of Motivating Youth Foundation, organized and successfully held the first “Appreciation Day Give-Away” on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Central High School in Macon.
Jackson observed his wife, Dr. Diana Ross Jackson (Executive Director, Carlos Dunlap Foundation), in Charleston, SC conduct similar events there and was impressed by the success in giving back to the community in appreciation for the “boots on the ground” citizens who are often underpaid and underappreciated. He partnered with George McCanless (United Way); the Griffith Family Foundation; Rhythm n Jazz; BREA (Bibb Retired Educators Association); and KDM Management to make the event possible here in Bibb County, the first of its kind and of many more to come. After an initial meeting with Stephanie Hartley, Chief Communications Officer for the Bibb County BOE, the two decided that school district employees would be a great place to start.
Jackson made an initial personal investment in Delivering Good, an organization in New York City that has been connecting retailers and the public for more than 30 years. “All of our inventory comes from Delivering Good,” said Jackson. “The apparel, accessories and shoes are all brand new and are donated by retailers that have surplus, unsold products,” he said. “These are not off-name products; brand names such as Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren are what we are receiving.” Over the years, Motivating Youth has looked for ways to give back to the community; Jackson believes that making a gift to these unsung heroes of Macon is a great way to show appreciation.
With the help of 38 volunteers, brand new clothes, shoes, and accessories were given away to 741 Bibb school employees who registered in advance and arrived at the Central High School before 8am on Saturday morning. After observing his wife’s method of give-away, Jackson emulated her process and found it to be organized and efficient. Most importantly, the joy he witnessed on the recipient’s faces was inspiring for future events of this kind. “The anticipation of those waiting their turn and the joy on people’s faces when they realized the quality of the products they were receiving was without parallel,” Jackson said. “Even the volunteers were amazed. It was like Christmas in March; we will definitely be doing more of these events.” Jackson has received more than 40 emails, thanking him for having the event and expressing gratitude for the items they received.
Jackson and Motivating Youth are planning another event soon. He expects to hold an Appreciation Give-Away Day at least every other month, perhaps every month, depending on the inventory that he can acquire from Delivering Good. Future considerations to receive the gifts include the Macon-Bibb government employees; Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia; children in foster care and orphanages; men and women in recovery from substance use disorders, and other partners of United Way. “If I won the lottery, this is exactly what I would be doing with the money,” Jackson said. “We have residents in need in our county who are deserving of nice things. Many people at this event left with clothing items that have a total worth of $250 to $1,000. They were astonished and very appreciative,” he continued. “I’m excited to begin planning our next event.”
Motivating Youth Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by Roger Jackson as an after school program to assist youth with building academic skills by providing tutoring and homework assistance and by promoting strength of character. The Foundation also conducts the Adult Literacy Program, a 6-week soft skills building curriculum that prepares adults for successful careers with local companies and organizations looking for quality employees.
