City gives out protective gear, smiles to residents
New City Outreach Director hits the ground running with first community event
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
While the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic seem to be behind us, health care experts still urge people to take precautions concerning the spread of the coronavirus and its variants as well as other communicable diseases. With that in mind, the City of West Memphis Community Outreach Department handed out around 500 bags to area residents during its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Giveaway Saturday at the Old Courthouse in West Memphis.
Items in the bags included masks, soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.
Numerous West Memphis City first responders were on hand to talk with citizens and help hand out bags.
“Today was an absolute pleasure serving with some of West Memphis’s finest policemen and firemen,” Community Outreach Director Theresa Whitfield-Bowe said. “I am grateful for the support of
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Local firefighters lend a helping hand SMILES
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Chief Campbell, Asst. Chief Clay, Capt. Hall, Major Taylor, and all the wonderful leaders who stepped in to ensure the Outreach Department had multiple hands ready to serve the community well today!”
Also helping with the event were Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Upsilon Pi Zeta Chapter; and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
The PPE Giveaway was the _rst event for the Community Outreach Department under Whit_eld-Bowe’s direction. Next up will be the West Memphis Citywide Easter Egg Hunt April 1 at 10 a.m. at Worthington Park next to the West Memphis Boys Club.
“We couldn’t have pulled this off without my coworkers at City Hall, who helped bag all the items, and also Cassandra Runnion, Camille Miller, and Tiffany Pickens with Zeta Phi Beta who came early to help set up and also stayed to serve. Those ladies rock!” Whitefield-Bowe said.
Contact Community Outreach at (870) 732-7534, or by email at tbowe@west memphisar.gov.
