Thumbs Up! Oct. 16, 2017

For many years now, the Albany Fire Department has held its fire safety show for all of Dougherty County’s second-grade students. The goal is quite simple: As a part of Fire Prevention Week, the little people are treated to games, drama, music and more, all designed to teach them about fire safety. Children learn best by sight and are much more likely to retain the information provided when it is presented in a fun, active and age-appropriate manner. Solemn and serious while about their tasks of firefighting, personnel stepped back from that role and donned all sorts of costumes, acted silly, danced and generally brought the crowd of youngsters to a deafening pitch of involvement. The show is constantly adding new skits and stunts, but the goal is always the same. When faced with the danger of fire, little minds will return to what they learned about stop, drop and roll, every second counts and to always have two planned ways out of the home. AFD holds the largest such fire safety program in the state of Georgia and the second-largest in the U.S.

At the first October meeting of the Dougherty County Commission, before the body became all consumed with the business of neighboring Lee County, there was uplifting information about new jobs right here in Albany. The information is well worth repeating for those who may have missed it. In the third quarter of this year, Thrush Aircraft has added 100 jobs, Hamilton Relay has added 80 new jobs and P&G has added 70 new positions. Additionally, the Albany Green Energy biomass plant on the campus of P&G has hired (or soon will) 24 full-time employees with another nine to work the fuel yard. In order to get materials from one point to another, it will take the hiring of 40-50 truck drivers. About 40 percent of those hired either live in Albany or have in the past and are moving back. These are permanent positions, and some of those hired have already purchased a home, enrolled their children in school, joined a church and bought groceries, gas and more right here in town.

Honor Flight Network is a nonprofit organization that does one thing and does it well. The organization honors America’s veterans by flying them to Washington, D.C., to visit war memorials. Top priority, as it should be, is given to the most senior of our veterans, especially those from WWII and others who may be terminally ill. Two second-grade classes in Worth County recently made the trip even more special for the veterans on Conyers Honor Flight No. 18. The children each made thank-you cards that were sent on the flight and opened by the veterans while on their special trip. Teaching children to care for one another, our country and the men and women who have fought, and will continue to fight, for freedom can truly start with paper and crayons.

Sooner or later, apparently later, cool weather will arrive, even in South Georgia. Albany Recreation and Parks, WZBN 105.5 FM, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, the Albany Fire Department and Michael Fowler, Dougherty County’s coroner, are sponsoring a blanket drive for seniors 55 and older. Stay Warm for the Holidays aims to collect new, unused blankets of any size. These can be dropped off at the Lockette Station Community Center, the above mentioned radio station, any fire station and at the Recreation and Parks office at Tift Park. When possible, pink blankets will be given to breast cancer survivors. Add this to your shopping list, put a note in your phone or, better yet, do it today. A little goes a long way for those in need. Donations will be accepted though Dec. 3.