Administrative Office of Courts
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North Mississippi book drive underway for newly adopted children December 22, 2020 Ralph Lauren famously said, "Books open windows to the world and have the power to transform lives." A book drive is underway in north Mississippi to make sure that every child who finds a forever home through adoption takes home a book on that memorable day, or soon afterwards. Officials of the First Chancery Court District are working with the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission and the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo to collect donations of children’s books. Books will be given to children in all counties of the First Chancery District: Alcorn, Itawamba, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Lee, Tishomingo and Union counties. 
Senior Chancellor Jacqueline Mask of Tupelo said, "Since reading is the foundation for all education, the First Chancery Court District is pleased to partner with the Access to Justice Commission and the Junior Auxiliary to promote a book drive for children of adoption. We have an excellent opportunity to share a gift that will open doors and build on that foundation in these precious children who have benefitted from an adoption by loving families." Gwen Cordell, President of Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo, said, "We are very passionate about helping the kids in our community. This is an opportunity to connect with parents who are adopting children and to promote literacy." Access to Justice Commission Executive Director Nicole McLaughlin of Tupelo said, "The Commission is excited about the opportunity to partner with the First Chancery Court District and JA of Tupelo to provide a keepsake to newly formed families on their special day. We hope this project brings attention to the need for foster and adoptive families for the many children needing a safe and stable environment or forever home." New or gently used children's books may be dropped off at these collection locations:
For more information, contact Nicole McLaughlin at nmclaughlin@msbar.org or 601-960-9581, or the Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo at Tupelojapresident@gmail.com. To learn more about adopting a child, please visit the website of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services at this link: https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/learn-more-about-adopting-a-child/ To learn more about becoming a foster parent, please visit this link: https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/become-a-resource-fosteradoptive-parent/ #### |
