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By Jeanna Baxter White

Beaudigital

for Davie Chamber

When you see a need, help fill it.

The Davie County business community did just that last week by presenting Davie County High School with 46 new folding tables to be used for job fairs and other events hosted by the school.

“The donation is wonderful and will help meet a need, moreover, having the business owners and representatives at Davie County High School, and the opportunity to interact was valuable,” said Jeff Wallace, superintendent of Davie County Schools. “I am honored to live and serve in a community with so much support for education and to see many of them together last week at DCHS was exciting.”

Carolyn McManamy, director of Davie CONNECT, discovered the need in February while preparing for a career expo hosted by Davie High in conjunction with Davie CONNECT, the Davie County Chamber of Commerce, and local industry.

Anthony Davis, director of CTE and federal programs for Davie County Schools, mentioned that tables had to be rented each time the school held an event and that the cost added up.  As the former president of the Davie County Chamber of Commerce, McManamy knew that purchasing tables was a need that local companies would be happy to meet.

Chamber President Caroline Moser agreed and enlisted the help of the Chamber Ambassadors to solicit donations. The ambassadors are passionate members who promote chamber events and programs, visit new and existing chamber members, assist with planning and execution of chamber projects, and recruit new members.

“This was an easy yet rewarding project for our ambassadors because our business community is always so generous and supportive,” said Moser. “Our goal was 40 tables but they provided 46 because they are quick to jump on board with anything associated with the schools.”

A strong proponent of shopping locally, Moser reached out to Chamber member,  Lowe’s Home Improvement of Mocksville, which provided a discount on the tables and Chamber Ambassadors, Mark and Janice Schmitz of Ink It Promotional Products, for the plaques. Each table has a plaque that lists the businesses that donated the tables.

“We thought this project was a great idea because the Chamber is very involved with the Economic Development Commission and workforce development. It just made sense to assist with an initiative that is educating our students about the jobs available in their own backyard.”

“This gesture says a lot about our community,” said Davis. “As a school district, we did not think about going out requesting a donation, but as soon as Carolyn and Caroline realized there was a need, they jumped to action. This was a real struggle in that every time we hosted a college/career fair or any large event, we had to rent tables. I cannot express how much this will help, not only our high school but our whole district. The way our community came together is simply amazing.  We are extremely grateful to our business community and Chamber and are blessed to have such support for our school system.”

The businesses that provided one or more tables include 158 Auto Sales, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Almost Home Child Care, Ashley Furniture, Bank OZK, Bates Income Tax, BB&T, Brakebush Brothers, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, Comfort Bilt, Davie Community Foundation, Davie Electrical Co., DCCC-Workforce Development, Farm Bureau-Keith Beck, Jerry West, friend of the Chamber, Gym 365-Bermuda Run, Harry Hill Financial Consulting, Hillsdale Real Estate Group-Melinda Szeliga, Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell, Miller Building & Remodeling, Mocksville Lions Club, Nic-Nuc Creations, REEB, The Resource, The Town Pharmacy, Truliant Federal Credit Union, United Way of Davie County, and Winmock at Kinderton.