The Jimmy Davis Park Partnership Advisory Council conducted a community-wide Back-to-School Rally Saturday morning at the park.
“It was a huge success, and we appreciate each who purchased supplies, made a donation, or helped us out,” JDP Partnership Advisory Council chairperson Janie Reid said.
“We wish to give special thanks to Myrna Taylor of Taylor’s Flower Shop, who put together 15 baskets with school supplies and placed them in 15 businesses downtown to give them a head start on collecting what the students needed,” said Reid, the city’s Ward 3 councilmember. “These 15 baskets really turned into a lot for our youth. Thanks, Myrna and Amanda, you two are some very caring and supportive people in our community.”
Reid further thanked each local business owner who accepted the challenge to help local children get a positive head start to their 2025-26 school year.
She thanked each of the following for purchasing supplies, as well to those volunteers who helped distribute everything outside the front doors of the park building on a very hot day in Eatonton: Butler-Baker Alumni, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Putnam Chapter No. 34 Order of Eastern Star, St. John’s AME Church, Butler-Baker Class of 1966, Ebenezer Baptist Church Sunday School, Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, Mothers Against Crime, The Pilot Club, and BRE Entertainment.
“Thanks to the People's Bank, too, not only for donating the hot dogs but grilling them as well,” Reid said. “And to the Dairy Queen, thanks for the Dilly Bars; to Huskins Law Firm, thanks for the water and chips; to the city of Eatonton, thank you for sponsoring the water slide, the youth enjoyed it.”
Reid further singled out Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell and his officers, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners for renovating and supporting the historic JDP venue, Putnam County Recreation Director Scott Haley for making sure everything requested at the venue was made available, and JDP manager Victor Tweedy Parham and park employee Jeremiah Bullard.
She also thanked Eatonton Mayor John Reid for his support of the back-to-school event and for “always being available for your constituents.”
“Finally, thanks to the parents for bringing your children out … not just to pick up the supplies, but to enjoy the park,” Reid said. “To our youth, we love you and we hope that you have a safe, enjoyable, and positive year. You’re our proud and joy, and we want to do all we can to help you be successful in life. Happy School Year 2025-2026."