Quite often I have the opportunity to say to newcomers in Opelika and Auburn, "You have chosen a great place to live!" After living in Lee County for 15 years my appreciation for the area grows more positive by the day.
Evidence for this conviction abounds. Our people are generous supporters of "helping" agencies such as United Way, the Food Bank, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and many others. Whether it is a call for help for abused children or battered women, people are quick to respond. The strong support for the "Christmas in April" project is a good current example.
The tremendous response of our community to John Jacobs and the Power Team reminds me once again why this is a great place to live. Many businesses and civic organizations have offered to help with this project. A number of invidiuals have called to assist in any way they can. Not only is this response heartening, it is downright inspiring!
A week ago we had no chairs to place in the Old Lowe's Building where we expect as many as 2,000 people each night, April 5-9. But people are calling to help and right now we have 850 chairs available. I am confident we will have what we need, even if we have to rent a thousand or so.
Area businesses have been wonderful in offering lodging for the power team, materials for their exhibitions of strength, transportation while they are here, and even an exercise center where the team can work out. More offers of assistance are coming in daily, for which we are deeply grateful.
Why are so many willing to help? The reason is obvious. People care about the children and youth of our area. They know that the power team's motivational message can influence hundreds of kids to understand the danger of drugs, alcohol, fornication, and the lack of moral restraints.
In addition to the night meetings (7:00 o'clock) at the Old Lowe's Building, the power team will visit 19 area schools to present their inspiring message in assemblies. These are the schools which have opened their doors to the message of hope the power team will bring: Opelika High School, Lee Scott Academy, Beauregard High School, Beulah High School, Notasulga High School, Loachapoka High School, Smith Station High School, Dean Road Elementary, Opelika Middle School, Wrights Mill Elementary, Northside Elementary, Wacooche Middle School, West Forest Elementary, Morris Avenue Elementary, Sanford Middle School, Beulah Elementary, Loachapoka Elementary, and Trinity Christian Elementary.
For 20 years these world class athletes have performed in schools, civic centers, stadiums, and coliseums around the nation and in 40 countries around the world. Now they are coming to Opelika to use their feats of strength to inspire young people to be "dream makers" instead of "dream breakers."
These strong men may draw a bigger crowd in Chicago or Atlanta, but they will never visit a finer community than they will find in Lee County. They will find out why so many of us are convinced that this is a great place to live!