The Pike County Sheriff’s Department held its inaugural Triad meeting Tuesday at the Pike County Safe Room in Magnolia.
Sheriff Kenny Cotton said he wanted to begin a Triad program in Pike County because he’s seen success in other departments with the program that links lawmen with senior citizens.
Cotton said he reached out to every municipality and promoted the event in newspapers and on the radio to get the word out.
“I was shooting for 500 people, but it’s about a couple hundred in there. It’s a great turnout,” he said.
Cotton said he, Summit police officer and pastor Dwight Lee, Sara Martin, Pamela Newton and others gathered together to plan out the event, which was spearheaded by the sheriff’s department nurse, Rhonda Isaac. Newton, president of the Honest Treasure Social Club has helped with Copiah County’s Triad and volunteered to help Cotton put together his event.
Cotton said an event like Triad is needed to provide an activity for the senior citizens in Pike County.
Some of the vendors on hand included Alcorn State University Extension Center, Southwest Mississippi Opportunity Inc., Guy’s Pharmacy, Corner Drug Store, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Harrell Eye Clinic and Hospice Compassus.
Registered nurses Tiffany Gamble and Lionel Washington, who also is a police officer, volunteered to help check blood pressure for those in attendance.
Vendors also checked blood sugar and discussed with participants ways to stay active and healthy.
The St. Andrew’s Family Dancers, Summit police officer Antonette Quin and Pike County Corrections Officer Arthur Quin provided entertainment. Mattie Jones of Mississippi Lifeline called bingo games and attendees received door prizes.
Magnolia Mayor Anthony Witherspoon was the guest speaker.
He said the event was much needed.
“We really love and appreciate our senior citizens, whose shoulders we stand on,” Witherspoon said.
He said he and Alderwoman Becky Magee are working to encourage more activities geared toward senior citizens at the Magnolia Community Center, where activities such as bingo and exercise classes used to be held.
Those programs died out, but he and Magee are working to bring them back.
“She’s really passionate about our senior citizens, and it’s something that I wanted to work with her to do,” Witherspoon said.
His wife, Sen. Tammy Witherspoon, was also at the event.
“We are public servants, and we have a heart to serve the public. If you need anything, our doors are always open to you,” Anthony Witherspoon said.
Cotton said Triad organizers will meet quarterly, and there will be a big event held every year.
“I want to keep this going. It’s a great event for our community,” he said.
Cotton said he thanks all of those who donated to the Triad and sponsored the event, which helped make it a success.
