Dear Editor,
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to remember those we have lost to suicide, support the families and friends who continue to carry that loss, and remind people who may be struggling that their lives have value.
This September, Music Medix Music Academy is continuing our suicide-awareness efforts with a simple idea: cover parking spaces throughout Jones County with positive, encouraging, anti-suicide messages written in sidewalk chalk.
And we are issuing a challenge. Music Medix challenges each individual public school in Jones County to see who can decorate the most parking spaces with positive messages during the month of September.
Messages can be as simple as: YOU MATTER. YOUR STORY ISN’T OVER. THE WORLD IS BETTER WITH YOU IN IT. KEEP GOING. YOU ARE LOVED. ASK FOR HELP. SOMEONE NEEDS YOU HERE.
The idea behind this project is intentionally simple. Someone having a terrible day may walk across a parking lot and unexpectedly see exactly the words they needed to hear.
One chalk message may seem small. Hundreds—or even thousands—spread throughout Jones County may not be.
Music Medix believes that our small music academy, with the help of our students, families, friends, local businesses, and community supporters, can chalk more parking spaces than any single Jones County public school.
Now we are challenging the schools to prove us wrong. The rules are simple. Public schools may decorate parking spaces on their own school property. Music Medix may decorate parking spaces at local businesses and other locations after receiving permission from the property owner. Pictures and running totals should be shared on social media so the community can follow the challenge throughout September.
Students, teachers, clubs, athletic teams, churches, businesses, civic organizations, and families are encouraged to get involved. Everyone participating should use temporary sidewalk chalk and receive permission before decorating property that does not belong to them.
And we are putting something on the line. If Music Medix does not win the challenge, we will DJ the winning school’s next festival, dance, or similar school event free of charge before the end of the 2026– 2027 school year.
But this really is not about which organization wins a contest. It is about how many people we can reach. This is exactly the kind of challenge I like.
Imagine a world where a child’s random chalk message can completely turn someone’s day around. Now realize that there are people living in that world every day.
No matter the outcome of this challenge, everybody wins.
I do not mind having to do a little more work if it means hundreds more messages are put out there for people who need a positive thought, a little encouragement, or simply a reason to face another day.
If this competition results in thousands of positive messages appearing throughout Jones County during September, then we have accomplished something worthwhile.
Suicide leaves an enormous hole in families and communities. We cannot undo those losses. But we can honor the people we have lost by making sure the people who are still here know that someone sees them, someone cares about them, and asking for help is always an option.
So, to every Jones County public school: The challenge has been issued. Let’s see who can cover the most parking spaces with hope.
More importantly, let’s see how much of Jones County we can cover together.
Sincerely, Christopher Pope Owner/Manager Music Medix, LLC
Touch-A-Truck
Dear Editor,
The Pilot Club of Jones County would like to invite everyone to the ninth annual Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, Sept. 12th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event has gotten better every year having more participation and a variety of vehicles and equipment. You will be amazed with the sights, sounds and the smell of delicious barbeque, burgers, and hotdogs. Make sure those phones and cameras are ready because you will be taking lots of pictures. This is a fundraiser for our club, and proceeds help us accomplish Pilot International’s mission “focusing on encouraging brain safety and health” and “supporting those who care for others.”
We thank Sheriff Butch Reece, Chief Earl Humphries, and Captain Shane Moody without whom this event could not take place. Thank you for the many hours you give to this event, and we appreciate the support that you always provide our club.
Last year’s proceeds helped pay for 248 helmets for Jones Co. Pre-K students with an additional 19 for the playground riding toys. Twenty-three students from First Baptist Pre-K also received helmets. The helmets were provided following the “BrainMinders, Protect Your Brain for Life” puppet shows. Puppet shows were also presented to the four elementary schools, grades K-2nd, after which, a total of 1,033 students received Certificates and Activity Coloring Books. There are other brain related projects such as the tracking bracelets for individuals who tend to wander.
Our other focus is “caring for caregivers,” and we do projects throughout the year to recognize this special group of people who do so much for so many in our county.
Save the date, and we hope to see you at this wonderful event. You won’t be disappointed. The Sheriff’s Office is located at 123 Holmes Drive in Gray. Admission is $5.
Sincerely, Fay Mathews Pilot Club of Jones County
