“It gives them the opportunity to feel valued and loved and to feel accepted by the entire community,” says Christopher Cabines, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church.
MACON, Ga. (41NBC/WMGT) – Everyone wants their children to look and dress well, and a local elementary school and church have teamed up to take the next step.
Professional Wear Tuesdays is a tradition that Matilda Hartley Elementary School has maintained for years, and in support of this tradition, New Hope Baptist Church held a ceremony where fifth graders Karly Alston and Jonah McClinton received the first hair bow, beads and bow tie from Paula Adams of the Macon Chapter of the Links, Incorporated and Pastor Christopher Cabines of New Hope Baptist Church. The rest of the donated ties, bow ties, hair bows and beads will be distributed to students throughout the week.
Dr. Laquonta Williams-Smith, principal of Matilda Hartley Elementary School, also presented certificates of appreciation to community members who helped with the event.
Paula Adams of the Macon Chapter of Links, Incorporated and also a retired educator with 30 years of experience, said it is an honor to be able to return to Hartley Elementary and support the teachers and students.
The pastor of New Hope Baptist Church says that the donation was made possible by various sponsors, community members and other organizations and that whenever there is a need, the church tries to meet that need to give the students a better future.
“Our goal is to also help them understand the importance of self-esteem, as it gives them an opportunity to understand the purpose of clothing. It’s not necessarily just about impressing, but it gives them an opportunity to feel valued and loved and accepted by the community as a whole,” says Christopher Cabines, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church.
“That was our only goal because we know that with these first investments in the early phase of their lives, we are doing something for their destiny,” said Pastor Cabines.
“We are here to nurture these gifts and talents that they have so that we can train them. As they grow and mature in life, they should continue to embrace the values that we instilled in them at a young age,” said Pastor Cabines.
According to a press release from the Bibb County School District, the school hopes to use this tradition as part of its “Leader in Me” program to instill good habits and self-esteem among its students.
