By Julia Burazer
Davie Respect Initiative

Friday, Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. was truly a celebration.
The meeting room at Mocksville Town Hall had standing room only as Mayor Will Marklin recognized three new Ambassadors of Respect (AoR).
Each received a certificate, a “Respect Matters” wooden medallion, and a check for $1,000.
There were so many good applications for the 3rd quarter of 2024, the panel was challenged to narrow it down to three awardees. Each quarter up to three people/groups are selected to become AoRs.
• Emma Grace Snow is a powerhouse in a little body.
At 12 years old, she is already thinking like a world citizen.
Sports is her passion and she has been playing all kinds since she was 4 years old. When she was in fourth grade, she observed that not everyone had the proper footwear for the sport they were participating in, leading to sliding, blisters and sometimes more serious injuries. Over time she observed this in many sports.
“Happy Feet Contributions” is the idea Emma Grace presented to the panelists. Her plan is to set up donation boxes in schools where people could donate lightly used shoes. Instagram, Facebook, school announcements and posters would be used to promote the idea.
After collecting all the shoes, she plans to display them, possibly at Recreation and Parks, and let students select appropriate athletic footwear.
“I feel that seeing such a big county project could really spark some light in other people. Kids could learn a lot and have a great opportunity to try something new to help the world and people around them.”
We are all on Team Emma and look forward to following this project.
South Davie Middle School was well represented this quarter. Emma Grace is a seventh grader.
• The next to receive recognition was Girl Scout Troop 2580. All three of the girls: Clara Parsley, Iris Marion and Ruby Marion, attend South Davie. Their award-winning project and creative idea is to refurbish the courtyard at the Davie County Public Library.
Their steps for completing this project include: cleaning the courtyard, fundraising for new decorations, adding new benches and other furniture to create a fresh and inviting look, and then adding a mural for additional color.
So far, the girls have weeded, pressure washed, added hand-painted river rocks and painted flowers. They are refurbishing the courtyard’s three children’s benches and plan to add additional seating, shade cover and a children’s activity area.
Once the mural is approved by county commissioners, it will be painted by local artist, Gerald Marion, using a design the girls created.
The girls plan to host a pancake breakfast in January with a goal of raising $700. Congratulations for implementing a project that so many will enjoy and we all look forward to seeing you for pancakes in January.
• The third recipient was another club. Heroes of Hope is a club at Davie County High School that supports the work of House of Hope Piedmont – a faith based nonprofit ministry which runs a residential treatment program for teenage girls who are hurt and struggling, which may include addictions, depression, abuse, cutting and more.
The second aspect of their mission is the restoration of these girls and their families.
When Casey Cao joined the club as a sophomore, there were only 4-5 students that regularly came to the Monday meetings. Casey had not really planned on getting involved, but she is so glad she did. Under her leadership, along with founder Robert Bailey, the club has grown to 40-50 regular participants.
They recently held a successful bake sale where they raised $375 and they are planning a fundraiser with the Soaring Eagles Fashion show, which Heroes of Hope is hosting. Casey’s personal goal for this fundraiser is $1,000.
Another service project that several members will be involved in is “Operation Christmas Child.” Club members are working alongside Samaritan’s Purse volunteers to make Christmas Shoeboxes for children in need.
“The entire project that is House of Hope/Heroes of Hope is so important to me and the club members because we are actually making a difference in the lives of other human beings. This isn’t a metaphorical, ‘we are changing lives’, we are and strive to change lives for the better. I am so grateful to be surrounded by a bunch of like-minded optimistic people who truly want to help others, like members of the Davie Respect Initiative. To change lives is to change the world.”
Without a doubt Casey is making a difference in Davie County and beyond.
For more information about House of Hope Piedmont, visit www.houseofhopepiedmont.org.
Do you know a young person or Davie County youth group between the ages of 12-21 “doing good, being kind, or showing respect” to people, animals or the environment? Empower them by anonymously nominating them at www.davierespect.com. Up to three new Ambassadors of Respect may be selected by the volunteer selection panel each quarter.
The next quarter application due date is Dec. 31. Individuals (12-21) and DC youth groups can apply on their own or after having been nominated. Email comments or questions to initiaterespect1@gmail.com.