Get a COVID update from Virologist, get tested, see new technology and walk out with free food. Dumas is a part of a statewide tour which began on Monday September 27th from the Pine Bluff Convention Center led by Mayor Shirley Washington with special guest Camden’s Julian Lott. Headlining is Infectious Disease Expert, Virologist Dr. Lane Rolling, M.D., Director of Clinical Education and Research at the Tropical Pathology and Infectious Disease Association. The tour heads to Dumas this Thursday, September 30th from 11am—2pm at the Dumas Community Center. Everyone is welcome.
How the tour works: It features rotating sessions of 15-20 minutes with Dr. Rolling who will answer questions about COVID and the new variants. Then a ‘walk through’ to see new technology, then on to the COVID testing stations (free to all). Next, citizens will see technology solutions on site for display that focus on strategies and ways to protect and safeguard your home, schools, houses of worship, business, personal care, etc.
Ending the short tour (about 30-40 minutes), the first 300 persons who sign in ‘walk through’ and receive food from the monthly distribution from the REDI Program leaders from the Arkansas Food Bank, The College of Aspiring Artists, ASC Property Management, City PRIDE and The Legacy Center in West Dumas. (Food supply is limited to first come first serve and will be placed in vehicles by support staff when needed). Some free items Arkansas PBS for children are also limited supply.
Dumas, through the REDI— Rural Economic Development Innovation Program is one of 47 national sites. Dumas is representing the program for the entire state of Arkansas. Recently, Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., CEO of The College of Aspiring Artists, met with Governor Asa Hutchinson to share the vision how REDI and The Legacy Center in West Dumas would be adding new programs along the way.
“Our monthly food distribution has reached over $600,000 to citizens in Dumas and across multiple counties since June of last year. We are doing something different on this day and we are going to continue as long as we can. It’s costing money (that we don’t have) and great sacrifice from people who are putting themselves in harm’s way to be the difference. I’m so thankful to the volunteers in which sometimes we can give a stipend and sometimes we cannot. This work is important from Dumas and across the Delta. It’s about saving lives and transforming people, every day. Getting Dumas in a strong position to better care for ‘all the residents with new opportunities and better living in overall conditions is the ultimate goal.’ Getting leaders and persons across the city and county committed and engaged is very important, and this Thursday’s event at the Dumas Community Center will move the needle of progress for sure,” stated Hunt.
Testing at all the ASC Property Management complexes is happening now to help mitigate and contain the virus not only in Dumas but across the state of Arkansas. A ninety-day tour includes 50 properties across the state receiving onsite education, testing and vaccine options. The USDA Rural Development programs are advocating strong measures to educate and provide support services such as these.
Volunteers and donations are needed for successful distribution and sustainability. To support, please contact Linda Hunt Rogers at 870.501.0356 or at allofdumasunited@gmail.com To donate, see more on the vision, and sign-up visit: www.thelegacycenterinwestdumas.org
