End of School Ice Cream Celebration 2015

With summer temperatures resting high in the nineties most week days, a bowl of ice cream couldn’t hurt anybody. Friday, June 26, 2015, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity partnered with Lynmore Estates community leaders and the Harrison Road Walmart to host the neighborhood’s second End of School Ice Cream Celebration, since last year. With an increase in attendance this year, the table was stocked with bowls, cones, ice cream, and toppings galore thanks to the Harrison Road Walmart. Before youth could dig into this delicious delight, Dr. Sundra Woodford organized an activity with the group to gather ideas for neighborhood improvement residents wish to see in Lynmore Estates. Beginning with a whimsical story about the history of Lynmore Estates, Dr. Woodford intrigued the residents with her storytelling skills and set the base for discussion about what Lynmore Estates could become with the youth’s ideas. Afterwards, the residents would be split up into two groups, 3 years old to 10 years old and 11 years old to 17 years old. The 3 years old to 10 years old group was given a pack of markers and multiple sheets of paper to draw what they saw Lynmore Estates to become and what they wanted it to be. Many of the drawings were colorful and creative including tall houses and playgrounds. The 11 years old to 17 years old group was given two sheets of paper and collaborated together to make one long list of ideas for neighborhood improvement. Some of these included a skate park, a swimming pool, and even multiple stores to provide greater access to commodities. When the two groups convened afterwards, Dr. Woodford asked them what they would like to see. The answers ranged from swing sets and merry-go-rounds to a Dairy Queen and even a nail salon. With many great ideas on the table, it is going to be a journey to see all of them realized. Afterwards, the youth would enjoy bowls and cones of ice cream piled high with gummy bears, peacans, chocolate chips, and drowned in various syrups. During this, neighborhood resident and Macon Area Habitat for Humanity volunteer, Jennifer Gagne, interviewed many of the attendees to learn about their accomplishments this past school year. With a long list of accomplishments and titles scrawled on the notebook paper, it became evident how successful and motivated many Lynmore Estates youth are with high prospects for the future. Jennifer, along with Macon Area Habitat for Humanity are excited to hear of this, knowing plenty of good comes out of Lynmore Estates.

Dr. Woodford's story: