March 15 set aside as “Pickens Goes Green” Day, first annual St. Patrick’s Celebration

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In a proclamation issued Friday morning by County Commissioner Rob Jones, Jasper Police Chief Greg Lovell and Pickens S.O. Chief Deputy Jeff Hall, Saturday, March 15 has been declared “Pickens Goes Green for SAA (Sharptop Arts Association), Youth Art, and the Animal Shelter of Pickens County.” The event will highlight youth art and support for the animal shelter.For more than 20 years SAA has celebrated youth art month in March but this year has involved several organizations to expand awareness, increase community participation and extend support to the Pickens County Animal Shelter. By setting up this date and with the support of the above-listed governmental entities, they have planned an event around the theme of St. Patrick’s Day. The fun will stretch from 10 a.m-2 p.m. that day in front of SAA’s headquarters (68 D.B. Carroll Street in Jasper) down to Jasper Elementary School. All youth groups are encouraged to set up booths to sell items that will help raise funds for their various interests such as summer sporting events.

Michal Brock, SAA volunteer, said,

“The purpose for us was initially to increase awareness and participation in the community. In working with the shelter and the needs they have, it was just a perfect match.”

There will be a special area set up for the animal shelter’s needs including information dissemination and donations. The SAA will also be making a donation to the shelter. In addition, Be-Paws We Care, a local non-profit organization that helps puppies with parvo will also be receiving a portion of the donations. These puppies are sent to them from anonymous private parties and organizations to receive necessary treatment and to be sent for adoption once the puppy is again well.

They are also inviting the public and businesses to attend and participate. There will be booth rentals for vendors, booths with youth-oriented themes (such as face-painting) and resources for summer activities. All participants are encouraged to “Go Green” with their own Irish interpretations of St. Patrick’s Day.

A costume contest and parade will also be a part of the day’s events and prizes will be awarded to the following:
Leprechaun Award (best costume, elementary and younger ages)
Patty O’Pickens Award (most creative costume, middle school ages)
Dragon Dynasty Award (best group – 3 or more – high school ages)

During the proclamation ceremony, Nancy Davis representing the Pickens County Republican Party, challenged all local businesses to donate and/or participate in the event. To kick that challenge off, a check for $250 and rental verifications for three booths by the Republican Party were presented to Brock.

Davis expressed pride in the Republican Party’s involvement in getting this community-wide art/animal project going. While there is great progress being made in providing support for our local animal shelter there is still work that needs to be accomplished. Davis discussed a few ideas of how to draw more people in and expressed hope that some of the organizations who utilize the shelter begin making financial donations to the shelter.

This is part of SAA’s Pickens County Youth Art Month and they will be exhibiting their art throughout the month at their site on D.B. Carroll Street. Elementary art may be viewed February 27-March 8, middle school from March 13-22 and high school March 27-April 5.

For information and an application to enter your children, school or church, please contact: Sharptop Arts Association, 706-692-0101 (leave message) or [email protected]. ALL DONATIONS TO SHARPTOP ARTS ASSOCIATION OR ANIMAL SHELTER OF PICKENS COUNTY ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. For more information about the Be-Paws organization please go to Be-Pawswecare.com.


Following the Republican Party Challenge Nancy Davis (middle) gave a $250 donation and booth rental verifications to SAA volunteer Michal Brock as Commissioner Rob Jones witnessed.

Please see the following video for the entire proclamation ceremony:

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