2018 Rogers Scholar McKinney “Mac” Meek of Boyd County is helping to provide more recreational opportunities for Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky.
Meek, a student at Ashland’s Paul G. Blazer High School, raised $1,000 from family and friends to purchase indoor and outdoor recreational items for Safe Harbor, an emergency shelter for domestic violence victims.
A graduate of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program, Meek decided to organize the Safe Harbor Activity Drive for his community service project.
“I realized the impact of the donations when I started thinking about how they would facilitate positive interaction between mothers and their children,” Meek said. “This is something that many of us take for granted. It makes me feel good to know that my contribution will help Safe Harbor make a positive impact on its residents’ lives.”
Meek purchased blocks, puzzles, and foam balls for the younger children. He bought a Jenga set, checkers, croquet, corn hole, ladder ball, badminton/volleyball set, and more recreational items for the older children.
“As I arrived to drop off my donations to Safe Harbor, I saw the kids outside,” he recalled. “Within the next few days, these same kids would soon be playing with the toys and games that I bought.”
Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky is an emergency shelter and advocacy center that provides confidential, caring, and supportive services to domestic violence victims in Boyd, Greenup, Carter, Lawrence, and Elliott counties.
“While the kids are here we try to provide as many recreational opportunities and fun activities as possible,” said Ann Perkins, Executive Director of Safe Harbor. “We also want to facilitate mother and child bonding. Mac’s contribution will help us in our goal.”
Meek is the son of Tyler and Robyn Meek of Ashland.