Foundation gives defibrillators to Meridian schools, accepts grant funds,

By Thomas Howard October 2, 2023 Members of the Meridian Public School District Foundation for Educational Excellence and school administration gathered with representatives from the United Way of East Mississippi and Mississippi Power on Monday as the foundation presented six new defibrillators to the school district. The defibrillators, which were donated by Mississippi Power to the foundation, will be placed in the district’s schools throughout Meridian in case of an emergency. In addition to the defibrillators, the foundation was also awarded a $1,500 check from the United Way of East Mississippi to further its goals of empowering teachers and improving education for local students. UWEM Executive Director Kim Parnell said her organization also has programs aimed at helping local students, including a new initiative to help purchase uniforms. She said she was glad for the opportunity to work with the foundation to support Meridian youth. Neil Henry, president of the MPSD foundation, said the grant funds will be put to use through the group’s “Imagination Library” program, which is aimed to help promote and improve literacy. “We want to make sure all these kids start really working on their literacy and reading and just value the importance of reading,” he said. Provided by The Meridian Star