Adams-Wilkinson Co. Department of Human Services is a state agency composed of three divisions: Division of Family and Children’s Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement, and Division of Economic Assistance.

The mission of the Family and Children’s Services is to protect vulnerable children and adults from abuse, neglect or exploitation, support family preservation and community living and prevent family violence and disruption.

The mission of the Division of Child Support Enforcement is to provide child support services to ensure that children receive financial and emotional support from both parents and empower families to become self-sufficient. The mission of the Division of Economic Assistance is to promote self-sufficiency and personal responsibility for all Mississippians.

DHS is determined to help families in every way possible in order that they may have the most superb quality of life. Therefore, individuals at DHS have decided to extend a helping hand beyond those we serve in our community.

Caroline Curtis, an employee at DHS came up with the brilliant idea and suggested that the agency form a Relay for Life Team.

After approval from our regional director, Tonya Rogillio, and county director, Patricia Barlow, the idea was brought back to the employees in Family and Children’s Services and the opportunity to join the team was extended to Economic Assistance and Child Support.

Team DHS has a very active team of 35 members and we are willing and looking forward to this cause to be a great success.

Team captain Caroline Curtis is involved and inspired by her son Kendrick Curtis was diagnosed with cancer at age 17. Caroline has been involved in Relay for Life for seven years.

She is thankful to God that her son is cancer free and will continue to support the fight against cancer.

I am the co-captain, and I decided to join the team because cancer is a disease that has no particular name, age, sex or race. It’s always better to give than receive, so I decided that if I would lend a helping hand in every way possible because we as people know where we are today but tomorrow could turn another page in our life.

MDHS decided to get aboard the Relay for Life campaign to help support the American Cancer Society’s programs of research, education, advocacy and patient support because many individuals employed at the agency have encountered the cancer experience through family members and friends. We have planned a number of events to help support this cause throughout the year.

We will host a garage/bake sale from 6 a.m.-until Saturday at the local office.

All items will sell for $5 and under. The cakes are homemade by Veronica Barfield-McClain in the Division of Economic Assistance, and will include Italian cream cheesecake, red velvet cake, German chocolate cake and pound cake.

Raffle tickets will be available at the garage sale to support the Relay for Life fundraiser. The raffle will include a $50 Shell Gas Gift Card and a Tom Tom GPS System.

For more information, you may contact me or Caroline at 601-442-7031.

CasSandra Bingham is the co-captain of the Mississippi Department of Human Services Relay for Life team.