Supportive Community goes both ways

NEW LONDON — Henry County Fair Queen Chevy Mills keeps busy volunteering around the county at events like last week’s Clark Elementary Family Fun Night.

Families gathered at Clark Elementary in New London for a night filled with games, a book walk, raffles, and walking tacos.

“It was super fun!” Mills said of helping with the book walk throughout the evening.

For the book walk, participants walked in a circle much as they would for a cakewalk. While music plays, they continue to move. When the music stops, they stop.

Once the music stops a winning, spot is chosen and that participant wins a prize. In this case, they won a book.

“I got to hand books out to kids who won the rounds,” Mills said. “I love volunteering and this was such a fun activity to help out at.”

Mills enjoys volunteering around the community with school, Holiday Stroll, Old Thresher, and other organizations.

She also recently participated in Iowa High School Speech Association’s District contest where she received a Division I rating in Solo Improv. She will attend state speech contest March 11.

“Not only that but with receiving the lead role for our New London Musical, I've been working on rehearsing my lines and preparing for our performances March 17-18,” Mills said.

Mills anticipates her volunteer hours will slow down a bit as she prepares for her performances and spends time with her mother as she recovers from surgery.

On March 1, Mills mother, Shelly Detrick, underwent surgery to remove her thyroid in response to her second battle with cancer.

Just as Mills supports her community, family, friends, and their community show their support for Detrick and her family as they wear “Support Squad” T-shirts and wristbands from a February fundraiser.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com