Excel’s computer center in Calhoun City got a little more modern Thursday afternoon thanks to a gift from Renasant Bank.
B.B. Hosch, Sis. Judy Sinnwell, Rhonda Ray, Zack Bishop
Renasant Bank officials B.B. Hosch and Zack Bishop, of Tupelo, and Rhonda Ray from the Calhoun City branch, delivered six computers and two printers to the after-school learning center on the Calhoun City Square Thursday morning.
“This will really have a big impact,” Excel Director Sister Judy Sinnwell said. “Our students are able to use their school username and passwords to access the textbooks they use in school and work tutorials online. Our older computers were so slow it made things difficult for the students.”
The computers and printers are part of leftover equipment from Renasant’s acquisition of M&F Bank and the ongoing consolidation of their computers.
Hosch, Division President for Renasant, said he became aware of the need for Excel while attending the Jimmy Ball Roast in Calhoun City last summer – an Excel fundraiser.
“When we came up with this equipment we could donate I recalled that presentation and knew immediately that’s somewhere these computers can have an impact,” Hosch said.
Excel continues to serve dozens of local children with its after school tutoring programs. They have so many enrolled currently, Sinnwell said they have a waiting list of more than 20 kids needing into the program.
“We only have the personnel to serve so many kids,” Sinnwell said. “We would love to have more volunteers from the community willing to come in and work with the kids so we could accept more in the program.”
She said there is always a need for additional funding, materials, and especially volunteer workers willing to give a few hours a week to help elementary children with basic skills.
“Just a little time makes a big difference,” Sinnwell said.