May 18, 2017 Update

Since our Serve Southaven program was created in 2015, we have been searching for the right person to lead these efforts.  This program needed a leader willing to give their time as a volunteer to truly serve our city with the skill set to organize, market, communicate, and bring people together.  We are fortunate that Tracy Gallagher has volunteered to be our first  executive director.  Tracy is an incredibly-talented person with a special heart to serve.  Her bio is as follows:

Tracy Gallagher owns Gallagher Insurance Group in Southaven along with her husband, Joel.  Believing in the importance of giving back to the community, Tracy knows that to whom much is given, much is required.  Tracy serves as Vice Chairman for Apelah in Hernando.  Apelah provides foster care for special needs children in Desoto County.  She serves on the Corporate Volunteer Council with Volunteer North Mississippi.  She is also involved in several local networking organizations and volunteers at her children’s schools.  Tracy holds a marketing degree from the University of Memphis.  She is a lifelong resident of Desoto County and graduated from Southaven High School.  She and Joel have been married for 22 years and have 3 children who attend Desoto County Schools.  They are members of Cornerstone Church in Southaven.

Since Joel is the City’s current Alderman for Ward 4, the City did request an opinion from the State Attorney General confirming that there is no conflict with her serving in this capacity.  The fact that this position is purely voluntary makes this acceptable.
 
Please contact Tracy at serve@southaven.org or 662.280.2489 if you are interested in serving in any capacity.  Together, we can make an even better Southaven!

 January 4, 2017 Original Post

When I began my public service to the City in 2013, I realized quickly that we have so many citizens that reach out for help with diverse needs.  I also realized that we have many wonderful people that sincerely want to serve our city and those citizens that are in need.  These two realizations prompted me, with the help of my Board of Aldermen and some key volunteers, to create a network of churches, charitable organizations, and other individuals that want to serve our city and specifically minister to those that have special needs.

Serve Southaven was officially created in 2015 as an outreach program to function as a "hub" in connecting those in need with those that want to help.  The following functions were designated as specific goals for service: 

• City Beautification
• Emergency Aid
• Food Distribution
• Youth Interaction
• Elderly and Special Needs

This program has been effective but has much more potential for our city.  We hope to better serve the current functions of this program and also expand our program to reach more needs within our city.