By Justin Smith

The Selma Times-Journal

The Bogue Chitto Community Development Foundation (BCCDF) is making progress on building a community center for residents of the Dallas County community.

The BCCDF is a nonprofit organization with a  mission to improve the community by providing various services to enhance the quality of life. Several members of the Dallas County community have spent many volunteer hours working alongside the organization to make their dream come true.

“We are trying to provide an opportunity to our community,” said the foundation’s chairman of the board Shelly McGee.

Progress has already been made in the building of the community center. Alabama Power partnered with Bogue Chitto to develop a five-year strategic plan. They have already purchased the land for the community center and started excavating the property. The foundation has not met with an architect yet to develop a building plan. New Vernon CP Church currently serves as the organization’s headquarters.  The Rev. William Twiddle has welcomed the group with open arms. The group is still seeking more money to assist with the building of the community center.

Bogue Chitto is currently hosting a camp for children. The camp started on June 6 and ended June 30. Students of Salem Elementary and Keith High Schools attended the camp.

“It is very important for kids to have somewhere to go,” McGee said. “Our camp gives kids an avenue to work together and build friendships.”

The camp concluded with a unity breakfast on June 30. Charlotte Griffith served as the guest speaker.

The organization hopes to raise funds in the future through fish frys, t-shirt sales, raffle tickets and private donations to help benefit the building of their new community center.

The elderly community is also a main priority for the Bogue Chitto Community Development Foundation. They put on various events to assist older people with new technology. The community center will allow them to put on events with both the younger generation and adults.

“We want to help unite both the elderly and the youth,” said foundation vice president and treasurer Roger Drain. “We are all willing to try anything that will help our community grow together as one.”