300 NORTH MASON BLOCK CLUB CONTINUES TRADITION OF MENTORING CHILDREN

Children of the 300 block of North Mason showing off their new backpacks, gifts of their neighbors to encourage success in school. (Photo by Brad)

 Mrs. Doretha Stafford, President Emeritus of the 300 N. Mason block, surrounded by the neighborhood children she has known since birth and helped raise. (Photo by Brad)

Big Time Gamblers: Residents of the 300 block of North Mason playing some wild, high-stakes games of BINGO at the block club party. (Photo by Brad)

The 300 North Mason block club has stood together for many years. Residents of the block continued a long tradition of supporting their children and encouraging them to excel. They held a festive, end of summer block party and gave out 75 backpacks to neighborhood children returning to school.

Doretha Stafford, at 80 years old, is President Emeritus of the block and hasn’t lost any of her fire or drive. Mary H. Austin, another longtime leader, was Coordinator of this years block party, with current block club President, Mrs. Alice Jackson, and Refreshments Planner, Mrs. Minnie Jordan.