Nueces County Proclaims 'Help Hit the High Notes' Day to Back Local Career-Mentoring Program

The Nueces County Commissioners Court on Oct. 28, 2015 adopted a proclamation recognizing Hammond's Education Leadership Program (HELP) and designated the day as "Help Hit the High Notes" in support of the nonprofit's youth career-mentoring efforts.

The proclamation, read into the record by county staff, credited HELP with taking "almost 3,000 students and adults on over 250 separate visits to at least 100 job sites in the Coastal Bend" over eight years and said more than 90% of participating students had returned to or stayed in school, pursued training, or obtained meaningful employment. Judge (speaker 1) called for a motion, the court moved and seconded the item, and the measure passed by voice vote.

Ridge Hammonds, representing HELP, described the group's fundraiser at Brewster Street Ice House in downtown Corpus Christi and invited the court and the public to attend. "We'll raise some money, and we'll help some kids," Hammonds said, adding that local partners including HEB and AEP would participate and that the district attorney had agreed to take part in a lighthearted lip-sync bit.

The court recorded the proclamation to acknowledge HELP's local career-club work and to promote the organization's annual fundraiser. The proclamation notes the program's on-site career mentoring and community partnerships and urges citizens to support the event.

The court moved on after a brief photo opportunity and light remarks inviting commissioners and attendees to the evening program; the proclamation was adopted by voice vote during the Oct. 28 session.