IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring Jessica McCallop-McClellan, for her commitment to community service and advocacy for underserved communities in Jackson County, MO and around the world.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21352, July 31, 2023
INTRODUCED BY Megan L. Marshall, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri wishes to honor individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, compassion, and initiative in serving their communities; and,
WHEREAS, Jessica McCallop-McClellan, founder of Giving Hope & Help Inc., has tirelessly advocated to end domestic violence, providing crucial support to domestic violence shelters in Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, as well as aiding natural disaster survivors and distributing period products globally; and,
WHEREAS, Giving Hope & Help Inc. plays a vital role in collecting and distributing period products, which are often the least donated items to shelters, along with packaged children's and women's underwear throughout the year, effectively raising awareness about domestic violence and period poverty while supporting domestic violence shelters, places of refuge, homeless shelters, natural disaster relief efforts, women and girls' organizations, schools, and correctional facilities; and,
WHEREAS, over the past decade, Giving Hope & Help Inc. has made a significant impact, with more than 50,000 women and girls locally and across the globe benefiting from their distribution of period products; and,
WHEREAS, the reach of Giving Hope & Help Inc. extends beyond borders, as they have successfully sent period products to Africa, Cambodia, Haiti, Mexico, and the Bahamas, making a difference in the lives of thousands of recipients in those regions; and,
WHEREAS, the dedication of Giving Hope & Help Inc. goes beyond menstrual equity, as they have awarded over 100 college scholarships since 2015 through their Education is Your Passport Scholarship Program, specifically benefiting high school seniors in underserved areas and non-traditional students preparing to embark on their college journeys; and,
WHEREAS, Giving Hope & Help Inc. has inspired and provided support to more than 600 cancer patients through their Love Bags 4 Cancer initiative, which was born out of the personal experience of Jessica McCallop-McClellan's late niece who bravely battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma; and,
WHEREAS, Jessica McCallop-McClellan's academic achievements and commitment to education are commendable, as she became a first-generation college graduate of an HBCU, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Southern University and A&M College, as well as a Masters of Science in Business Management from Baker University; and,
WHEREAS, Jessica McCallop-McClellan continues her family's legacy of fighting for freedom, equality, and access to education, exemplified by her great-grandfather, R.L. McCallop, who, during the era of Jim Crow segregation, founded the first school bus service in Johnson County, KS, known as the R.L. McCallop Bus Service, transporting African American children to school during the week and providing transportation for private school students and church groups on weekends with a fleet of more than ten buses; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature extends its deepest gratitude and admiration to Jessica McCallop-McClellan, founder of Giving Hope & Help Inc., for her exceptional leadership, tireless advocacy, and selfless dedication to the well-being of others; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature recognizes the significant impact of Giving Hope & Help Inc., which has provided vital support to domestic violence shelters, raised awareness about period poverty, empowered women and girls, and inspired cancer patients, ultimately making a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached Resolution No. 21352 of July 31, 2023, was duly passed on August 14, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______9________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ___0______ Absent _____0_______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature