MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th) Senate Resolution 133 (As Adopted by Senate) A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE VOLUNTEER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VETERANS SUPPORT NONPROFIT GROUP BOOTS TO BEYOND, INC., AND RECOGNIZING ITS CONTRIBUTIONS AND PROGRAMS. WHEREAS, we join the veterans support organizations throughout the state in commending the volunteer services and programs provided by Boots to Beyond, Inc.; and WHEREAS, Boots to Beyond, Inc., is a small, but growing community service organization committed to serving and assisting as many veterans in the State of Mississippi as possible; and WHEREAS, founded in November 2021 by Navy veteran Kenneth Magee, veteran spouse, Tabbatha Magee, and Navy veteran James Standifer, Boots to Beyond began in Washington County by this caring group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for helping those who have unselfishly served our country; and WHEREAS, in the few years since Boots to Beyond's inception, its hard work and initial impact in Washington County has led to over 700,000 pounds of food, valued at $3.2 Million, and $200,000 worth of clothing being distributed by the organization to over 8,790 veterans and their families in 19 counties, despite the lack of a formal organizational structure or budget; and WHEREAS, in addition, Boots to Beyond, which relies on donations of items, equipment, supplies and other necessities for administering programs and services, has provided masks, testing kits, referrals and other needed items and assistance to the Mississippi Delta area veterans and their families; and WHEREAS, to better provide current information and resources to all those seeking help, assistance and services, key board members and partners of Boots to Beyond work to identify appropriate and meaningful free training opportunities, and the organization holds "After Action" meetings following sponsored events to evaluate its activities in order to ensure quality control and efficiency and to identify any weaknesses in operations; and WHEREAS, key service officer partnerships include: Jerry Wiley, FSO (MSVA); Francine Jefferson, VSO Holmes County; Cynthia Cobb, VSO Holmes County; Ola Kirk, VSO Sunflower County; and Terry Gales, VSO Washington County; and WHEREAS, Boots to Beyond is eagerly making plans to serve yet greater numbers in the veteran community by identifying immediate, short-term and long-term goals, including furnishing and equipping donated office space, offering training on Veteran Suicide Prevention and a Women Veterans' Summit, and increasing the annual tonnage of food donations so that more veterans and food insecure families in unserved and underserved communities may be helped; and WHEREAS, it is most appropriate to recognize and honor these Mississippians, the founders and volunteers of Boots to Beyond, Inc., whose love of country and loyal commitment to bettering the lives of their fellow veterans bring honor to the State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the volunteer services provided by the veterans support nonprofit group Boots to Beyond, Inc., and recognize its contributions and programs serving the veterans community. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the directors and service officer partnerships of Boots To Beyond, Inc., and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th)
# Senate Resolution 133
## (As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE VOLUNTEER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VETERANS SUPPORT NONPROFIT GROUP BOOTS TO BEYOND, INC., AND RECOGNIZING ITS CONTRIBUTIONS AND PROGRAMS.
WHEREAS, we join the veterans support organizations throughout the state in commending the volunteer services and programs provided by Boots to Beyond, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Boots to Beyond, Inc., is a small, but growing community service organization committed to serving and assisting as many veterans in the State of Mississippi as possible; and
WHEREAS, founded in November 2021 by Navy veteran Kenneth Magee, veteran spouse, Tabbatha Magee, and Navy veteran James Standifer, Boots to Beyond began in Washington County by this caring group of like-minded individuals who share a passion for helping those who have unselfishly served our country; and
WHEREAS, in the few years since Boots to Beyond's inception, its hard work and initial impact in Washington County has led to over 700,000 pounds of food, valued at $3.2 Million, and $200,000 worth of clothing being distributed by the organization to over 8,790 veterans and their families in 19 counties, despite the lack of a formal organizational structure or budget; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Boots to Beyond, which relies on donations of items, equipment, supplies and other necessities for administering programs and services, has provided masks, testing kits, referrals and other needed items and assistance to the Mississippi Delta area veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, to better provide current information and resources to all those seeking help, assistance and services, key board members and partners of Boots to Beyond work to identify appropriate and meaningful free training opportunities, and the organization holds "After Action" meetings following sponsored events to evaluate its activities in order to ensure quality control and efficiency and to identify any weaknesses in operations; and
WHEREAS, key service officer partnerships include: Jerry Wiley, FSO (MSVA); Francine Jefferson, VSO Holmes County; Cynthia Cobb, VSO Holmes County; Ola Kirk, VSO Sunflower County; and Terry Gales, VSO Washington County; and
WHEREAS, Boots to Beyond is eagerly making plans to serve yet greater numbers in the veteran community by identifying immediate, short-term and long-term goals, including furnishing and equipping donated office space, offering training on Veteran Suicide Prevention and a Women Veterans' Summit, and increasing the annual tonnage of food donations so that more veterans and food insecure families in unserved and underserved communities may be helped; and
WHEREAS, it is most appropriate to recognize and honor these Mississippians, the founders and volunteers of Boots to Beyond, Inc., whose love of country and loyal commitment to bettering the lives of their fellow veterans bring honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the volunteer services provided by the veterans support nonprofit group Boots to Beyond, Inc., and recognize its contributions and programs serving the veterans community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the directors and service officer partnerships of Boots To Beyond, Inc., and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.