Highland Mills Neighborhood Association Speech by Dee Meadows

InAsMuch has brought Unity, hope, Confidence, excitment Thankfulness to HLC Mills people

Good morning my name is Dee Meadows, I am the President of HL Village Neighborhood Asso.

[left margin: Video] Little History about HLC Mills:

Highland Cotton mills had it's [beginning] in 1913 with a group of men who engaged in the hosiery [business] and houses were added starting in 1914.

[left margin: Tools] A school was maintained by the plant in the village before the state took over all public schools there was a Community Building here that had a library, Gym, Post office, Barbershop, that building is no longer here.

[left margin: Street signs] The Founders saw a great need for a church in the village and Highland Methodist Church was organized. 1930 HL Methodist church held its 1st formal dedication service.

Today the church still stands and has its doors open with Love in it's heart welcoming you The neighborhood Association [meetings] are held in the Church 2nd Tues of each month and the Church provides food for the Community.

Highland had its own athlets called Mighty Black Bison football team too.

There is a book that has been written about the HLC Mills Plant and the houses - building

in the village and will be presented around the 1st of June

We were also received a CBI grant that we will be using on a project where I am collecting information on the people who worked at Highland Cotton Mills and the families that grew up here and all the rich history and will be putting it in a archive and preserving it. And I am hoping to place it somewhere so people can learn and know the history that is in this place. I feel like Highland Mill Village is like a small Mayberry in the middle of HP City. Everyone knew each other/worked/helped and grew up together like One Big happy family.

I am also hoping to put a book together about the people of HLC Mills Village and how it was to grow up here.

There are a lot of elderly here some are on fixed incomes, some disabled, familys that need some help and when they heard That InAsMuch had chosen their community to come in and help them they were so overwhelmed, Thankful Some of the residents told me that the In As much was a blessing and God sent to them.

It has boosted their pride, and unity It is bringing neighbors closer. There are some residents that are not having their house worked on, Yet they want to help and be a part in helping their neighbors with whatever work they can do even if it is some yard work or handing out water to workers.

We at Highland have met so many caring people in the last couple of months from the InAsMuch program, and the City of H. P. Community Development and Housing, Volunteers from buisnesses, other Churches, neighborhoods and so many.

Thank you all that are involved in helping HLCM Village.

Words can not exspress how we feel.

We have not just met and made new friends, but this project has brought Highland People closer to each other.