Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
Kizzy L. Burch is a native of White Springs. She is married to Daren Burch and has two adult children, Terrill and Ayanna. Burch works for the Hamilton School District Transportation Department and is a Dispatcher at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Currently, Burch is accepting donations of ice cream, ice cream toppings, backpacks, school supplies, and money for Kizzy’s Annual Ice Cream Social. To donate, contact Burch at (386) 234-1162. The event will be hosted at Willie Guy Turner Park, located at East Memorial, in White Springs. At Kizzy’s Ice Cream Social, children can enjoy sweet treats and receive the supplies they need to help have a smooth transition into the upcoming school year. The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Burch started the ice cream social as a reward for her children, nieces and nephews for their great performance in school and to give them one last summer fling before going back to school. Burch’s children suggested that other kids should have ice cream and fun with them, thus expanding it to the community the following year. Burch says “The Ice Cream Social is a huge ice cream party with one rule: parents aren't allowed to say what their kids put on their ice cream unless they have allergies. After all, it's an ice cream party with sweet, tasty and safe fun.” A few years after the first social, Burch started incorporating backpacks and school supplies. “Let's face it,” Burch says, “times are hard for some and a lot harder for others. A parent should not have to decide between paying a bill, buying food or trying to supply school supplies. So, the back-to-school bash is a way of lifting some of the financial burdens and helping prepare our students for a successful school year!”
Each year, for Kizzy’s Ice Cream Social, Burch looks into the community for a motivational speaker. This person must be someone that is an outstanding citizen, as well as someone the children can look up to, follow and learn from their example. This year's speaker is an example of the meaning, ‘great people are raised in small towns and if you believe it, you can achieve it!’ I’m extremely proud of his accomplishments and him as a person. Our children can look forward to and expect to see great things from him in years to come. He is truly ‘the change we hope to see,’" Burch said. This year, the motivational speaker will be Fabian Reid, (also known as Mr. 25A, a 2017 Hamilton County High School graduate. Reid attended Shorter University, in Rome, Ga., achieving Team Captain and All-Conference for being one of the best players in Division 2 football. Not only is he a star on the field, but also in class. He has earned his BBA Degree with a concentration in Sports Management and yet is continuing his education to earn his MBA.
A message Burch would like to share with the community is that, “Our children are our future. Something as simple as ice cream and backpacks shows them we are invested in them; and from the thousands of kids that you are able to help me bless, thank you! Because it takes a village!”