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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The Leadership Chilton Class of 2025 made a difference for veterans in the community by completing a project at Cedar Ridge Veterans Facility that brightened up the facility and added new features for the veterans it houses. The group project by the class improved the landscaping and lives of the veterans. The project was completed on April 26.

“We felt like this facility is overlooked in the county,” Angel Collins, Magistrate at Jemison Municipal Court and Leadership Chilton Class of 2025 member, said. “There are people in Chilton County that have no idea this place exists, so our class wanted to spotlight the facility.”

The class proposed different projects and put them up for vote to narrow it down. In the end, Cedar Ridge was chosen to spotlight the veterans and bring that attention that Collins felt like was being missed. The facility is managed by Chris Davenport who said they currently house 21 veterans in the Collin Chapel community facility.

The Leadership Chilton class removed existing shrubbery and replaced it with new shrubbery, trimmed bushes, planted flowers, applied pine straw to flower beds, pressure washed concrete and installed a new pavilion swing. Along with the swing, Old Orchard Amish Furniture donated tables and rocking chairs to accompany the new swing that was installed. The class also stocked the facility with cleaning supplies, pillows, snacks, drinks and toiletries.

“We wanted to create an oasis of peace for the veterans to go to and enjoy the sound and beauty of nature,” Collins said. “We planted flowers that attract butterflies so (the veterans) can enjoy their new outside furniture.”

One of the highlights for Collins during the project was that each time she visited Cedar Ridge she was able to connect with a different veteran. She learned about what branch of the military they served in, their hobbies and the different backgrounds each resident had, which made each conversation with them interesting.

Sponsors for the project included — Adient, Alisha Upchurch Attorney at Law, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Chico’s Tire Center, Enterprise Laundromat, First Bank of Alabama, Garrison Farm & Home Center, Jemison Auto Parts, Jemison Police Department, Judy Benson, Lacey Morrow, Lake Lawn Care, Old Orchard Amish Furniture, Peach Country Theater, Petals From The Past, Piggly Wiggly of Jemison, Recon Reconstruction, Steve Langston and Ya Betta Eat Cajun Smokehouse.