By CLARKE STACKHOUSE / Staff Writer

ALABASTER— “Education is the foundation of life” is proudly stated on the new sign for the Kids First Community Center, revealed at a dedication ceremony on July 25.

Kids First Awareness board President Joe Raines said he hopes the new sign will make people more aware of where the center is located.

The center is located at 100 Mt Olive Rd. #11B and is tucked away at the end of the street.

“People were familiar with our cause and our name, but had no idea where we were located,” Raines said. “This sign will change that.”

Kids First Awareness Executive Director Cindy Hawkins said the sign could not have happened without the help of people coming together.

“The sign is just a small way to bring our community together,” Hawkins said. “It takes a village to make a community better.”

The sign was donated to Kids First Awareness by Reliable Signs, Hawkins said. They installed it with the help of Asbury United Methodist Church, Hunter Street Baptist and Church of Brook Hill.

“People coming together is what saves a community,” Hawkins said. “I’m so blessed to see our community support Kids First.”

Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon said, “It takes passion to make a difference.”

Handlon said she sees that passion in Hawkins and everything she does for the community.

“Most people go full force and burn out,” Handlon said. “I don’t think Cindy will ever burn out.”

The land the sign is placed on was also donated to Kids First Awareness by Stanford Shepheard, sharing the property with his lawnmower repair shop.

“I never thought I’d see a day like this,” Shepheard said.

Kids First Awareness is a nonprofit with a mission of providing kids and families with the necessary foundations to prepare for future education and life.

For more information on Kids First Awareness visit Kidsfirst123.com.