Kilgore Together at Lions Club

Jimmy Kinsey talked to Kilgore Lions about Kilgore Together who needs volunteers.

Kilgore Together is an organization dedicated to helping teens stay away from drugs and alcohol and that is what Chairman Jimmy Kinsey talked to the Lions about on Thursday.

Kinsey said Kilgore Together is a coalition made up of community volunteers which provides teens something to do in Kilgore, an alternative to getting involved with drugs and alcohol.

There are 12 active members in the organization. "We get a lot of support from the community in the way of donations, but what we really needs right now is volunteers," said Kinsey.

Throughout the year, Kilgore Together puts together activities like the fifth quarter. "This activity is providing a place for teens to go after the football games and have fun without the use of drugs or alcohol," said Kinsey.

Kinsey said the big problem in Kilgore is underage drinking. "In a survey taken at Kilgore schools in 2003 and again in 2005 it shows alcohol use and marijuana use on the rise," said Kinsey.

This survey shows students as young as the sixth grade involved in alcohol use and cigarette smoking said Kinsey.

Kinsey said on Tuesday night Kilgore Together is hosting a Town Hall Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Kilgore City Hall. "We also have a regular meeting the third Monday of each Month at St. Luke's United Methodist Church," said Kinsey. "We urge members of the community to attend these meetings."

Kinsey said Kilgore Together is working on upcoming events for this year such as After Prom and After Graduation. "We are also hoping to do movies in the park this summer," said Kinsey.

Kinsey said if providing these activities one teenagers life is saved then Kilgore Together has done their job.