TOWNVILLE — A drive through this area allows you to catch glimpses of beautiful farmland, homes, businesses and Hartwell Lake.

The geographic features of the area come together to create a beautiful landscape, just as Townville’s residents join together to create a unique population of individuals with the unified purposes of preserving history and also promoting future successes for the members of this community.

My time at Townville Elementary has given me the perspective to see how various community groups work together for the common good of all within their reach. This is a community focused on its long-held values while pushing for advancement.

There are many groups, which promote progress in Townville, and I regret that there is not enough space to name them all since they all deserve recognition for their efforts.

Within recent years, the voters of this area demonstrated their support for upgrading and adding necessary space for Townville Elementary School’s students during a referendum on school facilities. We soon will enjoy the completion of that school construction project, which provides our students with a safe and quality learning environment.

Several churches in our area not only concentrate on the needs of their own parishioners but also seek out ways to assist children and families. That assistance comes in the forms of volunteering in after-school programs to work with students, providing food to those in need, assisting with school supplies and clothing, and pulling everyone together during tragic times.

Our local emergency responders, Fork Rescue and Townville Volunteer Fire Department, have provided mentors to children over the years. Mentoring these young people has produced positive outcomes with regard to personal choices, progress with achievement, and has built trusting relationships with other caring adults. This demonstrates to our young people that they are valued by many, and also shows the importance of giving back to the community.

Other community activities that they’ve managed to include, but are not limited to: contributing to school health fairs, coordinating an annual tractor and car show as a fundraiser for the fire department, organizing and promoting the Townville Christmas Parade, and offering an Explorers program that allows youth to become familiar with the significance of the duties and responsibilities of first responders to its community.

Businesses in and around Townville also make contributions to the children of our town.

Happistance Veterinary Clinic helps to provide for various needs of students with their monetary donations. Evergreen Construction donated funds to purchase books to increase literacy skills in our early childhood program. Michelin Tire Corporation, US2, donated an interactive class set of Dance-Dance Revolution to promote an entertaining way to increase aerobic activity for all students. Cici’s, Skateland, and Elliott’s Fish Camp have made commitments to give a percentage of a monthly “Townville Night” receipts back to the school for student and classroom needs.

It is when a population comes together to promote the advancement of their youth, that they ensure the continued existence of their values and progress for the entire community. Townville’s community does just that, and with great determination.

Denise Fredericks is the principal of Townville Elementary School.