10th Annual Water and Gatorade Drive delivers vital support to Lanier student-athletes amid record heat
JANS – As extreme summer temperatures trigger strict new safety regulations for outdoor sports, the Lanier Junior/Senior High School community and alumni have mobilized to protect their student-athletes.
On Tuesday, July 21, local supporters officially launched the 10th Annual Water and Gatorade Drive. The initiative ensures that approximately 200 students training for sports and auxiliary activities – including band and cheerleading – remain safely hydrated. The drive officially continued July 21-24, but donations will be accepted throughout the year.
From Small Favor to Annual Tradition
The grassroots effort began a decade ago with a simple request.
“A few of the coaches asked if we could help the team out with some water,” recalled Landon Stokes, a local entrepreneur and 1973 Lanier graduate.
Stokes and a few fellow alumni bought a few cases and dropped them off at the school. Year after year, the casual drop-offs grew.
“Before we knew it, our flyers and donations were posted on social media, and public service announcements were being made,” Stokes said.
To maximize this year’s impact, Stokes teamed up with fellow Lanier alumni, Ceagus Reed, President of the former Lanier Centennial Celebration Steering Committee, and Norma Michael, President of the Georgetown Community Neighborhood Association. The trio spent weeks developing strategies, circulating flyers online, and coordinating with alumni network leaders – including the Class of 1969’s communication network, known as “The A Team.” Local radio stations WJMI, WKXI, and WMPR also broadcasted public service announcements to rally the broader community. In addition, the Jackson Advocate also helped to get the word out.
Timely Relief Amid Strict Safety Mandates
The drive comes at a critical time for local youth sports.
“Our event was quite timely,” Reed said. “The extreme summer heat of 2026 has just begun.”
In response to dangerous rising temperatures, the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) implemented a strict safety ceiling for outdoor practices this season. Under the mandate, all outdoor football and high-exertion practices must be completely canceled when the heat index or temperature reaches a designated danger zone. Lanier coaches are strictly adhering to the guidance while heavily emphasizing hydration.
Lanier Principal Dr. Stacey Webb, Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Head Coach Lawrence Clark, and Girls Basketball Head Coach Kierra Jordan welcomed the massive influx of donations with open arms.
“We can always count on the Lanier alumni and supporters to be there for our scholars,” Dr. Webb said.
Alumni and Community Step Up
The response from the Lanier community was swift and heavy.
Coach Clark and the boys basketball team personally unloaded the first truckload of 112 cases of water. Shortly after, Coach Jordan and the girls basketball team enthusiastically offloaded a third full pallet of water. Jordan, first year head coach, was a member of the Lanier’s 2011 girls championship basketball team.
Alumni classes turned the drive into a friendly competition of generosity:
• The Class of 1975 led overall donations by purchasing an entire pallet of water from Black Excellence Water, a Black-owned company based in Columbus, Mississippi. “ Supporting a Black-owned business was an opportunity to help two causes,” said Michael, class leader.
• The Class of 1969 focused its efforts entirely on Gatorade donations.
• The Class of 1971 and 1973 contributed massive quantities of both water and sports drinks.
Several other classes and individual alumni supported this effort.
Community leaders also lending support to this effort included Mayor John Horhn, Hinds County Supervisor and Board President Robert Graham, and Hinds County Chancery Clerk Eddie Jean Carr. Local media, including Rob Jay from WAPT 16, were on the scene to cover the community turnout.
“The athletic department and coaches really appreciate the support from the alumni, community, and everyone who took the time out to donate,” Coach Clark said. “We really appreciate them, and we can’t thank everyone enough.”
Student-athletes were elated to see the outpouring of support for them from the community.
