Members of the 2024-25 Leadership Hopkinsville-Christian County class spotlighted their improvement project and invited folks to join the program’s upcoming class at Thursday’s Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club meeting.
The leadership program, run through the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, brings together community members with diverse backgrounds who are committed to learning more about their community and strengthening their leadership skills. Members learn about the county’s agriculture, justice and corrections system, military connections, industries, arts and heritage.
Leadership Program Chair, Wendy Aldridge says the program is a great way to connect with people and to learn how different community entities work together.
Kiwanians Ashton Winfield and Payton Rogers are in the current leadership class and talked about their experience so far along with the improvement project they are working on at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center.
Winfield has enjoyed the program’s educational sessions and says she’s learned a lot about agriculture and has had the opportunity to meet and network with folks who also want to better the community.
Rogers works with the Hopkinsville Fire Department so he’s already well ingrained in the community, but he says he has still learned a lot through the program. At Jeffers Bend, Rogers says they have been working on maintenance projects and are planning to start working toward creating more accessible docks along the lake and expanding parking.
The project had some setbacks due to the recent flooding and Rogers says they turned their attention to cleaning out flooded buildings.
Winfield and Rogers say they are fundraising for the project and also hope to present a donation to Jeffers Bend. Those interested in donating to the program’s efforts can email the chamber at chamber@christiancountychamber.com. Applications for the 2025-26 leadership class are open until May 20 and are available at christiancountychamber.com.