Every order of lumber, panels and other building materials sold by Southern Mississippi Trading LLC, will help in the construction of the pediatric expansion at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
The wholesale trading company based in Waynesboro has pledged $25,000 to the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi. To raise the sum, Southern Mississippi Trading will set aside a portion of each order invoiced.
“This month, we had the highest number of orders in the history of the company,” said David Porter, company president, “so we may reach $25,000 earlier than we planned.”
Before making that commitment, the company already had raised $3,250 for Children’s of Mississippi.
“This is a cause we all believe in,” said George Jackson, controller. “All of us know people whose children have gone to Batson Children’s Hospital, so we know it’s the go-to place for children’s health.”
The $100 million campaign is helping fund a pediatric expansion at UMMC. The seven-story hospital tower under construction beside Batson Children’s Hospital will be home to 88 private neonatal intensive care rooms, more space for pediatric intensive care rooms and surgical suites, an imaging center designed for children and a pediatric outpatient specialty clinic.
Southern Mississippi Trading LLC is an operating company of Forest City Trading Group. The company has been actively trading building products since 1968.
Southern Mississippi Trading specializes in lumber, panels and other building materials as well as industrial application products and closeouts. The company has about 40 employees.
“We are successful through our commitment to providing our customers with the individual attention they deserve,” said Porter.
Porter said the company’s values dovetail into the mission of Children’s of Mississippi to help the children of the state reach their full potential.
“Our family-oriented work environment has fostered a team that is positive, resilient and proactive,” he said. “For us, this was an easy decision. It’s just the right thing to do.”
For more information or to give to the Campaign for Children’s of Mississippi, visit growchildrens.org.
By Annie Oeth, UMC Public Affairs