For more than three decades, Genesis Express in Cadiz and Trigg County has enriched the lives of youths and seniors alike — working from humble beginnings at the corner of Jefferson and Lafayette streets, to something more.
Tuesday afternoon, the first-ever meal & meeting was held at the organization’s up-and-coming Intergeneration Center, just a quarter-mile from that corner, as the Cadiz Rotary Club delivered a community-match check of $53,500 from its annually successful radio auction.
Courtesy of contractor Greg Major, and a successful on-going fundraiser, the facility has concrete floors, a roof and studs, a large gravel parking lot and considerable conduit and piping run for utilities.
Jonathan White, Genesis Express historian, said the project remains in “Phase 1,” and more than half of the $1.2 million needed to complete the building has been procured.
Once it is finished, White said “Phase 2” will require more fundraising, but should include the creation of a ½ mile track around the 3.1-acre lot, a gazebo and amphitheatre, and a gymnasium.
As its name suggests, the property will serve any age, any time. Bobby Acree, a long time Genesis Express member, said the hope is to be open daily for “anyone’s needs” — caterings, weddings, meetings, job training and job fairs, whatever.
No one, he said, will be turned away from its walls.
This community match of $53,500 stems from an original donation by the Sutherland family — Scott, Chuck, Stephen and Jan — who possess deep ties with Genesis Express.
Scott spoke of his late brother, Chuck, who had early dealings with the non-profit.
Chuck’s wife, Janice, made the trip all the way from Atlanta for Tuesday’s luncheon. Having recently returned from an overseas trip, she said the most important thing about community is its town square, because that’s where people are “most happy.”
She said Chuck would approve of this kind of progress in Cadiz.
Billy Walker, one of the “original eight” to form Genesis Express back in 1987, reflected on then and now — from the installation of public basketball courts, to the drafting of this new facility.
A lot has changed; and most of it for the better.
Between the Sutherlands, the community match and a $30,000 endorsement from Cadiz Rotary, more than $130K was raised for the facility during the radio auction.
At the original Genesis Express location, familiar activities will continue — including barbecuing, basketball, botanical gardening, and building relationships.
Bobby Acree walks through the Genesis Express Intergeneration Center:
