COFIELD – “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

That biblical verse, from Proverbs 22:6, serves as the foundation on which Most Men, Inc. was built upon in May of last year.

Since that time, the non-profit group has witnessed an increased interest of participation of boys between the ages of 7-15.

“We are in the volunteer business of helping these young people to build and to continually reinforce their self-esteem,” Hillary Edwards, Most Men Inc. Director, said.

Edwards said the early vision of the group was targeted at a few boys, but those small expectations have grown into a large group.

“In our short existence, we have grown to over 30 boys with the potential to double that number within the next few months,” Edwards said.

To date, Edwards said he has spent over $8,000 of his personal money to help the group become organized. Now with an increased interest in participation plus the fact the group recently received its 501-3 status as a non-profit public charity, he is seeking area-wide support for the program.

Most Men, Inc. is looking for private or corporate funds to assist in their ongoing effort to provide mentoring in the areas of education, recreation and community service.

Last week, a group of young boys joined with Edwards at the Cofield Community Center to work on a service project. There, the group raked and removed debris from around the center, pressure-washed and then applied a coat of wood stain to the playground equipment, raked leaves, mulched the flower beds and planted flowers.

This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill project, where normally there are “too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” Rather, each of these young boys sweated in unison and with smiles on their faces n working side-by-side in an effort to provide the citizens and visitors to the town of Cofield with a neatly groomed community center.

Edwards noted this was only the beginning.

“We are planning other community service projects,” he said. “It’s our goal to do something like this once a month.”

Speaking of goals, this eager band of youngsters and their leaders are setting their sights high with two major items on their “wish list.”

With the fact that the group has grown by leaps and bounds, they are in need of a 15-passenger van. Additionally, they are seeking a small office or modular trailer in which to house a computer lab and education center.

“Actually, we are planning for three labs/education centers here in Hertford County,” Edwards said. “We have already received permission from the Town of Cofield to place the first one here on the grounds of the Community Center. The other two are planned for Ahoskie and Murfreesboro.”

Edwards said the group welcomes any and all donations, whether they are a van, a modular office unit, computers or financial support to purchase the items.

To make a donation or to obtain additional information about the group, contact Edwards at 209-4029.