New sign signals program growth

A new and friendly smile greets drivers on West 18th Street.

A sign at the corner of South Avenue B reads “Savannah’s Smile” and has a portrait of a young girl smiling.

It’s all part of a Christian Children’s Home program, said Charles Anderson, executive director of the organization in Roosevelt County.

Anderson said his organization purchased a house and the surrounding lot for its single parent program. The new property is adjacent to apartments the program already owns.

A man who adopted a child through the home provided the money to buy the property, and wants to remain anonymous.

“He purchased it in the honor of his adopted daughter, Savannah,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the fence that separates the house and apartment complex would be removed. Planners want to make the unattached garage into a laundry room for the single parents and put a playground on the site.

The house itself will be left as is for now, he said.

“We’ve got the money and everything for the playground. We’re just going to put it in when the weather allows,” Anderson said.

Kathi Fraze lives in a house in sight of the sign. Fraze said traffic frequently stops so drivers and passengers can get a better view.

“I really don’t know their whole plan, but it seems pretty neat,” Fraze said. “It is a nice sign.”