Making a lasting first impression counts, which is something the staff at the Warren County Welcome Center knows well.

The center also knows accidents happen, and the staff will continue to be able to take care of scuffs and scrapes of out-of-town visitors thanks to a donation from the Southern Cruisers Riding Club chapter 114.

The international club of motorcycles enthusiasts places a lot of importance on philanthropy, said Joe Shows, second officer of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club.

“We noticed a while back that the welcome centers aren’t equipped with first aid kits,” he said. “Our state officer decided to put it to the chapter to see if everybody wanted to make a donation, and we all loved the idea.”

Shows said the members were surprised they had not thought of the idea sooner.

“We pitched some money in and sourced and found a kit that would be suitable for this area,” he said.

Southern Cruisers member Dan Jackson said the group plans to continue by donating to other welcome centers around the state.

“One of the Southern Cruisers main functions whenever we have our rallies is to raise money for St. Jude,” he said. “One hundred percent of our proceeds from events go toward St. Jude.”

Debbie Dolan, supervisor of the Warren County Welcome Center, said they had a first aid kit there but supplies had been dwindling.

“We try to provide things for the tourist, any need that they have,” she said. “We work under the mindset of having a servant’s heart so we can comfort and aid.”

The center does end up servicing a lot of elderly and children, Dolan said, adding the timing is perfect with this being National Tourism Week.

“There may be an issue where they just need a Band-Aid,” she said. “They may have an accident up on Navy Circle where they fall and bump their knee, and sometimes it’s just a little baby and all they need is a Band-Aid to comfort that bo-bo.”

Dolan said if someone is travelling and they’ve never set foot in Mississippi and they stop in at the center, she and her staff may be the only interaction with the state those people have if they’re travelling through.

“It’s two-and-a-half hours to the Alabama line, and they’re gone,” she said. “The residents here need to come in and introduce themselves and let us know what they do so we can have the tools to leave a good impression.”

Dolan said the center uses that information to tell the tourists about the state of Mississippi and what local operations have to offer.

“It’s wonderful the community saw a need and fulfilled it,” she said.