Fundraising efforts are still underway to construct a community center in Picayune.

According to previous coverage, the plan was to create a 4,000 square foot building, estimated to cost between $150,000 to $200,000 that will provide a number of services to the community.

District I Pearl River County Supervisor Donald Hart said the first public fundraiser for the cause was held on March 31, and resulted in the collection of $1,500 in donations.

Hart said the fundraising initiative is ongoing and although the date for the next fundraiser is yet to be decided, contributions from local businesses, citizens of the community and other industries are still being sought.

In total, the fundraising effort has collected $65,000, of which the county donated $50,000. The remaining $15,000 was collected via public and private donations, Hart said.

A GoFundMe page for the project has so far stopped at $700, he said.

Hart said he hopes to continue the fundraising efforts until June of this year.

“In June we will evaluate where we are and see if we are ready to start construction or be required to extend our fundraising efforts,” Hart said.

Hart said he would like to thank all citizens of the community and businesses that have contributed to making his vision of establishing the center a reality.

Donations can be sent to the County Administrator’s Office at P.O. Box 569, Poplarville MS 39470.