One of Us: Community Event Coordinator, Monica “Ms. Quincy” Smart-Gainous

Community event and vendor coordinator Monica “Ms. Quincy” Smart-Gainous is originally from the St. Johns Community in Gadsden County. She attended Gadsden County Public Schools until her educational journey led her to pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from St. Leo University. She is married with four children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The inspiration to dedicate her efforts to community service began in 2009. Smart-Gainous belonged to the Gadsden County Coalition for Change and fell in love with the experience of coordinating a food drive, where residents and local friends donated food for those in need. While coordinating for the organization, she also volunteered with the extreme makeover of Shank’s Middle School in Quincy, Fl.

She experienced working with summer youth programs and local residents, organizing opportunities for the students to be compensated for volunteering.

“We were at Shanks Middle School for a week, planting trees and painting. City employees and business owners volunteered on their lunch break some days. The Sheriff’s Office and football team within the community helped as well. We received a great number of donations. That’s that village that we need. I was so glad to be a part of that village to make my community better,” says Smart-Gainous.

With the help of the Gadsden community’s generous labor and donations, Gadsden County was able to save about $100,000 on reconstruction costs.

Ms. Quincy’s interest in the Sawdust Community Outreach started with her knowledge of the organization’s chair, Avis Woods. “She asked If I would join a meeting one day, and I’ve been there ever since,” says Smart-Gainous.

Smart-Gainous assisted with organizing a community day for the Sawdust community May 2021. The community event included Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Apalachee Center, Boys Town North Florida and granted the guest the opportunity to speak with Chattahoochee’s City Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith and Gadsden County School District Chair, Leroy McMillan.

“That was our first biggest event within Sawdust Community. The event prior to that one was our voter’s registration event. That event really brought everyone from the community together. The people out there are excited about what’s happening and us taking the community back.”

The Sawdust Community Outreach Program has been working diligently to combat community violence and create safe spaces for everyone in the community to enjoy. The program started a crime watch team that allows residents and business owners to keep an eye out for suspicious or unruly activity within the community. The outreach program welcomes volunteers from ages 18 to 64 years old and they meet at the Sawdust Park every other Saturday at 10 a.m.