Next Saturday, about 1,000 volunteers will hit the streets of Hall County to build wheelchair ramps, clean classrooms and give out goodies to neighborhood kids, all in the name of service.
The effort, organized through Gainesville First United Methodist Church, is called the Great Day of Service. This is the third year the church has helped local agencies and nonprofits.
Sharon Farkas, co-chairwoman of the event with Cherry Valentine, said more than 750 have signed up to help out with 62 projects around the county.
The process began in October, she said, when the church's Great Day of Service committee sent out letters to local nonprofit agencies in the community, asking them for possible projects, both indoors and outside. In December, the committee evaluated the projects to see what could be done in a day.
"And we also looked for what we call ‘congregational care' projects," Farkas said. "We pick congregations that are needy and need things done."
Other projects are built on the success of the previous year. For example, a party at an elementary school expanded to include another school this year, Valentine said.
"We did an elementary school last year that had some underprivileged children, and we threw a party. And that was so successful that we added an elementary school," she said. "So, you expand on the things that were so successful."
Ed Rigel took on the task of assigning volunteers to their preferred project, and most everyone got their first or second choice, Farkas said.
Today, we meet a few of the volunteers and find out why they decided to donate their time. Next Sunday, look for the results of their labors.
Dana Wilson
Volunteer job: Baking and delivering cookies to police and fire personnel.
Why did you choose this project?
"I love working with food. I think just the whole project is interesting, getting the variety of cooking in. The fun part for me is the packaging and making it special. ... I really want the people who get this cookie gift bag to know we really spent some time and put some effort in it.
What do you hope to accomplish at the end of the day?
"I really just want people to know that Gainesville First United Methodist Church reaches out, wants them to be a part of our church and just to know that Gainesville First United Methodist Church cares about this community and the people."
Danny Scroggs
Volunteer job: Building tray gardens at Our Neighbor
Why did you choose this project?
"It was something that I could easily work," said Scroggs, who has been in the construction industry since 1972. "They wanted a couple of beds built for planting, a ramp for wheelchairs."
What do you hope to accomplish at the end of the day?
"It gives the folks in their wheelchairs a chance to plant their tomatoes or whatever and get outside. We are just trying to help out the situation there."
Ricky Smith
Volunteer job: Building a playground set, basketball goal and picnic tables at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church
Why did you choose this project?
"I'm a carpenter, and they wanted someone with experience for the project. They put me where I am the most beneficial."
What do you hope to accomplish at the end of the day?
"I have met the preacher, a bunch of kids down there - and kids are my favorite. ... I just love working with kids. I want something to be there that they can use and make them happy."
Ashley Bates contributed to this story