The past few months have been very exciting for Hands On Georgia.  In September, Hands On Georgia Week called 37,000 volunteers to serve in all 159 Georgia counties performing 148,000 hours of service.  The Georgia Summit on Volunteerism on November 1st assembled almost 500 at the Georgia International Conference Center with the goal of educating and inspiring volunteer leaders across the state, and now we

are preparing for MLK Day with the goal of fostering dialogue about the legacy of Dr. King and encouraging Georgians to take a “day on instead of a day off” through service. 

I wish all of our stakeholders could witness what I have been privileged to see.   In Wayne County, volunteers are promoting seat belt safety to high school teens and tracking usage rates in their community.  In Savannah, hundreds volunteered recently to clean up the beach and coastal areas.  When I visited Brunswick, Georgia, I joined a group of neighborhood volunteers who joined Signature Squares of Brunswick – a local non-profit organization - to plant new landscaping in historic Hanover Square according to original historic plans.  And success stories from our affiliates and partners continue to reach us daily.  Each of these encounters has inspired me and affirms my passion for the mission of Hands On Georgia:   to support innovative volunteer approaches to meet Georgia’s critical needs.

Despite all of the volunteering that occurs daily across the state, a recent study entitled: “Volunteering in America: 2007 State Trends and Rankings in Civic Life,” developed by the Corporation for National and Community Service, ranks Georgia 46^th  for volunteerism and civic engagement as compared to other states.  Most Georgians with whom I have shared this information have a disbelieving response to the data, but nevertheless, it does provide a call to action for all of us. 

In bringing more than 17 years experience with non-profit organizations, I look forward to working with you to expand Hands On Georgia and its statewide community impact.   I welcome your suggestions or comments about volunteering in your community and how Hands On Georgia can be of assistance to you in your effort to serve. 

Warmly,

Laurie Grant Nichols
Hands On Georgia
CEO

Hands On Georgia | 600 Means Street, Suite 110 | Atlanta, Georgia 30318
info@handsongeorgia.org