From County to County, Georgians Lend a Hand

For one week, from September 30 through October 7, Georgians answered the governor's Call to Service and took part in Hands On Georgia Week 2006. As many as 30,000 volunteers across the state gave more than 125,000 hours participating in service projects in their communities. Projects took place in every one of Georgia's 159 counties.

During the kickoff for Hands On Georgia Week in Hall County, Governor Sonny Perdue challenged Georgia's university system to encourage students to use their talents and energy in volunteer service. He urged Georgia citizens to care for and maintain the beauty of Georgia's water resources and challenged Georgians to clean at least 100 of the state’s waterways this year. The governor also encouraged Georgia citizens to get involved with literacy programs, including those that address literacy for children, adults and the workplace.

The "potato drop" in Baldwin County is an annual tradition. This year Hands On Milledgeville received 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes that are unmarketable - mainly bruised - from area farmers. During Hands On Georgia Week, approximately 75 volunteers, including students from Georgia College and State University, worked for hours filling bags with the donated potatoes. The produce was distributed to area churches, non profit agencies and other community organizations for distribution to as many as 4,000 families or used to feed the homeless.

More than a dozen counties participated in some sort of waterways clean up. From Appling to Wayne County, communities did their part to help preserve rivers, lakes, creeks and beaches all over Georgia. Hands On Savannah held their annual Beach Sweep on Tybee Island. In Jasper County volunteers participated in the clean up of
up of Lake Oconee. It was one of several partnerships between Hands On Georgia and Rivers Alive. 

Many counties answered the governor’s call for more literacy service projects.  In Gilmer County, about a dozen volunteers read to children in the freshly painted Literacy Center.  In Calhoun County, volunteers traveled the area delivering dictionaries to area elementary students while dressed as the famous Dr. Seuss character, Cat in the Hat.  In Dade County, among other things, volunteers visited residents in senior living facilities and read to them. 

On a per capita basis, Hands On Georgia Week was a tremendous success.  Hands On Thomas County had 1,002 volunteers providing service at 25 project sites around the county.  Thomas County is a community of 44,000 residents.  That figure translates to one out of every 44 citizens in the county volunteering on September 30.  In Monroe County, the tiny city of Culloden, with a population of 226, 40 volunteers participated in a Hands On Georgia Week project.  With nearly 20 percent of the city participating, the volunteers cleaned their small city park in an effort to reclaim it for use by all of its residents. 

Many Hands On Georgia Week projects were part of longstanding volunteer activities. 

One in particular occurred in Madison County.  The Rotary club built their 294^th wheelchair ramp during Hands On Georgia Week.   This group of dedicated volunteers has been making entryways more accessible to residents in their county for four years.  This dedication to service by the Madison County Rotary Club and all the volunteers across the state help to make Hands On Georgia Week a success year after year. For one week, from September 30 through October 7, Georgians answered the governor's Call to Service and took part in Hands On Georgia Week 2006.  As many as 30,000 volunteers across the state gave more than 125,000 hours participating in service projects in their communities.  Projects took place in every one of Georgia's 159 counties. 

During the kickoff for Hands On Georgia Week in Hall County, Governor Perdue challenged Georgia's university system to encourage students to use their talents and energy in volunteer service.   He urged Georgia citizens to care for and maintain the beauty of Georgia's water resources and challenged Georgians to clean at least 100 of the state’s waterways this year.   The governor also encouraged Georgia citizens to get involved with literacy programs, including those that address literacy for children, adults and the workplace.

The "potato drop" in Baldwin County is an annual tradition.  This year Hands On Milledgeville received 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes that are unmarketable - mainly bruised - from area farmers.  During Hands On Georgia Week, approximately 75 volunteers, including students from Georgia College and State University worked for hours filling bags with the donated potatoes.  The produce was distributed to area churches, non profit agencies and other community organizations for distribution to as many as 4,000 families or used to feed the homeless.

More than a dozen counties participated in some sort of waterways clean up.  From Appling to Wayne County, communities did their part to help preserve rivers, lakes, creeks and beaches all over Georgia.  Hands On Savannah held their annual Beach Sweep on Tybee Island.  In Jasper County volunteers participated in the clean up of Lake Oconee was one of the several partnerships between Hands On Georgia and Rivers Alive.

Many counties answered the governor's call for more literacy service projects.  In Gilmer County, about a dozen volunteers read to children in the freshly painted Literacy Center.  In Calhoun County, volunteers traveled the area delivering dictionaries to area elementary students while dressed as the famous Dr. Seuss character, Cat in the Hat.  In Dade County, among other things, volunteers visited residents in senior living facilities and read to them. 

Hands On Georgia Week was a tremendous success.  Hands On Thomas County had 1,002 volunteers providing service at 25 project sites around the county.  Thomas County is a community of 44,000 residents.  That figure translates to one out of every 44 citizens in the county volunteering on September 30.  In Monroe County, the tiny city of Culloden, with a population of 226, 49 volunteers participated in a Hands On Georgia Week project.  With more than 20 percent of the city participating, the volunteers cleaned their small city park in an effort to reclaim it for use by all of its residents. 

Many Hands On Georgia Week projects were part of longstanding volunteer activities. 

One in particular occurred in Madison County.  The Rotary club built their 294th wheelchair ramp during Hands On Georgia Week.   This group of dedicated volunteers has been making entryways more accessible to residents in their county for four years.  This dedication to service by the Madison County Rotary Club and all the volunteers across the state help to make Hands On Georgia Week a success year after year.

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