It was a Saturday morning well spent as we celebrated Family Volunteer Day with families of all shapes and sizes during Veterans Day weekend. More than 320 volunteers spent their morning at project sites that included the Downtown Thomasville Veterans Parade, Red Cross Holidays for Heroes at the Thomas County Public Library, Second Harvest, and a Manna Drop at Harper Elementary School. We also had HOTC Day make-up sites at Cassidy Pond Park, The Vashti Center, and the City of Thomasville Rose Garden. We appreciate everyone’s commitment to service! Scroll down to see pictures.

The Veterans Parade had a spectacular turnout with hundreds of people in attendance – over 175 of them were HOTC volunteers! Volunteers started out the morning by making posters in the courtyard behind the Visitors Center, then lined the parade route on Broad Street in support of our Veterans. Afterwards, volunteers hung their posters at downtown businesses Toscoga Market Place, The Hare & The Hart, and Godwin Jewelers; as well as the Thomas County Public Library. The posters were proudly displayed through the long holiday weekend to honor all those who have bravely served their country..

After the Veterans Parade, many of those volunteers who attended the parade made their way to the Thomas County Public Library to make cards and write letters to our service men and women as part of the Red Cross Holidays for Heroes initiative. This is near and dear to our hearts, as so many have loved ones in the military. To help underscore the importance of their volunteer service on this day (and every day), HOTC Board Member, Tangela Hayes, an Army Reserve veteran, shared her story and gratitude with the families in attendance.

At Second Harvest, families and friends packed nearly 500 pantry boxes which will be distributed to community members in need to help ensure a happy Thanksgiving.

Volunteers at the Manna Drop (free food distribution) organized and packed over 162 bags of food staples, serving 469 neighbors in need.  Recipients were treated to pork loin, bags of potatoes, and other food items, as well as a bag of fresh tomatoes from Hopkins Farms with a corresponding recipe card from Live Better. Special thanks to Harper Elementary School for hosting this event!  

As part of our Healthy Living Initiative, volunteers received a Live Better pedometer to track their steps. If you volunteered, don’t forget to log your steps herefor a chance to win FOUR Disney Park Hopper Passes! Deadline to enter is now 12/1.

It was a perfect morning for families to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. Thank you to all the groups, families and agencies who made Family Volunteer Day so special. We are proud to be a part of this giant volunteer family. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

Thank you to all of our supporters, especially Diamond Level & Above Sponsors Ashley HomeStore and Ms. Diane W. Parker; as well as the Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation for making programs and events like this possible.