pi2019

It was the perfect day to be outside as our theme for the day was Environment and Our Community. We discussed the big picture of the environment – from air to water – and how its well-being affects our lives and future. We then whittled down to our very own little community – from citizens to structures – and how its well-being affects our immediate lives.

Our morning started at Birdsong Nature Center, a 500+ acre nature reserve where we divvied up into teams to conquer and remove invasive plant species. Our Project Impact volunteers wielded clippers and loppers to cut down plants and remove weeds that was hindering the growth of native species. They worked hard, and you could immediately see the results of their efforts! Afterwards, we visited the Bird Window and took a stroll over to the barns (which are over 100 years old!)

After lunch at the The Ritz Amphitheater, we divided up into teams for a combined Downtown Sweep & Architectural Scavenger Hunt along Broad, Madison and Jackson Streets. Our main goal was to let our downtown businesses know how much we appreciate them, and show some volunteer love by sweeping their storefronts and picking up litter. Along the way, we also managed to identify some architectural terms and unique details such as dentils, swags, and keystones, thanks to Thomasville Landmarks.

View some pictures from our day below. You’ll also find more pics on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Rain? What rain? Nothing stops this volunteer team! Our theme for the day – Human Services.

The morning started at Habitat For Humanity, helping in theReStore located on Stevens Street. The ReStore accepts donations of gently used furniture and appliances, and salvaged home items such as doors, lighting, and other home-building materials which are then sold to the public to raise money to build new homes in our community.

During our morning discussions, we’ve talked about ways to help a non-profit fulfill its mission from hands-on volunteering to raising awareness to fundraising. As the ReStore  is important to Habitat’s ultimate mission, supporting it within the community is as well. The ReStore encourages repurposing and recycling. Today’s project reflected that. Using wood salvaged from home builds, our campers sanded, stained, etched and painted self-designed wall hangers. Not only did they create something new from something used, they also learned and honed skills that will make them effective volunteers for future home builds.

In the afternoon, we visited Second Harvest of South Georgia where we unpacked and sorted hundreds of bags of food items that were donated during the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive this past May. This food will make its way into the hands of hungry families throughout south Georgia.

The day was devoted to helping non-profits that ensure local families in need receive basic human services such as safe and decent housing, and adequate and nutritious food. We are happy to do our part.

View some pictures from our day below. You’ll also find more pics on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

When volunteering, the most important trait we can exhibit is flexibility. Understanding that even the best laid plans may not go as expected, but our job is to pitch in and do whatever we can to be helpful. That definitely came into play on day one of camp. Our theme for the day was Community Response, and our campers responded positively not only to changing plans, but to the needs of our non-profit partners.

We started the morning at First Missionary Baptist Church Mission House which was created primarily as a cold weather shelter to help those – especially the elderly, very young, and sick – who may not have adequate heat in their homes – or may not even have a home – to keep them warm during a hard freeze. With south Georgia known for its heat most of the year, come winter, many are not prepared for freezing temperatures, and symptoms of hypothermia can set in within 1-2 hours. The shelter also opens on-demand in response to other emergency situations. When not being used as an emergency shelter, the Mission House hosts Backpack Buddies (a feeding program ensuring students have food when not in school), and Stork’s Nest (providing necessities to new and young mothers and their children). Our primary volunteer task was to paint, but with the extreme humidity, we were unable to properly do so. Our campers instead busied themselves moving boxes and furniture out of closets and into storage, organizing, and cleaning rooms so they can be properly utilized.

Our afternoon was spent at the local Salvation Army which helps individuals and families during times of personal hardship, and after natural disasters. Ironically, their building was a victim of flooding from the recent rains so, once again, we were unable to accomplish some of the tasks we had hoped, but we were able to organize and pack food boxes, sort donations, and organize the thrift store which helps to raise money for their programs and services.

Along with the importance of flexibility, we learned that every task no matter how menial it may seem, can make a huge difference to our local non-profits and their staff. We are proud to do our part in helping these relief agencies who do so much for so many people in times of need.

View some pictures from our day below. You’ll also find more pics on our Facebook and Instagram pages.