pi2022

June 12, 2022

Service Camp Day 5

We did it! Our goal this week is to complete a service project in each of Thomas County’s cities: Meigs, Boston, Pavo, Coolidge, Metcalfe, Ochlocknee, and Thomasville. Today, we volunteered in Coolidge and Metcalfe making good on our commitment to serve all of Thomas County.

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Starting our day in Coolidge, we partnered with the Coolidge Community Association (CCA) to complete a small streetscape project – planting flowers in pots which were then placed in front of businesses along the downtown route. We also potted 50+ “porch plants” which we hand-delivered to local residents. Each plant included a handwritten note to bring joy to the recipients! And a Little Free Library was left behind at the community association building.

Then we were off to meet the Pavo Civic Club at the Pavo Peacock Center where we scraped paint from the kitchen area, and removed stickers and labels from over 100 metal chairs that are used at community events. Our last Little Free Library was painted and installed at the center’s entrance to spread the love of reading.

After a long, hot day of volunteer service, we returned to our home base to enjoy popsicles compliments of Blue Bell and reflect on our week:

Favorite projects – Humane Society and Scott Senior Center put our social skills to the test, and we passed with flying colors!
Hardest projects – Metcalfe murals and Pavo chairs were the most labor-intensive requiring patience and a little bit of elbow grease.
Most satisfying projects – Second Harvest and Boston Main Street Sweep which required teamwork and efficiency, but we were able to immediately see the results of our work.

We are so proud of these kids! No matter where we went, or what they were tasked with, they gave it their all with commitment, determination, and enthusiasm. They proved that student volunteers can make a difference in Thomas County.

Special thanks to these Diamond Level & above Sponsors, The Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation, and all of our donors and sponsors for making volunteer programs and events like these possible.

June 12, 2022

Day 4 Service Camp

Our goal this week is to complete a service project in each of Thomas County’s cities: Meigs, Boston, Pavo, Coolidge, Metcalfe, Ochlocknee, and Thomasville. Today, we volunteered in Metcalfe and at Second Harvest.

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First thing in the morning, we were on the bus for the drive to Metcalfe (don’t forget the E!). This small town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And is famous for being featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1951 film Stranger On A Train, and its Orange Crush mural.

In partnership with the Metcalfe Community Association (MCA) and Professor Rich Curtis from Thomas University, we painted five canvas murals that will be used at festivals and events like their annual Spring Market, and as a “picture spot.” We also had time to hide a few painted Thomas County Rocks. For a job well done, we were treated to lunch catered by Mary’s Kitchen (if you haven’t been, you should – it’s a great reason to visit Metcalfe), and of course, Orange Crush sodas.

After a delicious lunch and short break, we were back on the bus to Thomasville and the Second Harvest warehouse. Second Harvest of South Georgia is our region’s largest food bank and distribution center which battles food insecurity. Today, we helped pack food boxes that will be distributed to neighbors in need. We averaged 100 boxes every 15 minutes! The kids were so fast and efficient, that we actually ran out of boxes to pack.

Wednesday, “humpday”, is usually the hardest day because we are sooooo tired. This year, it was Thursday that had us “tired, but inspired.” We plan to finish strong on Friday, our last day of service camp!

Special thanks to these Diamond Level & above Sponsors, The Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation, and all of our donors and sponsors for making volunteer programs and events like these possible.

June 8, 2022

Service Camp Day 3

We were wrong. We thought Animal Day was the best day, but it turns out senior day might be! Our goal this week is to complete a service project in each of Thomas County’s cities: Meigs, Boston, Pavo, Coolidge, Metcalfe, Ochlocknee, and Thomasville. Today our focus was on Scott Senior Center in Thomasville, and the City of Boston,

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This morning, after a too-long hiatus due to COVID, we had the opportunity to visit with our friends at Scott Senior Center. This is one site that never fails to pull at the heartstrings and bring a smile to every camper! While there we gave out smile cards made by our student volunteers, led devotional and the Pledge of Allegiance, participated in an exercise class, weeded the garden box and planted tomatoes, peppers, and sunflowers, and played several rousing and competitive games of BINGO! Our time was too short, but much appreciated by both campers and seniors.

We then jumped on the bus to travel to Boston. With a population of 1207, Boston is small, but thriving with great shops, several delicious restaurants, popular annual events, a historic Carnegie Library, and an active citizenry. Our afternoon consisted of a deluxe version of our Main Street Sweep: putting down new pine straw in Watt Park, weeding, garden beds, planting flowers in the breezeway pocket park, and cleaning storefront windows – our way of showing a little love and appreciation to the downtown businesses that make Boston so great!

We also installed another Little Free Library – this one painted in a space theme, and made Thomas County Rocks which were then hidden around town to bring smiles to those who find them.

It was a great day of outreach both one-on-one and community-wide! We are so proud of all we were able to accomplish together.

Special thanks to these Diamond Level & above Sponsors, The Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation, and all of our donors and sponsors for making volunteer programs and events like these possible.

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June 8, 2022

Day 2 Service Camp 2022

Day 2 of Project Impact Summer Service Camp 2022 was the best day, Animal Day! Our goal this week is to complete a service project in each of Thomas County’s cities: Meigs, Boston, Pavo, Coolidge, Metcalfe, Ochlocknee, and Thomasville. Today our focus was on Thomasville, specifically Hands & Hearts For Horses and the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society.

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Thomasville is our county’s largest city, and where the majority of our partner non-profits are located. Two non-profits that our campers look forward to every year work with and/or serve animals.

In the morning, we went to Hands & Hearts For Horses which provides equine therapy to youth with disabilities. There, we mucked and laid new sand and hay in the stalls, dug a trench to prevent flooding in the stables during storms, cleared and raked the sensory trail, weeded and cleaned the playground and equipment, walked and cleared fence lines, and cleaned the activity room. We also made friends with the horses and goats!

After lunch at Cherokee Lake, we were off to the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society to spend the afternoon socializing with dogs and cats awaiting their forever homes. We also helped reinstall tarp coverings, weeded the walking trail, and made dog treats. Our favorite time though is always spent getting close and cuddly with the animals. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of them were snuck on the bus to take home (Just kidding parents)! Campers also donated towels, dog treats, hand sanitizer, and other items always in need there.

Although it is an enjoyable day because animals are involved, the work is not easy! Just a reminder, we are talking 31 students, mostly middle-school age who are doing these volunteer jobs fit for adults with commitment and enthusiasm each day…and then coming back to do more. We are always impressed at what kids can do, and will do when given the opportunity.

Special thanks to these Diamond Level & above Sponsors, The Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation, and all of our donors and sponsors for making volunteer programs and events like these possible.

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June 7, 2022

Service Camp 2022 Day 1

What a great first day of Project Impact Summer Service Camp 2022! Our goal this week is to complete a service project in each of Thomas County’s cities: Meigs, Boston, Pavo, Coolidge, Metcalfe, Ochlocknee, and Thomasville. First stops: Meigs and Ochlocknee.

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In the 1950s, Meigs was booming thanks to the Dixie Highway Scenic Byway – a monument now marks the spot. Although now struggling like many small towns, its citizenry is active and determined to honor its history and revitalize their community. Our morning was spent with long-time partners the Virtuous Girls Group of Meigs. Together, we cleaned playground equipment, cleaned and organized the library, did some clean-up and landscaping at Meigs City Hall, helped organize items in the area that they soon hope to turn into a museum, and installed our first Little Free Library in partnership with Rotary of Thomasville and the Times-Enterprise.

After lunch, and a treat from Banks Italian Ice, we were off to our next project site, the Ochlocknee River. Ochlocknee is derived from the Appalachee language – oki meaning water and lagana meaning yellow (from the clay banks). While at the river, in partnership with Keep Thomas County Beautiful, we experienced a watershed model and collected 11 bags of trash, 2 tires, a chair, assorted car fenders, and other strange miscellaneous items in less than two hours. We are sad that there was actually so much trash to pick up (and probably will be again), but we are happy to be able to do our part.

Today was HOT and hard work, but we are proud of these kids and their determination and enthusiasm.

Special thanks to these Diamond Level & above Sponsors, The Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation, and all of our donors and sponsors for making volunteer programs and events like these possible.