service camp

August 4, 2022

Summer Youth Outreach – Week 3

Welcome to one of several summer 2022 Project Impact Outreach recaps from our Project Impact ROI intern. Project Impact ROI is an annual program designed to engage local high-school seniors and college-age students in community service, and expand our SHOTC youth summer programming and outreach. In return, the intern gains valuable leadership experience, credit hours (if applicable), and a monetary award. Know a student (18+) who would make a great intern candidate for Project Impact ROI? Click here for information.

My name is Ella Millere, and I am the 2022 Hands On Thomas County Impact ROI intern. I graduated from Thomasville High School and am currently a rising second year at the University of Virginia studying leadership and public policy. I see this summer as an opportunity to connect with my hometown and to build lasting relationships within the community. Thanks for following along on my intern and volunteer adventures.

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This week was all about the animals! From domestic to wild, each youth organization this week got the chance to help or work with animals.

Both the Boys and Girls Club and Vashti got to go to Hands and Hearts for Horses, a therapeutic riding center for people of all ages with physical and intellectual disabilities. Through hippotherapy, riders can enhance their motor skills and compassionate thinking skills.

Starting off on Monday, youth from the boy’s cottage at Vashti helped out with Hands and Hearts’ kids camp and spent time doing barn chores. The boys really enjoyed interacting with the kids at camp, as they played games with the kids while the kids were on horses. Some of the youth were a little afraid of the horses at first, but they quickly warmed up and had loads of fun. After playing warm-up games with the kids at camp, we got right to work in the barn, where we scooped lots of poop from stalls and raked up the main section of the barn. These boys got the barn chores done in record time and are definitely some of the most hard-working people I know!

The next day at Hands and Hearts, The Boys and Girls Club enjoyed hanging out with the goats the most. After grooming the sensory trail by removing all branches and pinecones and raking it clean, the kids got to get in the goat pen and interact with them. We learned that the stereotype of goats eating anything is 100% true! While we were feeding them pieces of grass and leaves, one of the goats tried to eat a girl’s hair! Next, we got to work in the barn, scooping up poop from the stalls and filling in holes with wood shavings. And of course, we were able to pet several horses along the way!

On Friday, I met youth from The Clubhouse onsite to do a project serving three different kinds of animals. First, we made dog toys out of old T-shirts for dogs at the Humane Society. Many of the kids learned how to braid for the first time making the toys! Then, we made cat toys from old pill bottles to take to cats at Miss Kitty’s Feline Sanctuary. Lastly, we made Cheerios bird feeders to hang on trees around the Vashti campus for native birds to feed on. Usually, when we think about helping animals in need, we first think of rescue animals or strays. But sometimes, we need to help the animals that live right in our own backyards.

Overall, this was a very rewarding week for me, as the kids really seemed to enjoy each activity we did and expressed lots of interest in returning to volunteer with these organizations again.

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

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 13, 2017

Project Impact 2017 – Day 2 – Animal Welfare

Today, summer service camp focused on Animal Welfare – how we care for animals, and how animals sometimes care for us. This is typically one of the most popular day with our campers – filled with love, fur, and a bit of sneezing!

Our morning started with Miss Kitty Feline Sanctuary, a no-kill feline rescue. We decorated their cat carriers in the hope that making them more eye-catching would attract attention to the animals inside, and maybe even encourage an adoption or two (or more!). We then visited the Miss Kitty Facility where we donated food, towels and toys; and took turns socializing (loving, petting, playing) with the more than 260 cats currently in residence. Animal socialization not only keeps the kitties purring happily, but also keeps them people-friendly which helps their chances of getting adopted. We also toured the South Georgia Low Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic, part of the Miss Kitty campus, where we actually witnessed animal surgeries and learned the importance of controlling the dog and cat population – because the truth is, there are only so many loving homes available for all the animals in need.

After lunch at Cherokee Lake Park compliments of Granddaddy’s BBQ, we were off to the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society. There, we again donated blankets, food, and toys; bathed and groomed dogs; socialized with both cats and dogs; and washed the Animal Control truck.

It was a great day for all 2- and 4-legged participants! We are thankful for both organizations for allowing us to be a part of their important work.

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