Photo slideshow
By Wendy Kaplan, Serve Pickens
With over 150 energetic volunteers rallying together on Saturday, October 18, the 4th annual Serve Pickens proved to be a powerful celebration of community spirit and generosity.
What started as a grassroots effort just four years ago has blossomed into a full-blown, high-impact day of service supporting 14 incredible Pickens County non-profits.
Fueled by enthusiasm, good vibes, and a whole lot of heart, volunteers rolled up their sleeves for a variety of hands-on projects — from painting and gardening to face painting and light landscaping. Whether it was brightening up local landmarks or bringing smiles to kids’ faces at a fall festival, everyone had a chance to make a difference.
Launched through a partnership of area churches and civic groups, Serve Pickens lives up to its motto: neighbors helping neighbors. And this year, that spirit was on full display.
“It was inspiring to see so many people out serving with joy,” said Terry Franzen, president of Serve Pickens and Bent Tree resident. “We had something for everyone — projects at the Historic Jail, Habitat for Humanity, Burnt Mountain Center, CARES, and Save the Horses. Whether you were weeding a garden or helping with children’s activities, you were part of something bigger.”
For Rosemary Lovelace, a board member and Holy Family Church volunteer, Serve Pickens is more than a feel-good event — it’s personal. She spent her day helping the Boys and Girls Club where she and others refreshed the buses and vans used to transport the students to the Club each school afternoon.
“As a former CASA volunteer, I know how vital these agencies are,” Lovelace shared. “Cleaning buses is not glamorous, but it is a task which makes life just a little easier for the Boys and Girls Club staff and makes their students rides to the Club happier and healthier.”
The day kicked off bright and early with breakfast at Jasper United Methodist Church, where volunteers were greeted with t-shirts, goody bags, and a big dose of community cheer. Then it was off to serve – tools in hand, ready to tackle their chosen missions.
Other participating organizations included the Weekend Snack Program, Keep Pickens Beautiful, GA Mountain Hospice, Community Thrift Store, Save the Horses, the Pickens Senior Center, and the Ranch of Hope and Healing. A special highlight was the Soldier Care Packages station at Holy Family Episcopal Church, where volunteers packed essential items and heartfelt notes for U.S. troops overseas.
The event could not have happened without the following generous sponsors: Holy Family Episcopal Church, Jasper Community Thrift Store, Leadership Big Canoe, Jasper Rotary Club, Norton Commercial, Piedmont Hospital Foundation, Jasper Advanced Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, Marble Hill Ace Hardware, Renasant Bank, Jasper First Baptist Church, Jasper Lions Club, and Jasper United Methodist Church.
Other sponsors include Jim and Barbara Brescia, June Giglia, Carrington Coffee, Georgia Mountain Hospice, Ingles, Kroger, the Pickens Progress, Pickens School System, R & A Orchards, and Smoke Signals.
Want to join the movement next year or learn more about how to support local non-profits through Serve Pickens?
Visit servepickens.com.
