By Wendy Kaplan
Serve Pickens
Join Pickens County area volunteers for the 4th annual Serve Pickens, a day of service for Pickens County non-profits, Sat., Oct. 18. Last year, 150 volunteers served 18 non-profits for about 900 volunteer hours in one day. Activities included painting, gardening, face painting and light landscaping.
Launched four years ago with the help of area churches and civic organizations, the event is a fun-filled day billed as “neighbors helping neighbors.”
“Serve Pickens is a great opportunity to make a real difference by volunteering for local non-profits that truly need our support,” said Terry Franzen, Serve Pickens president and Bent Tree resident. “We have an exciting range of projects, from Habitat for Humanity to North Georgia Family Partners to Angels on Horseback. Volunteers can dive into gardening, light landscaping and engaging in fun activities with children – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”
Debra Cook, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Pickens County, said last year, “The work done by the Serve Pickens volunteers was very much needed at our office. The group built stairs and a landing to assist in access to our storage trailer. New doors were also made and installed onto the trailer. Volunteers also power washed and striped our parking lot. These improvements were greatly needed, and Serve Pickens made it happen!”
Rosemary Lovelace, a board member and member of Holy Family Church, has volunteered at the North Georgia Family Partners Fall Festival for the last two years as part of Serve Pickens.
“I picked that activity because as a former Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, I know how much support these agencies give to the families they help. Their Fall Festival is a great day for the families – fun activities for the kids, lunch for everyone – a chance for a family to just enjoy their time together. Serve Pickens volunteers make it a little easier for the staff who organize these events.”
The event starts with a breakfast at 8 a.m. at Jasper United Methodist Church. Volunteers receive a T-shirt and goody bag with snacks, water and other items. They then travel to their designated non-profit, which they choose when they register online.
Participating non-profits include the Pickens County Jail, Angels on Horseback, Community Thrift Store, Developmental Disabilities Ministries, Pickens Senior Center and CARES, among others.
For more information on volunteering or sponsorship, visit servepickens.com, or contact Terry Franzen at servepickens@gmail.com.
