I have never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions and certainly never one about losing weight. At the age of 82 I only weigh 150 and that’s fine with me.
I have some suggestions, however, for every body else. If you’re retired: my thoughts of an organization in which you could volunteer is the Fayette Samaritans. It is a food and clothing non-profit dedicated to the needs of Fayette Countians.
It was first organized 22 years ago by several churches in the county. The individual churches were not in a position to provide individual help but collectively they could try to meet the needs of the down and out in Fayette County.
What began with a dozen churches now has the assistance of over 40 churches. Sound like Samaritans is all set? No, the population in those 22 years has gone from 62,000 to 112,000 persons. Couple that with the last five years of downward economy and there are now 260 families seeking help each week. Trust me, the Samaritan interviewers are smart folks and no one receives assistance who is just trying to get something for nothing.
The organization needs volunteers to bag the food items and work in the clothing department both stocking them and dispersing them. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Their phone number is 770-719-2707.
The Friends of the Fayette County Public Library hold book sales three times a year. This non-profit group must provide the funds for the library that the county budget is no able to include. These funds go towards computer classes, summer reading programs for children and teens, books for babies, and sponsor the visiting author series among dozens of programs and needs.
This group needs volunteers throughout the year to sort the donated books that come in and to help get the main library room ready for the book sales. Its address is: P. O. Box 142307, Fayetteville 30214. Memberships are just $10 a year for individuals or $25 a year for a family.
The Fayette County Historical Society is a non-profit group organized since 1971. They now have over 1,000 reference books covering The War Between The States and the various families who have lived here. They are open for a few hours on Tuesday evenings and Thursday and Saturday mornings. Besides needing volunteers for these hours there is always a lot of filing to be done. Leave a message at 770-716-6020.
Every volunteer moment you spend helps make Fayette County a better place but ultimately it is you who will be rewarded.
