Twelve Georgia Communities Receive State Hands On Challenge Grants

Twelve Georgia Communities Receive State Hands On Challenge Grants

Wal-Mart Contributes $250,000 to Support Statewide Community Volunteerism

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today awarded $100,000 in state challenge grants to 12 Georgia communities seeking to build organizational capacity and implement Hands On programming.  Hands On Georgia and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs received funding for the state challenge grants from the Georgia General Assembly in 2005 as a challenge to existing and emerging Hands On Georgia affiliates. 

“Hands On Georgia provides a great foundation for statewide community volunteerism,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “The willingness of local governments to assist with funding is great reinforcement for current Hands On Georgia affiliates and serves as a model for emerging affiliates throughout the state.”

Hands On Georgia affiliates receiving a state challenge grant are required to raise matching funds from a local government or private sponsor.  The matching funds will bring the leveraged amount of funding for volunteer programming in these communities to $200,000. 

Receiving the highest grant available, in the amount of $10,000, were Hands On Columbus, Hands On Forsyth, Hands On Macon, Hands On Milledgeville, Hands On Rome, Hands On Savannah and Hands On Thomas County.  All of these recipients have demonstrated excellent programming and are interested in extending their service.  In particular, Hands On Macon is interested in reaching beyond its current service area of Macon and Bibb County .  The affiliate would like to grow its current programming to include Jones, Monroe and Twiggs Counties in central Georgia .  

The remaining recipients, Hands On Wayne County and the communities of Cordele, Eatonton, Harlem and Statesboro, were awarded grants between $2,000 and $8,000.  Each community is required to match their grant award with an equal amount of locally raised funds, participate in Hands On Georgia projects and events and report impact numbers to the statewide network.

Grants may be used in engaging volunteers as leaders in all aspects of Hands On programming; engaging corporate partners, including employee volunteer programming; customized project development and management; development of volunteer leaders, including issue-education, infusion of civic engagement strategies; and skill-building opportunities for volunteers. 

“ Hands On Georgia affiliates, both old and new are dedicated to their mission of community volunteerism,” said Eric Tanenblatt , board chair, Hands On Georgia.  “As recipients of these state challenge grants and the matching funds, our Hands On Georgia affiliates are on a direct path to full community engagement of volunteerism.”

Wal-Mart Contributes $250,000 to Hands On Georgia

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, today demonstrated its dedication to help foster statewide volunteerism and civic engagement.  As part of the company's commitment to Georgia and the communities it serves, Wal-Mart awarded Hands On Georgia a $250,000 grant.  Hands On Georgia will use the funds for the continued growth of community volunteer programming and development.

“Joining ‘hands' with communities across Georgia is a logical extension of our commitment to be a store of the community,” said Wal-Mart Regional General Manager Tony Samples.  “Our company fully believes being members of a community means more than being a good retailer; we have an obligation to work directly with residents of the communities that rely on us.  Hands On Georgia, its affiliates and the organization's volunteer programming fit well with the Wal-Mart philosophy of community service."

About Hands On Georgia

Hands On Georgia is a statewide network that supports innovative volunteer approaches to meeting Georgia 's critical needs through service and civic engagement.  Hands On Georgia calls upon the citizens of Georgia to help tackle tough issues in the state through volunteer service and engaged citizenship.  Hands On Georgia currently has 12 affiliates including the communities of Atlanta , Columbus , Dooly County , Forsyth County , Hall County , Liberty County , Macon , Northwest Georgia, Rome/Floyd County, Savannah , Thomas County and Wayne County .  With this donation, Wal-Mart joins Hands On Georgia's signature sponsors The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot and The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation in promoting the power of service.  For more information about Hands On Georgia, send an email to info@handsongeorgia.org or call (404) 979-2910.

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