Governor Perdue Announces Availability of Hands On Challenge Grants

Governor Perdue Announces Availability of Hands On Challenge Grants

Communities Across Georgia Mobilize Local Volunteer Efforts

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the availability of $100,000 Challenge Grants to communities in Georgia to implement volunteer recruitment and management programs. Each community is required to match grant funding with locally raised funds, dollar for dollar, bringing the leveraged amount to $200,000.

“Year after year, Hands On Georgia channels the generosity and spirit of volunteerism exhibited all over Georgia,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “These Challenge Grants will help communities harness and focus the volunteer efforts that already exist across the state.”

Last year, Hands On Georgia Challenge Grants were awarded to 12 communities including Columbus, Cordele, Eatonton, Forsyth County, Harlem, Macon, Milledgeville, Rome, Savannah, Statesboro, Thomas County and Wayne County.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has partnered with Hands On Georgia to distribute the grant funds to local governments that partner with community agencies to engage volunteer citizens in service.

“Volunteers can provide many services to local agencies, schools and individuals, thus allowing local governments to allocate their resources to the most critical needs,” said Mike Beatty, DCA commissioner, and member of the Hands On Georgia Board.

“Georgians across the state understand the importance of helping their neighbors,” said Eric Tanenblatt, board chairman of Hands On Georgia. “These challenge grants will help to build infrastructure for sustainable programming to recruit, train and manage volunteers in local communities.”

Hands On Georgia is a statewide network that supports innovative volunteer approaches to meet Georgia’s critical needs through service and civic engagement. There are currently 16 Hands on Georgia affiliates, including the communities of Adairsville, Atlanta, Columbia County, Columbus, Dooly County, Forsyth County, Hall County, Liberty County, Macon, Milledgeville, Northwest Georgia, Rome/Floyd County, Savannah, Statesboro, Thomas County and Wayne County. Hands On Georgia’s signature event, Hands On Georgia Week (September 30 – October 7, 2006), will engage more than 35,000 citizens in 400 service projects in 159 counties.

Georgians interested in applying for a Hands On Georgia and DCA Challenge Grant can download the application from the Hands On Georgia website at www.handsongeorgia.org. For more information about Hands On Georgia, please send an email to info@handsongeorgia.org or call (404) 979-2910.

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