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Hands On Georgia Supports First Statewide 'Week of Service'

Monday, November 8, 2004  Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

 

Five Volunteer Projects to Address Community Needs

               

                ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Hands on Georgia is holding the state’s first “Week of Service,” launching at the state Capitol Monday, November 8 and culminating in Thomasville on Saturday, November 13.  Hands On Georgia is a statewide initiative aimed at spreading the spirit of volunteerism to communities across the state.  During the week, “hands on” volunteer service projects will take place in Columbus, Macon, Gainesville, Atlanta, and Thomasville.  The week also will be marked by the launch of Hands On Thomas County, a new Hands on Georgia affiliate.

 

Tuesday, November 9, 2004

 

WHO:              Hands On Columbus, Columbus, Georgia

WHAT:            Two hundred volunteers will build a greenhouse and a gift shop as well as landscape the grounds at Muscogee Manor and Rehabilitation Center for senior citizens.

WHEN:            9 a.m. – 5 p.m. with comments from Congressman-elect Lynn Westmoreland and local dignitaries 1:30 p.m.

WHERE:          Muscogee Manor, 7200 Manor Road, Columbus, GA  31907

On Site Contact: Aimee Baxter - (706) 649-2751

 

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

 

WHO:              Hands On Macon, Macon, Georgia

WHAT:            Fifty volunteers will make final improvements and renovations necessary at a residence that will house local foster children.

WHEN:            8 a.m. – 5 p.m. with comments from First Lady Mary Perdue at 11 a.m.

WHERE:          1243 First Ave, Macon, GA

On Site Contact: Gigi Rolfs - (478) 361-2800

 

Thursday, November 11, 2004

 

WHO:              Hands On Hall, Gainesville, Georgia

WHAT:            Fifty volunteers will build a ropes course, clear a nature trail and field, and paint camp buildings at Scoutland Boy Scout Camp.

WHEN:            9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with comments from Congressman Nathan Deal at 12 p.m.

WHERE:          Scoutland Camp, 3685 Looper Lake Road, Gainesville, GA 30506

On Site Contact: Jennifer Myers (770) 535-7766

 

Friday, November 12, 2004

 

WHO:              Hands On Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

WHAT:            Fifty volunteers will refurbish nature trails and restore buildings at the historically significant F.M. Robinson Memorial Preserve.

WHEN:            8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. with comments to media at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE:          Georgia Environmental Organization Inc., 3185 Center Street, Smyrna, GA 30080

On Site Contact: Trey Gibbs, (404) 213-2681

 

Saturday, November 13, 2004

 

WHO:              Hands On Thomas County, Thomasville, Georgia

WHAT:            Hands On Georgia’s first week of service will culminate with “Hands On Thomas County Day,” which also signifies the launch of Hands On Thomas County.  More than 400 volunteers will participate in 12 different service projects in Thomas County as part of this event.  Hands On Georgia will feature 50 volunteers at School at Bishop Hall who will be landscaping, painting and hanging blinds to improve the facility.

WHEN:            8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. with comments from Governor Perdue to media at 1 p.m.

WHERE:          Volunteer Project:  School At Bishop Hall (Charter School of the Thomas County School System), Vashti Campus, 1819 East Clay Street, Thomasville, Georgia 31792

Governor Sonny Perdue’s Press Conference:  Central High School, 4685 U.S. 84 Bypass, Thomasville, Georgia 31792

Contact: Alston Watt - (229) 226-4300

On Site Project Coordinator: Dolly Stringer; (229) 221-4735, cell 

              Governor Perdue is challenging Georgians over the next three years to engage 20,000 new volunteers; contribute 500,000 plus hours of volunteer service to communities across the state; and partner with 120 community and faith-based organizations and schools. The Governor and First Lady will serve as Honorary Chairs of Hands On Georgia and Ambassador Andrew Young and Mrs. Young will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the organization.

              Volunteers representing the Signature Corporate Sponsors of Hands On Georgia, The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot and The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation will participate in each of the service projects.

More About The Sponsors

 

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's best-known brand, The Coca-Cola Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.coca-cola.com.

Founded in 1978, The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer and the second largest retailer in the United States, with fiscal 2003 sales of $64.8 billion. The company employs approximately 300,000 associates and has 1,826 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, eight Canadian provinces and Mexico. The company recently announced the creation of a business development operation for retail expansion into China.  Its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:HD) and is included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation is a charitable organization that supports education, health care, human services, economic development, art and culture, and the environment through grants ranging from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. Established in 1937, the foundation primarily focuses on giving to organizations and endeavors that serve Georgia, but exceptions have been made for outstanding organizations that promote the well-being of mankind throughout the United States.

Those individuals, communities and private partners wanting to join this volunteer effort can log on to  www.HandsOnGeorgia.org for more information or call Kimberly Goff, Executive Director at (404) 979-2910.