ATLANTA — Governor Sonny Perdue called today upon the citizens of Georgia to serve
their communities and be a part of the change in their communities during Hands On
Georgia Week 2007 - September 29 through October 6. "The role of Georgia’s
volunteers is essential in the growth and improvement of the state’s towns, cities
and counties," said Perdue. "Their dedication to service helps to meet the
specific needs of their communities while helping Georgia thrive as a whole. Hands
On Georgia Week offers new and experienced volunteers an opportunity to serve their
communities."
To challenge more citizens to volunteer, Governor Perdue offered three areas for
Georgians to consider in the week of service and beyond. "To showcase a commitment
to those most in need, I invite Georgians to reach out to our senior citizens who are
in need of a helping hand. To show respect and care for our state’s natural beauty, I
encourage Georgians to join together in the eradication of litter by picking up trash,
removing graffiti and collecting recyclable items. Finally, to help foster a greater
appreciation for and understanding of the importance of education, I encourage volunteers
to sign up to tutor Georgia’s future - our children in grades pre-kindergarten through
twelfth grade."
For the second year Hands On Georgia, a statewide network dedicated to volunteer service
and civic engagement, will gather all of Georgia’s 159 counties to address the multi–faceted
needs of Georgians through a variety of service projects designed to be the change in their
respective communities. Hands On Georgia Week is the organization’s signature event and
serves to complete its ultimate mission of fostering a sense of community involvement and
volunteer service year round.
"Hands On" projects often vary from town to town, city to city, county to county.
Projects include river clean ups, building restorations, wheel chair ramp construction, playground
builds and mentoring sessions with children. Signature large scale projects are planned in the
cities of Athens, Atlanta, Adairsville, Columbus, Dalton, Harlem, Macon, Milledgeville, Rome
and Savannah, and in Bulloch, Dooly, Forsyth, Glynn and McIntosh, Hall, Liberty, Thomas and
Wayne Counties. Hands On Georgia expects as many as 30,000 volunteers to serve approximately
130,000 hours of service throughout the week.
"Georgians are committed to making their communities better places for all to live, work
and play. During Hands On Georgia Week, volunteers across the state are given many opportunities
to display their true dedication to service," said Eric Tanenblatt, Hands On Georgia Board Chair.
Projects can be chosen based on interests, skills, and even time availability. The 13 projects
are all set for Tuesday October 2, 2007. Volunteers interested in participating in Hands On
Georgia Week 2007 are encouraged to e-mail or call Hands On Coastal Georgia, which serves Glynn
and McIntosh Counties, at info@handsoncoastalgeorgia.org
or (912) 265-1850, ext 306. To learn more about the specific projects in Glynn and McIntosh Counties
or to sign up for a project please visit www.hocg.org.
