VALDOSTA —
By the time the ClientTell team crossed the finish line for Friday’s Day of Caring race, its members had a much stronger understanding of how the United Way and its Valdosta-based organizations operate.
With all teams starting at 8:15 a.m. Friday, ClientTell was the first to return to the YMCA after visiting nine Greater Valdosta United Way agencies. ClientTell team members Pat Sullivan, Lin McMichen, Melissa Mitchem, Darren McCall and Daniel Folsom crossed the finish line at 10:50 a.m.
They were followed by Guardian Bank at 11:02 a.m.; Lowe’s, 11:15 a.m.; CJB Industries, 11:19 a.m.; Lowndes County Department of Family and Children’s Services, 11:22 a.m.; Commercial Banking, 11:33 a.m.; Henderson & Godbee, 11:35 a.m.; Target, 11:42 a.m.; City of Valdosta Engineering Department, 11:49 a.m.; Dillards, 11:51 a.m.; Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, 11:56 a.m.; Moody Fuels Management Flight Squadron, 11:57 a.m.; Smith Drug, 12:10 p.m.; and Ameris Bank, 12:15 p.m.
Sullivan said the ClientTell team studied and visited the websites of each of the Greater Valdosta United Way’s 19 agencies prior to the race. This homework paid off in helping the team solve the clues for each location.
For example, a member of another team said his group had been doing well until stumped by the clue of Lowndes Associated Minsitries to People’s providing shelter for homeless people ranging from Macon to Orlando.
ClientTell’s studies helped the team quickly overcome the clues, giving it more time to perform the tasks at each of its nine stops.
Bobby Yarbrough, Greater Valdosta United Way executive director, his staff and volunteers created an “Amazing Race” format for this year’s Day of Caring. In the past few years, area teams have spent the full Day of Caring helping one agency file, clean, do inventory, or any number of chores.
By making the Day of Caring a race, each team visited nine of 10 participating United Way agencies. At each stop, the teams were given a tour of the organization’s headquarters and supplied with a brief summary of the agency’s purpose in how and who it helps. Teams then performed tasks at each agency.
At the Salvation Army, for example, teams received a tour with commentary from Capts. Guy and Monica Nickum. As their task, teams filled boxes with toys as early preparation for this coming Christmas’ annual Empty Stocking Fund.
In addition to the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, Children’s Advocacy Center, Easter Seals, Habitat for Humanity, the Haven Drop Box, LAMP, America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia, Southside Recreation Center and YMCA participated.
Vounteers from Boy Scouts Camp Patten (Georgia Power volunteers); Boys and Girls Club (Toombs Street and Lake Laurie); Georgia Power; Valdosta Junior Service League; Children’s Advocacy Center; South Georgia Pecan; Habitat for Humanity; Lowe’s Distribution Center; Moody Fuels Management Squadron; Second Harvest; Publix; Lowndes County Board of Commissioners office; Target; and Wiregrass Technical College, Lowndes County DFACS helped.
Based on their advanced homework and visiting each site, the ClientTell team believed it had a better understanding of the needs of participating United Way organizations.
As the kick-off event for the United Way fundraising campaign, fun, a stronger appreciation of how the organization and its agencies operate, and helping these agencies with some chores are what the new Day of Caring was all about. That and spreading the word.
“You can now return to your work places and businesses and tell the people who won’t contribute to the United Way what all of these agencies do each day,” Yarbrough said.
And maybe change a few minds along the way.
Local News
Related Photos
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Bobby Yarbrough, Greater Valdosta United Way executive director, right, and Johnessa Bass, left, present the victory trophy to the ClientTell team for winning Friday’s ‘Amazing Race’-style Day of Caring. The ClientTell team members are, front row, Melissa Mitchem, Lin McMichen, and, back row, Daniel Folsom, Darren McCall, and Pat Sullivan. Dean Poling
Discussion
United Way campaign starts with an amazing race
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