Movie actress Mae West once said, “You’re never too old to become younger.” Well, what better way to do so than spending some time with a child.
Every day, Foster Grandparents in our area share their love, their time and their years of experience with a boy or girl in need of a little extra attention.
These volunteers are 60 years of age or older and have realized that, despite their retirement status, they have the power to make a difference in their communities by mentoring the young.
They help even the odds for those children who have special needs.
Foster Grandparents are role models and friends. They serve in schools, hospitals, day care centers, Head Start centers, drug treatment centers, as well as correctional institutions and other youth-based facilities. They help children learn to how to read and provide one-on-one tutoring and guidance at a critical time in a boy’s or girl’s life.
They serve an average of 20 hours per week and typically have a low income. Time and time again research has demonstrated that volunteering has a positive impact on older people’s self esteem, health and sense of well-being. Volunteers talk about enjoying themselves and having fun.
Of course, the smiles and hugs from the children they spend time with doesn’t hurt either.
Anyone interested in volunteering their time as a Foster Grandparent is encouraged to call Senior Volunteer Connection of South Georgia at 671-1414. Offices are located at 1302 Lankford Drive.
What We Think
What We Think: Smile and hug from a child: Priceless
- What We Think
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Grading policy: A second chance?
In clarifying the Lowndes County Schools’ controversial grading policy, Superintendent Dr. Steve Smith spoke of second chances.
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Be up to any weather challenge
Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week starts today and runs through Friday. The idea behind the week is to prepare Georgians for weather emergencies and how to keep these situations from becoming tragedies.
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Parents and schools
There is a lot of talk lately about school systems and grading policies, and how all of a child's problems come back to a lack of parenting. But is it really that simple? Can it be a case where the school systems are so focused on the problem few that the majority of students are ignored?
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Brooks County High School engineering and technology teacher Don Morgan and his students. They recently received national attention for their work with biodiesel fuel. They collect used cooking oil from area fast-food restaurants then process this oil into biodiesel. Morgan hopes to next interest the Brooks County school buses into running on the fuel created in his class. This classroom not only prepares students for the future but may prepare all of us for an alternative energy source.
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Take me out to the ball park
The Valdosta State baseball season begins today. The Blazers host Lindenwood at 2:30 p.m. Nothing beats quality baseball played in warm weather with a great venue like Billy Grant Field.
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What We Think: Signing Day
Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day when high school athletes across the country make official announcements about what school they’ve chosen to sign with.
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School policy fails expectations
Lowndes County Schools recently implemented new grading guidelines for students. These guidelines have left many parents upset ...
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Just the facts, please
The Times has taken some hits this weekend following the reporting of the Rev. Floyd Rose’ rally on Saturday concerning the car which drove into a home, killing an infant on New Year’s, and an incident at Pinevale Learning Center. Some police officers think the VDT is not being fair, and Rose accused the VDT of not printing the facts, but the facts are as follows:
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Fathers teaching daughters
It began as a small gathering for fathers and daughters. It has become one of Valdosta’s most popular social events of the year.
Several years ago, Jeff Stewart co-founded the event with his wife, Becky, as a way for him to give a special night to his two daughters. Other fathers of First Presbyterian Church liked the idea and the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance was born. -
Sports tourneys: They will come
More than 20 years after its release, “Field of Dreams’” mantra, “If you build it, they will come,” has possibly become one of the most overused lines from any movie. Yet, it seems all too fitting for what’s been happening lately within the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority.
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Grading policy: A second chance?
