With the challenges our nation has faced over the last twenty four months, it would be somewhat understandable if each of us had the mindset of taking care of our individual best interests. Whether shortages in the grocery store or attempts to stay healthy and safe, the extraordinary Covid-19 pandemic, without a doubt has been an opportunity for the demonstration of the best of human compassion and kindness or for the exhibition of the epitome of innate human selfishness. Fortunately, there is always good if you know where to look for it. AgGeorgia always has been proud of our staff and the support they offer their communities through sponsorships and attendance to agricultural events. However, we want to share just a few examples of the caring and giving attitudes of our staff that exemplify the conviction of Albert Einstein when he said, “A life lived for others is the only life worth living.” Several of the contributions were made during the past holiday season and assisted families, selected on individual bases or through community partnerships, with necessities and provisions.
DUBLIN
As part of their family traditions, Faith Howard of the Dublin Office adopts two children from the local Laurens County Angel Tree and provides them gifts from their wish lists. She and her family also bake goodies and distribute to those who serve them during the year: bank tellers, mechanics, pharmacists, healthcare workers, etc.
GAINESVILLE
The Gainesville Branch donated $2,000 toward the Gainesville-Hall Co. Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 41, Annual Shop With A Cop. The donation, along with other companies’ contributions, allowed the FOP to provide $150 gift cards from Target to approximately 50+ families that were in need during the holiday season. This is the Gainesville Branch’s second year donating to this worthy cause. Representing the Gainesville Office was Kimma Mack & Logan Clark, shown presenting the President of the FOP Donal McDuffie, with the check.
PERRY
The Perry Office collected food during the month of December to donate to a local food bank. The donation was made just before Christmas to Loaves and Fishes in Perry. Several staff members of the branch are shown in front of the bags of food at the office before dropping it off, with several others making the delivery.
ROYSTON
The Royston Office and staff sponsored gifts for children on the Royston Police Department’s Angel Tree. Not only did AgGeorgia donate to the cause, but almost every employee in the office donated additional funds to purchase the gifts. Shown is a picture of the gifts with the angel tree.
TIFTON
Kandice Mathis of the Tifton Branch adopted a Tift County teenage girl who is in foster care for Christmas. She enjoys art, especially Anime and loves fun comfy socks. Shown are Kandice’s nephew and son with the gifts presented to the girl.
Operation Christmas Child, a world-wide mission and project through Samaritan’s Purse, was established in 1993 by Franklin Graham. Shoeboxes filled with gifts of toys, school supplies, hygiene items and of course, candy, are collected from all over the United States and sent to demonstrate God’s love to children in various foreign countries. Local churches are very supportive of this ministry and serve as district collection points. Every year, Rhonda Shannon from the Tifton Office assists her church Eastside Baptist Church in Tifton during National Collection Week in November. Over 15,000 individual shoeboxes were collected from a several-county area, packed in crates and loaded on a semi-truck trailer by this group of volunteers. This labor of love prepares the boxes for international shipment to children all over the world. Pictured is Rhonda with other Eastside volunteers and the finished product of a filled trailer.
WAYNESBORO
Allie Crockett, the Burke County Young Farmers representative, reached out to the community for donations to help those in need in Kentucky after the December tornadoes. Ms. Crockett had a direct contact that provided a list of things they needed and the Waynesboro Office purchased items to send. Shown in the picture is Benjamin Strickland, Loan Officer in the Waynesboro Office, with Ms. Crockett. Some of the items donated by AgGeorgia staff were blankets, flashlights, toiletries, diapers & wipes, trash bags, Clorox wipes, sanitizer etc.
LAFAYETTE
The LaFayette Office also contributed to the Kentucky tornado relief with their donation of $1,500 as part of the Chattooga County Young Farmers’ collection. Supplies purchased were farming needs for the farmers affected by the tornado. Young Farmer Teacher Lauren Jarrett, in conjunction with Brent Allen, Johnson County Extension Agent and past Chattooga County Extension Agent, collected supplies and money for the area in Kentucky. Brent Allen is originally from the area in Kentucky that was devastated by the storm and he hauled all the farming supplies and donations to his hometown. Shown are Lafayette Office Member Service Representative and Chattooga County Young Farmer member Mandy Hicks presenting the monetary donation to Randy Brinkley, Chattooga County Young Farmer President (middle) and Garrett Hurley, Vice President (right) and a member of AgGeorgia.
MACON
Several AgGeorgia staff members were glad to help Macon County native and NFL star Roquan Smith with his 4th annual Thanksgiving food distribution for his community.
AgGeorgia Farm Credit was a community partner of the event, along with William L. Brown Farm Market, Chick-fil-A, International Paper and Piggly Wiggly. Roquan, a former UGA football linebacker and now a member of the Chicago Bears professional football team, provided about 75% of the funds to purchase boxes filled with turkeys and fresh produce for Macon County residents during a drive-thru giveaway. All the food was purchased locally and distributed locally. “Roquan has always been a person with a heart to give and he never wanted to forget about his hometown,” said Roquan’s aunt and Business Manager Shaquwanda Baker, who also coordinated the event. “We know times are hard and he wanted to supplement people’s incomes by giving out turkeys and sides for Thanksgiving dinner.” She is shown greeting friends and neighbors from the community. The 4-hour event also included assistance from Eric Finch, Chief of Police for Montezuma (forefront, shown directing traffic); Dexter McKenzie, Recreations Director for Macon County (background, left, leading traffic with John Deere Gator); volunteer Airmen from Robins Air Force Base and William L. Brown Farms; AgGeorgia staff Corey Cottle, Rachael Crowell, Karina Harrison, Lee Lister, Rhonda Shannon, Tamara Shrable and Teresa Thompson. Also involved were a host of Roquan’s relatives, most who were adorned in Chicago Bears attire, proudly serving their community and representing him.
AgGeorgia is appreciative of our staff and their willingness to give freely with their donations, time or labors for service to the communities in which they live and beyond. Thanks to those who gave us the opportunity for us to work along with them and also offered services to others.