VALDOSTA — One hundred forty volunteers dedicated their Friday, Oct. 23, to community service across Valdosta and Lowndes County as part of the Greater Valdosta United Way's Fall Day of Caring. The initiative connected local businesses, organizations, and individuals with hands-on opportunities to support nonprofit partners and improve the communities they serve.
The day began with a kickoff celebration at the Historic Lowndes County Courthouse before volunteers spread out to complete projects. These efforts addressed various community needs, including improving nonprofit facilities, organizing essential supplies, installing smoke alarms, and supporting local families. The work demonstrated what Tia Mayes, marketing and development director at Greater Valdosta United Way, described as a reminder that "meaningful change happens when people come together to serve their community."
Greater Valdosta United Way coordinated eight specific service projects with local nonprofit organizations to make a direct and lasting impact. Among the efforts, volunteers partnered with the American Red Cross and the Valdosta Fire Department to install smoke alarms and share home fire preparedness information with residents throughout the community.
At Legacy Behavioral Health, volunteers pressure washed the staff patio, cleaned picnic tables, and planted flowers, contributing to a more welcoming facility. The Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity ReStore received assistance with cleaning and stocking shelves, helping to organize essential resources available to the public. Storage facilities for The Haven and Greater Valdosta United Way were also cleaned and organized, improving the management of vital supplies.
Further projects included painting the game room at the Boys & Girls Club of South Georgia, enhancing the environment for local youth. Volunteers also sorted and packed food through Second Harvest of South Georgia, ensuring essential provisions reached seniors, local schoolchildren, and families in need. Additionally, the grounds of the Wisenbaker-Wells-Roberts House, recognized as Valdosta’s oldest home, saw improvements thanks to work coordinated with Historic Valdosta.
Each of these projects aimed to meet a specific community need. The combined efforts helped nonprofit organizations maintain welcoming facilities, improve operational efficiency, expand access to essential resources, and better serve individuals and families across the region.
The Fall Day of Caring is part of Greater Valdosta United Way’s ongoing commitment to mobilizing community power. By connecting volunteers with organizations that provide critical services, Greater Valdosta United Way strengthens the local nonprofit network and advances its impact areas, which include Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. Mayes expressed gratitude for the 140 volunteers, stating their efforts strengthen nonprofit partners, support the people they serve, and demonstrate what is possible through collective action.
