The power of volunteerism. It is most certainly alive and well at Reynolds Lake Oconee.
Reynolds residents are giving back in multiple ways – with their time and through monetary donations. Though many of your friends and neighbors are investing equal amounts of time, passion and energy into their favorite charity, or charities, they are almost universal in the opinion that they’re getting more back than they’re giving. Debatable but noble, particularly since some are putting more hours per week into their volunteer cause than they did as successful career professionals.
Eight years ago, when CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes” searched the country to profile one of the more than 100 “I Have A Dream Foundation” affiliate chapters, it settled on Greene County, Georgia, and the Greensboro Dreamers. Why? Tom Kelly, who founded the local organization with his wife, Kathy, recalled the show’s producers saying they couldn’t believe the number of volunteers here that spend their afternoons, weekends and holidays with the Greensboro Dreamers.
“One thing that’s really and truly impressive about Greene County is the number of volunteers, not just with us, but with organizations all over the county,” Kelly said. “There are so many different people who give their time and money – it’s amazing.”
We have gone up close and personal with just some of the non-profit organizations in Greene and Putnam counties, and the remarkable people behind them. The stories are riveting and one thing is abundantly clear: There are so many more we could have told.
