About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2025)
C2 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025 The Tatonton Allessenger www.msgrnews.com Neighbors Helping Neighbors joins Greene COC Skyla Morris skyla@msgrnews.com Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) is a Greensboro-based nonprofit that assists indi viduals and families in need throughout Greene and Putnam counties. The organization has been actively serving the area for five years and recently became a member of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce (GCCOC). With their work, NHN is responsible for three projects, including vehicle repairs, home repairs, and building beds for children in need through its “Beds for Kidz” program. With a background in nonprofit work, Allyn Rippin recently became the organiza tion's first part-time hire. She joined the GCCOC in June as its new executive director, given her experience in its "Leadership Greene" program. Rippin said she “personally and professionally” appreciates the opportunity to be involved and “meet great fellow business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders.” She said she believes joining the Chamber is a crucial step in forming partnerships between NHN and other GCCOC members. “There's just so much talent in this community and so many great people with a big heart, and the chamber does a great job of promoting us, this community, and offers resources and opportunities to get together,” Rippin said. "We couldn't do without the excel lent opportunity to meet more business owners, and other charitable people in the commu nity who want to work together to serve those in need.” According to Rippin, NHN assists qualifying individuals, including those with physical or developmental disabilities, senior citizens, veterans, single mothers, and lower-income families. Currently, the nonprofit is focused on providing resources through the “Beds For Kidz” program, due to the return of the school year. Ripken noted that “Beds For Kidz” is operated through a partnership with Greensboro’s First Methodist Church. “So, with the First Methodist Church, we purchase the mate rials, find the recipients, and the church builds the beds and delivers them,” Rippin said. Rippin said she believes NHN memberships are a good way to help support the organization’s cause and sustain its work. Memberships and monetary donations enable NHN to afford the materials necessary to provide its resources to the qual ifying individuals, she added. “That steady support is really helpful for what we do, because we always have a wait list of people who could use our services,” Rippin said. “So, to have those funds there consis tently is really helpful to keep us moving forward as well.” NHN also accepts knitted blankets made by a local group for the "Beds for Kidz" program,” Rippin added. “So, there are different ways you can give, and volunteering is a great way,” she said. “And if someone wants to donate a car, we accept car donations. There are lots of ways to get involved.” Overall, with her new position and partnership with the Greene County Chamber, Rippin said she’s looking forward to making more connections in the community. “There are so many people here who do want to do good for the community and contribute,” Rippin said. “I see my role as helping bring us together even more, and just hope to expand that network.” Neighbors Helping Neighbors will host its first “A Night at The Tables” casino party on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Lake Oconee Church. For details on the fundraising event, visit NHN online at nhnga.org Jazz Legacy Series to feature vocalist Cleveland Jones Greensboro’s historic Festival Hall is preparing for the third show of its 2025 jazz series, “The LAKE OCONEE FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday • 8 AM to 12 PM Support Lake Country's Farmers, Makers, Bakers, & more! 40+ vendors every week. Located in the greenspace at 119 Harmony Crossing, Eatonton, GA 31204 Jazz Legacy Project: Ray Charles, Jazz + Soul = Genius.” South Caro lina singer/songwriter Cleveland Jones will return to Festival Hall on Aug. 14, as featured guest vocalist for the event. A graduate of More house College and Berklee College of Music, Jones has toured internation ally, collaborated with notable artists, including as the opening act for in ReStore. Habitat for Humanity of Putnam 10am - 4pm 10am - 4pm - NEW LOCATION - 866 Harmony Road Eatonton, GA 31024 Bring this ad with you and receive an additional 10% off your purchase! Scan to Request a Home Pickup iffeete Restore your donation helps a family build a strong foundation for the future. Friday: Saturday: [putnamcountyhabitat.org, 706-991-1600 Chaka Khan. He also has released two albums — “Ace of Hearts” and “Let’s Make Love” — and is dedicated to spreading love and healing one song at a time “We are so excited to have Cleveland Jones back at Festival Hall with The Jazz Legacy Project Restore Hours Thursday: 10am -4pm celebrating Ray Charles,” Festival Hall Director Nicole Chillemi said. “It will definitely be a fun night; come out and join us!” Among the most important figures in American music, Ray Charles connected jazz, blues, pop, gospel, and country music in a way that no one had before or has since. “The Jazz Legacy Project: Ray Charles, Jazz + Soul = Genius” will be the third program this year in a four-part jazz series at Festival Hall. Each program lasts about 90 minutes, with the goal of bringing the casual jazz listener inside the minds and music of the most influential and inter esting American musi cians of all time. The life and music of the featured artist/ composer is entertain ingly narrated by Jazz Legacy Project drummer Justin Varnes, and seminal jazz pieces are played to illuminate the narration. These are not intended as tribute concerts, however, in the sense that the musicians are trying to recreate original perfor mances. Instead, the band members strive to interpret, present, and celebrate the essence and accomplishments of each featured artist. “The Jazz Legacy Project: Ray Charles, Jazz + Soul = Genius” will begin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14. Tickets start at $25. Tickets and more information are available at festivalhallga. com. The program is supported in part by Visit Lake Oconee (visitlakeo- conee.com), Ellen and Jeff Lemming, and Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties. Sponsorship opportuni ties remain available for The Jazz Legacy Project Series by contacting Chillemi at nicole@ festivalhallga.com or 762-243-8022. — Contributed @LakeOconeeFarmersMarket www.vharmonycrossing.com/farmersmarket Shop. Donate. Volunteer. BANK OF iMADISON ml IV MWLIOIN COMMITMENT: HERE. NOW. ALWAYS. Contact us for your Lot and Construction Loans! COME IN AND MEET THE LAKE TEAM Lake Country Loan Production Office 1041 Founders Row Greensboro, GA 30642 (762) 445-1133 Main Office 133 N. Main St., Madison (706) 342-1953 Eatonton Rd Branch 1540 Eatonton Rd., Madison (706) 342-1953 Member FDIC Bank of Social Circle A Division of Bank of Madison 1281 N. Cherokee Rd., Social Circle (770) 464-0213 www.bankofmadisonga.com Singer/songwriter Cleveland Jones EATONTON HEALTH REHABI LITATION 118 W. Marion St* Eatonton, Ga 706-485-8573 Visit: eatontonhealth.org Eatonton Health & Rehab is a Health Service of CHSGa
