About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (March 5, 2025)
THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 - PAGE 3B Social Church Jackson EMC donates $100K to support programs for individuals with disabilities Jackson Electric Mem bership Corporation has donated $100,000 to esp Inc., to support the nonprof it’s mission of empowering individuals with disabili ties and fostering inclusive communities. This contri bution will help expand esp’s programs, which provide vital resources, support and transformative experiences for people of all abilities across Georgia. “Jackson EMC has been a longtime supporter of esp, and we are proud to continue investing in their mission,” said Chip Jakins, Jackson EMC President and CEO. “The organization plays a transformative role in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families by creating a com munity that celebrates abil ities, fosters independence, and provides opportunities New water trails and safety features to be added to the Georgia River Guide app New updates for the Georgia River Guide app are on the way to better connect paddlers to water trails across Georgia. Geor gia Rivers received a grant from Georgia Department of Natural Resources un der the Recreational Trails Program to add new water trails and more safety fea tures to the Georgia Rivers Guide app. Georgia Rivers serves as Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner running the Geor gia Water Trails Network. Water trails, similar to hiking trails on rivers and streams, across the state can be found on the intui tive and interactive Geor gia River Guide mobile app. The free digital trip planning tool empowers river recreationists to dis cover nearby water trails, learn about safe public ac cess points, river mileage between accesses, points of interest, nearby shuttle services and more in a few to d$ “ave” The Chattahoochee River National Water Trail is just one of the dozens of water trails mapped in the Georgia River Guide app. Photo by Joe Cook - LOADING... Mew water trails and safety eatures coming soon! iEORGIA RIVER GUIDE APP - == = == The free Georgia River Guide app is a digital trip plan ning tool that empowers river recreationists to discover nearby water trails, learn about safe public access points, river mileage between accesses, points of interest, nearby shuttle services and more in a few simple taps. for personal growth.” Dedi cated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabil ities, esp provides year- round programs, camps and family support services. The non-profit’s commit ment to inclusivity ensures that individuals of all abili ties build confidence, make connections, and feel val ued in a supportive envi ronment. “The generosity of Jack- son EMC allows us to con tinue expanding our impact and making dreams possible for the families we serve,” said Laura Hope Whitaker, CEO of esp. “This donation will help us provide more opportunities for individu als with disabilities to par ticipate in our life-changing programs.” The Jackson EMC do nation was made possible using margin refunds that simple taps. The Recreational Trails Program recognized the Georgia Rivers Guide app as a top resource for con necting paddlers to water trails with a $60,000 grant to enhance and update the app with more interactive safety features to equip paddlers with real-time safety data while explor ing Georgia rivers.The grant from Georgia DNR requires a $20,000 match from other donors. If you would like to contribute to the app development fund and support this matching funding, donate at http:// weblink.donorperfect.com/ watertrailsapp “The Georgia River Guide app helps paddlers access real time informa tion so they can ‘know be fore they go’ on Georgia’s water trails,” says Andrea White, Georgia Rivers community programs coor dinator. “For example, the app already includes live Jackson EMC donated $100,000 to Extra Special People (esp) to expand inclusive programs for individuals with dis abilities. This support will help establish Camp Hooray in Jackson County. Pictured: esp CEO Laura Hope Whitaker, Jackson EMC CEO Chip Jakins, and esp spokesperson Lily Moore. have been unclaimed by the electric cooperative’s mem bers for five years. Legisla tion passed in 2005 permits Georgia electric coopera tives to make charitable, educational, and economic links to river gauges that provide real-time informa tion about the water level and e coli levels, as well as a recommendation for the best water level to run that section of river. It is critical for users to understand riv er conditions in real-time so they can avoid hazards and enjoy their time on Georgia’s water trails. Af ter this project that infor mation will be more prom inent and interactive.” The Georgia River Guide app aims to empower in dividuals to experience Georgia’s waterways, and ultimately advocate for healthy, clean waters. “People protect what they feel connected with,” says Rena Ann Peck, Geor gia Rivers executive direc tor. “The more people we connect to Georgia’s riv ers, the more people will advocate for their rivers in Georgia. We aim to inspire all Georgians and visitors in Georgia to fight to pro development contributions of unclaimed margin re funds. For more information about esp and its programs, visit https://espyouandme. org/ tect Georgia rivers.” This development proj ect is expected to be rolled out over the course of 2025. Updates to the Geor gia River Guide app in clude making water quality gauge data showing e coli levels more intuitive and interactive, increasing user interactivity with real time river levels, and integrating dam release information into the platform. After this project is concluded, users will encounter clear and timely interactive visual cues in the app to highlight key water safety metrics, enhancing overall aware ness and safety. The Georgia River Guide app is always free to users. Those passionate about increasing resources for outdoor recreation are in vited to support further de velopments on the Georgia River Guide app. Donate to support the app at http:// weblink.donorperfect.com/ watertrailsapp Church News — Week of March 5 Oak Grove Baptist Church, 9585 Hwy. 172, Comer, will have a memo rial service and celebration of life for David Hunsing er on Saturday, March 15, at 1 p.m. Preacher Dale Carson will deliver a ser vice at the church the fol lowing morning on March 16. David’s Home Pente costal Holiness Church, 1132 Davids Home Church Rd, Comer, will be having a singing featur ing David Phillips accom panied by Jacob Keckritz on Sunday, March 16, at 6 p.m. “Everyone is invit ed to come and worship our Lord and Savior with us in song,” church lead ers said. Freedom Church of God, 3428 Neese-Com merce Road, Commerce, will host a drive-thru food distribution on Tues day, March 18, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Food boxes will be available on a first- come, first-served basis, and recipients must be present to receive a box. Participants should remain in their vehicles during the distribution. The church gate will remain closed until 3 p.m. Attendees are asked to park on Sam Swindle Road, located just below the church, until the event begins. Volunteers should arrive by 1 p.m. For more information, call 706-789-2102. ONGOING EVENTS Moons Grove Baptist Church, 1985 Moon’s Grove Church Road, Colbert, has announced the dates for its free food distribution. Upcoming distribution dates include 3/26, 4/23, 5/28, 6/25, 7/23 and 8/27. Hours are from 10 a.m. to noon. The clothes closet will also be open during the food distribution. People can call the church to set up an appointment for the clothes closet as well. For more information, call the church at 706-795-2063. Gordon’s Chapel Methodist Church, Hull, will have its clothes closet opening every third Friday of each month from 9 to 10 a.m. The clothes closet is located next door to the Sanford Community Cen ter (6469 Nowhere Road) in the green building. Its food pantry will also be opening every third Thurs day of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. The food pantry is located at the Sanford Community Center (6469 Nowhere Road). TOPS Ga. 0421 Ila (Take off pounds sensibly) meets every Monday at 6 p.m. at Liberty Church. The church is located at 5725 Hwy. 106 N, Dan ielsville. For more in formation, contact Mary Bonds at 706-202- 4751. Everyone is welcome. Legacy Baptist Church, 1850 Helican Springs Road, Hull, holds its weekly worship ser vices on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Want more information? Contact the church at legacybaptist- hull@gmail.com or visit the website at www.lega- cybaptist.net. “We would love to have you join us,” church leaders said. Oak Grove Baptist Church, 9585 Hwy. 172, Comer, invites everyone to come out and visit at an old fashion hymnal book church. The church has breakfast on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall, fol lowed by Sunday School at 10 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m. A singer performs at the service on the fifth Sunday of the month. The singing group for March will be the Eternal Singers on March 30, and a meal will also be served. The church also has a Bible study every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. and a women’s Bible study on the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. Broth erhood meets the fourth Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 495 Cedar Grove Church Road, Comer, has a food distribution on the second Wednesday eve ning of every month from 6-6:45 p.m. at the church. Contact the church at cgbel885@gmail.com or visit the website at www. cedargrovebaptist.net. _ Call 245-2695 24 Hour Obituary News Compliments of Gruitt Suneral Some, Inc. “Locally Owned and Operated Since 1905” 47 Franklin Springs St. Royston, GA 30662 (706) 245-7234 Worship regularly at the church of your choice! For more information on becoming a church page sponsor, please call 706-367-5233. 12403 Medicine Danielsville, GA For all your printing needs contact Ginger Mitchell at 706-654-8499 ZEB’S Mount Hermon 12650 Presbyterian Church CARSON PLUMBING, INC. PHCC 259 Wynburn Ave. O • Athens, GA 30601 PLUNBING-HEATING-COOLING' CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION JOSH CARSON (Licensed and Insured) 706-548-3397 FAX: 706-548-3881 E-Mail: carsplum@gmail.com 12570 "In the country... but worth the trip!" 5742 Hwy. 29 N. • Danielsville, GA 706-795-2701 12.92 Hwy. 98 • Ila 706-789-3296 "Let There Be Light" Visit i mthermonpreschurch.org//The Acorn. Adult Sunday School at 10:00 A.M. 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