Sweetwater Creek State Park Need Volunteers For Clean-up

Put away your wallet and pull out your fishing pole, hiking boots or gardening gloves.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 25, at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs, volunteers will clean the park, do light trail maintenance, plant native grasses and remove invasive plants such as Chinese privet on the 17th annual National Public Lands Day. Call (770) 732-5871 to register.

National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve the public lands Americans enjoy, last year had more than 150,000 volunteers nationwide participating.

Sept. 25 is also Free Day in the Parks, when at all Georgia state parks the regular $5 parking fee will be waived, historic sites will open their doors for free, and anglers will not need a fishing license.

The free fishing coincides with the 37th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day, which serves as a public reminder that hunters and anglers support conservation. Through licenses and excise taxes, they generate $200,000 every hour for fish, wildlife and habitat programs that benefit all who appreciate wild places and wild things.

“Georgia’s state parks and historic sites wouldn’t be here without our visitors and supporters,” said Parks Director Becky Kelley. “Free Day in the Parks is our way of thanking the thousands of people who volunteer their time, spend their vacations in the parks, or even just visit for the day. We are waiving the parking fee, but of course voluntary contributions are welcome because they help us preserve Georgia’s public green spaces.”

To see a list of all events and find out more about how you can be of service, see www.GetOutdoorsGeorgia.org.

“For less than a tank of gas, families can enjoy a full day of ranger programs, hiking, biking, picnicking, birding and more,” said Ms. Kelley. “All visitors will pay for are rental facilities, some events or programs, and activities such as canoe rental.”

Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park is a 2,549-acre park at 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, offering hiking, boating, fishing, 11 large picnic shelters, an interpretive center, and weekly interpretive programs. See gastateparks.org or call (770) 732-5871 for more information.

Christian Serve

Latest “Volunteering in America 2009” report shows a positive view of Christians and their willingness to serve their communities.

The report sites, “Over one-third of the nearly 62 million volunteers donate their time through religious organizations.

“Religious organizations are a key source of potential volunteers for nonprofit organizations,” said Nicola Goren, the corporation's chief executive officer. “Nonprofits looking to expand their reach and impact may find it beneficial to work more closely with religious organizations in their communities, especially in these tough economic times.”

To read an excellent article that provides a short overview of the report go to:
“Faith groups top others in getting volunteers” By Lindsay Perna, Religion News Service, Aug. 6, 2009, 6:06PM The Houston Chronicle, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6563306.html

Summer of Service Begins

Maria Shriver, California's first lady invited another first lady, Michelle Obama to join her in San Francisco Monday, June 22. The aim was to help finish a playgroung at Bret Harte Elementary school. What is wonderful about this story is the work done by volunteers.

"You don't have to be a first lady to make a difference, you don't have to be a president or a governor... You just have to be a patient, committed, and compassionate human being," said Maria Shriver.

This event was the beginning of a 12-week program entitled Summer of Service which is part of the President's United We Serve program. The goal is to encourage individuals to become involved in their community through service. Let's all find someway to join in and make a difference in our own community.