Are you ready? It’s walking time. The seventh Annual Jackie Gilliard-Henderson Memorial Scholarship Walk-a-thon is Saturday.
The 4½ mile After Mother’s Day Walk will start with registration at 6:30 a.m. in the Bradwell Institute parking lot near the baseball field. The walk starts at 7, said Gary Gilliard, president/CEO of Seven Ministries.
He is also one of the sons of the late Gilliard-Henderson. He is also District 5 Liberty County commissioner.
A non-profit, Seven Ministries of Liberty County was incorporated in 2012. It is active in the community, and the organization offers a variety of programs to the community. At Christmas, they play Santa, handing out hams and turkeys to senior citizens.
Each year, Seven Ministries awards scholarships to Bradwell Institute and Liberty County High graduates. Last year, Seven Ministries awarded four $1,000 scholarships, donated nearly $5,000 in gifts to senior citizens, and sponsored a Back-to-School Rally at Rebecca’s Place in Hinesville. During the rally, more than $3,800 in school supplies was provided to children.
"We also support the local Manna House, the Liberty County Homeless Coalition, and other charitable causes," Gilliard said.
"The funds raised from the walk will be used to award eight scholarships to graduating seniors from Liberty County’s public high schools that choose to further their education by attending college or technical school in the summer/fall of 2017," Gilliard said. "These funds also help support the organization’s other programs, including Working for Jesus, Youth Mentoring, Adopt-a-Housing Project, Recovery Through Christ, Senior Citizen Program, Homeless Intervention, and Back to School Rally."
The walk’s grand marshal this year will be State Court Judge Jeff Osteen.
Anyone who wants to participate may do so by walking and/or making a tax deductible donation.
"We ask participants over 21 years old to donate $20 and participants from ages 16-20 to donate $10. There is no fee for children under 15 years old," Gilliard said.
For more information, call Gilliard at 912-977-3527.