Dear Editor,

The Board of Directors of Seven Ministries of Liberty County, Inc. would like to thank Hinesville, Liberty County, and surrounding communities for their support of our annual fundraiser, The Jackie Gilliard-Henderson Memorial Scholarship Walk-A-Thon.

A special thanks goes to our fire and emergency services leadership for serving as co-grand marshals: Liberty County Director of Emergency Management Robert Dodd, EMS Director Crystal Hensler, Liberty County Fire Chief Brian Darby, and Hinesville Fire Chief Robert Kitchings. I want to thank Hinesville City Councilwoman Diana Reid and my friends from the world of politics (our elected officials) who walked, donated, and those who donated and walked. A big thanks to my invited guests, Carroll “Da Skipper” Riles, who drove all night from Baton Rouge just to be here, Mike Sparks, who travels from Statesboro every year just because I asked him to, Kenny Fussell who lives in Liberty County/McIntosh County/Glynn County these days but showed up because he’s my brother, Bill Austin because he’s My Main Man, and my neighbors David John and Willie Brown because they are my neighbors (Timber Ridge Stand Up). My brother, Pastor Hayes, who serves as the chaplain for the Hinesville Fire Department, led us in prayer, and while my plan was to ask him beforehand, he showed up as he always does and delivered God’s blessing. Thanks to my friends Patrick Donahue and Jeff Whitten from the Coastal Courier for being there for us.

A very special thanks for the scholarship award recipients (past and present) for being in attendance when they didn’t have to and most of all, I thank Pastor S.

L. Thorne, Deacon Walter Taylor, Deacon Warner McCray, and the First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Family (we will forever lift our eyes to Calvary); thanks to the other churches as well.

My brother Bryant (aka Mookie) traveled from New Jersey because he loved his mama, my cousin Michael Porter drove from Cleveland because he loved his Aunt Jackie, and my son Gary Gilliard II drove down from Duluth because he loved his grandma and my 5-year-old grandson Micah Ali Gilliard (a fledgling/inspiring artist) even sold a few of his drawings to help raise funds (with Diana serving as his agent).

I’m going to stop with the names because our year in/year out supporters know who they are. In the words of Jay-Z, “the greatest form of giving is anonymous to anonymous” and your gifts help our ministry of giving to bless so many without being puffed up.

And always last but neve least, I say thanks to The Home Team from Azalea Street for standing by my side come what may…..I love you guys (yes, them too)!

God Bless, 

Gary Gilliard, President/CEO Seven Ministries of Liberty County, Inc.