Editor: On behalf of the board of directors of Seven Ministries of Liberty County, Inc., I would like to once again thank the community for supporting the Jackie Gilliard-Henderson Memorial Scholarship Walk-A-Thon. This was our seventh year and one of the best ever. The 150 or so participants included a lot of new faces and we’re thankful that everyone came to support this worthy cause. The funds raised awards scholarships to public high school seniors in Liberty County that plan to further their education as well as helps support our other charitable endeavors.
We awarded eight $500 scholarships to graduating seniors at Bradwell and Liberty. Although the scholarship is in my mother’s name, we like to recognize others that played a part in our lives by awarding the scholarships in their memory. The winners at Bradwell were Kelvin Conyers (Sheriff J. Don Martin), Deangela Williams (Mr. and Mrs. Quinton Wells), Shawn Holman (Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Thomas), Martha Hause (Mr. Robert D. Robbins). The winners at Liberty were Breana Knott (Mr. Donald Brown), Alex Smith (Mr. Henry and Mrs. Louise Relaford), Antonio Golden (Mr. James O. Davis), and Alexandria Swinson (Mr. Ronnie Moody). The walk was dedicated in memory of family friends that passed way in the past year, Henry L. Relaford, Robert D. Robbins, and James O. Davis; all three are sorely missed.
I wouldn’t dare try to list everyone that supported this event, but as I said last year and it still holds true today, we are a community based, nonprofit organization so everyone that walked, ran, and/or donated funds are in essence part of this ministry and this organization. Special thanks to The Home Team from Azalea Street for sponsoring the Friday night fish fry, Saturday evening cookout, Sunday afternoon closeout, and for continuing to help make the third weekend in May, the can’t-miss event that kicks off our summer.
My mother was a simple country girl from the Tatnall County, Georgia, community of Mendes and while she didn’t have much, she gave what she had to those she knew and loved and encouraged us to do the same. I know she’s happy up in heaven and that she appreciates the work that everyone does in keeping that legacy of giving alive and well throughout Liberty County.
God Bless.
Gary Gilliard
President/CEO
Seven Ministries of Liberty County,