Wednesday, February 19, 2003
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Wednesday, February 19, 2003 |
Samaritans get help in finding a home
By CAROLYN CARY
The Fayette Samaritans, a nonprofit organization that helps those who are temporarily down and out, has been down and out several times itself. When it was begun 11 years ago, the group was given some office space in the back of the Fayette County Department of Family and Children's Services, until a year and a half ago, when DFACS needed the space. Leslie Contracting Co. allowed the group to use office space at the firm's corporate office on North Jeff Davis Drive in Fayetteville. Eventually, the charity's days would be numbered again. A campaign fund was begun six months ago to enable the multi-church-supported charity to build its own facility. So far, nearly $50,000 has been raised to construct a 2,400-square-foot building. The building is planned to be large enough to house all donated food, clothing and furniture with enough space to grow. It would include private offices for interviewing potential recipients of emergency aid and adequate storage for items now housed in rental lockers. All staff members volunteer their time, and several of them must truck items back and forth to storage almost daily. A group called the Square Foot Ministry, a nonprofit Fayette group chartered last year, is also made up of representatives of various churches. Its work is similar to that of Habitat for Humanity, and it built a new home last fall for a family on Church Street in Fayetteville. The building trades volunteers entered the Samaritan picture two months ago, and the two have formed a partnership to construct a facility for the Samaritans. Working hand in hand, they expect the building to be open in early May. Land for the project has been leased from the Fayette Christian Church. The church is located at the corner of Hickory Road and New Hope Road. The group was first organized by a number of county churches who did not have the time nor the personnel to interview needy Fayette citizens who needed food or clothing. Currently, about 40 churches support the charity. Its board of directors consists of interested citizens as well as representatives from the supporting churches. Approximately $70,000 more is needed to complete the project. Donations may be sent to the Fayette Samaritans, 213 Jeff Davis Place, Suite 102, Fayetteville, Ga. 30214. Write "building fund" on the tax-deductible check.
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