Since we were cited as the top mental health provider in Georgia in 2010, Perry Wellness Center has experienced a significant increase in local, state, and national partnerships. Sometimes alliances with others are brought about due to media exposure or formal linkages. At other times, working relationships may be formed from chance encounters.
Such was the case recently, when we visited with some interesting individuals at the annual Andersonville Historic Fair. Carolyn and Hew Lipscomb of Adventist Community Services of Southwest Georgia met with Stuart Perry and several peers and staff. After sharing their mission and talking further, everyone agreed that their program could be beneficial to PWC peers.
The area's Adventist Community Services was founded after the destructive flood of 1994. With grant funds from the McCormick Foundation, the Lipscombs began to distribute bags to food to the needy throughout Central and Southwest Georgia. With additional grant funds provided by the Bradley-Turner Foundation, the organization has expanded pickup of food from its Macon distribution center. Adventist Community Services is currently located in Arabi, where it had some funding promises for warehouse space fall through. Undaunted, the Lipscombs haul some 15,000 – 20,000 pounds of non-perishable food each month from Macon on their 24-foot trailer. The food is then delivered on four different routes to senior centers and other non-profit groups.
Beginning this month, Perry Wellness Center is being added to the organization’s northern delivery route. We’re understandably excited about this venture, and Stuart explains it well:
“We do appreciate meeting with the Lipscombs at the Andersonville Fair. To have another supporter in our growing network of mental health advocates is quite gratifying.”
We are now joining with the Lipscombs to request donations for their food distribution network. Adventist Community Services of Southwest Georgia is a faith-based social service agency, affiliated with the Georgia Cumberland Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, which serves 97+ counties in Central and South Georgia. The organization functions totally on donations and appreciates the support of both the Conference and several area churches. As the program is designated as a 501(C)3, all donations are tax-deductible.
If you would like to make a contribution to this worthy effort, you can mail your donation to 4580 Bedgood Avenue, Arabi, GA 31712. For further information, visit their website at http://www.acssouthgeorgia.org.
In the photo above, Stuart, Phyllis Bleckley, and Jeff Williams join Carolyn and Hew Lipscomb, seated, in Hope Park.