At a glance, Second Saturday seems like a typical volunteer effort, but to Chuck McKee it's much more than that.
"We prefer to describe it as a half-day, family-friendly, fun-filled volunteer outreach," said the local mission director for TrueNorth Church in North Augusta. "We generally try to help out local schools as well as nonprofit organizations.
"We traditionally focused on those in North Augusta since that's where the church is, but now we are expanding more into the Augusta community and the CSRA."
Since August, volunteers have met in North Augusta on the second Saturday of each month to do painting, landscaping, general maintenance and other tasks at area schools and organizations.
"Many of the organizations have things they would like to get done but lack the manpower," Mr. McKee said. "That's where we come in. We supply the volunteers, and the nonprofit organizations usually supply the materials."
One of the things that makes Second Saturday different is that people get to choose where they want to volunteer, he said.
Beginning this Saturday, there will be two pickup locations for volunteers: one in North Augusta and the other in Augusta.
Those who meet in North Augusta may volunteer at the Ridgeview Manor apartment complex, Augusta Preparatory Day School or the Hale House Foundation.
Those who meet in Augusta may volunteer at Augusta Prep or at Camp Lakeside, the Family Y camp in Lincolnton, Ga.
As the outreach has grown, so has the number of volunteers, Mr. McKee said. That might be because volunteers are bused to sites.
"The reason we take the buses is so that people can talk and get to know each other on the bus ride over there," he said. "Also, some of the work sites we go to are a good distance away and, especially with high gas prices, it keeps people from having to drive."
Volunteers do not have to be members of the TrueNorth Church, and all ages are welcome to participate. Other churches or organizations interested in helping with transportation or joining the effort should contact Mr. McKee at chuckm@truenorthchurch.com.
Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Second Saturday
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday
PICKUP LOCATIONS: TrueNorth Church office, 419 W. Martintown Road, North Augusta
VOLUNTEER LOCATIONS: Ridge View Manor apartment complex; Augusta Preparatory Day School; Hale House Foundation
PICKUP LOCATION: The Family Y-Wilson Branch, 3570 Wheeler Road, Augusta
VOLUNTEER LOCATIONS: Augusta Preparatory and Camp Lakeside
INFORMATION: chuckm@truenorthchurch.com
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