Make a Difference in Our Community by Participating in Gwinnett Great Days of Service

Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2

The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services is planning its 11th annual Gwinnett Great Days of Service scheduled for Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2, 2010. This event engages thousands of volunteers in a day of community service projects all around Gwinnett. Last year we had over 80,000 volunteers, including large corporations, schools, small businesses, individuals, church groups, and families, completing 160 service projects which made it one of the largest volunteer initiatives in the country!!

We partner corporate and community teams with local agencies to work side-by-side to make a difference in the community and to learn from each other. The Great Days of Service addresses specific needs in the county through volunteers who complete much-needed service projects for local non-profits and schools. These projects held to build the community while educating citizens and leaders about the needs around them.

This event could not happen without the support of the community and our sponsors. Getting involved with Gwinnett's Great Days of Service is easy. We are currently in need of corporate sponsors and volunteer teams. There are several ways to get involved:

• You can sponsor a volunteer team from your business to complete a service project in the community.
  
• We have landscaping, painting, light construction, and other projects available.
  
• Conduct a food, toy, or school supply drive at your business for a local agency or school.
  
• Become a Great Days of Service Sponsor

Many local businesses such as Primerica, E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. and the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia have been involved with the Great Days of Service over the past few years.

Here's what some had to say about how their involvement has had an impact on the community:

Herman Melville once wrote, "We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand threads..our actions run as causes and return to us as results." This expression captures the volunteer experiences that are associated with the Great Days of Service. I'm not sure who gains the most from the day, the people receiving the service or those rendering the care?

"It's a great experience and opportunity to serve the Gwinnett Community" - Gary Kart, resident, Kart Enterprises, Inc d.b.a. Kart Landscaping Services and 2008 & 2009 Gwinnett Chamber Pinnacle Award Winner

"Gwinnett Medical Center initially became involved in the Great Days of Service in 2002 when the hospital labyrinth team enlisted volunteers from the community to help build a 50 foot, seven circuit, classical labyrinth on the hospital campus in Lawrenceville. It was the first labyrinth located in a hospital setting in metro Atlanta. Within two years the hospital was ready to construct another labyrinth on the campus of Glancy Rehabilitation Center in Duluth.

We could not have done this without the tremendous support from our Great Days of Service volunteers. We had donations of not only time and labor, but also materials needed to construct this ancient walking path. These labyrinths are a tool for wholeness and a place for meditation and peace. They are enjoyed daily by patients, visitors, staff and community members. In fact, the Glancy labyrinth was on the International Labyrinth Society's tour in 2009, because it was so unique in being handicap accessible.

Over the past eight years Gwinnett Medical Center has had countless donations from Gwinnett Great Days of Service volunteers providing beauty and unique services in Lawrenceville and Duluth, Thank You Gwinnett Coalition for developing this fantastic program in our community. " - Debbie Froehlich M. A. CCC-SLP Therapy Manager-Glancy Rehabilitation Center Gwinnett Medical Center

If you have any questions or want to sign up to participate in the largest volunteer event of the year, visit our Web site www.gwinnettgreatdaysofservice.org or contact Nicole Love at 770-995-3339 nicole@gwinnettcoalition.org or Susanne Thomas at 770-962-9862 stjthomas@att.net