Serve My Community
There are many needs—spiritual, physical, and otherwise—in Thomasville and the surrounding area. We are blessed to partner with many local ministries and organizations to care for our community in a variety of ways. Find out how you can get connected and start serving below.
Backpack Buddies serves children who have weekend food insecurities in all 8 of the Thomas County schools.
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According to the Feeding America website, in South Georgia, food insecurity (which is defined as “limited or inadequate access to food”) affects 1 in 5 children.
Backpack Buddies serves children who have weekend food insecurities in all 8 of the Thomas County schools.
You can love these kids in four different ways. Pack, Donate (specific items only), “Adopt,” and Pray.
PACK
We pack weekend food bags during the school year on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:00 in building 140 (aka the old school cafeteria) at the Thomas County Board of Education campus located at 200 N Pinetree BLVD. We are the second door on the left under the arched awning facing Pinetree BLVD. It has the Backpack Buddies name above the door.
DONATE
Twice a year—in August and January—we will collect school supplies and personal hygiene supplies. Items can be dropped off in specially marked bins at Thomasville First Baptist.
Please choose from the following items to donate:
School supplies
- pencils
- pens
- crayons
- glue sticks
Hygiene items
- toothpaste
- individually packed toothbrushes
- deodorant/antiperspirant
- bar soap (no liquid)
- Pod style laundry detergent (no liquid)
“ADOPT”
In December, there will be the opportunity to bless others by “adopting” a Backpack Buddies family or individual child for Christmas. Wish lists that include basic needs, as well as some toy-type items will be provided.
PRAY
Pray that these children will know that Jesus loves them and that they are not forgotten. Pray that the food given to them will not only fill their stomachs but also tender their hearts toward the love of Christ Jesus and that they will come to know the true Bread of Life.
If you need more information about this ministry, you can contact Tracy Zolt at [email protected].
ESL is a class offered for those in our community who desire to learn English.
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ESL (English as a Second Language) is a class offered to those in our community who desire to learn English. Our students range from non-English speakers to those who know some English and are working to understand it better and speak and write it more fluently.
It is not necessary for volunteers to know another language; all the instruction is in English. Volunteer roles include instructors, registration help, meal coordinator, and others as needed. Classes will be held during regular Wednesday night activities here at Thomasville First Baptist.
For more information, contact Lisa Gilligan at 221-9255 or [email protected].
FCA is looking for volunteers to serve as Character Coaches for middle and high school sports teams in our community.
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Do you have a passion for discipleship? Do you have a passion for area school sports?
Local middle schools and high schools need Character Coaches to encourage, disciple, and LOVE their sports teams. In this role, you have the opportunity to mentor and spiritually lead young people in your community!
Below is a list of guidelines for prospective Character Coaches to consider.
Character Coach Guidelines:
• Pray for your coaches and players on a regular basis.
• Be seen, be known, be heard (in that order)
• Schedule the best time to meet with the Head Coach.
• Connect and communicate with your Head Coach on a weekly basis. (In-person, text, email, or phone call)
• Be relational. Schedule a time to meet and speak (or have a guest speaker) for devotions with your team (if approved by coaches) that are Bible-based/Christ-centered, focused, simple, brief, positive, flexible, and personal/real/transparent.
• Attend one practice a week and 33% of the games.
• Communicate with the local FCA Staff at least 1-2 times/month (phone, email, text).
Should you have questions, please contact Alison Woodward at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your interest in serving with South GA FCA!
First Option Care offers resources for pregnant women, mothers, and families.
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Our ministry counts on volunteers to serve as Patient Advocates, Board Members, and Prayer Warriors to serve this community. If you know someone who is passionate about protecting life, we would love to help them get involved. You can sponsor a Baby Shower or collection drive to help stock our Moms & Babies Room. We accept donations of new diapers, wipes, bottles, baby bath products, and pacifiers, as well as used baby clothing up to size 2T and equipment like car seats, strollers, pack n plays, walkers, bouncy seats, etc. Most needed items are diapers size newborn, 4, 5, and 6, and baby bath products such as lotion, shampoo, bath wash, and diaper cream. Families or Life Groups can participate in annual fundraising events. We have a 5K run in February, a baby bottle campaign in May, and a fundraising banquet in September.
Both offices could use regular donations of bottled water and cereal or granola bars for our patients.
The Forgotten Initiative is a volunteer-led, faith-based nonprofit, that serves the foster care community of Thomas County.
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The Forgotten Initiative (TFI) is a volunteer-led, faith-based nonprofit that serves the foster care community of Thomas County. We provide resources to the Department of Family and Children Services such as Journey Bags, infant care items, beds, dressers, etc. for children and families in need. TFI also works to spread awareness and equip the church to serve biological, foster, and adoptive families. Our goal is to show love and hope to those that are in crisis and to see every child in a safe, loving family forever. We may not all be called to foster or adopt, but we can all be a support system to those that are!
JOURNEY BAGS
We are currently in need of donations for Journey Bags for our local DFCS office. Journey Bags are bags filled with personal and comfort items for children to call their own. Children often come into foster care with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The goal of Journey Bags is to bless these kids and let them know that they are loved, prayed for, and remembered! These bags not only offer comfort to the children, but also helps foster parents and caseworkers have immediate access to necessities during these difficult circumstances. Our top items needed are full-size toiletries, diapers, wipes, socks, undergarments, and Bibles for all ages.
If you would like to get involved or learn more, please visit our website and fill out the volunteer form.
Fountain of Life is a shelter that cares for the needs of the homeless in our community.
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Ongoing needs at the shelter: blankets, coats, clothing, gloves, prepared food in easy-open containers, bottled water, paper products (toilet paper & paper towels), food prep gloves, masks. Small containers for donations; they have to carry things with them.
We also accept donations for care kits: socks, underwear, T-shirts, food that does not spoil or need to be cooked, pop can food, dry shampoo.
We are always looking for adult volunteers (male and female) to help out with shelter shifts (training provided). Contact Nate Tyler (Board President) at [email protected] for more information.
Goalline Ministries reaches college students at Thomas University.
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Here are some of the ways that you can support the ministry directly:
- Adopt-A-Student – We need godly families to adopt students who are far from home, both our international students and those who are from other states. This is a wonderful way to let them see Jesus in a practical way. If you can encourage, pray for, offer a meal, show up at a game and cheer them on, then this might be a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our Thomas University students. Please contact Laura Reid, at [email protected], for more details.
- Host Small Group – If you would be interested in hosting a small group in your home, please let us know. We have men’s, women’s, and co-ed group opportunities.
- Prayer – We are extremely thankful for those who commit to lift up this ministry in prayer.
- Give – Goalline Ministries is a 501(c)(3), and we need your tax-deductible gifts to help us reach the students at Thomas University. You can give online through our website: https://goallineministries.org/about-us , or send a check to:
Goalline Ministries
P.O. Box 1202
Thomasville, GA. 31799
Through Never Lost, you can help advocate for children in the foster care system.
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Since 1994, Never Lost (previously Family Enrichment Group) has been speaking up for children without voices in the foster care system. We help children find a safe place they can call home for good.
Through our CASA Kids program, we train volunteers who are sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates to advocate for a child’s best interests in court.
Additionally, we have our Compass Kids program that provides resources, advocacy, and enrichment activities for children and the families they have been placed with in kinship care.
There are many ways you can get involved and help advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Your financial support, your time, and your voice are all ways to help.
If you would like more information on how you can become involved in changing a child’s story, go to www.neverlost.org.
The Treehouse is a Children’s Advocacy Center providing a safe environment for children and their non-offending caregivers when allegations of abuse arise.
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The Treehouse is a Children’s Advocacy Center providing a safe, comfortable, child-friendly environment for children and their non-offending caregivers when allegations of abuse arise. The Center provides services and coordination necessary for families during child abuse and exploitation investigations.
Our staff provides forensic interviews, forensic medical exams, advocacy, counseling, and other service referrals. The Treehouse keeps the best interests of children the top priority at all times. Our staff facilitates a comprehensive, coordinated approach that not only results in a more successful investigation and prosecution outcome, but also provides a better, less traumatic response for child victims and their families. Along with The Treehouse, a Multi-Disciplinary Team consisting of law enforcement, Department of Family and Children’s Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and others work together to investigate cases of child abuse and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).
The Treehouse has several volunteer opportunities throughout the year to provide support for the children and families we serve. Projects such as the annual School Supplies Drive, The Giving Tree Project, and Birthday Boxes are special outreach efforts we provide to children. Donations from our community make these projects possible.
In addition, items such as stuffed animals, clothing, underwear, bottled water, snacks, diapers, wipes, toiletries, new toys, paper products, and copy paper are used throughout the year when children visit our Center.
For more information, visit treehousethomasville.org.