Several local entities, retailers, churches and schools recently teamed up to make the first-ever “Help the Homeless Drive of Bryan County” a success.
Over 10 truckloads of goods were donated, and more than 80 families received gifts and clothes. Organizers had so much excess clothing that they donated it, mainly to Richmond Hill First Baptist Church’s Eleos Food Bank and Clothes Closet.
Prince Hall Masons District Deputy Joe Hymes put organizers in touch with Wilbert Green, past master of Clyo Lodge 262 in Effingham County, who was happy to take some of the extra clothes for distribution in his community, mostly to families in Clyo, Guyton and Springfield.
The Sanctuary on Whitefield Avenue in Savannah also joined in the local effort by collecting a truckload of toys from CVS. With guidance and help from local teachers, those items will go to needy families in Savannah. CVS also donated personal-hygiene items, as did the Richmond Hill Food Lion and Walgreens stores. Many local residents made contributions as well.
Richmond Hill High School National Honor Society students helped by sorting donated clothing.
Shane Gray, past master of Bryan Masonic Lodge 303 in Richmond Hill and the new chairman of the Bryan County Family Promise executive board, helped facilitate and organize the drive.
“This was the perfect Christmas gift for all those who participated. We enjoyed it very much,” Gray said. “To see the faces of those in need at a time like this, Christmas, receive the clothes and items they need is gift in itself — a real Christmas miracle.”