Next week the local service organization Helping Hands will once again be gathering volunteers and making a difference to those in need in Bryan County.

Helping Hands began in 2003 when Rotary president Jim Gardner challenged the Rotary to take on efforts to assist the needs of citizens of Bryan County. It is a cooperative effort between the Rotary Club, United Way of Coastal Georgia, the Home Builders Association, area churches of Bryan County and many individual volunteers.

The organization will be in northern Bryan County Thursday, June 26 through Saturday, June 28 working on nine homes for community members in need. Volunteers interested in lending a hand will begin the day with a free breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m. at the City Hall in Pembroke.

"We have a lot of work to do," said Pembroke City councilwoman and volunteer Angela Reed. "I would like to encourage anyone with free time to pitch in and come out. This is a great opportunity to give back to our neighbors, especially for families with children on summer break that are looking for a great way to spend the day. No hands are too small to help out our community members in need of assistance."

To qualify for Helping Hands’ assistance the person requesting help must own the property in which they reside, the property must be in Bryan County and they must have a financial need for assistance.

The United Way of Coastal Georgia uses their screening process to assist in making sure all projects taken on by Helping Hands are truly that of special needs.

Building materials and supplies are donated or purchased at cost from local business such as Gaster Lumber, Choo Choo, Owen Supply, Pembroke Hardware, Plantation Lumber, the Paint Store and many other local Bryan County businesses.

"Our goal is to up lift the souls of the people we assist as well as those that are assisting as much as completing the physical repairs," said Janice Blunt of the United Way. "Physical labor is easy for many of us to perform but the personal experience, witness and testimony that we give and receive is sometimes the most challenging and awesome part of our journey."

To lend a hand to or to donate materials Helping Hands contact Reed at 653-4700 or Blunt at 653-5344. If you cannot make it next week, there are additional service projects planned for the month of July.