Rodgers, Terry O’Rear, Mike Ventimiglia and Gena Vaughan gathered last week in City Hall with Mayor Chuck Shaheen and spelled out their plans to combine various volunteer forces.
They’re part of the Servants TaskForce, a new non-profit organization formed last year that received its tax identification number last month, Rodgers said. Their overall goal is to assist other area non-profit organizations meet their needs, he added.
Special events can help raise awareness of what they’re about and bring in needed funds, he said.
Coming up Aug. 18 is the Legends Luncheon at the WOW Casual Café on Watson Boulevard. The event is set for 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., with guest Buddy Curry, former Atlanta Falcons All-Pro linebacker and others. Curry will answer questions and play golf with winners at the Southern Hills Golf Club on Ga. 247 near Hawkinsville. The money raised for this event is for the annual Kids & Pros youth football camp.
“We can use athletes to help kids play more outside and put down those video games,” he said. “They can become better athletes and bring some more championships to our schools and the area, help bring in more money to our area.”
Rodgers said the group is optimistic it can raise $15 each from many area golfers to register for the golf event, plus $35 for the luncheon buffet.
“I’m looking for a full house to show others we’re behind events that help promote the city,” he said.
Vaughan said the time was right to bring positive things to light about the city.
“We’ll show that we’re united and growing, and others will want to emulate us,” she said.
“People want to give, want to do good things but are cautious,” Rodgers said. “Our overhead is small and everything we raise goes to the groups we’re helping.”
The task force is planning a big event for the city in November, trying to earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records by having the largest-ever group participate in a child’s game.
The group hopes to raise $50,000 with a gigantic rock-paper-scissors competition with at least 800 participants. Funds raised would go to the Wounded Warrior Project. The project’s high-profile spokesman is country music superstar Trace Adkins.
Rodgers said enlisting the support of well-known athletes and those in the music business can often be the key to success.
“Music and sports stars involved with an event will bring people to the city and help us out economically,” he said.
More importantly, he added, is the support of well-known people in the area.
“The support of Mayor Shaheen will help get us attention and help us tremendously,” Rodgers said. “He is a man of faith and his support is paramount, along with that of others like Rep. Jim Marshall.”
The task force is also looking to enlist the help of the area’s 500 churches and 10,000 businesses, he said.
“This effort is important because we’re blessed with friends, blessed with family,” he said. “The greatest gift we have is love and we want to share it with other groups. Giving has pulled back lately with economic hard times. We probably can’t give you the whole turkey but we can be sure to get you a meal.”
Vaughan agreed, saying the task force is “about putting back into the community. Even churches are hurting here.”
The task force has a presence on the Web with a Facebook page, and Rodgers looks to promote coming events on the site.
“This sounds good, and you’re doing a great job,” Shaheen said.
Registration forms and tickets for the Legends Luncheon event can be picked up at WOW Casual Cafe, Flamingo Follies or The Warner Robins Patriot in Warner Robins, or at The Telegraph or Metabolic Research Center in Macon.
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