The Georgia Baptist Convention, GBC, asked local Georgia Baptist Collegiate Ministries, GBCM, to participate in the Christmas Backpacks for Appalachia, which involves donating backpacks for children. The event has been successful for getting children the necessities they need during the fall and winter seasons.
This event is close to a lot of people’s heart. Christmas is usually the time when people are in need of a little extra help to make the season special. GBCM and local churches collected over 20,000 backpacks this past year for the children of Appalachia. This year, the number has risen and the event is trying to gain more than last year’s previous number.
The University of West Georgia’s BCM and other BCMs in the state are being challenged to provide backpacks for children in Kentucky, Tennessee and New York as well as identified partnership areas with Georgia Baptist associations and churches. Cedaridge Ministries is working alongside the GBC to help make this event special for the children.
“The need in this area is great because it has become a high poverty area and parents are not able to give their children their basic necessities,” said Keith Decker, President and Director of Cedaridge Ministries.
The parents are excited that someone is out providing for their children and themselves.
“I’m here because I needed help with Christmas coming up, and I am thankful for people out there for making a difference in people’s lives,” said Chrystal Hall, a parent who came to the event last year.
UWG’s BCM is collecting items to help make a difference in their community. The BCM needs items such as toys, school supplies, hygiene products and other small items, which will be collected until Oct. 10.
