GMC News
GMC Prep School Participates in and Hosts River of Life Volunteers
GMC Prep School Participates in and Hosts River of Life Volunteers
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GMC Prep Middle School Batallion Commander, Josie Deason, cuts wood for wheelchair ramp
In an effort to develop the intellect and character of its students through its mission, Georgia Military College hosted 195 volunteers from across the state over the weekend for River of Life, a four-day mission that provides help for people that physically and/or financially cannot provide for themselves in regard to their home. From Thursday, July 12 through Sunday, July 15, 195 volunteers dedicated their time and service to helping those in Milledgeville, and surrounding communities, working outside of homes painting, doing lawn work, building wheelchair ramps, visiting the War Veterans Home, nursing homes, walking and washing dogs at Animal Rescue Foundation, and more. The volunteers stayed in GMC’s Baugh Barracks over the course of the four days and celebrated the end of each workday with a worship service in GMC’s Goldstein Center for Performing Arts.
Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, President of Georgia Military College, works to fix church in Deveraux
The River of Life teams consisted of rising 7th through 12th-grade students, as well as participants in church groups that come from all over the state. This year, Acworth United Methodist Church, Chamblee First United Methodist Church, Skidaway Island United Methodist Church, Villa Rica First United Methodist Church, Monroe First United Methodist Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, Northridge Christian Church, and Milledgeville First United Methodist Church, all participated in the service event. This week, 27 Georgia Military College Prep School cadets, five faculty members, and Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV, President of Georgia Military College, participated in the service event.
River of Life Registration Coordinator and incoming GMC Prep 5th-grade teacher, Diane Deariso, says the service event is about showing Milledgeville and the surrounding communities the power of God’s love.
“The youth and adults that participate come to serve as the hands and feet of Christ,” Deariso said. “We want to show other’s Christ’s love through service. The verse of scripture that was adopted for River of Life is Galatians 5:6, ‘The only thing things that counts is faith expressing itself in love.’”
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GMC Prep School Instructor, Jennifer Deason, digs dirt to make way for wheelchair ramp at a home in McIntyre
GMC Prep School teacher, Jennifer Deason, says this was her first year participating in River of Life and says she’ll be back each year from now on.
“Sweat and hard work make a difference,” said Deason. “I love seeing our kids from GMC Prep out here because you’re never too young to make a difference and there’s always an opportunity to go learn something and be better for the community, for somebody else. That’s what I hope these kids learned this week.”
Jaden Mooneyham, GMC Prep School student, says he’s grateful he was able to help out people in his community.
“I definitely feel like we made a difference,” Mooneyham said. “We’re helping people that don’t get a lot of help normally – like building wheelchair ramps, getting their house painted – it’s a really good service because we’re servicing not only them but we’re servicing the grace of God and we’re spreading His love.”
We look forward to River of Life again next year!
