Governor Sonny Perdue is asking citizens across the state to serve their communities during Hands On Georgia Week 2007 – September 29 through October 6. This week is an annual event that highlights and serves to complete its ultimate mission of building a sense of community involvement and volunteer service throughout the year. Hands On Georgia is a statewide network dedicated to volunteer service and civic engagement.

“Volunteers across Georgia are critical to the future of our state’s towns, cities and counties,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Their hard work and dedication helps to address the specific needs in their communities while helping Georgia thrive as a whole. Hands On Georgia Week offers new and experienced volunteers an opportunity to serve their communities.”

To challenge more citizens to volunteer, Governor Perdue offered three areas for Georgians to focus on during Hands On Georgia week:

• Demonstrate a commitment to those most in need. Volunteers are invited to reach out to our senior citizens who are in need of a helping hand.
• Show respect and care for our state’s natural beauty by joining together to eliminate litter by picking up trash, removing graffiti and collecting recyclable items.
• Foster a greater appreciation and understanding of the importance of education. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up to tutor Georgia’s future – our children in grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

“Hands On” projects vary between each town, city and county. Projects include river cleanups, building restorations, mentoring sessions with children, wheel chair ramp and playground construction. Signature large scale projects are planned in the cities of Athens, Atlanta, Adairsville, Columbus, Dalton, Harlem, Macon, Milledgeville, Rome and Savannah.

Projects will also be carried out in Bulloch, Dooly, Forsyth, Glynn, McIntosh, Hall, Liberty, Thomas and Wayne Counties. Hands On Georgia expects as many as 30,000 volunteers to serve approximately 130,000 hours of service throughout the week.

“Georgians are committed to making their communities better places for all to live, work and play. During Hands On Georgia Week, volunteers across the state are given many opportunities to display their true dedication to service,” said Eric Tannenblatt, Hands On Georgia Board Chair.

Volunteers interested in participating in Hands On Georgia Week 2007 are encouraged to e-mail or call Hands On Georgia at info@handsongeorgia.org or (404) 979-2842.

Specific project information is available at www.handsongeorgia.org.