Long before I assumed the role as editor of Discovering Bulloch — this issue marks my one-year anniversary — I worked as editor of Moments magazine. Every month, Moments features one outstanding woman who is making a lasting impact right here in our community.
For more than 10 years, I’ve written countless stories about these extraordinary women. We’ve featured coaches and politicians (including both a mayor and a mayor’s wife), artists and doctors, service members and business owners. Many are mothers and grandmothers — great-grandmothers, too — whether biologically or through fostering, surrogacy or adoption. Some are single, some are married, some divorced. They’ve experienced unimaginable loss, achieved incredible success, conquered overwhelming obstacles and survived devastating diagnoses.
Though their experiences are as unique as the women themselves, there are common threads that weave all of them together — a willingness to share, an eagerness to serve, and a heart for this community they call home. As advocates, activists, supporters and survivors, these leading ladies are using their own personal stories to launch far-reaching journeys to change Bulloch County for good. In fact, in just the last five years, our cover women have included Lora Cooper, Prevent Child Abuse Bulloch; Dr. Michelle Zeanah, Behavioral Pediatrics Resource Center; April Miller, The Camilla Foundation; Sally Scott, Lift as You Grow; Sonia Dismukes, Saylor’s Light; Liz Corbett, The Button; Delia Mobley, Open Hearts Community Mission; Tammy Horton, Ogeechee Area Hospice; Jordan Mathis, Foundations Resource Center; Kim Billings, Safe Haven; and Sheila Stewart-Leach, Statesboro Food Bank.
In this issue of Discovering Bulloch, we’re celebrating the power of giving, with a guide to local charitable organizations that includes each of those, along with more than two dozen others. The list isn’t exhaustive, of course — it doesn’t even begin to include the endless civic clubs, national nonprofits and other volunteer organizations working quietly as champions of our community — but we hope it’s a starting point that inspires you to get involved, find a cause that speaks to your heart, and experience the magic that happens when people come together to lift each other up.
We’re also featuring some specific opportunities for you to give back this holiday season, whether it's of your time, talent, money or donations. This kind of support is crucial to the success of philanthropic organizations, and Bulloch County is blessed with an abundance them, made up of women, men, boys and girls who are working at the local level to serve and provide for our neighbors in need.
In the midst of this giving season, let’s embrace this opportunity to strengthen the fabric of our community through boundless generosity. You may just find that of all the blessings that result from giving, the most powerful blessing is your own.