City of Thomasville and Georgia Pines ‘Gotcha Covered’ initiative gives back to the community

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Georgia Pines and the City of Thomasville team up to ensure that residents are warmed and nourished this season.

Georgia Pines is extending warmth and support to the community with its fifth annual operation ‘Gotcha Covered’.

This initiative provides blankets to individuals in need, helping them stay warm in the cold weather.

The City of Thomasville also partnered with the initiative, serving hot, freshly prepared meals to local residents.

“The blanket is important. We have an unhoused crisis in the area as many communities do. We have a lot of people that are struggling with financial insecurity. So, the blanket certainly provides warmth during the cold months. But, more than that, it’s an opportunity to make a connection with some folks and let them know that there are resources in the community. There is support here,” said Dan Bailey, Georgia Program Manager, Georgia Pines Wecovery Peer Support Center Program Manager.

Georgia Pines remains steadfast in its commitment to recovery, focusing on both individual and community well-being.

Through its continued collaboration with the City of Thomasville, the initiative aims to provide vital resources and support to help residents overcome challenges and build a stronger, healthier community.

“The motivation and the origins really began a little bit on the back end of Covid when our soup kitchen unfortunately closed. As a city, we felt there was a little bit of a void that we could try and fill. And, try is the key word because, you know, trying to provide only one meal doesn’t solve when soup kitchens provide a meal every day. But, it was a small way and we’ve evolved that into not just the city doing it but bringing in community partners like we have here today. Been a big part of our mission for our community, to bring our community partners together, to show the community the strength of our community and so many corporations, churches throughout our community that care about our citizens,” said Ricky Zanbrano, City of Thomasville, Community Outreach & Recruitment Manager.

Together, Georgia Pines and the City of Thomasville are bringing comfort and relief to those most vulnerable this winter.

“I’m a person in long term recovery. So, there is a point in my life where I was homeless and I was hopeless. And, in order to discover recovery and a pathway to freedom and serenity, that begins with a little seed of hope. Anybody has a loved one or they themselves have a struggle like that, they can always call me. I’m Dan Bailey. Reach out to Dan at Georgia Pines Wecovery 229-236-7464. Recovery is impossible without hope. And, the opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection,” said Bailey.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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