The True Citizen
P.O.Box 948
Waynesboro, GA 30830
(706) 554-2111

By Bonnie Taylor

It's an honor and a pleasure to be a team member of the Wimberly House Gala and to be a Friend of the Wimberly House.

Our team leader Tat Thompson says without the help of our corporate sponsors and Wimberly Friends we could not carry on the gala tradition that provides the many programs offered through the Wimberly House Ministry including the Jamie Taylor After School program for latchkey children; counseling services; Alzheimer's Respite Care that is expanding to two days per week later this year; drug awareness for parents and teens; breast cancer support group, parenting classes, Overeaters Anonymous; and a 24-hour a day rape crisis and sexual assault services.

Nearly 1,000 families are assisted annually through the many programs offered.
This year's theme, “United We Stand,” rings true for Wimberly Friends, for we are united and our unity of incredibly talented folks, makes us one heck of a team!!

I would like to personally thank each of our Friends and sponsors:
Finance: Louise Fortson (chairman), Donna Hood and Laura Henry;
Decorations: Shorty and Sue (chairman) Edenfield, Myrtice Bradham, Brad Edenfield, Erin Espiritu, Eddie and Bonnie Taylor, Nina Powers, Martha Jane Sanders, Art Jenkins and Christopher Jenkins;

Food: Steve and Jan (co-chairman) Blackburn; Walt and Lynne (co-chairman) Seeger Carol Hogan, Kirk Rocker, Fred Roberts, Candy Gresham, Dr. Harvey Sanders, Tom and Linda Dunaway, Amy Sasser, Tommy Bryan, Kim Clark, Annette Williams, Crystal Davis, Kim Waters and Annette Hankerson;

Silent Auction: Anne Hogan (chairman);

Jewelry Auction: Martha Jane Sanders (chairman);

Wherever needed: Tat and Howell Thompson and son, McGregor; Molly Banks, Chris and Carol Mann; Phil and Sandi Chalker, Laura Marchman, Amy Jenkins, Ashley Long, JoAnn Horton, Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Sanders;

Fireworks: Scott DuMars, Ricky Flakes, Gene Parrish and Bob Koziol.

This year's theme was patriotic and what better menu to show your patriotism than the All-American barbecue, and we had some of Burke's and surrounding area's best sauces.

Irby Cochran's was the top dollar maker, but after much arguing and discussion we concluded that all 10 were the best including Dr. Mark Gresham, Jones ‘Scrap’ Gresham, Olin Netherland, Kirk Rocker, Joe Edenfield, Chuck White, Steve Blackburn, Jimmy Bailey and Carol Mann.

Corporate sponsors: A&W Oil, Inc.; Ag Georgia Farm Credit ACA; BI-LO; Bolivia Lumber Company, Burke Apothecary; Capital City Bank; Dr. and Mrs. Frank Carter; Cates Firestone Sales & Service; Chalker Publishing/The True Citizen; Dr. and Mrs. Johnny Christian; Collins Bonded Warehouse; Crawford Forest Products, Inc.; DeLoach Funeral Homes, Inc.; Delta Termite & Pest Control, Inc; First National Bank of Waynesboro; Georgia Power; Goldberg's Furniture; Good Day Cafe, Dr. and Mrs. Mark Gresham; Dr. andMrs. Shelley Griffin; Hankinson Retirement & Investment Specialists, Inc.; Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Jackson; Dr. Bonnie Jenkins; McKinney Wholesale Co., Inc.; Mann Environmental Services, Inc.; Jackson R. Massey & Associates P.C.; Mobley's Restaurant/Saddle Creek Farm; Mr. Golf Carts; Dr. and Mrs.. Lamar Murray; Planters EMC; Regions Bank; SAM; Samsons Manufacturing Co., Inc.; Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Sanders, The Waynesboro Bank; Wal-Mart; William Mizell Ford, Inc. and Windsor Jewelers.

Congratulations to J.R. and Chari Riggs, winners of the lovely bracelet. Walt and Lynne Seeger were the winners of the golf cart. My brother, Sam, and his wife, Angie were high bidders for the emerald and diamond earrings.

A host of folks went home as winners of the silent auction items donated by Claudia Seeger, Dr. Harvey Sanders, Wade Franklin, Katie Garner, Marjorie Brown, McKinney's Pond, Cadwallers, Frames and Things, Jacqui Palmer, Marjorie Dales, Bill Resseau, Linda Broome, Anne Hogan, Poppyseed's, D.Timm's, Coleman Lake Restaurant, Greenbrier Nursery, French Market Grille, Harvards Wines and Beverages.
More than $20,000 was raised and 200 attended.

I want to extend a hearty grateful thanks to each and everyone who had a part in making this annual event such a tremendous success, especially to our patrons and our sponsors.

A great big thnks to Juanita and Danny Mobley for the use of the Mobley Barn and to Melvin and Sandra Mobley for their support.