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Generous Donation Helps Keep LAMP Residents Clean
A donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has provided a generous donation of $6,500 to LAMP, Lowndes Associated Ministries to People, Inc., to upgrade its laundry equipment. This donation will have a great impact on the residents’ daily life and the bottom line of the shelter.
“Having clean clothes is a luxury most of us take for granted, and knowing that we will have workable laundry equipment gives me peace of mind,” says Yurshema Flanders, executive director of LAMP. “And not having to call the repairman on a weekly basis will save us money.”
With this donation LAMP will be able to outfit the facilities two laundry rooms with commercial grade Maytag washers and dryers, a total of four washers and four dryers. LAMP has always used donated washers and dryers so the life of them was never known and repairs were needed on a monthly basis.
“We are proud to be able to support a local charity like LAMP,” said Alex Sirmans, South Georgia sales manager for Tri-State Laundry. “We (Tri-State Laundry) know what the machines can handle and the capacity and frequency needed in a “shelter” versus a “home.”
LAMP researched and obtained three quotes from vendors in our region. LAMP is working with Tri-State Laundry Companies, a local commercial laundry equipment distributor, to purchase the machines. Tri-State works with coin-operated laundry mats to commercial grade equipment for hospitality and healthcare clients in the Southeast since 1995. LAMP purchased Maytag commercial equipment because it is known for being water efficient and having the ability to handle the high frequency of consistent loads on a daily basis.
LAMP is a housing first shelter located in Valdosta, GA. Since 1984, LAMP has provided temporary emergency shelter to men, women, and families in Lowndes. Lanier, Brooks, Berrien, Cook, Colquitt, Echols and Tift counties. In addition the shelter provides wrap-around services that include case management and partners with the State of Georgia’s Rapid Rehousing Program.
Church Spotlight
Park Avenue United Methodist Church located in Valdosta, GA has a heart for its community. LAMP has been a ministry partner to the church for over two decades.
"I have been leading church groups to support LAMP for the past 18 years," stated Jamie Bone, associate pastor at Park Avenue and past Board Member. "We have been impacted in powerful ways as we have joined LAMP in feeding, clothing, and giving of our time to help with the needs of the shelter and the community."
"The volunteer work and dedication from the Park Avenue has been second to none. From helping with meal donations to painting the Dining Hall, Park Avenue has and continues to be there for the shelter and its residents," said LAMP Executive Director Yurshema Flanders.
Park Avenue already has provided over 30 hours of volunteer work and offered our residents weekly bible study lessons. Each year they hold a Christmas Sharing program where they serve dinner to our clients and set up a free shopping opportunity at the church for parents to get gifts for their children. Most recently, they sent a couple of their youth groups over to clean up and paint the dining hall including buying new tables and chairs to make sure there was seating for everyone. And, when the storage shed was damaged this winter we asked for a donation and they stepped in and bought us a new one.
We appreciate our Church Partners like Park Avenue United Methodist Church. Church Partners are key to LAMP"s success. We look to local churches to provide close to 25% in monetary donations to help with the annual operational budget.
Meet Our New Board President
Dr. Adrian Rivers, C.E.D, M.A, B.A.
Board President
Field Practice Specialist for Region 11| DFCS/C3 Coordinator for Region 11
Rivers has served on the LAMP Board since 2018. He continues to be amazed by the work LAMP does in Lowndes and surrounding counties in South Georgia. He is honored to help lead the organization to the next level to make a positive impact in the fight against homelessness.
"I absolutely love the work being done at LAMP," said Rivers. "It is such an amazing and growing organization to have in our community."
Rivers has been working with the state of Georgia for almost 10 years. He currently serves as the founder of Bridge 11 which is a program designed to recruit foster parents for region 11. He also serves as the FPS for the region in which he develops programs and initiatives that continue to motivate and assist in the field for region 11 DFCS (18 Counties). He is a graduate of Leadership Lowndes - class of 2012.
He is married to an amazing woman named Avia Holmes Rivers and they have a dog named Denim.