On February 6, the Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation (BLCF) hosted its grant finalist event, awarding $20,000 in grant funds to eleven different local charities and civic groups. These grants are made possible through the BLCF’s Lamar Gives 365 program, now in its eleventh year.
Lamar Gives chairperson, Linda Olivier, welcomed attendees to the Barnesville Civic Center and provided an overview of the evening. Grants chairperson, Fran Boggs, introduced the eleven finalists and highlighted the work of the BLCF board and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia to make this annual celebration possible.
Each 2025 finalist was given the opportunity to speak for two minutes to provide information about their respective grant proposals. Projects ranged from scholarships, healthcare equipment and programs, literacy initiatives, field trips and art camps for young students, and more. This year’s finalists included the following organizations (listed in order of presentation):
- Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia Chapter
- Lamar County Animal Shelter Fund
- Lamar County Recreation Department
- Ferst Readers of Lamar County
- Loving Hands Community Development Corporation
- Rock Springs Clinic
- Lamar County Senior Center
- Lamar County Middle School
- Donovan’s Dream
- The Boys and Girls Club of North Central Georgia
- Lamar Arts
Thirty-one eligible voting members were present for the grant finalist event. When presentations concluded, Community Foundation of Central Georgia’s Program Officer, Darius Maynard, conducted voting and tabulated the results. Full grants of $2,500 were awarded to the following top five vote recipients: Loving Hands, The Boys and Girls Club, Lamar County Recreation Department, Ferst Readers, and Lamar County Middle School. The other organizations were provided partial grants with the remaining funds.
About the Community Foundation of Central Georgia
The Barnesville-Lamar Community Foundation was established in 2007 as an affiliate group to The Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG). CFCG was founded in 1993 by a group of citizens interested in encouraging philanthropy and strengthening communities. Since then, the foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants. Our donors make possible the foundation’s mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of Central Georgia. To learn more, visit cfcga.org. For more information on Lamar Gives 365, visit lamargives.org.
Haley Turner
Haley Turner is a writer, teacher, and arts enthusiast born and raised in Jackson, Georgia. She shares stories highlighting education, community events, and local creative outlets. She resides in Barnesville with her husband, Grant.
