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Gainesville GAP funding project

Our goal is to raise enough money to fund upcoming GAPs so that our children and future children will be able to participate in this wonderful program!

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Gainesville GAP funding project

Gainesville GAP funding project

Gainesville GAP funding project

Gainesville GAP funding project

Gainesville GAP funding project

Our goal is to raise enough money to fund upcoming GAPs so that our children and future children will be able to participate in this wonderful program!

Our goal is to raise enough money to fund upcoming GAPs so that our children and future children will be able to participate in this wonderful program!

Our goal is to raise enough money to fund upcoming GAPs so that our children and future children will be able to participate in this wonderful program!

Our goal is to raise enough money to fund upcoming GAPs so that our children and future children will be able to participate in this wonderful program!

Molly Armstrong-Paschal
Molly Armstrong-Paschal
Molly Armstrong-Paschal
Molly Armstrong-Paschal
1 Campaign |
Gainesville, United States
$2,460 USD 23 backers
24% of $10,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

The Gainesville Georgia Aid Project (GAP) is a program that started out of Antioch United Methodist Church with their youth group in 1980 after visiting the Mountain Top outreach program in Appalachia.  This year is our 34th summer. Each GAP approximately 100 campers ages 12 and up come from youth groups all over the state (and sometimes farther) to work for the elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged for three days.  They do everything from mow grass, clear overgrown yards, paint homes inside or out, build wheelchair ramps, visit with, and generally serve those we are called to serve in any way that is needed at no cost to the client they are serving.  I have personally been involved with GAP since I was 13 years old in 1985.  At that young, but very pivotal age, I had the priviledge of learning by example and wonderful leadership what it is to truly serve others as Jesus taught us to serve.  One of the first homes that I worked in was for a woman who was living by herself, and had lost over 80% of her sight.  She had no family that came and visited her, so when she asked us to sweep her kitchen, she had no idea that one of the walls to her kitchen had basically fallen in, and what she had thought was dirt on her floors was actually leaves that had blown in from the outside.  In less than two days, we had cleaned her home thoroughly, and constructed a wall to replace the one that had fallen in along with adding supports to the other walls as well.  Before that summer, I had never built anything but a birdhouse, and I don't remember every feeling more proud of myself.  She cried and thanked us for all that we had done, but even then I knew that what I had gotten that summer was much more valuable than anything I could have done for her.

This is just one of hundreds of stories that any "Gapper" could tell you.  But the GAP that was the most special to me was the one that I got to bring my son to when he turned 12.  To be able to watch him touch other's lives and watch them touch his in the same way that mine was so many years ago is a memory that I will forever treasure.  

My hope is that everyone that has gone to GAP can experience this with their own children.  But unfortunately, the recession has hit the nonprofits as well.  Some of our major supporters that have donated food, supplies and money that have allowed us to feed our campers, build wheelchair ramps for our clients, and buy the necessary food and supplies have had to pull out due to their own cutbacks.  Even with keeping costs as low as possible, our program is still falling short.  This is a plea that I am sending out to anyone who has been touched by this program, whether it was today or 30 years ago.   Gappers former and present, family members of Gappers, friends of Gappers,  or anyone that has seen the photos, and been touched by what these kids and adults have done for all these years, I am making a plea for your support to allow us to continue with this wonderful program.  We have all been a teenager, and we all know how hard it is and how quickly life can get off track, and one day, we will all know what it is like to be older and though many of us will have support, unfortunately many don't.  GAP truly "bridges the GAP" between these two groups of people.  Though GAP is a religious organization, we do not discriminate based on religion, race, or anything else for that matter.  We just want to serve those that need us, no strings attached.  

Funding provided from this site will go to purchase food and drinks for the campers during their stay at the Antioch United Methodist Church and Campground in Gainesville, supplies and building materials for worksites such as wheelchair ramps, stain, paint, gas for lawn equipment, replacement of broken tools, fees for landfills, utilities for the church and campground during both GAPs, and other needed supplies.  GAP is run completely by volunteers, and all funds will be used directly for the necessary materials to run both GAPS for the campers and our clients in the summer.  

We understand that times are hard for everyone and we greatly appreciate all of our supporters!  No gift is too small!  If everyone that has ever been to GAP in the past 34 years would give just $10.00, we would more than reach our goal.  We also understand that these are tough times for everyone, and we would greatly appreciate your prayers for our upcoming GAP June 19th-23rd.  If you could share this site on your Facebook page and let your friends and family know how this program has touched your heart or your life, we would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you so much and GOD BLESS GAP!! :) 

 

 

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