Samaritan Counseling Center was the location of this year’s project for the United Way of Bainbridge’s Day of Action project.

Every year, United Way visits with their funded agencies to assess any special needs that could be met with a “Day of Action,” where board members offer their time and service to making Bainbridge and Decatur County a better, more productive community.

United Way spent last Saturday morning assembling partitions to cover a storage area, hauling away unneeded equipment and painting the children’s room a relaxing “blissful blue.”

“I think it’s a great event,” said Joe Truhett, Day of Action committee chairman. “It’s the ‘United Way’ doing exactly what we say—a day of action. It’s where the board and volunteers try to make our community a better place to live through efforts above just giving funds.”

United Way board member Karen Williams visited Samaritan Counseling Center on Broad Street and learned about their needs. Joni Truhett, Samaritan Counseling board director and Joe’s wife, helped United Way with bringing the Day of Action to life.

Samaritan Counseling Center executive director Chris Beam and office manager Mary Turner were more than thankful for the time United Way spent improving their offices.

Local business and agencies donated items to help United Way. Home Depot donated painting supplies, Sherwin Williams Co. donated three gallons of paint and Georgia Power donated the partitions. Donations also went toward other local agencies. Mark Smith of West Bainbridge United Methodist Church donated a case of Bibles for the Laymen Brotherhood Second Chance Outreach Center, Dr. Dean Burke donated shirts for the Laymen Brotherhood and canned goods for Salvation Army. Erica Dixon also donated cans for Salvation Army.

The Samaritan Counseling Center of Southwest Georgia, a not-for-profit organization, officially opened its doors in May 2007. They adopted their name through an affiliation with the Samaritan Institute of Denver. This affiliation has been invaluable, providing the center with leadership development and regular accreditation visits.

Under the leadership of its founding board members, the Samaritan Counseling Center hopes to grow and develop its faith-based services to accommodate anyone in need of help in Southwest Georgia. As an extension of the counseling ministry of the Church, The Samaritan Counseling Center seeks to serve the needs of the Southwest Georgia Community.