CIVIC ORGANIZATION
Members of the Pilot Club of Jones County celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a reception including the recognition of five active members who were members when the chapter was chartered.
The April 25 event was held at the Lake Jonesco Clubhouse with the current president of the Pilot Club, Beth Coon, acting as the master of ceremonies. After the opening prayer and pledge, Coon welcomed Pilot Club officials in attendance, the COO of Pilot International, Will Butler; Avaline Adams, Governor-elect of Georgia District PI; and Cynthia Spearman, Lt. Governor of East Central Georgia District.
She also recognized Gray Mayor Ed Barbee and Jones County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Weidner.
Pilot International is a community-based volunteer service organization founded in 1921 in Macon, where its headquarters is still located.
Jones County Pilot Club charter members, Joyce Conn Folendore, Frances Roberts, Janice Roberts, Cheryl Thomas and Janice Roberts were presented with certificates.
All those charter members were at the event with the exception of Folendore, whose award was accepted by her daughter, Karen Mitcham.
The history of the club was presented by Janice and Frances Roberts.
The Jones County Pilot Club was chartered in 1973 led by President Miriam Ethridge and president-elect Frances Roberts.
Notably, Ethridge is the mother of Coon, the current president.
Roberts talked about numerous projects, including the Anchor Club at Jones County High School, chartered in 2003 and sponsored by the Pilot Club.
She said club members have worked with literacy projects in schools since 1999 and has performed finger-puppet shows since 2001.
The puppet shows are part of the Brainminders campaign that has given more and 1,000 helmets to students.
The speaker said Project Life Savers help those who wander in partnership with the Jones County Sheriff’s Office.
Pilot Club members work with the transmitters worn by recipients, and the receptors are at the JCSO.
“We have served the community for 50 years with an emphasis on brain disorders,” Roberts said.
Barbee presented Coon with a proclamation that listed many of the club’s projects that have served the communities of Gray and Jones County over the years and proclaimed April 25 Pilot Club of Jones County Day.
