Dear Editor,
Community is a strong trait within Jones County.
Currently, at Jones County High School, the JROTC program and Book Club are conducting a book drive for the youth of our county. The drive will last from October 14 to November 21, 2025. The objective of the drive is to collect winter-themed books such as There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow, Frosty the Snowman, etc. These books will help improve literacy and reading comprehension rates in our younger generations. This project will ensure that those who may not have the available resources will be able to take a book home along with a smile. If you are able, donations can be dropped off at the front of the Jones County High School, by the flagpole at 339 Railroad Street, Gray, GA 31032.
JROTC is heavily involved in this county, making a significant effort to make an impact. Last year, JROTC’s service-learning project was Toys for TOTS.
The program collected toys and donated them to the Toys for TOTS chapter, providing a helping hand and activities for families in the community. This year, JROTC aims to positively impact our youth by establishing a mentorship program and donating books, with the goal of making a meaningful difference.
JROTC has given to our community in more ways than one, and we’re asking for your help to do it again. Help our youth, help our community, it feels good to do good, and most importantly...Go Hounds!!
Sincerely, CPT (Ret) Michael McMillan
Sincerest thanks
Dear Editor,
On behalf of Kingdom Building Outreach Ministries Intercessory Network, Inc. (KBOMIN), I would like to express our sincerest thanks to those who participated in “Word of God, Speak!” this year. God blessed us with the most wonderful people and the most perfect weather for completing this assignment. We had many opportunities to pray with others during this time of reading. We praise Him for what He has done through this public Bible reading.
During the eight days needed to accomplish our goal, there were a total of forty-seven humble individuals who proved they are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each one offered a sacrifice of time, comfort, and energy to exalt Him and His Word.
What a privilege and blessing to be part of such a mighty act of worship!
Let me tell you about some of our 2025 readers:
• Reader’s ages ranged from 5 years old to 90 years young.
• Sevenchildrenandyouthread.
• Jerri Tuck, Georgia’s very first Bible Reading coordinator, and her friend, drove over from Cochran to participate.
• AyoungladyfromBrunswickheardthespoken Word as she was walking by and joined us to read a few chapters. She was super excited, thought this was the coolest thing, and is planning to do this in her hometown.
• Darrell,anespeciallyaspiringgentleman,signed up to read for an hour and forty-five minutes!
Although declaring he had bitten off more than he could chew, he returned to read two other times during the week.
• Acouplefromanothercountystoppedbythepark for lunch and gave a financial donation to the ministry.
• Morepeoplestoppedbytheparkjusttolistenthis year than ever before.
• Manyparticipantswerefirst-timereaders.
• Readerscamefromeightdifferentcountiesthis year.
• Asalways,somecametoreadeverysingleday,with some stopping in several times a day!
Eternity was impacted this week. That is no small thing! Salvation, truth, hope, love, blessings, instructions, warnings, comfort, wisdom, and knowledge were released into the atmosphere of our community during those eight days. God’s Word never dies, so these scriptures will continue working to accomplish His intended purposes. Hallelujah!
This Bible reading completes KBOMIN’s schedule for 2025, but should the Lord lead us to do something else this year, we will give our best to do so. It is of utmost importance that we all continue in daily prayer and Bible reading.
Our first scheduled event on the 2026 calendar is the National Day of Prayer in May. This event is always on the first Thursday, which is May 7. Mark your calendars NOW and plan to join us that evening as we assemble before the Ancient of Days in prayer for our nation at this appointed time. Our prayers, assemblies and scripture declaration are powerful, and they indeed make a difference.
Sincerely, Debra Hall
