greetings with JOY and gratitude from all of us in the Good Works Community of HOPE!
As most of you know, Good Works celebrated 45 years on January 1st, 2026!! As we journey together into our 46th year, we again “put our hands to the plow” of love. So much of what we DO involves HOW we love.
When you read this, we will have just finished the Good Works WALK. We started the WALK in 2003 and kept a steady pace for 17 consecutive years until 2019. For the past 2 years, we sponsored DAY IN THE LIFE (DITL) to create a similar educational experience and raise funds for the GW Timothy House. In 2025, because of the kindness and generosity of so many of you, we were able to raise about $43,000 through DITL to supply funds to operate the Timothy House. Thank you!
Click here to read Keith’s WALK speech for the 2026 WALK.
Spring 2026
We are preparing to receive groups and individuals to serve alongside us every Saturday starting March 14th. We are planning home repair projects at the homes of our neighbors (mostly seniors) all over Athens County. We will also start another season of Good Works Gardens. Last year, we were able to plant 10 gardens at the homes of those we serve through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. We added Senior Friends last year. We will continue to visit seniors at their homes this spring along with several new volunteers. Please join us for Saturday Service this spring.
Celebrating 45 years– The Archives: 45 years is a long time to do anything. I have been collecting photos, news articles, displays, newsletters and other artifacts for a long time. We are organizing a display in the basement of Sign of HOPE. We do welcome help with creating a display.
IN THE NEWS
Good Works provided a family with vehicle #211 in January through the Transformation Station and 212 in March. There are about 50 people on the waiting list to earn a vehicle!
The Good Works Timothy House and Sign of HOPE provided 3,300 nights of shelter in 2025.
We are planning for 7 weeks of week-long Work Retreat Groups beginning June 14th. If you know of a group who would find JOY in serving alongside us as we reach out to our neighbors this coming summer, email us.
Friday Night Life provides a hot, sit-down nutritious meal every week for 48 weeks each year. Last year 43 different groups “stepped up to the plate” and served around 60-70 adults and children. We are looking for small group of 5-10 people to commit to ONE Friday this year.
Good Works provided a family with vehicle #211 in January through the Transformation Station.
Accidents Happen:
On Sunday afternoon January 25th, a city of Athens vehicle crashed into the side of Sign of HOPE. No one was hurt in the accident, but the damage was extensive. A city truck towing an excavator could not get up Second street and backed up and then slid into the house. The long process of insurance, contractors, estimates and repairs has begun. We were informed that the city of Athens has no legal responsibility to cover the costs of this accident, and Good Works insurance will be required to cover the costs. ☹ Sometimes, you don't learn about the laws our state legislature has passed until it impacts YOU.
SHORT STORIES
Jim and I have been friends for over 3 years now. We live in the same town now and check in on each other regularly, take trips, share food, pray with each other and just share life together. It didn’t start that way. I was Jim’s caregiver at The Timothy House and he didn’t “care” for me much until one day I sat down and helped him make phone calls for an hour. Two days we did this. I learned of his struggles, and he realized I really did care for him. God removed the stereotypes in both our hearts so a wonderful friendship could blossom. I took him to his family reunion a couple of months ago. He insisted I was part of his family now and I needed to stay. – Jeremy Hudelson. Jeremy and his wife Kim joined the Good Works staff in 2020. Jeremy now oversees the Transformation Station.
I started driving our van to help people get to Friday Night Life (FNL) about two years ago. I met a teen who regularly participates in FNL named Brady. I did not know him well until I started driving the van. I got to have many conversations with him about school and video games. During the Christmas season last year, Brady gave me a card to wish me a Merry Christmas. I was extremely thankful for his kindness and that he feels safe in our community. I am still playing some basketball with him and other participants on Fridays. He has grown into a bubbly person who is often thinking of how he can serve others.
-- Heather Stump joined the GW staff in 2024. She serves primarily at the Timothy House as a Caregiver.
IN CLOSING
Just a few weeks ago, I celebrated my 68th birthday. I was 22 when I started Good Works. This has been my life. I feel so thankful for all of my current and former co-workers, volunteers, board members and supporters who have enabled me to spend all of these years doing “good works”. (Matthew 5:16). I am well. We are well and we are grateful!
If you would like to participate in the mission and ministry of Good Works through giving,
