Aug. 23--The Day of Caring for the United Way kicks off this week, with hundreds of volunteers spreading out through the community to assist organizations with a variety of needs and get them off to a good start this year.

The campaign directly impacts citizens in Lowndes County, and this year the volunteers hope to raise at least as much as last year and hopefully exceed the million dollar mark. More than 70 percent of the donations each year come directly from the employees at businesses and industries here, with small donations adding up to a giant piece of the overall goal.

If you have been approached at work to donate, and I'm sure you have been, then fill out the card and turn it back in this week. You can make a one time donation or have the money taken out of each paycheck over the coming year. You can even designate which of the charitable organizations will receive your donation.

The VDT is nearing 100 percent employee contributions, and several other organizations are getting close to that as well. The list of charitable recipients is pretty extensive and the United Way is an excellent way to help others, whether you give thousands of dollars or a $1 a week.

The spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy is a large part of what sets this community apart from others. Help the United Way help others.

Leadership Lowndes 2010

If you or someone you know is interested in being a part of the Leadership Lowndes Class of 2010, then you need to get your nomination in this week.

Leadership Lowndes is a terrific organization aimed towards taking those in the community who have demonstrated leadership qualities and exposing them to aspects of the community that they might never have known about previously. The organization has successfully launched several local political careers and spurred many former members to get actively involved in various organizations, with Leadership Lowndes graduates serving on just about every board and authority in the community.

If you are interested, please send in your nomination to Leadership Lowndes, P.O. Box 2766, VALDOSTA, Ga. -- 31604 or contact Pam Cartwright at South Georgia Medical Center, (229) 259-4605.

Business Roundup

The new shoe store between Best Buy and Books-A-Million is going to be a Shoe Carnival. The renovations should be done before too long and the store will hopefully be open in just a few weeks.

Rugs Abound has found a new home on North Valdosta Road by Shorty's. The store moved to its larger location from Connell Road.

Only Options is still in its temporary location at Kiss the Bride downtown but will soon reopen in its former location on Gornto Road. The store was flooded out in April and is being restored now.

Right behind the Only Options on Gornto is the former Mulldoons, and it's undergoing renovations now to be an adult oriented casual but fun restaurant and night spot. More details on it to follow.

There was a rumor that well known Mimi's restaurant in Nashville was closing, but apparently it will open under a new manager/owner as the current folks are retiring.

Smith Northview Hospital is holding a grand opening Aug. 31 for its new Youth and Pediatric After Hours Clinic.

There is going to be a new Dollar General store on Madison Highway. It should be under construction soon.

The Verizon folks are remodeling their new location on St. Augustine Road and still no indication of what is moving into their old location on Norman Drive.

Work is continuing on the Buffalo Wild Wings by the mall, which should be opening in November.

That's all for this week, but if there's something I missed, please let me know!

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