HUMBLE BENEVOLENCE

Dr. Carlisle Driggers doesn't want to take any credit for what Manley Memorial Baptist Church is doing to help their community.
"We don't make a big deal of it," the pastor says. "It's a humble effort."
He told me something valuable that I think sums up the mission of many charities in the lake area: “There are places around Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair with people who have obviously done well in life. But there are many here who are just hurting."
Once a month his church observes a Last Supper Sunday service followed by a benevolent offering. ("I forgot to mention it one Sunday and they just about collapsed on my head," he says.) All the money collected goes to local families in the community struggling with food, rent and electric bills.
Manley Memorial is used to helping others: they were recently recognized by the Central Baptist Association for collecting more canned food for the Royal Ambassadors hunger relief program than any other church in the state. (827 cans to be exact.) They have a strong reputation in Eatonton for their adopt-a-family Christmas efforts. And last year they helped three families-- in Sparta, Milledgeville and Eatonton-- get back on their feet after fires destroyed their homes.
More humility, Driggers thanked me for writing the story... "People need to know churches are there. Not just for them, but for the whole community, too."

Manley Memorial Baptist Church
1259 Crooked Creek Road
Eatonton, GA 31024
706-485-8741