Greetings All:

Seventy-seven years of service and we have never experienced a year like 2020 before.  The year started out with hope, ideas, and projects that would involve the community in various aspects of giving back to the community, providing additional services as the need presented itself.  Yes, the Coronavirus was an unexpected challenge we had to adapt to. Groveway Community Group members had to search among ourselves and figure out how to continue to serve others in times like these. There were so many unknown factors with this virus, we had no choice but to follow the CDC regulations honoring social distancing guidelines, we were able to maintain our presence in the community and serve those in need.  

We were able to partner with the following with great end results:

• Big Oak Tavern 
• Child Development Academy
• HotWorx
• Home Stretch
• Pleasant Hill Community Food Bank
• Roswell Arts Fund 
• Roswell Recreation & Park
• Roswell Rotary Club
• Youth Network
• Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Our Annual Black History program which was held at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.  Our featured attraction for the event was the Atlanta Community Concert Band with a performance we will never forget.  Finally, the Groveway’s, “Telling Our Story Program” was held at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest black church in Roswell and narrated by Tracye Hutchins of CBS.
Due to the spread of the Coronavirus, our services were cut to a minimum in order to stay safe as, we continue to network through different means of technology. We were able to safely partner with Pleasant Hill Community Food Bank, we provided: toilet paper, paper towels, masks, and hand sanitizer for those in need. 

August:  We  held an outdoor free clothes “Give Away” at the Groveway Community Center Building to those in need.  Approximate 35 families were served.

September:  We donated Gift Cards to some of the Roswell Nursing Home Staff for recognition as Front Line Workers. Groveway partnered with Youth Network, Roswell Rec and Park, and Zion Baptist church to assist with a program at Waller Park to help those students that didn’t have access to internet or needed help with virtual class room learning.

October: Groveway’s final clothes drive for the year, we donated hand sanitizer and mask. Groveway also donated a hand sanitizer machine for the lobby at Vickery Mills Elementary School in Roswell and mask for children and adults.

​November: Groveway Community Group’s 77th Anniversary/Scholarship and Pre-Thanksgiving program were held in the parking lot of Groveway Community Center.  We partnered with Roswell Arts Fund Pop Ups performances, Big Oak Tavern and Youth Network.  

The Evelyn Samples Shelton Scholarship Fund was renamed to Henry and Evelyn Shelton Scholarship. Three scholarships were presented to three deserving students: Zanne Jackson, Christopher Long, and Katherine Mosley.  Recognition was also presented to our very own Essential Workers: Groveway’s Chaplain Thelma Gabb with 42 years of service as a Nurse and Mary Nuckles who has been employed at Roswell Nursing Home for 16 years.  We provided Gift Cards from Big Oak Tavern and Thanksgiving Dinner Boxes from Youth Network.  It was truly a day of surprises and a day full of vitamin D while fellowshipping and social distancing.  Each month we send out cards of encouragement and monthly devotional books to seniors, the Groveway’s sick, list and those who might just need a word of encouragement.  

December: Groveway sent Christmas cards to those that are on the sick list. Some of the elderly were in need of essential items and we provided items for them. An anonymous donor used Groveway to provide assistance to help others that were in need.

The organization has been truly blessed that we were able to continue our motto “If We Can Help Somebody” during these uncertain times. It is not how much you give, but how much you reach out from the heart to let others know you care. 

We are looking for younger adults that are committed and passionate about serving others. 
Check us out on Facebook or Groveway’s web page, we would love to have you on our team. We meet monthly virtually on the first Saturday.

Going into 2021 with the same COVID 19 guidelines of social distancing Groveway will continue to grow and serve our community. Groveway has held on to those things that will always connect us. We will keep the vision and not let go of our mission of helping others.

Thanks to all that have supported us financially, with your prayers and participation. To the members, I am greatly appreciative for your sacrifices that you continue to make to Groveway Community Group.

S. Gail Bohannon, President