Meeting Held to Plan “New York Says Thank You” Rebuilding Project

A preliminary meeting was held Friday to plan the rebuilding of the Build an Ark Animal Rescue Center. Ellijay will host this major volunteering event, scheduled for July 28-31st. A room full of local citizens and officials showed up for the meeting, which was led by Jeff Parness of the event’s sponsor, the New York Says Thank You Foundation.

Held in the Fireplace Room of the Coosawatee Resort, the meeting was attended by Gilmer County officials, fire and rescue officers, and representatives of local companies who plan to donate to the effort, such as the Jordan Building Construction Company and the Coosawattee resort. Jeff Parness of the NYSTY Foundation and Charlie Vitchers, superintendent of the Ground Zero cleanup project and Volunteer Building Coordinator for the NYSTY Foundation, made a trip from New York for the meeting.

The event is set to be quite a production, one that will bring hundreds of out-of-state and regional volunteers to the area. Planned projects for the weekend include: the Build an Ark Barn Raising, landscaping of an outdoor community amphitheater near the Build an Ark site, craft pavilions, a playground, and a totem pole called a “Mash Pole” designed to commemorate the event.

In addition to these building projects, a National 9/11 Flag Stitching Ceremony, planned to honor the sacrifice of Gilmer County soldier Noah Harris, is in the works.

A variety of donations and skilled personnel are needed for the event. Needed items include:

• Food/water (as for water needs, keep in mind the event will be held in late July)
• Materials (building material companies, please see below for contact info)
• Equipment (electricity/generators, port-a-Johns, washing stations, volunteer t-shirts. Mr. Parness specifically mentioned the need for a powerful PA sound system.)
• Tools (landscaping tools, etc.)
• Services (meal preparation, security, safety (EMS), traffic control, parking management, sound system operator, etc.)
• Tool shed/container/security (a system will need to be in place in order to return tools to their owners after the project)

• Building supply companies interested in donating building materials, equipment or services, please contact Ed Lanham of Jordan Construction/Lester Buildings at 770 265 8736 or via email: Ed Lanham.
• Landscaping companies interested in providing materials and equipment for the amphitheater project, please contact Steve Perkerson at Coosawattee River Resort at 706 276 1060, extension 223, or via email: Steve Parkerson.
• To volunteer or help with the Ellijay Welcoming Committee, please contact Lisa Pritchard at 706 276 6397 or via email: Lisa Pritchard.
• To make a charitable donation to the project, go to www.NewYorkSaysThankYou.org and click the DONATE NOW button.
• To donate to the Build an Ark Animal Rescue center, go to www.BuildAnArkAnimalRescue.org.