On Independence Day, Gilmer celebrated several nonprofits in its Fourth of July Parade.
A nation’s ideals can be seen in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens, and Gilmer showed it values them greatly.
“I think one of the favorite things for me is how much we reach back out into the community and touch the community,” Optimist Club President Brian Staggs said.
The Optimist Club’s bus was close to the start of the parade.
The Optimist Club hosts Stuff the Bus to raise school supplies for children in need each year, Staggs said.
But it’s far from their only project. They also give to the Boys and Girls Club, the Appalachian Children’s Center, the Craddock Center and more.
Staggs said he often sees the generosity of all Gilmer’s residents.
Although Gilmer County is small, its Optimist Club is the largest in Tennessee and Georgia, Staggs said.
One little girl gave 25 cents toward Stuff the Bus, Rebecca Harrel, the club’s communications director said.
“It was such an impactful thing to see because she was just beaming from ear to ear,” she said.
Another group that helps around Gilmer is the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
These descendants of American Revolution veterans conduct a number of charitable events, the group’s regent, Danette Ozment said.
“The three tenets really that we support are education, patriotism and historic preservation,” she said.
Their work includes Constitution Week at local schools, donations to help students, scholarships, honoring veterans and more, she said.
“I think this community is a very patriotic community, Ozment said. “Being a part of that Revolutionary War does make a difference here with us.”
This upcoming year will be special for DAR, she said.
It marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and they will celebrate with several events and projects.
“It’s an important time to remember the people who gave us freedom,” Ozment said. “We want to make sure that [history is] not lost.”
Another parade participant with charitable activities was the Oak Bowery Lodge of Freemasons.
“We take good men and try to make them better men,” said Freemason Brad Simmons.
George Washington, America’s first president, was a Freemason, along with many other American Founding Fathers.
In Ellijay, the Freemasons have over 100 members.
Although the group is primarily a fraternity where men can collaborate, it does do a great deal of charitable work, Simmons said.
These activities include roofing people’s houses, building handicap ramps and more, Freemason Edgar Land said.
In Gilmer this year, the Masons celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day and a Public Safety Appreciation Event.
They also awarded two $500 scholarships to Gilmer County Schools students.
These groups were just a few of the many that marched July Fourth.