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ZEBULON - Just Because United Inc. became a non-profit corporation this year and has been reaching out to people in our community for over a year now in a variety of ways. They are using what they have to reach out from the heart. This is a way for the community to show love without strings to the students who are receiving these supplies.

Pick Your Pirate was started by McLeRoy Realty in 2016 as a way to help local teachers pay for materials and supplies needed in their classrooms for the upcoming school year. The community is invited to participate by picking their pirate and fulfilling the needs of their classroom.

Backpack Program - UPDATED

Last year, Just Because United had a request for 18 bags, but they ended up packing 24 bags for Pike County Schools. And Berry advised that they will likely exceed that this year.

This year? They filled 100 bags by July 31, and they have filled even more!

Update from July 31, 2023: "Look at God! 100 bookbags fully packed and ready to go!! Thank you, Pike County!! We have the most amazing and generous community I've ever seen!!"

Update from August 8, 2023: Just Because United gave a shout out to Michael Powell of Pike County Family Connection saying, "Thank you for all that you do in the community! There is something about walking into a room with like-minded people who all share the same passion," she said. She pointed out that all have different personalities, beliefs, and even roles, but the end goal is the same: Community!!

Mr. Gary from McIntosh Trail asked if Just Because United could pack 24 bags for Head Start in Pike County and 30 bags for Lamar County. "Praise be to God, we were able to give Head Start all 54 bookbags and about 20 hygiene bags," Stacy said. Bags also went to the Heritage Women's Resource Center in Thomaston (see the note from August 8) because of connections made at this Pike Family Connection meeting.

Update from August 8, 2023: Backpacks were delivered to Heritage Women's Resource Center and Georgia Baptist Children's Home. "It takes a village," said Stacy, "and we live in an amazing one!!!"

Just Because United gave a thank you to all who have supported this backpack program and are sharing pictures on their Facebook page to who supporters how their money is being spent in the community.

Pictures from the packing party are courtesy of Stacy Berry and Just Because United, Inc. Thank you to everyone who donated to this ministry!

Pick Your Pirate - UPDATED

Pick Your Pirate is a program helps local teachers pay for materials and supplies needed in their classrooms for the upcoming school year. The community is invited to participate by picking their pirate and fulfilling the needs of their classroom.

McLeRoy Realty started Pick Your Pirate in 2016 to help teachers' out-of-pocket classroom expenses. This year’s program is being headed up by Heather McLendon. Here is how it works. Teachers send in a list of needs, and members of the community reach out to them through Pick Your Pirate to fulfill those needs.

Some have already found sponsors. But more are needed! “Our goal is just to be sure every teacher that submits a wish list gets sponsored in some way,” said McLendon.

Update July 31, 2023: The Pike County community is amazing! Members of the community have filled teacher lists for the upcoming school year for around 50 teachers so far, and there are more opportunities to help! Heather Mclendon from McLeRoy Realty told Pike County Times this week, "We are still in need of a lot of sponsors for each school."

There are probably around 11 at Pre-K and Pike Primary, 18 at Pike Elementary, 23 at Pike Middle, 16 at Pike High School and Ninth Grade Academy. Scroll down to Pick Your Pirate in this article for more information and contact info for Pick Your Pirate. Click here for more information on how you can help!

Update August 4, 2023: Only 34 teachers need sponsors! (The number is probably less now that school has started, but it probably isn't 0 yet!)

More information is available at www.facebook.com/pickyourpirate.

Teachers can sign up at pickyyourpirate@gmail.com.

McLeRoy Realty is located in the Pike Plaza at 200 Plaza Drive, Zebulon.

Closing

Pike County is an amazing community that cares about students and teachers!

Pike County Times is always on the lookout for good news!

And... the original story and pictures are below this one. Scroll down for more.

ZEBULON - Just Because United has launched the Backpack Program for the upcoming school year. “We will fill backpacks with supplies needed for the school year plus add a hygiene bag,” said Stacy Berry. The end date for collection is July 22nd.

Just Because Ministries became a non-profit corporation this year and is now known as Just Because United Inc. Just Because has been reaching out to people in our community for over a year now in a variety of ways.

They are using what they have to reach out from the heart. This is a way for the community to show love without strings to the students who are receiving these supplies.

Backpack Program

Last year, Just Because United had a request for 18 bags, but they ended up packing 24 bags for Pike County Schools. And Berry advised that they will likely exceed that this year.

These will include necessary school items listed above as well as hygeine items. After the bags are packed, they will be given to the Pike County School Counselors at each school.

Drop Off Locations

Highland Real Estate Investors LLC - Zebulon
Family Dollar/ Dollar Tree Combo - Concord
Mustard Seed Life Boutique & Gifts - beside DQ in Zebulon
Walk By Faith Christian Gifts - Pike Plaza Zebulon
Christ Chapel Zebulon Campus
Williamson Library
J. Joel Edwards Public Library – Zebulon
United Bank – Williamson Branch

If you would prefer to give a monetary gift please send checks to PO BOX 645, Zebulon, GA 30295 or we have cash app and PayPal. If you would like a receipt for tax purposes please email Just Because United at JustBecauseUnited@gmail.com or send Berry a private message on Facebook. Emails are checked daily.

If anyone would prefer to meet personally to drop off fully packed bags or items in bulk, please contact Berry via private message on Facebook or email at JustBecauseUnited@gmail.com.

Pick Your Pirate

Pick Your Pirate is a program helps local teachers pay for materials and supplies needed in their classrooms for the upcoming school year. The community is invited to participate by picking their pirate and fulfilling the needs of their classroom.

McLeRoy Realty started Pick Your Pirate in 2016 to help teachers' out-of-pocket classroom expenses. This year’s program is being headed up by Heather McLendon.

Here is how it works. Teachers send in a list of needs, and members of the community reach out to them through Pick Your Pirate to fulfill those needs.

Some have already found sponsors. But more are needed! “Our goal is just to be sure every teacher that submits a wish list gets sponsored in some way,” said McLendon.

Teachers can sign up at pickyyourpirate@gmail.com.

More information is available at www.facebook.com/pickyourpirate.

The deadline is two weeks before school starts back so donations can be delivered in time for teachers to set up their classrooms—around July 22.

Drop Off Location

McLeRoy Realty located in the Pike Plaza at 200 Plaza Drive, Zebulon.

Just Because United, Inc. is partnering with Pick Your Pirate this year to give gift cards to teachers so as many teachers as possible can receive a blessing as the school year starts.

Monetary donations and gift cards can be delivered to Just Because United, Inc by contacting Stacy Berry by private message on Facebook or by email at JustBecauseUnited@gmail.com.

Closing

Just Because United, Inc. wishes to bring “Unity to the Community.” Ways to help include prayer, passing along information, being a monthly sponsor, donating items for projects, and attending their events.

The annual yard sale helps bring in needed funding for annual projects like the Backpack Project which is held over the summer for distribution at the beginning of the school year, and Operation Pike County which is distributed in December.

Don’t forget that the final day for collecting donated items is July 22nd!