Windsong Plantation, a subdivision in Stockbridge, has united to create the Windsong Cares initiative that works to address needs within their community.
Mitzi Assing and Gail Forest, residents of Windsong Plantation, co-founded Windsong Cares approximately two weeks ago.
“We’ve always been concerned about our community, even outside of Windsong Plantation,” said Assing. “We just decided to start this initiative so that when there is an issue or need, we can respond to it as a community effort rather than as individuals.”
They began the initiative after thinking about those that might be impacted by the coronavirus.
“We thought about how things are so different for so many people in so many different ways,” said Forest. “We are right next to a hospital. We know that there’s probably some essential workers in our neighborhood and then we know that there are so many children that could be affected by not having something due to job loss.”
A fundraising notice for Windsong Plantation residents was placed on the Nextdoor app and members of the community began to respond. Within two weeks, $1,122 was raised.
From the funds raised, seven gift baskets with fruit, snacks, and juice were donated to Stockbridge Henry County Fire Stations 3, 9, and 8; the North Precinct Henry County Police Station in Stockbridge, and to hospital staff in the ER, ICU and COVID-19 floors at Piedmont Henry Hospital.
“These gift baskets from Windsong Cares are our way to thank the first responders who are always putting their lives on the line and especially during this Corona pandemic,” said Assing. “They were very surprised and appreciative of what we did. It was great to see their smiles.”
A check for $650 was also presented to the Helping in His Name Ministries, Inc. in Stockbridge.
“Since so many people in our area are unemployed and affected financially, we are hoping our donation will enable some to put food on their tables and make ends meet,” said Assing.
As a result of this initiative, members of the Windsong Plantation subdivision have come together, Assing said.
“It has brought the community closer together, for us all to know each other better,” said Assing. “I’m very grateful for what has been donated and we do have a solid base of individuals who have always come out to support efforts that are philanthropic.”
Forest is grateful for the response from her neighbors and hopes that the residents will continue to find new ways to connect with one another.
“It’s just been really wonderful to see the community give back,” said Forest. “We’re going to leverage this to continue to get neighbors more involved with one another, to get to know one another more and then find new ways to connect and stay connected.”
Although the initiative was begun due to hardships brought on by the coronavirus, Assing states that she plans for Windsong Cares to continue for years to come.
“It’s not something we’re doing this one time,” said Assing. “There is a need. There’s always going to be a need. If it’s not coronavirus, it’s going to be something else. I think we will be successful in implementing more actions of gratitude from Windsong Cares in the future.”
Forest emphasizes that, although Georgia has begun to reopen, hardships still remain. She hopes that acts of kindness towards one another remain as well.
“Although Georgia is reopening and Henry County is reopening, I think it’s very important to remember that this is going to be a marathon and there’s going to be more and different types of things that are going to arise this year and we all should be prepared and think about any ways in which we can give back to others,” said Forest. “Be open to helping. It makes such a difference.”
Assing hopes to use the Windsong Cares initiative to challenge other neighborhoods in the community to begin their own campaigns to help others in need.
“I would like to challenge other neighborhoods to give back and to recognize those people who are working for us,” said Assing. “We’re all in this together, so we have to help each other.”
