Summer 2015 NEWSLETTER - Raintree Village · host the 2015 Raintree Village Benefi t Dinner on...

“A Night of Patriotism, Purpose,and Empowerment”Raintree Village Benefi t DinnerThe Hillcrest church in Decatur has graciously agreed to host the 2015 Raintree Village Benefi t Dinner on Thursday evening, September 10, beginning at 7:00pm. We are expecting 300 in attendance, and seats will fi ll up fast!

This is an opportunity to hear fi rsthand about the Raintree Village ministry, enjoy the fellowship of good people, and make a generous fi nancial contribution. There will be good food, entertainment, and a special presentation about the Raintree Village work.

We are seeking churches, individuals and businesses willing to serve as Dinner Sponsors for a donation of $400 or more. Contact Kenny Holton, Executive Director, by phone: (229) 559-5944; or email: [email protected] for more information. Mark the date now and plan to attend.

SUPPORTED BY CHURCHES, BUSINESSES, AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS

Summer 2015

NEWSLETTERPublished by Raintree Village Children and Family Services

Mark the Date: Sept. 10, 2015

SUMMER 2015 RAINTREE VILLAGE

2 www.raintreevillage.org

Ms. Della Lawton retires!Ms. Della as she is affectionately known is officially retiring after twelve years of service to Raintree as the children’s’ tutor. Before coming to Raintree, Ms. Della had retired from the local school system where she worked as a classroom teacher for many years. Now, she plans to enjoy her grandchildren and travel with her husband. We will miss her kind and gentle spirit, but wish her nothing but the best in her retirement!

35 Years of Great ServiceHis name is synonymous with Raintree Village, and rightfully so! For thirty-five years, Dr. G.R. Holton has poured out his talents, blood, sweat, tears, and financial blessings to this work and ministry. Unequivocally, without his knowledge, wisdom and expertise, Raintree Village would be the lesser. However, due to his strong leadership, Raintree Village has become one of the premier child caring agencies in the state of Georgia. While he has worked most of those 35 years as the President/CEO of Raintree Village; for the past four years (and today) he serves primarily as the Managing Director of the Raintree Village Children’s Foundation, a legal entity designed to fund the Raintree Village ministry through promotion of charitable giving and estate planning. Please join us in expressing our deepest gratitude to Dr. Holton for his remarkable 35 years of service! You can email him at [email protected], or write him a note: 3543 Raintree Dr., Valdosta, GA 31601 Thank you!



3www.raintreevillage.org

Raintree Village is served by two boards: the Raintree Village board of Directors and the Raintree Village Children’s Foundation board. The RTV Foundation board has one purpose only, and that is to fund the work of Raintree Village. The Raintree Village board provides guidance, aggressively promotes this ministry, and approves policy.

Many faithful men and women have served on both boards through the years, from across Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee. Some have served for nearly thirty years, while others are just beginning. All are active members of the church, with some serving as elders, deacons, and ministers in their home congregations.Current Raintree Village board of Directors: Don Covan (Chair; Tallahassee, FL), Tom Durden (Vice

Chair; Fayetteville, GA), Marie Weeks (2nd Vice Chair; Valdosta, GA), Kermit Gilliard (Secretary; Cairo, GA), Kevin Boyd (Treasurer; Valdosta, GA), Karen Bennett (Valdosta, GA), Ruben Bufford (Statesboro, GA), Chris Butterworth (Tallahassee, FL), Phyllis Lowe (Valdosta, GA), Sheila Moon (Thomasville, GA), Tom Parris (Dawson, GA), Steven Peterson (East Point, GA), Vaughn Poppell (Tallahassee, FL), Jason Shelnutt (Roswell, GA), Lewis Stewart (Statesboro, GA), Harry Talbott (Riverdale, GA), Scott Taylor (Valdosta, GA), and Arlene White (Conley, GA).

Current Raintree Village Foundation board: G.R. Holton (Managing Director; Valdosta, GA), Don Covan (Tallahassee, FL), Kevin Boyd (Valdosta, GA), and Bill Harvey (Warner Robins, GA).

Meet our Board!

School Supplies USB Flash Drives Lead Pencils TI 30 Calculators College Rule Notebook Paper Money for back-to-school clothing Subject Dividers Paper Products

Sanitary Napkins Hair Removal Creams/Lotions Foot Powder Snacks Sunscreen Lotion Mouthwash Men’s Body Wash Socks

Pressing needs




All MothersBy: Mary C. RegisterVera AdamsBy: M/M Garner WalkerGladys AllbrittonBy: M/M John Klimko M/M O’Neal GrantRobbie AllenBy: Camilla JohnsonLois ArmstrongBy: M/M Al ArmstrongMr. ArmstrongBy: Lake Park Veterinary ClinicA.W. ArdBy: M/M Mickey DeLoachMildred AryBy: M/M Forrest ChapmanDr. Cirlo Aseron, Jr.By: Dr/M Lewis StewartClyde BakerBy: Evelyn BakerOlene BakerBy: M/M Carl VinsonJohn BattlesBy: Bob BryantPearl BiddleBy: M/M Don CovanAllen BlackBy: M/M Jamie ThomasGrace BoatmanBy: Virginia Rolen Carolyn BoatmanMoira (Scottie) BoppBy: M/M Richard BoppLizzie Pope BridgesBy: M/M A.C. WatsonEllen McLeod BrockwayBy: M/M John BryantMay BrogdenBy: M/M Tommy ParkerDiane Templeton BrownBy: Phyllis LoweDovie BrownBy: M/M Harold BrownTressie BryantBy: Dr/M G.R. HoltonVirginia BryantBy: Dr/M G.R. Holton M/M Jay Chapman Bob BryantEva BurrellBy: M/M Rex BurrellHarold CarpenterBy: Bob Bryant

Jo CarpenterBy: Paula Jo CarpenterVictor CarrollBy: M/M Paul AshurstMarion CarterBy:M/MGaryDuffeyLouise Buckner CashBy: M/M Frank PruittBrenda CearleyBy: Lisa CurtissRuby ChadwickBy: M/M Larry Grimes M/M Steve Lowe Larry Grimes IIElizabeth ChapmanBy: M/M Forrest ChapmanLois ChapmanBy: M/M Joel JohnsonClyde ChatmanBy: M/M Richard HamlenDorothy CobbBy: M/M Andrew JohnsonCora CoferBy: M/M George DoyalMcCleta ColsonBy: M/M Wally ColsonBuena ColstonBy: M/M Jack ColstonCassie ConeBy: M/M Bill MaloneCharles CopelandBy: M/M Chad BowlingFrances CopelandBy: Cindy Copeland M/M Glenn Copeland“Aunt Judy” CopelandBy: Roberta Skinner Means Allen MeansMable CopelandBy: M/M Rex BurrellNona CopelandBy: Cathy CopelandPauline CopelandBy: M/M Glenn CopelandMaudie B. CoppageBy: M/M Orrie CoppageJackie CottrellBy: Terry MobleySue CovanBy: M/M Don CovanCharity CowartBy: M/M John Cowart

Barbara CozartBy: M/M Steve HopkinsMargaret Drew CratonBy: Jettie SmelcerPaul DangerBy: M/M George PalmerEvelyn DaniellBy: M/M Bill Hutto M/M Raymond GuyEvelyn A. DasherBy: M/M Ronald D. Dasher M/M Larry Oswald M/M Lawton DasherNellie DasherBy: Hazel DasherRubye DavisBy: Ms. Lovette BennettFannie DavisBy: Glenda Davis SimsJean B. DavisBy: James V. DavisMary M. DavisBy: Jody YatesBruce DeLoachBy: M/M Phillip MerrittFlorene DeLoachBy: M/M Glenn CopelandWanda DeWeeseBy: Dr/Dr Tim Thornhill M/M Chris Prine M/M Kenny HoltonFloyd DraperBy: Debbie StarlingJewell DuffeyBy:M/MGaryDuffeyCecil DunnahooBy: Nadine FowlerJoAnn EarsomBy: Dr/M G.R. HoltonSheila Gail EberhartBy: LaQuita ParksGeorgia Bryant EnglandBy: Carol McLeodKristi Kai Rogers EvansBy: M/M Nelson RogersOuida EversonBy: Janet WebbVeda FanningBy: M/M Craig PrinceRuth FiveashBy: M/M R.J. Wickstrom M/M Graham Fiveash

M/M Spurgeon ForesterBy: M/M Clarence ForesterMary FowlerBy: Nadine FowlerHazel GarciaBy: Eddie GarciaDora GatlinBy: Bainbridge C of Christ Lavada Allen M/M John CowartThelma GrantBy: M/M John Klimko M/M O’Neal GrantBeulah GreeneBy: M/M Wivian HarrisRon GreerBy: Ms. Ronal A. GreerJo GreshemBy: Bob BryantLaney Elizabeth GoldmanBy: M/M Leon WeeksMartha HamlenBy: M/M Richard HamlenHelen HammBy: Cindy CopelandRalph HammBy M/M Leon WeeksChloie HarperBy: Lavada HarperMary HelmuthBy: M/M Kirby WatersAnnie Mae HendrixBy: M/M Harold BrownPeggy HerringBy: Ms. Cathy Copeland

& Family M/M Chris Prine M/M Kenny Holton M/M Leon WeeksEva HoltonBy: Dr/M G.R. HoltonVirginia Elizabeth HorneBy: Joyce H. CoxWillie HowardBy: M/M Carlton WheelerMary HowellBy: Dottie HumphriesTauren Paisley HundleyBy: Terri HundleyM/M George HurtBy: M/M Curtis HurtDavid JacksonBy: Susan Jackson

Memorials We gratefully acknowledge the following memorials and honors made April 1 through June 30, 2015:



Rosemary JacksonBy: Jim JacksonJewel Christmas JacobsBy: M/M J.B. FairclothMary JerniganBy: M/M Charlie ReavisArchie S. JohnsonBy: Marilyn J. RevellMary A. JohnsonBy: Marilyn J. RevellM/M Shell JonesBy: Bobbie KnightVerdie D. JonesBy: Verdie Mae Carter M/M Orrie CoppageAlma J. KappelmannBy: Kathryn GraysonJune KellyBy: Delinda DruzbaRuby KingBy: Bob BryantJohn Klimko, Sr.By: M/M Raymond Copeland M/M Glenn Copeland M/M Leon Weeks Cathy Copeland Phyllis Lowe Dr/M G.R. Holton M/M Kenny HoltonReba S. LacyBy: Timothy LacyRobert LesterBy: M/M Phillip MerrittUbie LinebergerBy: M/M Chris PrineBessie Pendleton LittleBy: M/M Albert LittleMary MaloneBy: M/M Bill MaloneNilas ManleyBy: Emma EvansAda McDearmanBy: Eloise HunterMike McLainBy: Gwen HumphreyLavinia McLeodBy: M/M Newton McLeodFannie Mae McMullenBy: M/M Evans McMullenLouise McSweeneyBy: M/M John CowartMary MeltonBy: M/M Sonny HooksTim Mitchell, Sr.By: Opal TaylorBenjamin G. Mullinix, JrBy: M/M Bill Wiseman

Viannah MurrayBy: M/M Frank PruittWanda MusgraveBy: M/M Don MusgraveAllen NelsonBy: Opal TaylorGlenna NelsonBy: Bob BryantRobert Louis NelsonBy: M/M Jason RobertsEdna NewkirkBy: M/M NewkirkM/M Clarence OakesBy: M/M Clarence ForesterVirginia O’NealBy: Charlette LeningReba PaineBy: M/M Mike PaineBetty ParkerBy: M/M Leon WeeksAnnie Ruth PeayBy: M/M Benny RobinsonKay PennBy: M/M Don MusgraveCatherine PennisiBy: M/M Evans McMullenWalter Mae PollockBy: Orville ParrishClint PooleBy: Lynne MooreMary Westbrook PruittBy: M/M Frank PruittEdith PurserBy: Faye McGreggorHi Dai QuanBy: M/M Tri QuanEular RabonBy: M/M Bennie HattonGeorge RaumBy: M/M W.A. HarrellPauline RobinsonBy: M/M Benny RobinsonDella RollinsBy: Evelyn BakerNorman Sainz, Sr.By: Stephen SainzCarol SelfBy: M/M Tony HamlettEdith SelfBy: M/M Larry SheehyRoy C. ShumpertBy: M/M Rick ShumpertM/M Red SikesBy: M/M Amos McCall, SrSarah SimsBy: M/M Warren Sims

Kimberlee SlattonBy: Skip SlattonAlthea SlaughterBy: Hazel DasherJenna SmithBy: M/M Harrington SmithLandon SmithBy: Dr/Dr Tim ThornhillPatsy Fowler SmithBy: Nadine FowlerRuby SouthwellBy: Eddie GarciaBecky SouthworthBy: M/M Scott TaylorElanor SpiveyBy: Cindy Spivey EliaHazel StanleyBy: Wilma GibsonMamie E. StanleyBy: M/M Hobert RalstonRonald E. StephensBy: Betsy StephensBeulah StephensonBy: M/M R.J. Wickstrom M/M Graham Fiveash M/M John StephensonJohn StewartBy: Dr/M Bill WisemanRaymond & Georgia StoutBy: Michael Joe StoutCathlyn StroudBy: M/M Bruce StroudHerbert O. StubblefieldBy: M/M Rick ShumpertJewel SwansonBy: Cindy CopelandWilliam N. TateBy: Jeanette Tate & FamilyBrad TaylorBy: Opal TaylorEllis L. TaylorBy: Opal TaylorTodd TaylorBy: Opal TaylorEmily G. TeagleBy: Timothy Lacy M/M Michael DomingueKathleen VannBy: M/M Johnny Witherspoon Cathy CopelandPat VannBy: Cathy Copeland & Family M/M Chris PrineValeria VinsonBy: M/M Carl VinsonAlberta Van VlakeBy: Hazel Dasher

Frances Johnson VollenweiderBy: M/M Joel JohnsonSue VoltzBy: M/M Terry JonesOphia Mai WalkerBy: M/M Garner WalkerRalph WalkerBy: Barbara McDowellVassie WatersBy: M/M Kirby WatersAnne H. WebbBy: Toni WebbEstelle WebbBy: Joyce BarrettEthel WeeksBy: M/M Leon WeeksKatie WestBy: M/M NewkirkRuth WheelerBy: M/M Carlton WheelerRuby WhiteBy: M/M Tony HamlettMildred WilliamsBy:DeloresGilchristJeffersonRachelle WilliamsBy: Alan D. WilliamsR.L. WilliamsBy: Alan D. WilliamsDanny WintersBy: Cathy Copeland & FamilyBeulah Dunlap WisemanBy: M/M Bill WisemanHood & Faye WisenbakerBy: M/M Ben WhiteMary C. WisenbakerBy: M/M Emmett Bridges M/M Wally ColsonMary K. WisenbakerBy: M/M Al ArmstrongConnie WrightBy: V.O. SlaughterJewel YelvertonBy: M/M Forrest ChapmanElaine W. YoumansBy: Alan D. Williams

Living HonorsMy Children: David, Don & KathyBy: Sarah DangarOur Daughters: Melody, Dianne, Chris, Linda & PattiBy: M/M Joel Johnson



During the first six months of this year we have had over 300 children and youth referred to us for placement. This number represents twice as many as we would normally see in a year’s time! There are several reasons for this. First, daily, more and more

of Georgia’s children are coming into foster care due to neglect and abuse. Second, an increased number of children coming into care need specialized therapeutic services and structure, which a group home environment often provides. Third, the Department of Juvenile Justice is closing some Youth Detention Centers (YDC’s) throughout the state, forcing the DJJ to seek housing elsewhere for young people unable to transition back to their homes. And fourth, caseworkers often send out the same referrals to every agency in the state due a dire need for placements of difficult children with serious behavioral issues.

All of that to say this: children need us! Record referrals are simply symptoms of an underlying problem: the breakdown of the home. We are seeing a record number

of children in care with severe emotional and behavioral issues brought on by abusive situations, severe neglect, and a home environment where the child is forced to be the “parent.” While this work is extremely rewarding, we also know it is never complete, never finished. Therefore, we must continually come to our supporters and ask for more funding, more time, and more effort.

We can’t take every child referred to us. Our resources are limited. However, I’m reminded of the story of the boy throwing starfish back into the ocean. He picks one up, throws it back into the water; and then walks on to the next one. A passerby remarks to the boy, “What are you doing? You’re wasting your time! What difference does it make?” The boy replies as he picks up another starfish, “It makes a difference to this one!” We can’t help every child, but we are doing everything we can to make a difference in as many children’s lives as possible! Your continued help is needed, and welcomed.

Kenny HoltonExecutive Director, Raintree Village

So Many Children!

Our MomsBy: M/M Michael LinkousMary J. ArmstrongBy: M/M Al ArmstrongElizabeth ArthurBy: Benita A. BrownRenata Wms. BostonBy:DeloresGilchristJeffersonBarbara BrandonBy: M/M Tim FeltnerBannie BurtBy: Pierce FlattLaura ChristineBy: Ms. J.R. Lee Michael, Kimberly

& Samuel MauldinAlison ColvinBy: M/M Byron Brown

Marion CopelandBy: Cindy CopelandKat CulpepperBy: Dawnee McLendonTina CunninghamBy: Joan CarsonSarah DangerBy: M/M Terry MooreAnne DasherBy: Earl DasherLouise DeLoachBy: M/M Phillip MerrittBobbie DickinsonBy: Susan D. TaylorRuth DukeBy: M/M Jim HayesDorothy EdgingBy: M/M Tom Edging

Ovida EversonBy: Janet WebbBeth GiddesBy: Dr/M G.R. HoltonCristie GilliardBy: Phyllis LoweEunice GravesBy: M/M Ronnie WestJoyce GreenBy: M/M Warren SimsGlenda HarrisBy: M/M Frank Bolling IIIRudene HarrisBy: Dr/M John Hunt M/M Wayne WilliamsJackson HolbertBy: M/M John HolbertNicholas HolbertBy: M/M John Holbert

Becky HoltonBy: Dr/M G.R. HoltonChristal HoltonBy: Dr/M G.R. HoltonG.R. HoltonBy: Dr/M Lewis StewartGinny HoltonBy: Dr/M G.R. Holton Kenny HoltonMolly HoltonBy: M/M Kenny HoltonSharlene HoltonBy:M/MJeffHolton M/M Kenny Holton M/M Chris WebbTiffany HoltonBy: M/M Kenny HoltonEmma Susie JohnsonBy: Emma A. Evans

Honors continued



Mrs. Sapp came into my office again with the same complaint, “He again has refused to make up his bed!” referring to one of the 14-year old boys in her care. Rightly so, she was concerned that his act of defiance would encourage others to rebel. Yet, with a smile, she almost admired his defiance.

This event was another daily balancing act child care workers must make in supervising the development of character in young people. How to strengthen the emerging resilience of character, while disciplining the disobedient act! How to channel the energy generated by the defiance into strengthening the “grit” that caused him to stand up in the first place! Odd as it sounds, an act of disobedience in a child is a wonderful opportunity to think past the moment to see that child becoming a world-changing leader.

Grit in turnip greens may just ruin a good meal, but in the bearings of a fine-tuned machine it is highly destructive! We gauge sandpaper and grindstones in terms of “grit” …the ability to stand up against resistance!

At Raintree Village True Grit is that inner decision-making framework of traits we call “character”. Grit, or basic

character, is that dynamic process by which we decide to stand up against adversity, correct social wrongs, and recover from individual failures. Words such as “backbone”, “metal”, “strong-willed” are used to describe it! We believe in “True” grit! Resistance to immoral conduct and destructive habits. Everyone loses when lying is socially acceptable and sexual experiences have no boundaries. True grit comes from what we take in and what we let out! What we learn, and how we live! Spiritual absolutes ground our characters with meaning for the present and hope for the future. Raintree Village is in the business of building character. Every aspect of our work focuses on helping a young person gain independence, the freedom to act responsibly. We train our staff to see defiance in children as opportunities to develop true grit. Our example: At the early age of twelve Jesus “stood up” (Luke 2) against the abuses and false notions of His day. His parents saw it as an act of disobedience. It was true grit of the highest order. This growth continued, and “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (2:52).”

This sentence captures the mission of Raintree Village to supervise the development of character in our children. We want them to have True Grit! — G. R. Holton

Developing True Grit!

M/M Terry JonesBy: M/M Tom ParrisLaura KeiserBy: M/M Byron BrownLoLa LandrumBy: M/M Al SmithVera LawsonBy: M/M Jerry LawsonJoann LightseyBy: M/M Ronny LightseyM/M Albert LittleBy: M/M William BrockLisa LoweBy: Phyllis LowePhyllis LoweBy: Cristie Lowe GilliardHelen LukeBy: M/M Robert Jenkins

Jennifer MaloneBy: Cathy CopelandJoe F. McCulloughBy: L.G. McCulloughDanny Jo McKeeBy: Debby & Randall ArnoldBarbara MoonBy: M/M Charles MoonBea MooreBy: M/M Terry MoorePhoebe MorrowBy: Fay SchartelJo Ann RalstonBy: M/M Wes KingEdna ReavisBy: M/M Charlie ReavisOretha SeatBy: Dr/M Don Seat

Bob SellersBy: Patsy HowardJason ShelnuttBy: Kenny Smith M/M Timothy CoalsonJodie SpoonerBy: Cathy CopelandLewis StewartBy: Beth PersingerM/M Harry TalbottBy: Willodean M. GreenStella Laurene TaylorBy: M/M Ronny LightseyJulie UraniakBy: M/M William RolenHelen VoylesBy: Donald VoylesMartha WalkerBy: M/M Kenny Holton

Sylvia WalkerBy: M/M Phillip WalkerLois WebbBy: Janet WebbMelba WebbBy: M/M Lawton DasherToni WebbBy: Dr/M G.R. HoltonCarolyn WebsterBy: M/M Douglas WebsterKatherine WertzBy: Sheila HracekChris WhiteBy: M/M Bret BranchGladys M. WisemanBy: Bill WisemanJanelle YoungBy: M/M Ken Young


Mother’s Day Special CollectionThis year’s Mother’s Day Special Collection was highly successful thanks to our many good friends! As of today’s date, $77,675 has been contributed. Congregations participating include: Beattie Rd. (Albany), Blakely, Blue Ridge, Bogart, Buford, Byron, Cairo, Calhoun, Callahan, Central Ave. (Valdosta), Chestnut Mtn., Dasher, East Point, Ellabell, Ellijay, Fairview, Fayetteville, Fellowship (Thomasville), Forest Park, Gordon, Hentown, Hillcrest (Decatur), Keystone Heights, Lee County (Albany), Macland Rd. (Marietta), McCaysville, Middle Fayette, North Atlanta, North Avenue, Northside (Roswell), Oak Hill (Rome), Piedmont Rd. (Marietta), Sandersville, Snellville, South Cobb (Mabelton), Statesboro, Thomaston Rd. (Macon), Thomasville, Timberlane (Tallhassee), Toccoa, Williams Rd. (Albany), Woodlawn Forrest (Valdosta) and Woodstock. Central Avenue (Valdosta) members gave over $19,000, and this was the largest collection. However, we appreciate all our generous and faithful supporters!

*Note: Other congregations may have participated, but we were unable to connect some individual donors to specific churches.

NONPROFITU.S. Postage

PAIDValdosta, GA

Permit No. 168

Return Service Requested

3757 Johnston Road • Valdosta, GA 31601

www.raintreevillage.com229-559-5944

www.raintreevillage.org

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