GCSU students helping raise funds for Milledgeville Fire Rescue

Published 8:00 am Sunday, March 26, 2023

There’s going to be a lot of fun outside activities next week in Milledgeville.

And some of the fun begins Monday afternoon when a group of firefighters from Milledgeville Fire Rescue Services battle a group of students from Georgia College & State University in a benefit softball game.

The game will be played at the Georgia College West Campus Athletic Complex. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.

A host of other activities also are planned next week.

A percentage of the money raised from the events will go toward helping fund the Milledgeville Fire Rescue Services Youth Development Program.

Three members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Cole Crawford, a junior majoring in business management and president of the fraternity; Jake Servine, a sophomore studying management information systems; and Will Means, a sophomore studying finance, recently talked about the community project.

Participating city firefighters include Capt. Edward Barnwell, Frank Manson; and Sgt. Christopher Lawrence, who is serving as the coach of the firefighters’ team.

Each softball team will consist of 12 players.

“We’re really looking forward to a fun event,” Barnwell said.

Sgt. Lawrence agreed.

“We’ve been practicing and we’re going to be ready to play,” Lawrence said.

“My internal vice-president, [Jake] Servine, has been working diligently on this event,” Crawford said. “It’s been talking about since last November.”

Crawford said the money going to the fire department will go to a worthy cause.

“These events are really to give back to the fire department and for us to thank them for what they do,” Crawford said.

Admission to the softball game is free, but there will be a charge for items at the concession stand.

It’s there that the funds will be raised to help the fire department’s youth development program.

Also next week, sorority sisters will compete against each other.

Means said 50% of the money raised would go to the fire department, while the other 50% will be divided among the winners of the sorority competition.

There will be first, second and third place awards.

Eight sorority clubs will compete, according to Keara Cochran, a sophomore majoring biology.

She was joined by Emily Lanham, a sophomore majoring in political science; and Jillian Perkins, a criminal justice major.

“We’re really excited about working with Pi, said Perkins. “It’s a win-win situation for all of us.”

Perkins said her sorority also works closely with The Bright House, a child advocacy center in Milledgeville.

“We’re hoping to raise some money for The Bright House, too, next week,” Perkins said.