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Sheriff's office hosts annual Toy Ride
toy ride
Staff Report
Published: Dec 2, 2024, 4:10 PM

On Nov. 18,  sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office hosted its annual Toy Ride at The Church Covington in Oxford. The initiative behind the event to raise funds and receive toy donations for families in need of assistance during the holiday season.

“I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the businesses, organizations and

individuals — especially my staff — who contributed their time and efforts to this year’s Toy Ride,” Brown said. “Without you, we could not have succeeded in reaching our goals. I am forever grateful.”

This year’s Toy Ride was escorted by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office motors and Henry County Police Department motors. More than 80 motorcycle riders were in attendance, making it a successful holiday event. 

Following the law enforcement-led escort around the Newton County community, the motorcycle riders and their families gathered inside The Church Covington to enjoy the raffle, food and fellowship.

The sponsors for the 2023 Toy Ride were Sellars Motor, Inc.; Ginn Chevrolet; Precision

Automotive; Michelin; Chancey’s; Mike’s Tire Depot; Falcons Fury Harley Davidson; Ace Hardware; Chick-Fil-A; Advance Auto Sports; The Home Depot; Wheeler Funeral Home; Bridgestone Golf; Lester Lackey & Sons Funeral Home; Hill Top Towing, Inc.; Young-Levett Funeral Home; Kings 24-Hour Towing; Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home; K-2 Towing; Dunkin Donuts; Dairy Queen; Fat Boys Golf Carts; Eric Adcock;  Start Wheels LLC; Big John; Printability; Rivers Used Car Dealer; Matt Sellars; HilltopTowing; Covington Ford; JAYCO Roofing Company; and Southern Tire.
Rotary Clubs of Monroe and Covington come together for a veteran's new home
rotary covington and monroe
Staff Report
Published: Mar 25, 2025, 3:19 PM

The Rotary Clubs of Monroe and Covington pitched in to support Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity’s Veteran’s Build in Monroe, GA, on March 8, by providing financial contributions and volunteer labor to help build a home for Nickolas Garrett, a U.S. military veteran and single parent. 

Both Rotary clubs demonstrated their commitment to service by donating $1,000 each toward the construction of the home, working alongside Habitat staff and community volunteers.

With the price of housing, Garrett felt that home ownership was beyond his grasp. Then, he was chosen for Habitat’s Veteran Build Program, and his dream came true. 

“I’m truly blessed and I’m just excited to be part of this process, honestly,” Garrett said. “For my daughter to be able to grow up and have a place to call home is a miracle.”

“Rotary is filled with people of action,” said Tarrence Houston, Rotary Club of Covington president. “As Rotarians, we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. By joining hands with other clubs, we can increase our impact in our communities and around the world.

“Together, we are helping to provide a family with a safe and comfortable place of their own. It’s the ‘American Dream’ fulfilled.”

Leading the initiative were Matthew Whitley of the Monroe Rotary Club and Phil Lanier of the Covington Rotary Club. Both men spearheaded efforts to raise awareness about Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide affordable housing and support for veterans in need.

“This is what Rotary is all about,” Lanier said. “It’s coming together to serve others with both contributions and sweat.”

The Rotary Clubs of Monroe and Covington encourage others in their respective communities to help Habitat for Humanity through donations, volunteering, or advocacy. To learn more about how to get involved, visit www.habitatgwinnett.org.