2021 Gobble Jog Magazine

W W W. G O B B L E J O G . O R G

November

25

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COURSE ROUTE C O M M U N I T Y I N V O LV E M E N T M A K E T H E B I G G E S T I M PA C T FAQ

PRESENTING SPONSORS

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The Marietta Daily Journal is proud to once again serve as TITLE SPONSOR for the Gobble Jog

WELCOME Dear Friends, It is no secret that the past two years have been challenging not only for you but also for so many of the wonderful people we serve – a number that has grown tremendously during that time.

But one challenge we can all get behind is our annual Thanksgiving Day tradition: Marietta Daily Journal Gobble Jog! After having a virtual-only race last year, we are happy to bring many families and friends together again on the Marietta Square, while still offering you the choice to Gobble Jog with us virtually or as a phantom runner.

The Gobble Jog is our biggest fundraiser of the year, when friends like you come together to help us fight the fastest-growing segment of poverty: suburban poverty. Your participation in Gobble Jog helps MUST assist more than 45,000 children and loved ones in need with food, housing, employment, healthcare and clothing.

Because of the pandemic, there is perhaps no year in MUST’s 50 years of service when your help has been needed more.

In 2020, we were able to provide for 115,096 bed nights, distribute groceries and toiletries to at-risk students and their families from 100 schools through 35 MUST Neighborhood Pantries, helped more than 5,000 children enjoy Christmas gifts (including winter necessities) and fed more than a half a million Summer Lunches to hungry children in seven counties.

Thank you for your meaningful support. On behalf of our neighbors in need, you have our gratitude for making life better for thousands of people in poverty.

In His service,

Rev. Dr. Ike Reighard | President and CEO

GOBBLE JOG MAGAZINE The Gobble Jog is an annual fundraising event on Thanksgiving Day benefiting MUST Ministries, a 501(c)3 charity serving those living in poverty. | P.O. Box 1717, Marietta, GA 30061 770.427.9862 © 2021 MUST Ministries.

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Convenient packet pickup site!

The Cobb Civic Center is the site for packet pickup and it’s not only easy to access, it’s also fun! Come to 548 South Marietta Parkway, SE, Marietta from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Nov. 24 to pick up your race number and t-shirt. Take time to visit our sponsors and be sure to bring your family and friends for selfies with Colonel MUSTard! MUST is hosting children’s activities, a food truck and lots of fun things to do!

-----------------------------------------B R I N G T OY S H O P G I F T S T O PA C K E T P I C K U P !

In addition to helping those in poverty when you participate in the Gobble Jog, you can bring items that will benefit the thousands of children ages birth through 18 served by our Toy Shops. Parents in Cobb and Cherokee come to our “stores” and shop for free, new gifts. Parents tell us they appreciate the dignity of shopping and selecting just the right gifts for their children to open on Christmas morning.

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Please Help T H E S E FA M I L I E S

AND CHILDREN BY BRINGING ANY OF THESE ITEMS TO PA C K E T P I C K U P

Throw blankets

Jackets/Coats/Vests

Hats, scarves, gloves

Ethnic dolls

Pajamas

Baby items

GIFTS FOR AGES 12-18

Sports equipment

Belts

Jewelry, wallets

Makeup sets

Perfume / cologne

Hairdryers/Flat- irons

Athletic shoes

Hoodies

Items can also be dropped off at the MUST Donation Center, 1280 Field Parkway, Marietta 30066 any Tuesday through Saturday, from 9a.m. to 5p.m.

Thank you for caring

Mask Up. Vax Up. Check Up. Rise up to the occasion so we can take COVID-19 down.

As new variants of the virus emerge and spread, you have the power to save lives by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask and taking control of your health with a visit to your Wellstar primary care provider. With virtual and in-person appointments, Wellstar makes it easy to get convenient care right around the corner or from the comfort of home.

While these actions may seem small, they have a huge impact when it comes to keeping Georgia safe and healthy.

We all have a part to play — and it’s your turn to help make well happen.

wellstar.org/makewellhappen

PA R T I C I PA N T I N F O R M AT I O N

The starting line for the Gobble Jog is at the northeast corner of the Marietta Square. All runners will line up on East Park Square and wrap around onto South Park Square, if necessary.

The start times are: 7:30AM 10K Run (timed) 8:45AM 1K Fun Run/Walk 9:00AM 5K Run (timed) 9:05AM 5K Run/Walk 10:30AM Tot-Trot (50 yards) P L E A S E N O T I C E T H AT T H E 5 K R U N N E R S A R E S P L I T INTO TWO GROUPS.

The largest group of participants is the untimed 5K Run/ Walk group. To get such a large number of people on the route safely, please be respectful of other Gobble Joggers.

Participants with strollers and/or dogs, please go to the end of the group. A large flag on the side of the road that says “Dogs and Strollers” will indicate where to start lining up.

Participants walking the route should line up behind the dogs and strollers.

While on the route, all participants should yield to faster runners and walkers. If you are with a group, try not to spread out across the road and block the people behind you.

Thank you for your courtesy!

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MUST celebrates 1 971

1 9 72

Rev. Wayne Williams founds MUST Ministries

MUST opens first office located on Waterman Street with food pantry and clothing closet

1985

1 989

First shelter opens 2000

2002

Built new Smyrna office on Pat Mell Road

Gobble Jog begins and is now one of the biggest Thanksgiving races in the country

201 4

2015

MUST Marketplace opens where clients can shop for free and the public can find discounted items

Bought and renovated Elizabeth Baptist Church,

Partnered with Mercy Care and later KSU School of Nursing to provide free healthcare

20 08

2009

doubling the size of the shelter.

called SNOR (Safe Night of Rest)

MUST begins

school food pantry program

1990

MUST opens new Marietta facility on Cobb Parkway

201 7 MUST owns its first Donation Center and begins delivering meals to senior citizen, lowincome housing

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Permanent Supportive Housing program opens in Cobb and Cherokee Counties

1975 MUST relocates to the basement of Elizabeth United Methodist Church

1983

1984

Loaves & Fishes Community Kitchen serves 3 days a week with only a small stove and 5 tables

MUST opens satellite offices in Smyrna and Canton and launches a job assistance program

1 995

summer lunch

program begins and serves sack lunches to 25 children in need

20 1 2 Veterans Permanent Supportive Housing opens and serves single men and women

202 0

2020

Jobs Hotline is established and an adult healthcare clinic is relaunched as Mercy Care

In Cherokee, Bethesda Clinic launches a mobile clinic at MUST

20 21 MUST Mobile Pantry launches along with a new Workforce Development online jobs portal

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1 999

Toy Shops begin

20 13 New Cherokee campus replaces old building

Where Charm and Romance Flourish

We look forward to hosting many events in our beautifully redesigned venue.

Photos courtesy of Matthew Coleman Photography

57 Whitlock Ave., Marietta, GA (770) 428-1495 wwww.whitlockinn.com

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F R E Q U E N T LY A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S WH E N I S T HE LAST DAY TO R E G I ST ER BY M A IL?

WILL T HE RAC E BE CANC E LL E D IF T HE WE AT HE R IS BAD?

Registration forms must be postmarked by Friday, Nov. 12.

No. This is a rain or shine event.

CA N I R E G I STER ON RACE DAY? ONLY UNTIMED RUNNERS can register on race day. Unfortunately, MUST cannot guarantee you will receive a t-shirt at that late date.

WH E N I S T HE LAST DAY I CA N P R E - R EGISTER? Online registration is open through Sunday, Nov. 18. After that, you can register the day before at the pre-race packet pickup at the Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

WHE RE CAN I PARK? You will be able to park at any of the city parking garages or parking lots near the Square, but you should be aware of the road closures. The roads that go around the Square (North Park, West Park, East Park and South Park) will be closed all morning along with the section of Powder Springs Street and Whitlock Avenue near the Square. The roads on the race route close at 7 a.m. The route crosses North Marietta Parkway (120 Loop) at Cherokee and Church Streets, so you won’t be able to cross there when runners are on the route. Please obey any posted parking regulations!

H OW CA N I VOLU N TEER?

ARE T HE RE WAT E R STAT ION S ALONG T HE C OURSE ?

Gobble Jog needs volunteers at both the packet pickup and the race.

Yes, there are two water stations on the 10k route and one on the 5k route.

Go to GobbleJog.org to sign up!

WH AT T I ME DO I A RRIV E ON R AC E DAY? If you pick up your packet the day before, you can arrive 15 minutes before the start of your race (remember, roads will be closed). Give yourself time to drive and park. If you are registering for a race the day of, you will need to arrive at least 30 minutes before the race start time if you wish to participate.

ARE RE SULTS ANNOUNC E D AF T E R T HE RACE ?

Top overall finishers for each division will be announced at the awards ceremony after each race. Announcements will begin after 9:30 a.m. on the stage on the Square.

WHE RE CAN I C HE CK MY RE SU LTS? Race results will be available on GobbleJog.org and the Gobble Jog Facebook page.

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COURSE ROUTES

5K + 10K 1K

ES NN

KE

Both the 5K and the 10K course start on East Park Square and travel north on Cherokee Street. The course turns at a mild slope after it crosses North Marietta Parkway. The course turns right at Freyer Drive, then right at Chicasaw Drive and left on Pine Street. The course turns left again at Allgood Road and makes another left at Chicopee Drive. This is the hardest part of the course, as it has a substantial grade as you make your way up to Kennestone Hospital.

Once you cross over Cherokee Street onto Margaret Avenue, a water station is there so you can refuel. The home stretch for the 5K leads you down Church Street back to Marietta Square, to the finish line. Runners in the 10K will turn left again at North Park Square and proceed to run another lap! The 10K finish line will be well marked and will be in the same location as the 5K finish line.

AW E AV

TOT TROT The Tot Trot starts on the corner of East Park Square and North Park Square. The course turns left on North Park Square, then left on West Park Square. The finish line is on West Park Square.

PORTA-POTTIES VOLUNTEER CHECK IN FIRST AID

INFO TENT

FINISH

PHOTO BOOTH STAGE

Glover Park

T-SHIRTS

START

SELFIE STATION

REGISTRATION FAMILY PHOTO STATION

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VIP AREA

G G

BBLE BBLE (770) 427-8111 | mariettaeye.com

Make the Biggest Impact To reach 45,800 people a year in seven counties, MUST needs your support. Gobble Jog participants can make a significant impact by creating and promoting a fundraising page. This easy way to raise more funds is one of the most important things you can do.

Once you sign up at GobbleJog.org, you will have an individual page for your fundraising.

Customize your page with photos, stories and reasons you want to help those in need, then send it to your email contacts and post a link on all of your social media.

Ask your friends and family members to support MUST’s race to stop poverty and don’t miss the fundraising contests leading up to the race. Some amazing prizes will be awarded to our outstanding fundraisers!

Questions about raising funds on your page?

Email or call Angie Bolton: abolton@mustministries.org | 678-218-4513

Sign up atjog.org www.gooble

Create your own fundraising page addrprehaotsoson +forstorurinesnin+g you Stoendfaymouilryliannkd friends + post on social media!

2021 G O B B L E J O G M A G A Z I N E - 1 5 -

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2021 G O B B L E J O G M A G A Z I N E - 1 6 -

Want other ways to help?

Here's How..

Everyone can do more to help those in need but may be unsure of how to serve. Thousands are living in poverty right in your community, so here are some simple ways to make a big difference: GIVE

Monthly giving is the foundation of MUST’s ability to help others. If you can give $100 a month or even $20, it all helps make the mission possible. Just go to mustministries. org and click on the “Donate” button today. Can’t give regularly? A one-time gift still helps! Donate online or mail a check to P.O. Box 1717, Marietta, GA, 30061.

FUNDRAISE

Raise money from friends and family w h en you run. D o you k now t h a t i f e a c h r u n n e r r a i s e d o n l y $ 5 0, o u r clients would benefit by an additional half a million dollars in funds raised?

Everyone can do something to help!

VOLUNTEER

If you have time each week, give some of it to others. MUST has openings in a wide variety of placements, including office work, food pantries, clothes closets, computer lab, classroom teaching, client intake, reception desk and more.

Just go to mustministries.org and fill out the volunteer application online.

Can’t serve regularly? MUST needs volunteers at the Gobble Jog, Spring Gala, Golf Tournaments, Toy Shops, Summer Lunch and Donation Center.

Several one-time opportunities are available, so email the Volunteer Center at volunteer@mustministries.org and let us know if you or your group can help!

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MUST is 50 and

Brand New

For 50 years, MUST has served thousands of your neighbors in need. In an effort to commemorate the strength of that work, MUST is launching a new brand and we wanted you to be among the first to see our graphic identity to take us into the future.

In preparation for our new campus in March, MUST is rolling out an exciting new branding for the organization! Much thought went into the development of the new graphics, incorporating the symbolism of the ministry, as well as the “MM” for MUST Ministries and the outside units around the cross representing our wrap-around services.

A freshened color pallet and font make the new brand a powerful statement for a ministry now touching 45,800 lives annually. Our look may be changing but our compassion for our community never will.

Thank you to everyone who has played a role in helping MUST achieve our goals of serving those in poverty. We pray our hearts will always be to serve as the new brand helps propels us into the next 50!

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Power jog.

Drink plenty of Water

mariettapowerandwater.com

2021 G O B B L E J O G M A G A Z I N E - 2 0 -

MUST

by the numbers 45,851

Clients served

364

Number of individuals who obtained jobs

$8.81 million

Money back in the local economy through job placement

115,096

Number of bed nights

5,009

Children served in Toy Shops

86,146

Meals served in the Loaves and Fishes

1,017,316

Pounds of food distributed through pantries

537,527

MUST’s new shelter set to open in the spring Our ground-breaking new shelter is long past breaking ground. We are set to receive the keys in December, with staff training taking place through February and a target open date of March. MUST will be one of the first organizations in the country to build a homeless shelter from the ground up rather than repurposing an existing building and supporters like you have helped make this dream a reality. We will be able to serve more families than ever at the state-of-the-art facility, located off of Field Parkway in Marietta. As the shelter continues to develop, so does our “Build Hope a Home” capital campaign. We continue to be amazed at the prospect of a debt-free $21 million facility.

The fundraising team for the capital campaign is busily calling on foundations and other key donors to round out the final $4 million needed. If you would like to donate to the campaign, please visit mustministries.org/build-hope-a-home.

Summer Lunches

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2021 G O B B L E J O G M A G A Z I N E - 2 3 -

After losing her job during the pandemic, Dayana Samuels was eight months pregnant and living out of her car with her young family. With the help of MUST and the Day 1 Families Fund, Dayana and her children were able to find a new “lease” on life.

At the b e g inning of 2020, Dayana Samuels was a single mother of three. She finally felt she had met the love of her life and was working her dream job as a driver and assistant for people with disabilities who needed help. But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, so did many other life-changing events. Dayana was laid off from her job and unable to get work.

She was facing eviction. She was now pregnant by the man she thought she loved but had changed into someone else.

New home creates tears of

thankfulness

2021 G O B B L E J O G M A G A Z I N E - 2 4 -

carpet, talking about where they could put furniture and beaming with happiness.

Soon, she was the one in need of help, and a home.

She, her seven-year-old son, three-yearold daughter and the baby growing inside of her were forced to live in her car and only her oldest daughter was able to stay with family. Eventually, one of her children's teachers realized the critical living situation and suggested Dayana reach out to MUST Ministries.

"I was scared to live in a shelter at eight months pregnant. I didn't know if it would be safer than our car, but it turned out to be the biggest blessing of my life," she said, through smiles and tears.

At eight months pregnant, Dayana moved her family into MUST's Elizabeth Inn and, when the time came, went to the hospital where healthy baby Kayleigh was born.

They then moved into a hotel to await permanent housing, with the help of MUST. They finally traded their car roof and all of the other roofs they had seen over the past year for the roof of their own apartment in a safe, clean environment.

This was now their home.

Screams of excitement came from young Brian and Leah as they ran from room to room on move-in day, rolling on the

"I am so happy. I am just so happy and have cried with thanks so much," Dayana said with tears in her eyes as she held her sleeping two-week-old baby girl in her arms.

She had already applied to three jobs and was eager to work as soon as she was able to recover from baby Kayleigh's C-section birth. She wants to help others again, just as she had before, and just as she has been helped by others.

There are so many other Dayanas, Audrees, Brians, Leahs and Kayleighs who will be helped. So many others will travel from homelessness to home, from fear to hope, from sleeping in a car seat to rolling on a carpeted floor, filled with joy and gratitude.

MUST Ministries was recently honored with a generous grant of $5 million dollars by the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. The fund issues annual leadership awards and grants to organizations and civic groups doing compassionate, needlemoving work to provide shelter and hunger support to address the immediate needs of young families. MUST is one of only eight nonprofits across the U.S. selected to receive the largest grant as part of a continued commitment by the Day 1 Families Fund to help end homelessness for families.

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proudly supports

MUST Ministries

Genuine Parts Company

is proud to be a sponsor of MUST Ministries

“Service is the key to building business."

Carlyle Fraser | Founder

NYSE: GPC

Est. 1928

Atlanta, GA

www.genpt.com

PROUD TO POWER OUR COMMUNITY Since 2013, generous Cobb EMC members have rounded up their bills to support local organizations. This small change adds up to make a big difference in the communities where we live and work.

The Cobb EMC Foundation is proud to support MUST Ministries and the Gobble Jog.

770-429-2100 | cobbemc.com/foundation

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 93 Marietta, GA 30061

1407 Cobb Parkway North | P.O. Box 1717 Marietta, GA 30061

She wants a Baby Doll. she needs a blanket.

with your Help, MuSt will give her both Bless a child in poverty by providing gifts for children age birth - 18.

Accepting gifts until Dec. 17 at 1280 Field Parkway, Marietta, 30066 or go to our web page for ways to help and to view our Amazon Wish List:

www.mustministries.org/toy-shop