The Chattooga County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and help save lives during a community blood drive set for Friday, April 10. The drive will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the EMA office located at 170 Farrar Drive in Summerville.
More than $40,000 had been raised as of Monday to help send Jude Baker and his family on a special trip following the young Chattooga County boy’s courageous battle with cancer.
The fundraiser was organized by Kevin Godfrey, owner of Godfrey’s Tree Service, after Leslie Tripp Watwood, owner of Burger Shack, approached him about bringing the community together for Jude.
Jude was diagnosed in February of 2024, at just 12 years old, with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. After months of difficult treatments, Jude eventually reached a major milestone by ringing the bell to mark the end of his treatment.
But even while going through his own battle, Jude was thinking about others.
According to organizers, Jude used his Make-A-Wish Georgia opportunity not for a trip or gift for himself, but instead to help people experiencing homelessness in the community. His wish helped provide backpacks, supplies, sleeping bags, and meals for more than 300 people.
Now that Jude is in remission, organizers say the community is stepping up to give back to him and his family by helping provide a trip where they can enjoy time together and make lasting memories away from hospitals, treatments, and stress.
Organizers say Jude’s compassion and selflessness have deeply touched the community, and donations continue to come in as supporters rally around the Baker family.
The Bank of LaFayette will host a community blood drive with Blood Assurance on Friday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 101 W. Patton Street in LaFayette.
Community members are encouraged to give local and help save local lives. All donors between February 1–14 will receive a special “Donor for Life” tattoo shirt as a thank-you gift.
To prepare for donation, donors are asked to eat a good meal, drink extra water, avoid energy drinks, and bring a valid ID.
Appointments can be scheduled online at www.bloodassurance.org/bankla or by calling 1-800-962-0628.
Jefferson’s in Summerville proudly announced today that Pam Albert, a dedicated fixture in Chattooga County athletics and community service for over four decades, has been selected as the 2025 “Jefferson’s Summerville Coach of the Year.”
