David Pennington, the mayor of Dalton, Ga., stands inside of the City Hall facility.DALTON, Ga. -- Volunteer coordinators in Dalton say they will need about 1,500 volunteers to step up this weekend for two events.
Dalton mayor David Pennington issued a proclamation during the City Council meeting Monday evening, making Saturday "Make a Difference Day" in Dalton.
United Way of Northwest Georgia is organizing the Make a Difference Day with seven projects planned in Whitfield and Murray counties for Friday and Saturday.
The Special Olympics fall games also will be held in Dalton this weekend, with about 1,500 participants expected.
United Way Volunteer Coordinator Tom Pinson said each event will need about 700 volunteers.
Mohawk Industries is sponsoring the day of service with $10,000 in grants to the various local organizations, the 11th year Mohawk has helped underwrite the event.
Volunteers will help with landscaping at the Creative Arts Guild, paint the gym at Valley Point Middle School, clean up debris during the Conasauga Watershed Cleanup, help build a Frisbee Golf Course at the Boys & Girls Club, work on trials at Raisin Woods Mountain Bike Park, paint and clean at the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center and do projects at Fort Mountain State Park.
In other business Monday evening, the City Council approved an increase in the city budget of $265,860. The majority of the money was spent for equipment repairs, legal fees, gas shortages for the police department and election costs.
Contact staff writer Mariann Martin at mmartin@timesfreepress.com or 706-980-5824.