Organizers of two events near Dalton, Ga., are hoping to benefit a local wounded Marine.
Residents of the Dawnville community will donate proceeds from their annual Dawnville Days celebration Saturday to Marine Sgt. Joey Jones, who lost his legs while serving as a bomb technician in Helmand Province of Afghanistan in August.
Members of the Dalton Veterans of Foreign Wars are holding an overlapping event with singing, an auction and food.
Jones is recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He’s had several rounds of surgery and faces years of rehabilitation.
“The whole community has come together and really expressed an interest in helping,” said Marsha Jones, the sergeant’s sister. “It just warms our hearts to know the community is there.”
IF YOU GO* What: “Joey Days”* Where: 1324 Dawnville Road NE, behind the fire station* When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday* How much: Free to attend, $25 for a booth; vendors keep all proceeds after fee. Donations welcome.* What: Children’s attractions, live music, silent auction, antique tractors, classic cars, arts and crafts* Contact: Ginger Souther at 706-260-7079 or Treasa West at 706-260-7079* What: VFW event* When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday* Where: Dalton VFW post, 618 Veterans Drive* What: Benefit for Sgt. Joey Jones, with gospel singing, food and auction* Cost: Donations welcome* Contact: Cindy Owenby or Charles Heard at 706-259-2570
Friends of the Jones family helped commit proceeds from Dawnville Days and temporarily rename the one-day festival “Joey Days.”
Recently, the festival has been used to bring residents together to raise money for local athletic teams. But Ginger Souther, an event organizer, said that years ago the purpose was to raise money for residents in need.
The Jones family wants to build a handicap-accessible addition to their home for the sergeant, and another family member is looking to begin a fundraiser to buy the 24-year-old sergeant a truck that is outfitted for the disabled.
Contact Todd South at tsouth@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347.