Classmates of 1973 Bring Community Together for Care Package Drive
{Contributed Photos}
Volunteers, students and faith leaders partnered through the Classmates1973 Thomasville Alumni and Affiliate Members to complete a countywide care package drive serving people who are homeless.
A community-wide effort led by Classmates 1973 Thomasville Alumni and Affiliate Members concluded with the completion of the 2025 Care Package Fundraiser and Collection Drive for people who are homeless, which ran from Sept. 10 through Nov. 15, 2025, with final distributions completed Dec. 19, 2025.
The initiative focused on collecting and assembling 300 care packages for people experiencing homelessness, distributed throughout Davidson County.
Committee members, led by Deborah L. Gilmore, organized and carried out the fundraiser with support from key contributors Robert M. Gilmore, Gwen Price, Mary Jackson Gilkes, Clarisa Jones, Janet Bradley, Edward and Denise Gilmore of Delaware, Stephanie Gilmore of Atlanta, Joe Gray, Marcia Mathis, and Juliana Cullins. The team collaborated to market, coordinate and implement the event.
The committee partnered with the Rev. Gabriel Carvajal and Deacon Martin Sheehan of Our Lady of the Highways Catholic Church to secure workspace at the church, located at 943 Ball Park Road in Thomasville, where volunteers established an assembly line to sort and prepare care packages. This marked the committee’s first partnership with the church. Deacon Sheehan worked alongside committee members during setup and assembly and helped coordinate student volunteers, who earned community service hours through participation.
Deborah L. Gilmore briefed adult volunteers and students on the mission of the project, safety procedures and the importance of serving people who are homeless. Once assembled, care packages were labeled by gender and organized for distribution.
As Robert Gilmore stated, “Small Acts Can Hold Big Power,” emphasizing the community’s commitment to serve vulnerable individuals and to “Stand Up for the Unsheltered.”
The project also included a separate donation of 33 brand-new coats, designated for city-led initiatives and not part of the care package assembly.
Community participation was extensive. A total of 42 adult and student volunteers took part, including 27 students and 15 community adults.
Adult volunteers included Pastor Mary Dow, Josefina Flores, Tina Ares, Adrina Alas, Lisa Billy, Dr. Nancy Staton, Terry Davis, Payton Williams, Melinda Evans, Michael Evans, Yulissa Deras, Sylvia Mendez Newcomers, Jesus Aeras, Mitzi Rivera, Noadrin, David Vanegas, Gerson Lopez, Fernando Arayon, Karen Flores Franco, Masanahi Rivera, Briano Rubolac, Maria Pena Lopez, Kimberly Olcd, and members of the Parkland community.
Student participants included Emiliano Flores (Ledford High School), Adam Prado (Central Davidson Middle School), Alexander Segura (Randolph Middle School), Fabio Segura (Weatherstone Middle School), Mareos Mendoza (Penn Griffin Middle School), Adileny Lopez (Thomasville High School), Yoelin Garcia (Madison High School), Aaron Hernandez (Thomasville High School), Paola Torres (GTCC MCHP), Jmmirag (East Davidson High School), Yuceli Bahena (Thomasville High School), Anahi Ramos (Thomasville High School), Ruby Ranes (Thomasville Middle School), Johana Deras Flores (CTCC), Jackelyn Areman (Thomasville High School), Erick Fabian Lchaldi (Thomasville High School), Vanessa Paola Braus (Thomasville High School), Rubly Zara Walle (Elawson Brown Middle School), Secuwvlt Rendong (Thomasville Middle School), Ykeen, Najel, Paris, Ka’myra, Adrian Alas-Velazquez, Lissa Billy, and students from Winston-Salem State University.
Organizer Robert Gilmore says, “The assembly process was completed in record time.” By 11 a.m., all 300 care packages for people who are homeless had been sorted, assembled and boxed within two hours.
Transportation and logistics were supported by community volunteers. Bernard Gilmore transported supplies using a U-Haul truck to and from the assembly site and storage facilities. Michael Evans volunteered his truck and time to deliver care package items to more than 30 locations across Davidson County.
On Dec. 10, 2025, the committee met with Mayor David York, who designated Payton Williams, City Council member and director of Cooperative Community Ministry; Brenda Ward, director of The Father’s Storehouse; and Pastor Lisa of Unity United Methodist Church to assist with distribution. Final deliveries were completed Dec. 19, including delivery to Ashley Phillips, executive director of Davidson County First Hope Ministries.
Gilmore says the committee launched the annual initiative “to support a collection of items, to help people experiencing homelessness in Thomasville, Lexington, and Davidson County, and assist other local organization fundraisers.” She adds that the committee is about “given back” and “asking for nothing in return.”
She further says, “GOD is the key to our vision and order our steps to do His will to be good servant and service his disadvantage people.” She emphasizes that the committee is “all about ‘Action.’”
The fundraiser also supports high school students through the Steve B. Price Sr. Scholarships. All proceeds are directed toward community outreach and service efforts in Davidson County.
The Care Package Collection Drive for People Who Are Homeless will continue annually with ongoing outreach and item collection.
