Local News

Local News An Army Veteran’s Battle

Randy Williams, an Army veteran, came to MUST Ministries’ Elizabeth Inn Homeless Shelter in March, just before the coronavirus shut everything down. He stayed for two months and during that time, began the process of turning his life around.

A Georgia native, he joined the Army by necessity after becoming a father. In addition to working on helicopters, he served as an airfield guard in Nuremberg, Germany, and a prison guard in Berlin.

“My first three years (in the Army) were really good, but things started happening,” Williams said. “I got divorced and I told them I wanted out of the Army.”

Following his release, Williams’ 31-year-old son died suddenly, leaving him devastated and heartbroken. His sister also died around the same time and his childhood home burned down. He began to bounce around, staying at various family and friends’ homes until he was homeless and had nowhere else to go.

Then he came to Elizabeth Inn. “If anybody wants to get their life together, this is a good place to start,” Williams said. “As long as you come in and do what’s required, you’re going to make it.”

William Carraway is Williams’ client services manager and works with clients to make sure they are doing everything possible to maintain stability and keep them from re-entering homelessness. Carraway’s primary focus is on veterans, and he has a soft place in his heart for those who have served our country since his dad was in the military.

MUST was able to add Carraway’s position through the generosity of The Home Depot Foundation, which also supports MUST’s Veterans’ Supportive Housing program for clients who need long-term support to return to stability. Last year, Home Depot provided funding to help 197 veterans in the MUST Housing Programs, including 25 individuals at the Veterans Supportive Housing Program, 65 individuals at the Elizabeth Inn Emergency Shelter and 107 individuals at the Elizabeth Inn Outreach Center.

Veteran Randy Williams with MUST Ministries client services manager William Carraway.

Carraway recently helped Williams secure an affordable apartment and MUST Ministries covered his rent for several months. Williams also received a starter kit containing a comforter set, hygiene items and other things to help veterans settle into their new environments. He’s currently on disability after struggling with a mild stroke and sciatica, but he wants to be able to work eventually.

“I don’t like to plan too far ahead, but I’m planning on saving what I can,” Williams said. “I also want to help others, but people have to want help. A guy here told me one day that he lives out in the woods because he doesn’t have another choice. I said, ‘Woah, woah, woah. God gave everybody choices.’ He was an able body man telling me he doesn’t have any other choice. I’m trying to prevent myself from thinking like that.”

Donations Needed to Help Local Seniors

Cobb Senior Services staff needs help collecting shelf-stable pantry food and other items for vulnerable Cobb residents age 60 and older. Call 770-528-2009 to set up a time to deliver donations. Please no glass containers or large/family size items. Items needed: Peanut butter (small). Fruit cups/dried fruit, Juice boxes. Cereal (small/individual serving boxes). Shelf stable milk, Canned meat (chicken, tuna, etc.). Rice (microwave box or package). Soup (small cans or cups) and canned vegetables. Macaroni and cheese. Dried mashed potato pouches. Pasta and pasta sauce. Toilet paper and paper towels. New crossword puzzles, word search/scrambles, adult coloring books, color pencils and puzzles.

Local News

Megan Ramsey holds Noah after giving birth to him in a church parking lot.

Surprise Parking Lot Delivery

Dallas couple Adam and Megan Ramsey welcomed their fourth child into the world 10 days before his due date in an unconventional way. In the early hours of Aug. 9, after timing contractions for an hour, the couple left home and headed for Kennestone Hospital at 5:35 a.m. Ten minutes into the trip, it was apparent they would not make it to the hospital in time for the delivery. While on Cobb Parkway, Adam pulled into the nearest parking lot and called 911.

While Adam ran out to the road to see the name of the cross street so he could give EMS their exact location, Megan delivered their newest edition in the front seat of her husband’s truck in the LifeBridge Church parking lot. The proud parents wrapped the baby boy in his daddy’s T-shirt while they waited on the ambulance to arrive. Noah Bridges Ramsey weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. The couple decided on Bridges for his middle name in honor of his birth location, LifeBridge Church. “It definitely wasn’t my plan, Noah Bridges Ramsey entered the but God had everything under world in dramatic fashion Aug. 9. control,” Megan said.

Doyal Hill Park Fundraiser

Construction on Acworth’s new Doyal Hill Park began at the end of August. Adjacent to the Rosenwald School and Acworth Community Center, this park will serve as an outdoor interpretive history area featuring public art honoring Acworth's rich African-American History.

To help raise funds for this public art installation, prints of the historic Rosenwald School Community Center by artist Ron Huffman are available for presale. Only 100 copies of this print will be made. Prints will be 11-inches by 14-inches, or 16-inches by 20-inches when matted. Each print will come matted with a backing board, frame not included. These numbered pieces will be hand signed by the artist. Prints are $100. To order visit, www.acworthparksandrecreation.org.

Free Grow with Google Job Webinar

The Cobb County Public Library System is offering a free Grow with Google Job Help Assistance and Workforce Development Webinar noon-2 p.m. on Sept. 10. This webinar is designed to help those who have to transition to a virtual environment to compete for employment and will include an overview of how and what tools Google offers to help give an edge in the job search. Registration is required, http://www.cobbcat.org/events/. • Learn the importance of using

Google Tools. • Learn how to translate job searches online using Google search engine. • Create resumes using Google Docs templates. • Learn to conduct job searches using

Google Job Search. • Learn workforce tips on resume writing. • Learn tips on translating job searches and interviewing online.