Our Partners

Monet Goode

Founder

Sumter County Sheriff Eric Bryant, spoke to a Heart of Sumter gathering of citizens and local leaders gathered to address the growing gun and gang violence in Americus at large, He said his department’s data confirms that when children are occupied with healthy alternatives, such as attending Dwight Harris’s Sumter Basketball Camp, CRIME RATES DROP! Picture of sheriff Bryant

Emmett Marsh

Sales Manager

Susan Lashley, of Century 21 Americus Realty and active in the Sumter County Realtor’s Association, began donating to Heart of Sumter projects for the similar reason. She and fellow Realtors helped fund the Greatest Gift free family event in Rylander Park in 2025. Lashley photo

Americus Mayor Travis Rush, challenged Heart of Sumter to connect with library staff and introduce Read to Grow, our free tutoring program.

“Children who feel noticed and cared for grow up to be caring members of society,” Rush said.

“Reading is a super power.”

Mayor Rush

William Bailey of the William Bailey State Farm Insurance Agency of Americus, was the first donor to Heart of Sumter, funding another free public Christmas event. William Bailey photo

Gary Underwood, owner of a renown Southwest Georgia roofing company, funded scholarships to One Stitch at a Time sewing day camps. No photo

Please consider joining our growing list of generous donors

Place Stitch in Time sewing camp picture on this page