On Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, Firefly Trail Inc. (FTI) launched its annual year-end fundraising campaign to help communities build and maintain the trail connecting Athens to Union Point.
The non-profit FTI is striving to raise $50,000, primarily to assist communities with applying for and meeting matching requirements for trail-building grants.
“Building and maintaining the remaining miles of trail requires ongoing support so that we can help our small, rural communities come up with the technical assistance and matching funds that are required by trail-building grants,” FTI President Mary Cook stated.
The campaign so far has more than $23,000 in hand, primarily from donations by Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, individual FTI board members, and early donations from dozens of trail supporters.
In recent years, FTI has dedicated over $350,000 to assist communities in constructing and paving approximately 12 miles of the proposed 39-mile trail.
Once complete, the Firefly Trail will traverse three counties and connect seven incorporated cities and towns.
Recently, FTI pledged $21,000 to assist Oglethorpe County and the City of Maxeys in obtaining a Recreational Trails Program grant for the construction of an extra 0.9 miles of trail in Maxeys, which will finalize the city’s part of the Firefly. Additionally, FTI is collaborating with Union Point to extend the trail from its current terminus on Carlton Avenue into the downtown area.
Where feasible, the Firefly Trail will follow the historic path of the Georgia Railroad Athens Branch, reducing the challenges of Northeast Georgia’s infamous hills and valleys. This makes it ideal for recreation, community events, and active transportation.
Over the past few years, FTI has helped Greene County, Union Point, Woodville, and the PATH Foundation to secure and implement a grant to build the entire 6.5 miles of trail in Greene County. In addition to providing technical assistance, a $220,000 commitment from FTI enabled Woodville to meet its contribution to the required local match.
FTI also helped raise awareness of the trail's benefits in Athens-Clarke County and Winterville, where Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Taxes approved by voters included funds for the trail. FTI is actively engaged with several local governments to attract more grants to continue construction on the trail.
“We are so thankful for the deep and ongoing investment in the trail from across our region,” Cook said. “Everyone deserves a safe, fun, and convenient trail on which they can walk, run, or ride with family and friends right here in Northeast Georgia. We’ve still got 27 miles to go, but together, we are making the dream come true. Let’s keep the momentum going.”
FTI’s year-end campaign continues through Dec. 31, with donations accepted online using Venmo or through the “Donate” tab at fireflytrail. com. To donate by check, make it payable to “Firefly Trail, Inc.” and mail it to Treasurer, Firefly Trail, Inc., 345 Lyndon Ave., Athens, Ga. 30601. FTI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.