From left are Sarah Warburton, Gracie Martin and Emily Prosser, the three East Coweta ninth graders who are forming a nonprofit called Limitless. In September, these young ladies supported CIS by volunteering with the Sunrise on the Square Road Race.
East Coweta ninth graders Gracie Martin, Emily Prosser and Sarah Warburton are determined to show the community that “limitless” is more than just a word. They want “Limitless”—a nonprofit being formed by the three—to be the first name Coweta community organizations think of when they need a helping hand with a worthwhile project.
“We don’t think you’re ever too young to make a difference in the community,” said Gracie. “We want to do whatever we can to give back.”
Limitless made its official debut at the East Coweta Homecoming Parade on October 15. They couldn't say enough about the support they have received from the EC faculty and Principal Steve Allen.
“These girls have solid plans and are getting ready to do some positive things,” said Allen. “We welcome that, and we’re excited they have four years at EC to do some great things.”
The three have been actively supporting Coweta nonprofits since they were students at Lee Middle School.
Their first effort was inspired by a tragedy. When Gracie was just 15 months old, her father, Robi Martin, died from glioblastoma, a brain tumor that takes the lives of thousands each year. During Robi's treatment, his wife, Stephanie, was overwhelmed by the support of friends, family and church members who brought meals, ran errands and did anything they could to assist the young family during their struggle.
Stephanie—who now works with cancer patients at Piedmont Newnan Hospital—was so impressed by the support her family received, she started a charitable foundation to help other families going through the same ordeal.
Growing up, Gracie was acutely aware of the fight against the disease that took her father's life. She had seen her mother help cancer patients struggling with meeting non-medical needs, including finding money for food and rent. When she and Emily and Sarah decided to do a community service project, they chose to participate in the Relay for Life, which raises funds for cancer treatment and research.
They formed a team to participate in the Coweta County event, then gathered supporters, donors and team members, and in their first ever fundraiser, collected $2,000. Last year, they did it again, raising over $4,700.
When the trio arrived at East Coweta this fall, they had decided to do even more. And not just by raising funds for good causes but by offering help and support to any community nonprofit that needed a helping hand.
They knew that to be truly effective, they should start a nonprofit of their own. They asked Stephanie for advice, and she told them that forming a 501c3 nonprofit organization was a daunting task requiring endless paperwork and considerable legal help.
She said she would help, but the girls would have to do all the heavy lifting, starting by creating a vision statement, mission statement and bylaws.
That process is underway, and soon, Coweta’s newest nonprofit, Limitless, will be a reality. But just because the paperwork isn’t done doesn’t mean the girls aren’t busy. They have already helped several local nonprofits, including Bridging the Gap. Over the Labor Day weekend they volunteered support for the Sunrise on the Square Road Race, which benefited Communities In Schools of Coweta County (CIS).
The girls were recently invited to an event honoring CIS supporters and donors. They were introduced to the crowd and said it was great to meet some of the local movers and shakers.
“That was so much fun,” Sarah said. “We saw community leaders and all these great people representing different organizations, and we want to be involved like they are.”
Right now, the girls can’t stop thinking about which groups they might be able to help.
“Sometimes, we have to rein ourselves in,” Emily said. “I just want to tweet about it.”
During a recent conversation, the air was filled with comments like “We want to make it personal, to show love” and “We want to use what we have to give as much as we have,” and ”Where do we go from here? I have an idea. Maybe we can do this. I see a need.”
Their goal is to become the go-to group for any Coweta County nonprofit that needs a hand with a project. And they’re willing to do anything to help.
“We want people to know that if you call us, we’ll bring the posse,” said Stephanie Martin.
The group's name was inspired by the song “Limitless" by Christian musical artist Colton Dixon. The three girls are determined to set a Christian example in all the work they do.
"God has given us so much, we want to give as much as we can back,” said Gracie. “We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
The three are now selling Limitless T-shirts to raise funds for their first effort, providing Christmas gifts for a family in need.
“We wanted to do something personal,” Gracie said.
“We want to show our love,” Sarah said.
Emily added, “Our basic goal is helping people any way we can with anything people need.”
That’s a tall order, but spend a few minutes with these three young ladies and you won’t doubt for a second they're up to the task.
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