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In a world of unexpected events and uncertainty, there is always someone who is going to be grateful for a little assistance to make it through a trying time in his or her life.- Lisa Leary The Community Awareness Committee (CAC) is a charitable organization that collects and distributes food and clothing to families in need inside Madison County. The group began with a few concerned citizens in 2012 that recognized the needs within their community. Lisa Leary, the Asst. Public Relations officer for the group, said it was a group of about six people who began supplying people with food and performing lawn care, mostly for the neighborhood’s elderly, but within just a few years, the volunteer organization has grown, enabling them to do even more. Since their inception, CAC has held youth programs at Lanier Field that included their Summer Youth Fair that included food vendors, bounce houses, educational materials and information on abstinence. They have also teamed up with the Madison County Health Dept., the Apalachee Center and Merv Mattair’s Boyz to Kings where they held a Love, Peace & Joy Festival and set-up booths that offered services to the community, gave out food bags, sponsored a football game, featured local artists and even held a fashion show. The event was such a success they are repeating the festival this month on Feb. 28, again at Lanier Field. Last year, CAC held an inaugural banquet, recognizing leaders in the community. Leary said there were members from the fire dept., police dept., city hall and other notable people who attended the event. This year, the group is branching out again to reward a scholarship to a deserving Madison County High School graduate and Eddie Ealy, CAC’s president, also sends out a newsletter to the community, providing news and information to now, over 100 email recipients. With all they do, the group still does what they originally organized for; they collect and give out food, provide clothing to those who need it and still provide lawn care for the elderly. CAC gladly accepts any and all donations of non-perishable food items and clothing for all ages and sizes. If you have items you would like to donate or want more information about CAC, contact Lisa Leary at (850) 973-6888 or Michael Duckworth at (850) 869-9373 or email: wecaremadison@gmail.com.