Event allows you the chance to help bring change to Macon, earn grant money

MACON, Ga. -- The Community Foundation of Central Georgia is asking you to bring about change to Macon-Bibb County. And you could even earn the money to help make your idea a reality.

The Community Foundation is hosting the first ever "On the Table Macon" on Wednesday. More than 100 hosts will attend this event, which will be spread out through the community all day.

County commissioners, health care providers, Bike Walk Macon and many others will listen to your concerns.

"The only constant in our lives and community is change," Nancy Cleveland, communications and development associate for the Community Foundation, said. "We encourage you to go beyond the table and to write down your actual solutions."

The Knight Foundation gave the Community Foundation a grant for this event. It's a national event -- the first one took place in Chicago.

You could be the change you wish to see.

"We have a pool of $20,000 where we will award many grants in increments of $100 to $1,000," Cleveland said.

Amber Jones has lived in Macon her whole life.

"Every city has its problem and this event gives the ordinary citizen an opportunity on what their concerns are," she says.

She'll take a seat at some of Wednesday's open conversations.

"Incentives with money might give people the jump start they need to think it through," Jones says.

Topics include reducing crime, setting our youth up for success, community involvement and so much more.

Commissioner Larry Schlesinger is one of many who will host his own open conversation.

"It's not so much me talking to them, but them talking to me," he said.

Commissioners Virgil Watkins and Al Tillman will also host events.

Jones hopes her community will take advantage.

"When I think about this event, I think about dinner with my family," she says. "That's when the best ideas are birthed."

To get involved in Wednesday's event, click here.

You'll see the option to "Join a Table." Click on that, and you'll get a list of options.

Then you can go to the map and click on the green markers, which indicate which are available and "reserve a seat."