Georgia Northwestern Management Students Help Soldiers At Home

When a class works together at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, there is a common goal. In Leyner Argueta’s Business Management “Team Project” course, the goal has been taking care of one of their own. 

“They really put their hearts to work,” said Mr. Argueta of his Fall 2016 Team Project students. “We have a U.S. Marine veteran in our program whose family has a huge need. These students wanted to show this veteran, now home for good, their appreciation.” They wanted to help provide him with a new home. A house in a country that Bradley Ramirez helped protect while serving overseas. 

They got their initial idea from press coverage. A story about Mr. Ramirez and the help of the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage company in Dalton has now turned into different people coming together over the past year to be able to care for one of North Georgia’s own. Mr. Ramirez and his family came home to their house a little over a year ago. The condition of the home required a complete demolition and rebuild. Mr. Ramirez and his family would need a miracle. 

And miracles are just what they got. Plenty of them. 

Thanks to the help of several Whitfield County companies and organizations, the man who served our country for nine years, including two tours in Afghanistan, is closer to his family’s brand new home. Northwest Georgia groups donated their time and service with demolition provided by the American Legion, materials courtesy of Johns Lumber, and blueprints handled by Habitat For Humanity. 

With so many banding together to do what was right, it left Mr. Ramirez’ family humbled and in awe. “We didn’t expect it,” said Mr. Ramirez’ wife, Argelia. “When he told me, I almost cried. It’s just something we didn’t expect.” That’s when Argueta’s classmates stepped in to continue the giving spirit. 

“They wanted to raise $10,000 to help with the process,” said Mr. Argueta. “It seemed possible to do. But, they had to up their game as the class went along.” As they learned what it would take to raise funding for a not-for-profit cause, the lessons would come fast. “They started by selling doughnuts,” shared Mr. Argueta. “However, that effort would only get them to a fraction of their goal. So, they then moved on to selling Belk’s Discount cards. They even had special T-shirts made and sold them. The business mentality took over. They had put their passion to work and it helped them reach the goal.” 

Mr. Argueta’s goal at one time had been to be a successful businessman. Then, in 2012, the Chicago, Ill. native first came to Northwest Georgia. “I really wanted to find an opportunity where I could make a difference,” commented Mr. Argueta. After stopping over in Calhoun during a trip into the Southeastern U.S., Mr. Argueta really felt he may have found a place his family could make their mark. 

A businessman by trade, Mr. Argueta would be pulled into the education industry. However, the die-hard Chicago Cubs fan would also get another call. He is now a pastor at Faith Moves Church in Calhoun. The bilingual church is the only one of its kind in the region as the message is delivered each week in Spanish and English, simultaneously. And, to no one’s surprise, one of the big practices parishioners at his church are encouraged to do daily: To share the love of Christ in the community. 

“These students in our Team Project classes are just giving back, not only for their needed credit, but also because they felt it was simply the right thing to do,” said Mr. Argueta. Now that the Fall 2016 Team Project class is done, the Spring 2017 class is carrying on with business in the same giving manner. They are helping collect and distribute women’s undergarments for women in Haiti. “One of the students did a mission trip their previously and learned of the need,” said Mr. Argueta. 

As for Mr. Ramirez, he anticipates to be in his own Team Project class in the next few terms. An expert in Supply Chain Management while serving the United States Marine Corps, Mr. Ramirez hopes to find another veteran who may need similar assistance and keep the project going. “I almost left school to get a full-time job to start raising money for the house,” said Mr. Ramirez in regards to his own home. 

A graduate of Phoenix High School in 2007, Mr. Ramirez has decided to call Dalton home for his children, as well. Bradley and Argelia Ramirez have three children, Bradley, Callie, and Gracie. To donate to the project, mail gifts to American Legion Post 112, P.O. Box 932, Dalton, Georgia 30722. All checks should include “Project Avenue C” in the memo line.