The Avenue Raises Funds to Help Students and Families in Need

The Fayette County School System's Children at Risk in Education (CARE) program supports students and their families who are in need due to life changes not in their control. The Avenue Peachtree City has partnered with the school system's CARE program to help provide funding needed to meet the needs of those students, enabling them to have a successful and enriching educational experience.

In January, The Avenue presented CARE Coordinator Karen Spangler with $1,518 that was raised through its Breakfast with Santa program.

"The proceeds will be used to meet qualifying needs from our Angel Tree that were not met during the holidays with the remainder being used throughout the year to meet ongoing needs of students," says Spangler.

"We are very grateful to The Avenue for the hard work and effort that went into making the fundraiser so successful. Because of their efforts, we can better meet the needs of our students."
In addition to the donation, the CARE program received another gift from The Avenue. Marketing Manager Kim Tanaglo-Minshew announced that the shopping center would raise money each month for CARE by expanding its summer Camp Avenue program to a monthly schedule.

"We will continue making CARE our charitable organization for Camp Avenue. The monthly schedule gives shoppers an opportunity to make donations all year long instead of just June and July," she says.

At the beginning of the school year, Camp Avenue donated hundreds of school supplies that were divvied up among Fayette's schools for distribution to students who needed them.

CARE carefully screens students and families who receive assistance. The parents must be employed but unable to meet the needs for which they are requesting assistance. No money is given directly to parents or students. Anyone wishing to make a donation to CARE can do so by contacting Spangler at the LaFayette Educational Center, 770-460-3990.