Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Southern Conservation Trust In Finalists, Asks for Your Vote

The American Hiking Society and Nature Valley announced that Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) is one of 20 nonprofit organizations as finalists for Save the Trails funding. Save the Trails will award $5,000 to the top 10 finalists, based on online votes, to restore the Line Creek Nature Area. SCT is asking the community to support their mission by voting at www.wheresyours.com, Oct. 1-31.

Fayette County Civitan Club Installs New Officers

Photo: President Chuck Clanton (L) thanks Past President Carl Hall for serving the club this past year

The Fayette County Civitan Club installed the officers for the 2008-2009 year September 25th at their annual banquet. Serving the community and its needs the new officers are: President: Chuck Clanton, President-Elect: Mike Jones, Immediate Past President: Carl Hall, Vice President: David Joslin, Secretary: Darryl Douglass, Treasurer: John Webster, Chaplain: Bo Mullins, Sgt. At Arms: Dan Arnett, Directors: Darryl Chaney, Bryan Price, Will Hawkins & Alan Jones.

All attending enjoyed Governor Elect Ray Marden as he spoke and installed the new officers.
The Fayette County Civitan Club has been an outstanding club in the community since 1970 when it began. In the year 2006-2007 they were awarded as Top Club in the State of Georgia by Civitan International organization.

Organizations that have benefited from the fundraising of this Civitan club are Christian City, Camp Civitan, Camp Big Heart, Boy Scouts, American Cancer Society, Joseph Sams School, Girl Scouts, Fayette Youth Protection Home, Southwest Christian Care, Special Olympics, among many others. Funds are raised through Christmas Tree sales, 5K Road Race, Sales of pecans, Paula Deen kits, Vidalia Onions, Fruit Cake, Candy-Coin boxes, Tennis Tournament and other events throughout the year.

The Fayette County Civitans meet second and fourth Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. at Melear’s Restaurant in Fayetteville. If you are interested in joining this organization contact Chuck Clanton by email chuck_clanton@comcast.net or calling 404-456-8151.

---
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
---

Riders Needed for October 11th Joseph Sams School Motorcycle Poker Run

Motorcycle enthusiasts and local business commit to raising funds for The Joseph Sams School

The Joseph Sams School (www.josephsamsschool.org), a private, not-for-profit, special needs school in Fayetteville, Georgia, has created a new event to help raise funds and awareness for their school; Ridin’ for a Reason, 2008 Joseph Sams School Poker Run.

Ridin’ for a Reason will be on Saturday, October 11th and will offer a great ride and beautiful fall scenery to its participants, plus an outstanding cause. Starting at 10:30 am at Big Daddy’s Cycle World in South Fayetteville, and making stops at Redneck Gourmet in Senoia, Great South Harley Davidson in South Newnan, Big Red Oak Plantation in Gay, the ride will end at Wings & Things in Fayetteville with the final card draw, 50/50 drawing, lunch, raffles, an auction and a live band.

With the participation of community businesses and corporate sponsorships, those involved are confident that this ride will help raise much needed funding for the school’s programs and services.

For more information regarding sponsorship or ride registration, please contact Ashley Sams at 770-461-5894, or visit www.josephsamsschool.org.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

The Joseph Sams School Announces 2008-2009 Board of Directors

The Joseph Sams School (www.josephsamsschool.org), a private, not-for-profit, special needs school in Fayetteville, Georgia, has restructured their Board of Directors to include an Executive Committee and a Board-at-Large; recruiting 13 new Board Members from across metro Atlanta and further outlying counties.

Dale Georgia, long time JSS Board Member and current Board President, is excited about the impact that the new Board of Directors will have in the continuing growth of the school’s student body and programs. “We have fully embraced the opportunity to welcome so many new Board Members from varying professions and diverse communities. Seven of the nine counties that we serve have representation through a Board Member, which will benefit both the school as well as respective counties represented. We could not be more pleased with the level of service each member has committed to provide the school.”

Georgia, explained the Board of Directors’ vision for the Joseph Sams School. “The Joseph Sams School has grown by leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings back in 1984 -- not only in numbers, but in program excellence as well. This Board would like to continue to focus on providing individualized education and progressive programs to each student while growing the school’s population and facilities to meet the needs of the increasing number of children with disabilities; it is critical that The Joseph Sams School effectively serve as many students as possible without jeopardizing the quality of our programs.”

The Joseph Sams School 2008-2009 Board of Directors are:

Executive Committee

Dale Georgia, President
Dave Sapp, Vice President
Jim Sams, M.D., Secretary
Commissioner Jack Smith, Treasurer
Anne Miller
Charles Coppolino
David Goodman, M.D.
Kelly Kallis
Ellen Nichol
Rod Robinson, M.D.

Board-at-Large
Scott Blackstock
Senator Ronnie Chance
Kay Deming, Esq.
Kevin Demmitt, PhD
Marie Dodd (ad hoc)
Maj. General Ted Mallory (ret) USAF
Arnold Martin
Doug Mickey
Representative Matt Ramsey, Esq.
Matthew Ralsten, M.D.
Rocky Roquemore
Brent Scarbrough
Jason Thompson, Esq.
Fred Turner, Esq.
Congressman Lynn Westmoreland
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Duracell Partner

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Duracell are partnering for the third consecutive year through the Power of Parents child safety program to arm families with important new information about school year safety. According to new data released today from NCMEC, most abduction attempts occur after-school, between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.1 Almost half of non-family abduction attempts happen when a child is walking to or from school or a related school activity.2 NCMEC also found that the overwhelming majority of children affected by abduction attempts are young girls (74 percent) between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. As 56 million students grades K through 12 are beginning their school year, it is more important than ever for families to take the time to have important safety discussions.

To help parents guide the conversation with their children, NCMEC and Duracell have expanded their child safety resource portfolio with the addition of a new, free Child Safety Handbook. The handbookhas been developed for parents of children who are infant through high school ages. It is available on www.powerofparentsonline.com.

As children are back in school, NCMEC and Duracell encourage parents to pay attention to and carefully become familiar with the adults who are in their children’s lives including tutors, coaches, day care providers and after-school program leaders. Currently, only 58 percent of parents and guardians are taking this important step.3

“We know that the best line of defense in child safety is the guidance of a parent and we hope that the data we’ve released today serves as a reminder to families of the need to have conversations about safety with their children,” said Ernie Allen, president and CEO, NCMEC.

“We are proud to again be partnering with our friends at Duracell to offer the new Child Safety Handbook.”

The Power of Parents Child Safety Handbook provides safety tips from the experts at NCMEC for four key child development stages: infant to toddler, ages 4-6, ages 7-11 and ages 12-17. Understanding that with these different stages of development a child’s behavior pattern changes, the handbook outlines age-appropriate tips and scenarios that parents need to be aware of, as well as some outside influences that may be impacting their child’s actions. A sampling of current technologies such as applications of GPS, wireless and Radio Frequency Identification technologies used for child safety precautions also are highlighted.

“We hope the combination of the data released today and the new Child Safety Handbook inspires families to really take a hard look at the safety issues that our children currently face and, most importantly, creates a sense of urgency to have this important talk with their kids,” said Rick June, Duracell Vice President and General Manager. “Duracell is incredibly proud to extend its relationship with NCMEC through this important safety program. We hope that together we can help make a difference in every home and schoolyard.”

The Power of Parents program launched in April 2006 with the goal of helping parents prepare, protect and empower their children by providing useful safety tools and information for families. The Power of Parents program Web site (www.powerofparentsonline.com ) contains a variety of important safety tools for families including a free downloadable child photo ID guide, seasonal safety tips, a six-month photo ID reminder service, a free children’s book designed to help 4-6 year olds understand safety concepts and Teachable Moments Guides.

In addition to providing these free safety tools, as a part of the Power of Parents program, Duracell will make a monetary donation to NCMEC. The Company will also supply Duracell Daylite® flashlights and batteries to NCMEC’s Team Adam, a network of on-site rapid response consultants who provide technical assistance to local law enforcement officers who investigate cases of child abduction and exploitation across the country.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Kedron Elementary Receives Target Grant for Children’s Theater


Kedron Elementary School Principal Karen Bullock and fifth grade teacher Carla Zonneveld pose with Peachtree City Target representatives Cynthia Burnett and Lynn Jacobs.

Students at Kedron Elementary in Peachtree City are going to star in their own full-scale musical, complete with professional sets and costumes, thanks to the generosity of Target.

Fifth grade teacher Carla Zonneveld was instrumental in helping Kedron receive a $5,000 Target grant to bring the Missoula Children’s Theater to the school in 2009. The grant will fund the weeklong residency of two professional actors/directors who arrive in town with all the costumes, props and sets necessary for a full-scale musical production. The only thing missing is the cast, which is where the students become involved.

The week begins with a casting call on where 50-60 students are selected to fill the roles of a popular children’s story that has been adapted to a musical. Other students will serve as backstage directors, helping with the curtains and lighting and making sure that the actors enter the stage on cue. By Saturday, after a week of intensive rehearsals involving memorizing lines, learning songs and practicing choreography, the students put on two public performances. Tickets are sold to the community for both performances with the school keeping all of the proceeds, which will be used to bring the theatrical group back to the school the following year.

“Bringing a program to a school that will make a lasting impact on some of its students is not difficult, but introducing one that will change the lives of an entire school community is nearly impossible,” say Zonneveld.

This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today, that translates into more than $3 million every week.

Zonneveld says the Missoula Children’s Theater experience will give students the confidence and skills they need to be effective students while instilling important character traits that they will use for the rest of their lives.

“I have witnessed first-hand the effect this type of training can have on a large group of children. As my daughter attended rehearsals after school, I began to see the whole group changing. By performance day, I was in awe of the talent being displayed with complete confidence. Even the youngest children had developed the discipline and demeanor of seasoned performers,” says Zonneveld.

Schools can apply for Target grants between March 1 and May 31 of each year. Target funds arts programs that bring the arts to schools or make it affordable for youth and families to participate in cultural experiences such as touring programs, field trips to the theater or symphony or artist in residencies and workshops in schools.

“I hope that with the generous support of this grant we will be able to start a tradition of showcasing the arts in our community and changing the lives of many generations of Kedron Knights to come,” says Zonneveld.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Walk to Help Fight Alzheimer's Disease on October 4th

Consider yourself blessed if you can read this article. If you were a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease, you probably couldn’t. If you were a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient, you probably wouldn’t have time. Nearly 200,000 Georgians suffer with this dreaded disease. And nearly 350,000 others are affected by it through their roles as family caregivers. The purpose of the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, is to lighten the burden of care giving through personalized support, education and training, as well as contributions to research for the prevention, cure and treatment of the disease.

Saturday, October 4th is your opportunity to aid in fighting this disease by participating in the Southern Crescent Memory Walk in Peachtree City. Participants come from six adjacent counties: Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, South Fulton and Spalding. Last year nearly $220,000 was raised to combat this disabling disease. Since the Walk’s beginnings in 2000, nearly $1,300,000 has been raised! The Co-Chairs for the Walk are Iola Snow and Fred Brown.

Registration for the 5K (3.2 miles) walk along the city’s cart paths is from 8:00 – 9:30 AM in the parking lot of the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater. Come as a member of a team, family group, neighbors, friends, or by yourself….just come and make a donation. Over 1000 people participate. Dogs are welcomed, too. A free continental breakfast is available upon your arrival. Face painting and balloons sculptures will be provided by the Clowns of New Hope Baptist Church. Music is provided by the Peachtree Jazz Edition. A balloon release with a personalized tag attached is scheduled just before the walkers depart. But first, you must “warm up” with the assistance of World Gym trainers. Runners depart at 9:15 AM while walkers leave at 9:30 AM. Watering stations are located along the walking route. Golf carts are stationed at various locations to transport you back to the parking lot if the need arises.

Upon your return, enjoy a free hot dog or hamburger lunch courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City. Visit several of the sponsor tables to see what they have to offer. And don’t forget to stick around for some spectacular prize drawings. Make it a family function by joining in on the fun and please make a meaningful donation to help those in need.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Cattle Barons’ Ball Launches Tennis, Golf Tournaments

To rustle up even more support and enthusiasm for the 6th annual Cattle Barons’ Ball on Nov. 8 in Fayette County, the planning committee is hosting the event’s inaugural women’s tennis and men’s golf tournaments. Both events will raise additional funds for the American Cancer Society.

The tennis tournament, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Canongate Whitewater Creek Country Club, will be a women’s doubles tournament open to players with 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 rankings. The tournament, sponsored by Boulignini Shoes & Accessories, will begin at 9:30 a.m., with lunch provided by Mellow Mushroom. Live and silent auctions will be held during lunch, and prizes will be awarded to the winners of each division. The registration fee, which includes a T-shirt, is $60 per player and is limited to the first 50 players. The deadline to register is Oct. 15. For registration forms, visit www.baronsball.com. For more information, contact Gretchen Scheinost, 770-631-9723, or Jenny Springstroh, 770-719-1534.

The golf tournament will be held the day before the ball on Friday, Nov. 7, also at Whitewater Creek. The registration fee is $95 per player, or $380 for a foursome, and includes lunch. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and tee off at 10 a.m. Sponsorships for the tournament, including specific holes, and various contests, such as a putting contest and the longest drive contest, are still available. The deadline to register is Nov. 1. For registration forms, visit www.baronsball.com. For more information, contact Heather Smith, 678-414-3459.

The annual Western-style Cattle Barons’ Ball will be held on Saturday Nov. 8 at Canongate at Whitewater Creek Country Club at 175 Birkdale Drive in Fayetteville. For ticket information, contact the American Cancer Society office at 301 Kelly Drive, Peachtree City, GA 30269; 770-631-0625 (phone); 770-631-8917 (fax); or visit www.barronsball.com.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Monday, September 22, 2008

Promise Place Holds 5K Run / Walk from Domestic Violence

Photo: Promise Place Vice President Lance Gaunt, Partner's Pizza owner Marilyn Royal, Promise Place President Leslie Torok, Promise Place Shelter Director Vanessa Motley, Promise Place Treasurer George Martin in front of the race site, Partner's Pizza, Peachtree City. A raffle will be held to win a "Night of Royalty" sponsored by Royal-Turner Transportation.

Promise Place, the Council on Domestic Violence that serves Fayette, Pike, Upson and Spalding counties, will hold their 4th annual 5K Run/Walk from Domestic Violence on September 26th at Partner's Pizza in Peachtree City. Registration begins at 5:00 pm, the race starts at 6:30 pm.

Applications can be found at Partner's Pizza, the three Fayette World Gym locations, the Fayette County library, the Peachtree City library, and Ultimate Fitness in Peachtree City. Entry fee is $25 and includes a free t-shirt, pizza and drinks complimentary of Partner's Pizza. Raffle tickets will be sold to win a "Night of Royalty" in a limosine sponsored by Royal-Turner Transportation.

For more information about Promise Place call 770-460-1604, for more information about the race contact Lance at 770-331-1050.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Atlanta Braves Foundation Awards Nearly $90,000 in Grants to Local Non-Profit Organizations

The Atlanta Braves Foundation awarded grants totaling $87,000 to the following non-profit organizations prior to Friday's Braves game vs. the New York Mets: Atlanta Community Food Bank, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Atlanta Track Club, Canine Companions for Independence, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Cobb Christmas, Inc., East Lake Foundation, Latin American Association, L.E.A.D., Inc., Metro Atlanta Project, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Ga., North Metro Miracle League, READing Paws, Inc., Star Struck Foundation, The Auditory-Verbal Center, Inc., The Ron Clark Academy, Tomorrow's Champions, Villages at Carver Family YMCA, and YES! Atlanta.

The Atlanta Braves Foundation grants funds to youth-serving organizations that focus on health, education, and recreation; that have sound financial practices; and whose plans for the requested funds will have a significant impact upon the individuals served by the requesting organization.

Friday night's grant ceremony caps another successful year for the Atlanta Braves Foundation and its community outreach programs. The Foundation was successful in its fundraising efforts in 2008 thanks to the generous support of thousands of fans and community partners. Marquee events and initiatives including the Legacy Brick Paver Program, Atlanta Braves Foundation Weekend and the Third Annual Atlanta Braves Foundation Golf Classic experienced tremendous support and success. Annual fundraisers and ongoing programs including Jerseys Off Our Backs, Brown Bag Bonanza, the 50/50 Raffle and game day silent auctions helped provide additional funds to support the Atlanta Braves Foundation's outreach efforts.

Metro Atlanta youth baseball and softball programs benefited in 2008 from the "Pinch Hitter Grant Fund," an initiative to assist youth baseball and softball organizations in need. The Atlanta Braves Foundation made $12,000 in financial contributions to 12 organizations to help provide relief for lost or stolen equipment, damaged facilities, and uniform shortages.

The Atlanta Braves Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Atlanta Braves that actively supports community organizations and their programs within the metro Atlanta area. Since its inception in 1992, the Atlanta Braves Foundation has provided support to thousands of metro Atlanta based organizations and has contributed more than 2.7 million dollars in financial assistance to the community. Through the generous support of Braves players, employees, sponsors and fans, the Atlanta Braves Foundation continuously strives to improve the quality of life for our youth.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Governor Calls Georgians to Serve During ‘Hands On Georgia Week’

Governor Sonny Perdue today challenged the citizens and businesses of Georgia to serve and enhance their communities during Hands On Georgia Week, which will take place from Saturday, September 27, through Saturday, October 4.

“We have much to be proud of and thankful for as Georgians, and volunteering in our communities is an essential part of our outstanding quality of life,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I challenge each Georgian to join me and volunteer for a local community service project with your family, friends or co-workers during Hands On Georgia Week. I encourage everyone to find something that they are passionate about, whether it’s working with children or senior citizens, cleaning up and preserving our state’s natural resources, or supporting fine arts and sports programs.”

According to the Volunteering in America Report by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Georgians volunteered for nearly 229,575,000 hours of community service in 2007, worth an estimated $4.4 billion ($4,479,007,314) of time. Still, Georgia’s overall rate of volunteers was 24.2 percent, compared to the national average of 26.2 percent.

Hands On Georgia is the first statewide network in the nation that is dedicated to volunteer service and civic engagement, acting as a central organizing body for all of Georgia’s 159 counties to mobilize citizens to address community needs and enhance their respective communities. Hands On Georgia Week is the organization’s signature event, which attracted 68,000 volunteers who contributed 191,000 hours of community service in 2007.

Some projects scheduled for this year’s Hands On Georgia Week include:

· Atlanta: Hands On Atlanta and Accenture have partnered with the Atlanta City Council – District 2 for a neighborhood clean-up project with an estimated 600 volunteers at the Historic Old Fourth Ward from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4.
· Columbia County (Augusta): 200 Volunteers will work on a mural honoring the 20th anniversary of the Oliver Hardy Festival in Harlem. The mural will be placed in a prominent area once completed.
· Columbus: 200 volunteers will participate in various service projects that include a cook-out for soldiers returning from Iraq and a Protecting Our Earth conservation program for school children.
· Macon: 200 Volunteers will make repairs to homes damaged by the tornados that occurred on Mother’s Day 2008.
· Milledgeville: 200 volunteers will participate in a clean-up and revitalization of the Walter B. Williams Recreational Park.
· Savannah: 300 volunteers participating in Beach Sweep- picking up litter on the beach and in the dunes of Tybee Island
· Thomas County (Thomasville): 1,000 volunteers will participate in several projects that include sorting and bagging food at the local food bank, cleaning up litter along the Ochlocknee River, gleaning a local farmer’s field for produce, and reviving a historic cemetery with Thomasville Landmarks.

“It is truly amazing to see thousands of Georgians volunteer their time to support their local communities,” said Laurie Grant Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of Hands On Georgia. “It’s a great feeling to work alongside your friends and neighbors to promote seat belt safety or paint a senior center, to help landscape your town squares or pick up litter from our parks and roadways. But it is awe-inspiring to look back and see what your fellow Georgians were doing at the same time around the state, and the collective difference that we all have made.”

Hands On Georgia has 14 affiliates across the state that include the communities of Athens, Atlanta, Brunswick, Columbus, Covington, Dalton, Dooly County, Forsyth County, Harlem, Macon, Milledgeville, Savannah, Wayne County and Thomas County.

Citizens interested in participating in Hands On Georgia Week are encouraged to e-mail or call Hands On Georgia at info@handsongeorgia.org or (404) 979-2842. Specific project information is available at www.handsongeorgia.org.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

FedEx Launches Fourth Annual FedEx Cares Week

(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) kicked-off FedEx Cares Week, its annual week of service on September 15. More than 3000 employees and contractors from around the world will donate their time and talents to serving local organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities they serve.

FedEx Cares Week will be celebrated Sept. 15 – 20 in more than 40 cities around the world, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New York, Newark, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. This is the first year that team members outside the United States will participate in FedEx Cares Week, with Australia, Bermuda, China, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Mexico and the Philippines among the countries involved.

“FedEx Cares Week provides a unique opportunity for FedEx employees and contractors to work together and make a difference in the communities they serve,” said Rose Flenorl, manager, Social Responsibility, FedEx. “A passion for volunteerism is part of the FedEx culture and we are excited to extend FedEx Cares Week this year and support more than 40 communities around the world.”

Now in its fourth year, FedEx Cares Week serves as a formal kick-off for the annual FedEx United Way campaign, as well as providing an opportunity for FedEx team members to give back to their local communities. FedEx employees and contractors around the world volunteer hundreds of thousands of hours each year to make their communities better places to live, work and play.

_____

www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

News to Use in Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Atlanta, and all of Georgia

Monday, September 15, 2008

The Home Depot Foundation Donates $1 Million to Hurricane Ike Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Home Depot(R) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, today announced the donation of $1 million to the recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to Hurricane Ike. The funding will be used for three programs:

-- $200,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate recovery aid for Houston and the communities along the Gulf coast of Texas.

-- $100,000 in clean-up materials for locally organized, community volunteer efforts, including the activation of Team Depot, the Company's associate volunteer program.

-- $700,000 to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) for rebuilding efforts in communities affected by Hurricane Ike.

Separately, The Homer Fund, a charity for The Home Depot associates in need of emergency financial assistance, has begun helping associates and their families affected by Hurricane Ike. Volunteers from the Company activated The Homer Fund call center more than two weeks ago to assist associates with their urgent needs of safe housing and other daily essentials during this hurricane season. To date, The Homer Fund has granted approximately $1.1 million to more than 1,350 associates affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

"The devastation from Hurricane Ike is widespread and we are moving quickly to help the residents affected by the storm," said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. "In addition to meeting the immediate needs of our associates and communities, we are also supporting the longer-term efforts by investing in organizations that will rebuild these communities in a healthy, sustainable way."

The Home Depot closed 53 stores in the Houston, Galveston and Beaumont area prior to Hurricane Ike making landfall. As of this morning, only 6 remain closed. In an effort to give affected associates the time they need to attend to personal matters following this storm, associates from other parts of the country are coming in to help staff the stores in the affected areas. Thus far, the Company has coordinated the transport and lodging for approximately 450 relief associates.

_____
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

40 High-Achieving Students with Cystic Fibrosis Receive $100,000 Total in Higher Education Scholarships From SolvayCARES(SM)

PRNewswire/ -- Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has awarded scholarships totaling $100,000 to 40 students living with cystic fibrosis (CF) through its SolvayCARES Scholarship program. Each student has received a one-year award of $2,500 to help finance post-secondary education. This fall, one SolvayCARES Scholarship winner will go on to earn the title of "Thriving Student Achiever" through an online voting process at www.SolvayCARESScholarship.com and be honored with a scholarship totaling $10,000.

Cystic fibrosis presents extraordinary health burdens for patients and financial challenges for their families. Thanks to tremendous advances in medical treatments, more young adults with CF are living longer, healthier lives than ever before, and many more are pursuing dreams of higher education. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. Today, more than 40 percent of people living with CF are aged 18 or older.(1)

For 16 years, Solvay Pharmaceuticals has awarded scholarships to high-achieving students with CF to encourage their pursuit of educational goals. The Scholarship is one aspect of the SolvayCARES program, which was created to address the specific needs of this patient population by providing support in a variety of formats throughout their lives as patients' needs evolve with age -- such as upon graduation from high school.

"The SolvayCARES Scholarship helped ease the financial responsibility of my higher education and allowed me to focus on what really matters -- earning my doctoral degree in clinical psychology so that I can pursue my dream of working in clinical therapy with individuals affected by chronic illnesses and those connected to them," said Samantha Pelican Monson, a 2007 SolvayCARES Scholarship recipient and doctoral student at the University of Denver. "With a little creativity, you can overcome any obstacle, health-related or otherwise, and achieve the goals and dreams you have always wished would come true."

This year's SolvayCARES Scholarship program offers a new opportunity with the launch of the Thriving Student Achiever award. This winner will earn a total of $10,000 in scholarship funding and will be determined through an online voting process open to the general public at www.SolvayCARESScholarship.com. This site will feature the profiles, winning essays and creative presentations of all Scholarship recipients who choose to be considered for the Thriving Student Achiever award. Friends of the CF community and the general public are encouraged to log on to learn more about these students' remarkable accomplishments and vote for their favorite scholarship recipient. Online voting will be available from September 15 to October 15, at which time the Thriving Student Achiever will be determined.

"At Solvay Pharmaceuticals, we believe that reaching the milestone of graduation signifies tremendous victory for young people with CF and their families, and demonstrates courage and commitment," said Dr. Stephen Hill, president and chief executive officer of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "For the sixteenth consecutive year, we are proud to support this deserving and dynamic group of young people in attaining their next academic success. Our hope is that featuring winners' stories online will result in an increased awareness of CF and a heightened appreciation of these students' accomplishments."

Winners of the SolvayCARES Scholarship and Thriving Student Achiever award receive a one-year scholarship for post-secondary study of any kind through an accredited program; winners' courses of study can range from vocational school to undergraduate degrees to doctoral work. Winners are determined through an application process focusing on creativity, academic excellence, community involvement, ability to serve as a role model in the CF community and financial need. Applications are due in early summer each year and the application form can be viewed via the SolvayCARES Scholarship Web site.

About SolvayCARES(SM)

For more than 20 years, Solvay Pharmaceuticals has supported the CF community through SolvayCARES programs that offer nutritional, educational and financial resources. This support is provided at no cost to patients and includes: free CREON(R) (Pancrelipase Delayed-Release Capsules, USP) and multivitamins to patients for the first three years of life; nutritional drink supplements and multivitamins for children, teenagers and adults; and educational resources that address patients' evolving needs as they enter different life stages. Since 1993, Solvay Pharmaceuticals has awarded more than 500 scholarships for post-secondary education, totaling more than $1.7 million in educational funding. SolvayCARES also offers financial support through a Patient Assistance Program for patients who meet established financial criteria. To learn more about the nutritional, educational and financial support available through SolvayCARES, please visit www.SolvayCARES.com. For full safety and prescribing information about CREON(R), visit www.CREON-US.com.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Marietta, Ga., is the U.S. subsidiary of Solvay Pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit www.solvaypharmaceuticals-us.com.

_____
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Friday, September 12, 2008

2008 Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride

The 2008 Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride
September 13 - 14, 2008 (8:00 a.m. start each day)
Callaway Gardens (Pine Mountain, Georgia)
www.bikemsatlanta.org

Cox Enterprises and other marquis Atlanta-based companies such as The Coca-Cola Company, Turner, UPS and Georgia Power, among many others, are putting the pedal to the metal to fight multiple sclerosis (MS) this weekend. In addition to corporate support, many family and friend teams are hitting the pavement to support the cause as well. The 2008 Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride bike tour is a two-day fundraising ride through Callaway Gardens and Pine Mountain, Georgia. For the first time, multiple distance routes will be offered to encourage participation from riders of all levels.

The Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride is celebrating its 22nd year and benefits the National MS Society-Georgia Chapter, which supports more than 8,500 people with MS and their families all over Georgia. The Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride's goal is to recruit 1,300 riders and raise more than $1.2 million in proceeds. Currently, Cox Enterprises has the largest team with 155 riders -- a Georgia Chapter record.

____

www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Caring Host Families Urgently Needed for the 2008/2009 school year

Caring host families (with or without children) as well as single parents are urgently needed to provide food, a bed and a loving home for one or two semesters starting in late August. EMF high school students are between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, have medical insurance, spending money for their personal expenses and expect to share their host family’s daily life including household responsibilities. They speak English, are well-screened and eager to experience life in America. Their stay here is sponsored and supervised by EMF (Educational Merit Foundation), a non-profit, educational exchange organization. It is not too late to apply. For more information on EMF students, please call Marie-Claude Dijoud at 1-800-467-8363 or visit our web site at www.emfusa.org

Note: We believe this organization is located in Texas. We do not have any information regarding the organization nor have we visited the website.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

City of Atlanta, Atlanta Police Department and Private Sector Launch Panhandling Strategy to Educate, Enforce and Redirect Giving

Give Change That Makes Sense is the tagline of the three-tiered strategic campaign to address aggressive panhandling throughout the city of Atlanta with focus in the Downtown area, and it will launch today by Central Atlanta Progress (CAP), Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB), the Mayor’s office, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and other public certified law enforcement jurisdictions with full participation of the private sector.

The goal of this comprehensive campaign is to convince residents, employees, customers, students and visitors that giving money to panhandlers is not an authentic act of charity, and to make panhandlers aware that their actions are against the law. According to Greg Giornelli, City of Atlanta Chief Operating Officer, the strategy evolved from a public safety report recently completed by CAP and the ACVB, which consequently resulted in rounds of meetings with city personnel, APD, and the private business owners and hospitality officials.

The strategy calls for:

o Stepped-up enforcement/interaction/intervention – At the public level (APD and other sworn police jurisdictions) and private level (private business security, hired off-duty police and the Downtown Ambassador Force)

o Education/supply-demand management – Urging visitors, conventioneers, residents, students, and employees, through tailored information campaigns, that giving to panhandlers is counterproductive; and further, to educate the panhandlers that it is against the law to verbally solicit money in the “Downtown Tourist Triangle” and after dark throughout the City, as defined by the existing commercial solicitation ordinance

o Directed giving/homeless services – Coordination of convenient avenues where those who wish to give can do so efficiently by giving those in need directions to service providers who can assist

“We’re pleased that the Mayor’s office weighed-in on this approach,” says AJ Robinson, president of Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) that field the Downtown’s Ambassador Force®. The strategy has to have many levels of participation, from the public and private sectors, for it to work. It can’t just be an APD problem, because panhandling is happening on private property too, and that’s the responsibility of private business owners to help monitor. Aggressive panhandlers prey on everyone – visitors, conventioneers, residents, employees and students. Along with stepped-up enforcement and monitoring, we’ll include an education component urging well-intentioned people to redirect their giving to provide services. That’s why we tested this strategy with [The International Woodworking Fair] in August to determine if we could actually affect the supply-demand side of the equation.”

Because of the large numbers of visitors that the city welcomes on a regular basis, one of the most important sectors to get behind this strategy is the hospitality industry in Downtown Atlanta. Spurgeon Richardson, president and CEO of ACVB, says, “The hospitality industry fully supports this strategy. Convention groups have told us that panhandling is damaging to their attendees experience and to our reputation, despite all of Atlanta’s assets. That feedback has the potential to affect the $11.4 billion dollar in economic impact that this industry generates for the city each year.”

Robinson goes on to say, that “giving avenues” are identified to help channel funds to legitimate sources that provide actual services to those in need: “If people want to give, that’s great, but we’re asking them not to be part of funding a drug or alcohol habit. Fund something that helps people or as they say ‘give a hand up’ not a ‘hand out”. According to Robinson, the education portion is patterned after campaigns used in cities like Nashville whose campaign simply advised, ‘Please Help. Don’t give’.

Long term, according to Debi Starnes, the Mayor’s policy advisor on homelessness, there are plans to install “giving meters” on the street similar to programs in a number of communities throughout the country as a way to direct funding to the provision of service rather than professional panhandlers. “The legislation is already in place. All that’s left is the implementation,” said Starnes. “This is a perfect time to consider a legitimate avenue for giving, if one is so inclined.”

As part of the stepped-up enforcement efforts, the City’s COMNET radio frequency (links the police and private businesses) will transition to “plain-talk” to report and monitor the movement of panhandlers on public and private areas. “If a hotel security officer sees panhandling on their private property, they will confront the panhandler, monitor their movements and report the description and direction of their travel so that they can be picked up by the next property owner, Ambassadors or the police,” said David Wardell, CAP/ADID VP for Public Safety and Operations.

The Give Change That Makes Sense campaign will last through March 2009 and at that time, will be evaluated.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club Helps Set the Pace for Henry County Medical Center


Crystal Lake Golf and Country Club recently hosted the Pacemaker 5000 5K run/walk. This benefit for the Henry County Medical Center's Cardiology Services Unit was a huge sucess with over 400 registered and 31 paid sponsors.

Crystal Lake Golf and Country Club is also host to the Henry County Medical Foundations Golf Tournament Friday October 10. For more information please contact Adam Stanfield at 678-604-1045.

Crystal Lake Golf and Country Club is located just off of I-75 at Exit 221 in Hampton, Georgia.




_____
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Monday, September 08, 2008

James Redford & Robert Redford Host Event to 'Share The Beat' for Transplant Community

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- James Redford and Robert Redford are teaming up once again to "Share the Beat" on Saturday, September 13, as they host a star studded evening of live music and entertainment at Atlanta's historic venue, The Tabernacle, with support from Presenting Sponsor, uBID.com ( www.uBid.com ).

The event will kick off at 8 p.m. with special musical performances and story telling, featuring appearances by actor/filmmaker Robert Redford, James Denton and Dana Delany of Desperate Housewives, award-winning singer/songwriters Deana Carter, Rivers Rutherford, Greg Barnhill, Malina Moye, Aimee Mayo, Alexa Wilkinson, and American Idol's Bo Bice, as they raise awareness and funds for the Georgia Transplant Foundation (GTF) and the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI).

"This is our fifth Share the Beat and we always have an amazing time," said Annie Aft, JRI Executive Director and event producer. "The welcome we've received in Atlanta has been great and it's been a wonderful experience to work with the GTF. James and his father are always excited to share their continued joy over his miraculous transplant especially when it helps give hope to others who are waiting."

Since JRI first launched the event in 2003, "Share the Beat" has raised awareness and funds in cities all over the United States, including: Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Sundance, Omaha and now Atlanta.

"Our goal is to use the power of media to inspire people to think about organ donation on a deeper level," said James Redford, Founder of JRI. "Organ donation is the most generous act someone can do for another. The way to create more organ donors is to inspire people to embrace it. When you have this message linked to music and images it opens your heart and mind to how amazing transplant can be."

Attendees will also enjoy a live auction featuring once in a life time experience packages, catering by "Talk of the Town," and a walk on the red carpet as they arrive for this star studded evening.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with such a great event here in Atlanta," said David Bakelman, GTF Executive Director. "The awareness this event will bring here and throughout the country, paired with the financial support, will impact the lives of many organ transplant candidates and recipients."

Founded in Atlanta in 1992, the Georgia Transplant Foundation is a non-profit organization providing financial, educational, and emotional support to transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, and their families throughout the state of Georgia. GTF is funded through the generosity of the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust, corporations and individuals. Eighty-five percent of all funds raised directly supports Georgia's organ transplant community. For more information, please visit www.gatransplant.org.

James Redford waited six months for the donor liver that saved his life. After his surgery, he launched the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the need for organ and tissue donation. JRI's goal is to raise awareness of this issue through film, educational outreach, and on the web. For more information, visit www.jrifilms.org.

Tickets & information: www.sharethebeat.org or contact David Bakelman (678) 514-1171.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone

Two Events for Newnan's Community Welcome House in October

Coweta Veterans are hosting a golf tournament to benefit Community Welcome House Sunday October 19th at Orchard Hills.

Community Welcome House is hosting a 1-Mile Walk on Saturday October 18th beginning at 4:00pm near the Silhouettes at Wadsworth Auditorium in Newnan.

Community Welcome House brings hope and courage to those individuals who are victims of domestic violence; children who live in an environment of violence are victims. Info: 404-625-2711, lindakirk@charter.net or www.communitywelcomehouse.org.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Newnan, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Bicycle Miles Ridden at Repulican and Democrtic Conventions Tell The Tale

HHG Note: Miles ridden at both conventions? 41,724 miles in 8 days. Wow!
-----

Bike-sharing is the international social movement where bikes are positioned at designated stations throughout cities for individuals to use for short trips. It is a viable transportation alternative for those who prefer an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and healthy way to travel.


Humana pioneered the bike-sharing program in 2007 in its corporate hometown of Louisville, Ky. The initiative focuses on fun as well as health by encouraging people to get on a bike and ride with friends, just like when they were kids. Twenty-one percent of those riding at Humana were not previously involved in exercise activity.

BUSINESS WIRE --Delegates, visitors to Denver, Minneapolis and St. Paul, and residents of the host cities for this year’s national political conventions made it clear over the past two weeks that they enthusiastically endorse bicycle-sharing for the good of America’s health and environment.

“We’re thrilled with the energy we felt and the feedback we received from everyone who took a Freewheelin ride at the conventions,” said Jonathan Lord, M.D., Humana’s chief innovation officer. “From the young man who learned to ride a bicycle on his first Freewheelin ride to the gentleman who rode more than 100 miles in an effort to support hurricane victims, Freewheelin demonstrated the enormous potential of bike-sharing in the U.S.”

Before the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, with Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, The Humana Foundation and Bikes Belong Foundation said they would jointly donate $10 for each mile pedaled at the RNC. The 15,141 miles ridden in Minneapolis and St. Paul translate into a donation to the American Red Cross hurricane-relief fund of $151,414.

Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong, believes the success of Freewheelin at the conventions signals a turning point for bicycling and bike-sharing in the U.S.

“At each convention, elected officials from across the nation took rides, watched their friends and relatives have fun with Freewheelin, and witnessed the benefits of riding bikes for short trips,” Blumenthal said. “Now these same elected officials are returning home with new information and new enthusiasm about what bike-sharing could mean for their communities.

“When you consider that nearly half of all car trips in the U.S. are three miles or less, gas prices continue to hover at record levels, and Americans are getting more serious about protecting our environment, I’m hopeful we are seeing the beginning of a new golden era of bicycling transportation in our country.”

Dr. Lord, of Humana, added: “The obesity epidemic is causing a health crisis in our country. We eat too much and exercise too little. Promoting bicycling enables us to start down a new path in an effort to encourage Americans to take action if they want to live healthier lives.”

-----

www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Like Those Jeans on Your Fav Celebrity?

HHG Note: The online auction of jeans worn and/or signed by 60 celebrities ends on September 17th at 8 pm EST. While some bids are over $4000 at this time, all proceeds are donated to the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. Check it out. You may just look fabulous wearing jeans of Miley Cyrus or Ashlee Simpson.

In celebration of GE Profile's new energy-efficient Frontload Washer and Dryer, they've partnered with "Clothes Off Our Back" to auction off celebrity jeans for charity.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford that auctions off celebrity attire to benefit children's charities. For more information on the Clothes Off Our Back or bidding on celebrity jeans, visit www.clothesoffourback.org .

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Transportation Voucher Program Available for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities, Fayette County, Georgia

Thanks to grants awarded from The United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Fayette Senior Services, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is able to continue its popular Voucher Transportation Program. The program is designed to benefit Fayette County residents age 60 and better as well as disabled adults age 18 to 59 who cannot drive through no fault of their own.

Fayette Senior Services has been the leading provider of voucher transportation services in Fayette County for more than three years. Although the service has limited availability due to funding, last year nearly 1,200 vouchers were used by Fayette County seniors and more than 880 were used by disabled adults.

Without public transportation available in Fayette County, the independence of individuals who cannot drive through no fault of their own is severely limited. Fayette Senior Services’ Transportation Voucher Program offers a low-cost, flexible solution to transportation challenges. Eligible participants can purchase vouchers for a nominal fee, arrange their own transportation and negotiate the payment for service with one of the program’s many registered drivers. Transportation vouchers may be used for travel outside of Fayette County, which gives participants more flexibility to meet their needs; which is especially important when it comes to non-emergency medical appointments.

Individuals interested in participating in the program as passengers or as drivers should contact Ginnie Plunkett, voucher coordinator, at 770-461-0813 ext. 127 for details.

Fayette Senior Services is a non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of life-enhancing social, leisure and educational opportunities for older adults age 50 and better.

Since 1978, Fayette Senior Services has provided services to eligible older adults to improve their quality of life and foster independence. Our social services include: Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Care Referral Service, Information and Referrals, Transportation Services, In-Home Services, and Case Management.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

The Home Depot Donates $300,000 to American Red Cross for Hurricane Relief and Preparation Efforts

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer, today announced it has donated $300,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Gustav relief efforts along the Gulf Coast and for preparation efforts for impending storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine throughout the Southeastern U.S.

"Our neighbors in the Gulf Coast need our help," said Jeff Towers, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "The Home Depot responded to this call, enabling the Red Cross to provide care, comfort and compassion to the people affected by Hurricane Gustav and future storms. I want to thank The Home Depot Foundation for using the Red Cross as their conduit of compassion."

Separately, The Homer Fund, a charity for The Home Depot associates in need of emergency financial assistance, donated $500,000 to 650 associates and their families within the first 48 hours of Gustav's landfall. On Saturday, volunteers from the Company activated the Homer Fund call center to respond to and assist impacted associates with their immediate needs of safe housing and other daily essentials.

"I am extremely proud of The Home Depot and what our associates have done to help our communities, as well as each other," said Marvin Ellison, executive vice president of U.S. Stores. "We take great pride in being there for our communities during tough times, and we are committed to helping these recovery efforts."

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page

Monday, September 01, 2008

Giving Transcends Species in Yerkes Study

Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have shown capuchin monkeys, just like humans, find giving to be a satisfying experience. This finding comes on the coattails of a recent imaging study in humans that documented activity in reward centers of the brain after humans gave to charity... Click to read: Giving Transcends Species in Yerkes Study