Orchestra to Make Community Donation to Give Kids the World

The Whitewater High School Orchestra in Fayette County is paying it forward to an organization that helped one of its own while dealing with a life-threatening illness.

The Orchestra is scheduled to perform at the Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, FL on April 2. Give Kids the World is a nonprofit organization that provides memorable, magical, cost-free experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families by arranging visits to the Central Florida attractions. Children and their families stay at the Give Kids the World Village during their visit.

Back in 2004, one of the orchestra’s families was granted a wish by the organization. They and their child, who was diagnosed with leukemia, stayed at the village and visited Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios, all at no cost to the family. Fortunately, this child’s story has a happy ending.

“The young man’s leukemia is in remission. Now it is our turn to repay the gift,” says orchestra teacher Darilyn Esterline.

The orchestra would like to give the nonprofit a sizable donation from the community immediately following their performance. Anyone interested in helping is asked to write a check, payable to Give Kids the World, and bring or mail it to Whitewater High School, 100 Wildcat Way, Fayetteville, GA 30215.

The orchestra leaves for Florida on March 31, so donations need to be at the school prior to their departure. More information about Give Kids the World is available on the organization’s website, www. gktw.org. Interested persons can also contact orchestra teacher Darilyn Esterline at 770-460-3935, ext. 219 or by email at esterline.darilyn@fcboe.org.

Another way to help is to provide items and supplies needed for the day-to-day operations of the Give Kids the World Village. A copy of a wish list is posted on the GKTW website, click on the “how to help” tab at the top. The school will collect these items as well to present along with monetary donations.

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Fayette Senior Services Awarded Subaru “Share the Love” Grant

Funds to Help Feed Seniors in Need this Holiday Season

Fayette Senior Services has been awarded $500 from the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA)/Subaru “Share the Love” grant program. The MOWAA/Subaru “Share the Love” grant is tied to Subaru’s Share the Love Event.  The Share the Love Event will run from November 20, 2010 – January 3, 2011. Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer's choice of one of five charities, including MOWAA.The winning essay, which follows this news release, describes how our volunteers go the extra mile to help those in need.

The next phase of this competition relies on getting the most Facebook users to “Like” this story.  More than 140 “Share the Love” essays from programs across the country have been posted on MOWAA’s Member blog.   The Meals On Wheels program with the most “Likes” will win an additional $500. Those placing 2nd through 10th will receive an additional $250. To “Like” the local essay submitted for this Facebook contest, go to mowaablog.org and search “Fayette Senior Services.”

For more than 30 years, Fayette Senior Services Meals On Wheels program has ensured that no senior in Fayette County goes hungry, or is without the ability to have proper nutrition. Each year, a team of dedicated volunteers deliver more than 40,000 meals to more than 250 homebound and semi-homebound older adults throughout Fayette County. Many suffer from health conditions that make preparing a hot, nutritious meal difficult. Good nutrition is essential to anyone’s well-being, yet for many seniors who live on a limited source of income, maintaining a healthy diet is a challenge.

“These Meals On Wheels programs share love every day by bringing food and companionship to America’s hungry seniors,” said MOWAA President and CEO Enid Borden. “For the third year in a row Subaru has generously included Meals On Wheels in its Share the Love Event. We want the world to read these stories and find out more about what these amazing Meals On Wheels programs do every day to ‘Share the Love’ in their communities.”
The funds will be included in Fayette Senior Services goal to raise $30,000 for its annual Project Love Holiday Meal Campaign. By contributing to Project Love, individuals can help Fayette Senior Services provide holiday meals throughout the year. Proceeds from the campaign will also be used to purchase doctor prescribed Ensure® supple­ments for clients with special dietary needs, as well as “shelf meals” that seniors can have on hand in the event a meal cannot be delivered to them due to extreme weather conditions. So far, the Project Love campaign has raised just over $10,000. If you would like to make a donation visit www.FayetteLifeEnrichment.org and click on the Project Love logo to download a printable form or make an online donation. Donation forms are also available at Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center, 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville (across from the Fayette County Justice Center). Checks should be made payable to Fayette Senior Services, Inc.

“This is the season of giving and we are so thankful that Subaru has decided to give back to our Meals On Wheels program said Fayette Senior Services Executive Director, Debbie Britt. Britt adds “As a non-profit organization, we receive some government funding for the Meals On Wheels program; however, these funds don’t quite cover the cost of the regular weekly meals and make no provision for holiday meals. When you consider this, you can see why this grant, and the community’s support for our Project Love campaign are truly meaningful gifts. Our homebound seniors who depend on us for weekly meals certainly deserve a little extra love and support this holiday season and throughout the year.”

Fayette Senior Services, Inc. (FSS), a non-profit, 501.c.3 organization, provides services that help Fayette County’s older adults maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. Programs include Meals on Wheels, Transportation, In-Home Personal Care/Homemaker Services, Case Management, Adult Day Care, Information & Assistance, and Home Repair. For active older adults, Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center offers a wide variety of social, leisure, fitness and recreational activities, the Ultimate Café, and more! FSS programs are focused on total wellness – body, mind, and spirit – to help older adults live well and age well.
About Meals On Wheels Association of America. The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need.  MOWAA’s mission is to end senior hunger by 2020.  To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.org.

Fayette Senior Services Meals On Wheels Winning Essay

The holiday season is a time when most of us share the love with our family and friends. Meals On Wheels shares the love with our local seniors who would otherwise be all alone and hungry during the holidays.  It’s only fitting that we are partnering with our friends at Subaru for the third year in a row for their “Share the Love” Event to raise funds to support Meals On Wheels. This is just one story of how we share the love here in our community.

Louise was legally blind but insisted on staying in her own home instead of going to assisted living. For Louise, whose only close relative lived in North Carolina, this was challenging. With the help of our Meals On Wheels volunteers, who have done much more than deliver a meal for the past 9 years, Louise was able to stay in her home. They took her in as family ensuring that she had rides to church and shopping, got her mail, and took her garbage out, along with other household chores.  Every Thanksgiving, a Meals On Wheels volunteer invited her to dinner with his family. Louise would then call another volunteer to take her to the store to buy something for that dinner.  The volunteers formed a network to make sure Louise was being cared for in every possible way. She always said “I couldn’t have stayed in my home without the help of Meals On Wheels and all the volunteers.” Unfortunately, Louise took a fall and had to move into assisted living in North Carolina near her sister. Shortly after moving, Louise passed away. We were saddened by her death, but her “family” of volunteers had shared their love, which had helped her maintain the independence she loved so much.
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City of Fayetteville Participating in Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade

The City of Fayetteville will be doing its part to make the holiday season special for residents of the state’s mental health and retardation hospitals.

For 52 years, cities across Georgia have brought the joy of the holiday season to patients at Georgia’s seven regional mental health and retardation hospitals through the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade.

The program, begun by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in cooperation with Governor Ernest Vandiver, relies on citizen participation in each city to donate gifts for the patients, many of who would not receive gifts or be recognized without the Mayor’s Christmas Motorcade. According to hospital staff, many of the patients at these hospitals have lived there most of their lives and have little, if any, support or contact with friends and family.

Donated items from the City of Fayetteville will be delivered to West Central Georgia Regional Hospital in Columbus, Ga. on December 2, 2010. Civic organizations, businesses, churches, schools, scout troops and individual citizens are encouraged to help with the collection of gifts for the Mayors’ Christmas Motorcade. For more information on how groups can participate, please call Anne Barnard at 770-719-4159.

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its 512 member cities.

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Fayetteville Business Leaders Go "Behind Bars" for MDA

Approximately 150 local business and community leaders will be “arrested” and hauled off to “jail” at the 2010 Fayetteville Executive Lock-Up to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Local resident Christopher Jackson will serve as the Judge, and two local MDA families, the Eaglesons and the Jacquins, will attend the event to speak with the participants and share their stories.

Participants (“jailbirds”) will attempt to raise “bail,” money which is donated to MDA to help fund groundbreaking research and provide services to local families dealing with neuromuscular diseases. With community support, MDA hopes to raise $43,000 this year. The event includes free food for the participants, networking opportunities, raffle prizes, and a DJ. “Jailbirds” are transported to and from work in police cars and luxury vehicles.

Businesses interested in supporting the event may purchase a $250 or $500 “STAR” to receive recognition on the 2011 local MDA Telethon.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010; 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Historic Train Depot, 250 Lanier Ave East, Fayetteville, GA 30214

Funds raised will benefit over 2,220 families in the Metro and North Georgia areas by providing assistance in the maintenance of wheelchairs, leg braces and speech communication devices; MDA Clinic visits; a week-long summer camp for children living with muscle disorders; lifesaving research, and much more.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. To learn more about MDA, visit www.mda.org. 

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Letter Carriers to Help 'Stamp Out Hunger' With Food Drive Saturday in All 50 States

/PRNewswire/ -- Letter carriers across the country will collect non-perishable food donations Saturday (May 8) as they deliver mail along their postal routes in the nation's largest one-day effort to Stamp Out Hunger.

Donations will be collected along postal routes in more than 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the District of Columbia.

The 18th annual Letter Carriers' National Food Drive is being conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) with the assistance of rural letter carriers and other postal employees and volunteers. The postal union is seeking to exceed last year's record 73.4 million pounds of food delivered to community food banks and pantries. It also anticipates breaking the one billion-pound mark in total donations since the humanitarian effort began in 1993.

NALC President Fredric V. Rolando said the donations from postal customers will help millions of American families who have been hurt by the nation's lingering economic difficulties. The drive is especially important at this time for families with children who rely on school lunch programs for nutrition, since most of them are suspended during the summer months.

"Food banks and pantries are in dire need this year as more and more families seek assistance to provide sufficient food for their dinner table," Rolando said. "Many are working families who find that their income simply will not stretch enough to meet all their housing, clothing, medical and nutritional needs."

The public should leave non-perishable food donations - such as canned meat and fish, soup, cereals, pasta and rice - in a bag near their mailbox on Saturday before their letter carrier arrives. Glass containers and items with expired dates should be avoided. (In New York City, residents are asked to take their donations to their local post office).

Over 126 million postcards, sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company and the U.S. Postal Service's Priority Mail, have been mailed to postal customers to remind them of the drive. Other national partners are the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association, Valpak, United Way Worldwide, the AFL-CIO and the Feeding America food bank network.

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Krispy Kreme and the Law Enforcement Torch Run(R) Are Teaming Up to Raise Funds and Awareness For Special Olympics

/PRNewswire/ -- Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE:KKD) is once again teaming up with Georgia police officers to "raise dough" for the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Georgia during the first weekend in May. Officers will take to the roofs for Georgia's eighth annual "Cops on Doughnut Shops" weekend from 6 a.m. on Friday, April 30 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, where they will collect donations from customers as they eat, sleep and play on the rooftops of the fourteen Georgia Krispy Kreme stores. Due to the success of the event in years past, Cops on Doughnut Shops is being held at Krispy Kreme stores across the country, raising money for each state's local Special Olympics program.

Georgia's 2009 Cops on Doughnut Shops event raised a record $112,000 for the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Georgia; this year, the participating officers hope to increase that number to $120,000. In addition to accepting donations from Krispy Kreme customers, the officers will also make calls to local individuals and business leaders asking for pledges, and local celebrities and community leaders are being asked to lend their support up on the roofs throughout the weekend.

Following are the participating Georgia Krispy Kreme stores for Cops on Doughnut Shops 2010:

Albany - 400 N. Slappey Blvd.
Athens - 3703 Atlanta Highway
Atlanta - 295 Ponce de Leon Avenue
Buford - 3387 Buford Drive
Columbus - 6167 Veterans Parkway
Commerce - 40103 Highway 441 South
Duluth - 1550 Pleasant Hill Road
Lilburn - 4129 Highway 78
Marietta - 299 Cobb Parkway, South
Riverdale - 6689 Highway #9
Roswell - 791 Atlanta Street
Savannah - 11506 Abercorn Street
Savannah - 2749 Skidaway Road


"Cops and doughnut shops just naturally go together in people's minds," says Allison Kaczenski, Special Olympics Georgia. "We decided to have some fun with it and help a worthy cause. What better way to create awareness and raise money for the Special Olympics than to put police officers on the roofs of Krispy Kreme stores?"

Customers who donate $5 or more to the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics will receive not only the sincere thanks of participating officers, but will also receive treats from Krispy Kreme ranging from a free doughnut to a free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts every month for a year. Corporations, organizations or individuals donating $1,000 or more will receive a free Krispy Kreme doughnut party for their employees.

The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is to raise funds for and awareness of the Special Olympics movement worldwide. Law enforcement officers from the 50 United States, 10 Canadian provinces and territories, and 5 countries carry the Flame of Hope in honor of the Special Olympics athletes in their area and around the world. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grass-roots fund-raiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. Last year, this international program raised over $30 million to support Special Olympics programs. More than 85,000 law enforcement officers from thousands of agencies have carried the Flame of Hope and have raised more than $200 million since the Torch Run's inception in 1981.

Founded in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Krispy Kreme is a leading branded specialty retailer of premium quality doughnuts, including the Company's signature Hot Original Glazed. Krispy Kreme currently operates approximately 365 stores and 40 satellites in 45 U.S. states, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Republic of South Korea and the United Kingdom. Krispy Kreme can be found on the World Wide Web at www.krispykreme.com.

For a list of all participating Krispy Kreme store locations, visit www.krispykreme.com.

For more information about the Law Enforcement Torch Run®, visit www.specialolympicsga.org.

Information contained in this press release, other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking. In particular, the Company has made predictions about its forecasted growth in systemwide sales for the second half of the fiscal year and the fiscal year overall, its revised development plans and estimated new store openings for the fiscal year and the potential for its new product and cost saving initiatives. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or expected. Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on Krispy Kreme's operating results, performance or financial condition are its dependence on franchisees to execute its store expansion strategy, supply issues, changes in consumer preferences and perceptions, the failure of new products or cost saving initiatives to contribute to financial results in the timeframe or amount currently estimated, the outcome of the pending investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the pending shareholder class action, and the pending shareholder derivative action, and numerous other factors discussed in Krispy Kreme's periodic reports, proxy statement and other information statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Habitat For Humanity and Lowe's Challenge Women in all 50 States to Help Build Affordable Housing

/PRNewswire/ -- In the days leading up to Mother's Day, construction crews of women volunteers will join Habitat for Humanity to help build more than 200 houses in all 50 states. In Houston, Texas, they will be joined by Grammy award-winning gospel recording artist and radio morning show host Yolanda Adams and, in Paterson, N.J., New York Times best-selling author Julie Edelman. These pre-Mother's Day activities are part of Habitat's third annual National Women Build Week, May 1-9, sponsored by Lowe's.

National Women Build Week challenges women to devote at least one day to eliminate poverty housing. The event is an initiative of Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program, which recruits, educates and nurtures women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in their communities.

"What we're doing this week is a living example of one of my favorite lyrics, 'The things we do, the things we say are gentle rays of hope that touch us all each day,'" Adams said. "I'm so happy we are able to come together as strong, capable women building more than rays of hope for our communities. We are building futures with families throughout the country."

Lowe's is committing $1 million to National Women Build Week by providing $5,000 grants to 200 participating affiliates. This build is a major initiative of Lowe's five-year, $20 million pledge to Habitat. That commitment includes underwriting of Habitat's Women Build program, as well as providing construction know-how at in-store clinics and build sites, and funding for a variety of Habitat projects across the country.

"Lowe's has been the proud sponsor of Habitat's Women Build program since 2004. This innovative program encourages women from all walks of life to pick up their hammers and build homes alongside Habitat partner families," said Larry D. Stone, Lowe's president and COO and chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation. "This year marks the third anniversary of National Women Build Week. Lowe's salutes the more than 11,000 engaged women who have volunteered on Habitat jobsites across the U.S. during National Women Build Week to help bring an end to poverty housing."

Since Habitat's Women Build program's inception in 1998, nearly 1,700 Habitat for Humanity Women Build homes have been constructed with Habitat partner families.

"As a mother I realize the need to help empower women," Edelman said. "I hope together, we can build communities where we believe we're all doing our individual best, and whatever or however we do it, our personal best is more than OK! All of us working together - moms, women, families, Habitat and Lowe's, especially leading up to our day, Mothers Day - can truly make a difference by helping women build and maintain their homes, and their sense of self and dignity."

"As we at Habitat continue our work to provide simple, decent, affordable housing, we are both honored and humbled by the incredible support Habitat's women volunteers, sponsors and partner family heads-of-household lend to National Women Build Week," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "We are grateful that all across the country, women are addressing housing needs facing low-income families by joining Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's during this important nationwide initiative."

For more information on Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program, and to learn about Women Build projects in communities across the U.S. and around the world, visit www.habitat.org/wb.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Associates Volunteer to Help Georgia Organizations During Third Annual Community Service Day

/PRNewswire/ -- More than 300 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) associates and their friends and families joined forces, despite thunderstorms and inclement weather conditions, to participate in the parent company's national Community Service Day. These efforts helped dozens of organizations across the state.

"At BCBSGA we work every day to improve the health of our communities," said Monye Connolly, president of BCBSGA. "Coming together on Community Service Day allows each of us to bring that commitment to life in an everyday way. For the past three years, we have worked with community organizations to collaborate on projects and services that impact each of our communities and we are proud to continue that effort this year."

BCBSGA partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Atlanta (BGCMA) to make the John Harland Boys & Girls Club cleaner, safer and more functional for its members. BGCMA works to provide young people with a safe place to learn and grow, and life-enhancing programs that develop character and offer hope and opportunity. The Club serves young people between the ages of six and 18 years, inspiring them to realize their full potential as healthy, productive and responsible citizens.

Volunteer tasks included:
- planting spring flowers in existing planter benches and butterfly garden

- refreshing large flower beds around the Club with shrubs and spring flowers

- installing landscape timbers around the Club to prevent mulch from washing away

- painting the teen clubhouse and installing new blinds

Coinciding with Points of Light & Hands On Network's National Volunteer Week, BCBSGA's associates participated in many activities, including:

-- Medshare
-- Camp Twin Lakes - Will-a-Way
-- March of Dimes Georgia Chapter - March for Babies (Columbus and
Savannah)
-- A.J. McClung YMCA
-- Twin Cedars Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home
-- Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
-- Golden Harvest Food Bank
-- Rebuilding Macon
-- And many others.

In 2009, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Foundation also granted nearly $364,000 to community organizations in Georgia. In addition, BCBSGA gifted more than $270,000 to civic and charitable organizations through its community relations support.

And through BCBSGA's associate giving campaign, which was matched at 50 percent by the parent company's foundation, BCBSGA associates pledged more than $226,002 to help non profit organizations throughout the state in 2009.

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Football Great Matt Stinchcomb Will Serve as MC of 10th Annual FODAC Run, Walk 'n Roll in Atlanta

/PRNewswire/ -- Former University of Georgia and NFL Offensive Tackle Matt Stinchcomb will MC the 10th annual Run, Walk 'n Roll, benefiting Atlanta's Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Too (FODAC). Adults and children of all ability levels are invited to compete in a 5-mile run or a 2-mile walk and roll on Saturday, May 1 at Confederate Hall inside Stone Mountain Park. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the runs scheduled for 8:30 and 9 a.m.

"We're excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Run, Walk 'n Roll," said Chris Brand, executive director of FODAC. "Each participant either pays a $20 fee or commits to a minimum of $50 in pledges to raise money for our organization. Proceeds from the event are used to provide people who are mobility impaired with wheelchairs, medical supplies and other home medical equipment they might not be able to afford otherwise. We are especially thrilled that football star Matt Stinchcomb is going to be part of the event this year, and I want to invite everyone to come out to meet him and participate in the Run, Walk 'n Roll."

The event will include a continental breakfast and other refreshments, door prizes, silent auction and raffle, and will be held rain or shine. Prizes will be given to the fastest three runners, as well as the individual and group who raise the most money. Corporate sponsors include AM-750 WSB, Stone Mountain Park, Auction Management Corporation, AMS Vans, Tucker Concrete Co., Inc., Cotton Sates Insurance and Verity Compliance, Inc. To register, visit www.fodac.org. For directions, visit www.stonemountainpark.com.

To date, FODAC has provided clients with over $60 million in medical equipment including over 20,000 wheelchairs. The organization is supported through grants and corporate and private donations.

"This is an easy and fun way for individuals, families or groups to spend a morning raising money for a worthwhile organization," said Brand. "Most of us have friends or family members who need mobility assistance at one time or another due to illness, aging or even an accident. We want to help as many people as possible improve the quality of their lives regardless of whether their mobility issues are temporary or permanent," he said.

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Eagle Ranch Celebrates 25 Years of New Beginnings for Children and Families

/PRNewswire/ -- What began as the vision of a young man with a heart to help hurting children has become Georgia's largest single-campus home for children in crisis and a global model for children's homes. April marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first home at Eagle Ranch, which now is able to house and serve 66 children (42 boys and 24 girls).

Many North Georgians remember the compelling story of Eagle Ranch's start. Founder Eddie Staub, a newcomer from Alabama, faced a bank's deadline to raise enough money to purchase 180 acres in southern Hall County. The last dollar for the land purchase came just three days before the deadline, inspiring a CNN television report about "the miracle on Chestnut Mountain."

Twenty-five years later, the miracles at Eagle Ranch continue. The old barn that once served as Staub's makeshift office is still standing but is now surrounded by six boys' homes, four girls' homes, an on-campus school, an administration and counseling center, a chapel, athletic center and a recently completed lodge. All of it is sheltered amid a rural pasture setting that has expanded to 270 acres. The program remains firmly centered in its focus on Christian principles and teachings.

"The theme for our 25th anniversary celebration has focused on Eagle Ranch as a 'home for new beginnings,'" Staub said. "We're thankful to have had the opportunity to sow seeds for a fresh start in the lives of hundreds of children since our inception."

The famous deadline that forced Staub to make full payment on the land set the tone for a no-debt philosophy that Eagle Ranch has maintained to this day.

"No construction or development has ever taken place at the Ranch until all funds have been secured," Staub said. "This philosophy has been a hallmark of our fiscal policy that has allowed us to avoid paying interest on debt - and invest even more in the children entrusted to our care."

The Ranch's current $3.2 million budget is supported fully by private donations and funds.

"Today's economy has challenged all charitable organizations, and we are no exception," Staub noted. "But we are continually grateful for the faithful giving of so many people. The community continues to recognize the great need of children in this region and wants to support their care and healing to create stronger future generations."

Like the growth of its facilities and campus, the Eagle Ranch mission has evolved well beyond its original focus. The Ranch initially housed and counseled boys, then opened the doors to girls in 2001. In addition, an on-campus SACS-accredited school was also established in 2001 to provide extra help to Ranch children in grades 6-9.

Along with home life and education, professional counseling remains central to the Ranch's therapeutic approach. But even this key aspect of the overall program has grown from the early years. Though the child is still the primary focus, his or her entire family is now brought into counseling sessions. Family reunification in some shape or form - whether it includes one or both of the child's natural parents, grandparents, or other legal guardians - is the end goal. The programmatic innovation of Eagle Ranch is well-recognized by childcare professionals.

"Eagle Ranch is a family of sacrificial, compassionate caregivers who model what each provider of out-of-home care for children and youth should be about - family-centered practice built on a belief that every child deserves a safe and loving home where they can thrive," said Mark Washington, Assistant Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services. "Clearly, this is a place that has the hand of God on it."

While the Ranch looks back on its history during an anniversary celebration planned later this spring, the original vision is still moving forward. Under its Wings Initiative, Eagle Ranch is now reaching out far beyond its borders to help children across the country - and even overseas.

The Wings Initiative provides guidance and training to new or existing children's homes. Wings helps start or retool existing children's homes and has given flight to dozens of programs from Oak Ranch in Sanford, North Carolina, to My Father's House in San Salvador, El Salvador.

As part of its anniversary celebration, Eagle Ranch recently published an updated commemorative edition of "On Eagle's Wings," a history of the Ranch's founding that was written in 1995 to mark the 10th anniversary. Since then, the popular book has been reprinted numerous times along with another book, "Seasons," which includes an inspiring collection of "chicken-soup" style short stories about the Ranch children.

Additional information about the Ranch, its program and an historical scrapbook can be viewed on its website, recently updated for the 25th anniversary, at EagleRanch.org.

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Recycle the Can, Donate the Tab, Refresh Communities

(BUSINESS WIRE)--How far can 10 cents a day go? Farther than you think! Sprite is giving consumers an easy and inexpensive way to give back to communities through the “Sprite Tabs for Habitat” program. During the month of April, look for specially marked Sprite or Sprite Zero™ multipacks or 12-oz single cans with a unique green tab and Habitat for Humanity logo. For each green tab consumers collect and mail in by May 30, 2010, Sprite will donate 10 cents to Habitat for Humanity, up to $500,000. It’s that easy. Enjoy your Sprite, recycle your can and send in the green tab. Visit www.spritetabsforhabitat.com for more information.

“In addition to providing funds, “Sprite Tabs for Habitat”

“Through the “Sprite Tabs for Habitat” program people can give back to their communities, help others, and recycle – all at the same time,” said Augusto Elias, brand director, Sprite, Coca-Cola North America. “We encourage people with busy lifestyles to see this program as an opportunity to make a difference in their community by simply mailing in the green tabs found on Sprite and Sprite Zero cans.”

Habitat for Humanity builds, repairs and rehabilitates safe, decent and affordable housing in partnership with low-income families in need. Sprite is making a minimum donation to Habitat for Humanity for $250,000 and a percentage of the total funds raised will be allocated to help retrofit homes with water conserving appliances. “In addition to providing funds, “Sprite Tabs for Habitat” will help Habitat for Humanity provide awareness of the incredible need for affordable housing that exists in the United States and around the world,” said Mark Crozet, senior vice president of Resource Development for Habitat for Humanity International. “We thank Sprite for the opportunity to participate in this program.”

Only green Sprite and Sprite Zero tabs will count toward the program and all tabs must be received by May 30, 2010, to be accepted for donation to Habitat for Humanity. To participate, place the green tabs in a regular or padded envelope. If using a non-padded envelope, please limit the number of tabs to 20 in each envelope and mail to: Sprite Tabs for Habitat, P.O. Box 51412, Knoxville, TN 37950. At the conclusion of the program, Sprite will donate all tabs to a charitable organization to be recycled.

In addition to mailing in green Sprite or Sprite Zero tabs, My Coke Rewards® members can also help Habitat for Humanity by donating their My Coke Rewards points between now and May 30, 2010. My Coke Rewards points donated will deliver additional monetary support for Habitat for Humanity. For more information about this opportunity or how to become a member of My Coke Rewards, please visit www.spritetabsforhabitat.com.

Sprite will encourage consumers to participate in the program by placing Habitat for Humanity messaging on packaging, point of sale, and online. Additionally, Sprite is sponsoring ABC Goes Green, a micro site on ABC.com that focuses on offering consumers tips, quizzes and videos on how to be more environmentally friendly. For more information, please visit http://abc.go.com/site/abc-goes-green.

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Macy's Teams Up With the National Park Foundation in Effort to Raise $1 Million

(BUSINESS WIRE)--This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and consumers might well ask: what difference can any one of us make? Macy's (NYSE:M) announced today three ways it is making a difference: a cause marketing campaign to generate much needed support for national parks, renewed sustainability efforts to reduce Macy's impact on the environment, and giving back to local communities through volunteer efforts.

“Helping to protect the environment is an important priority for our customers and associates”

Starting on April 5, Macy's launches its Great Give Back campaign highlighting the work of the National Park Foundation, providing a matching grant to customer donations for a total fundraising goal of $1 million. This amount is added to the $5 million already donated by the retailer and its customers since 2008.

"This year, Macy's support is connecting more than 100,000 young people to their national parks," said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "Macy's contributions have helped support programs including First Bloom which brings urban youth into the national parks to design and plant their own gardens; as well as our upcoming Electronic Field Trip to Bryce Canyon, which will connect classrooms around the country and world to one of our most amazing national parks."

The Great Give Back campaign runs through April 30 in all Macy's locations and on macys.com. Customers are encouraged to make a point-of-sale donation in any denomination, and Macy's will make a matching grant up to $500,000.

From April 17 to 25, Macy's is an official partner of the National Park Foundation for National Park Week . Eight park locations have been selected for volunteer projects, assisting with vital programs including habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and land/river clean ups. The eight efforts around the nation are:

* Atlanta: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area - First Bloom planting and trail work
* Cleveland: Cuyahoga Valley National Park – First Bloom planting
* Los Angeles: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area – Trail restoration and maintenance
* Minneapolis/St. Paul: Mississippi River National Recreation Area – Park cleanup
* New York City: Gateway National Recreation Area – Ground maintenance and repairs
* San Antonio: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park – First Bloom planting
* San Francisco: Golden Gate National Recreation Area – Habitat restoration and trail work
* Washington, D.C.: National Capital Parks East/Fort Mahan – Trail maintenance

"Helping to protect the environment is an important priority for our customers and associates," said Terry J. Lundgren, Macy's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Macy's is proud to partner with the National Park Foundation for the third year in a row. This year, we've added the new element of volunteering time in the national parks, and we're delighted to invite community volunteers to join our Macy's Partners in Time participants in the parks."

Additionally, Macy's, Inc renewed its commitment to sustainability with new corporate goals through 2013. Since 2008, Macy's has:

* Encouraged nearly 1.5 million customers to switch to online billing statements vs. paper statements;
* Decreased use of office paper by 34 percent and paper used in marketing by 23 percent;
* Increased the proportion of recycled or certified paper used in our marketing materials to 63 percent and in our shopping bags to 82 percent;
* Installed active solar power systems at 40 stores;
* Invested in energy efficiency projects and consumption reduction initiatives to reduce total energy use by 10 percent (in addition to a reduction of 9 percent in the previous five years);
* Substituted biodegradable packing materials instead of foam "peanuts" in shipping online orders;
* Pioneered efforts to reduce the number of empty trucks on the road through the “Empty Miles Service" program, matching trucks/trailers with other shippers to minimize empty loads

Macy's, Inc has set new sustainability goals for 2013, including:

* Reduce energy consumption on a kWh per square foot basis by another 8 to 10 percent;
* Host an additional 15 to 25 percent of renewable energy sources;
* Reduce the amount of paper used by at least another 10 percent;
* Increase the percentage of recycled (10 percent PCW or higher) and/or third-party certified paper in marketing materials to 70 percent of total (up from 3 percent in 2006);
* Increase the use of sustainable building materials in all major construction projects by 20 percent

"Giving back is one of Macy's core values," said Lundgren. "Through our efforts with the National Park Foundation and our commitment to sustainability, we're proof that one company can make a big difference."

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The Community Foundation Announces Nonprofit Toolbox

The Community Foundation's commitment to strengthening and supporting our region's nonprofit sector includes more than giving financial grants. Nonprofits can now apply for the Nonprofit Toolbox, a program that helps strengthen organizations’ management, governance and operations.

Nonprofit Toolbox awards are not financial grants; they are custom-designed packages of management consulting to help solve a key organizational challenge or problem. Organizations selected to receive a Nonprofit Toolbox will work with a specialist who will construct a package of appropriate organizational assistance.

Who is eligible to apply? There are a number of eligibility criteria for the Nonprofit Toolbox, one of which is that the nonprofit be located and providing services within the Foundation’s 23-county service area. Review the Guidelines for complete information.

Is there a deadline to apply? Nonprofit Toolbox applications are accepted throughout the year and in 2010 will be reviewed in mid-January, mid-May and mid-September. Review the Guidelines for complete details.

Click here for a full description of the Nonprofit Toolbox and to download the Guidelines and Application Forms.
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Year to Volunteer! Helping Others in 2010 Among Leading New Year's Resolutions for Americans, Survey Shows

/PRNewswire/ -- Pledges to lose weight or pay off debts typically find a way into conversations this time of year, as the anticipation of New Year's resolutions approaches. However, according to a study from Disney Parks and HandsOn Network, 2010 may see a surge of helping hands and giving hearts, as more families resolve to volunteer.

The survey, conducted by New York-based Kelton Research Nov. 18-23, 2009, found that 59 percent of Americans plan to volunteer in 2010. Interestingly, more women than men (62 percent vs. 54 percent) include volunteering as a goal for next year.

Survey results also showed that 41 percent of Americans would rather pledge to help others, such as volunteering, than resolve to do something that is purely self-serving. In fact, when asked what they anticipate they could accomplish in 2010, 52 percent of Americans surveyed identified spending more time together, followed by 30 percent who selected volunteering as foreseeable goals.

HandsOn Network, the nation's largest volunteer network, is working with Disney to help make 2010 the ideal year to realize those goals and make volunteering a family resolution.

Beginning on Jan 1, 2010, Disney Parks officially launches "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day," a first-of-its-kind initiative with the help of HandsOn Network. Through the program, Disney Parks hopes to inspire 1 million people to perform a day of volunteer service for a participating organization in 2010 by giving them a free, one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park. Families are encouraged to visit www.DisneyParks.com to research and sign up for a volunteer opportunity in their local community.

"Disney Parks, through HandsOn Network, is making it easy for volunteers of all ages to find an organization in need," said Maggie Jones Patton, executive director of Youth HandsOn Network, the youth activating arm of HON. "There has never been a better time to start a new tradition of volunteering together as Disney Parks celebrates good deeds with a free Disney theme park ticket."

A Family That Volunteers Together ...

The Kelton Research survey also found that more parents than single adults (68 percent vs. 55 percent) plan to volunteer in some way when the New Year arrives.

Volunteerism also has its "youth movement." The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that young adults, ages 16-24, are helping lead the way in volunteerism - with more than 441,000 young volunteers in 2008 versus 2007. It also found that the youth today believe it is essential and "very important" to help others in need.

And according to Just Kid Inc., 37 percent of kids, 44 percent of tweens and 46 percent of teens said they would do more volunteering if given the opportunity. When that happens, almost all youth (99 percent) say they were satisfied with their chosen volunteer service.

How to Get Involved

HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 non-profit agencies that need help. With Americans already thinking about various volunteer opportunities as their New Year's resolutions, 28 percent would be most interested in packaging donations at a food pantry or soup kitchen or helping out at a clothing or toy drive, the survey said.

Below are additional examples of opportunities available through HandsOn Network and its local affiliates. Families are encouraged to visit www.DisneyParks.com for additional ways to help.

-- Plant, weed and tend a community garden
-- Read to or spend time with children at a local daycare center or
shelter
-- Assemble backpacks or supplies for under-resourced schools
-- Help spruce up a local school, library or outdoor park
-- Visit nursing homes to play games, make crafts or share talents with
senior residents



Through volunteering, communities benefit from the small steps taken to help rebuild local areas, and nonprofits receive valuable assistance. Since 2007, the number of people working to fix a community problem has risen by 31 percent - a dramatic increase - further benefiting local communities especially during the current economy, according to Volunteering in America 2009.

Starting Jan. 1, guests may pre-register and sign up for an eligible volunteer opportunity at disneyparks.com. Disney theme park ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. One admission ticket per eligible person. Other terms and conditions apply. For details, see disneyparks.com.

Survey Methodological Notes

The Disney Parks Survey was conducted of 1,000 persons by Kelton Research between Nov. 18-23, 2009, using an e-mail invitation and an online survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the entire U.S. population, ages 18 and over. Results are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

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Amerigroup Foundation Supports Empty Stocking Fund

/PRNewswire/ -- The Amerigroup Foundation announced today that it is awarding a grant of $10,000 to the Empty Stocking Fund, Inc.

For more than 80 years, the Empty Stocking Fund has brought holiday cheer to underprivileged children in the Atlanta area. Through contributions received from Atlanta citizens, local businesses and foundations, the Empty Stocking Fund provides gifts for tens of thousands of children from birth to 13 years of age in nine Georgia counties -- Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties. During the 2008 holiday season, the Empty Stocking Fund distributed more than 210,000 items to over 52,000 children. The organization was able to coordinate their efforts with the participation of two full-time employees and more than 4,000 volunteers.

"Each year, the Empty Stocking Fund helps many children see their holiday wishes come true," said John E. Littel, Chairman of the Amerigroup Foundation. "We at Amerigroup support and admire the organization's mission to empower parents and guardians of children living at or below the poverty level by providing them with an opportunity to give their children gifts during the holidays."

"The Empty Stocking Fund sincerely appreciates the generous grant from the Amerigroup Foundation and the volunteer support of the Atlanta office of Amerigroup, which will greatly assist our efforts to provide toys and gifts to over 50,000 underprivileged children during the 2009 Christmas holiday season," said Don Crawford, Executive Director of the Empty Stocking Fund.

The Amerigroup Foundation periodically awards grants to vital community organizations, including community health centers, service organizations, and local programs that have made a significant difference in the communities served by its corporate underwriter, Amerigroup Corporation. Through its subsidiaries, Amerigroup Corporation administers publicly funded health care programs such as Medicaid and Medicare for state and federal governments. Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia currently brings health care services to 236,000 Georgia citizens enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

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DHS Energy Assistance Program Helps Georgians with their Home Heating Bills

As the colder winter months approach, the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will once again help Georgians struggling to keep up with the cost of heating their homes.

The agency’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will receive approximately $65.4 million dollars in federal funds, under the continuing resolution limitation, to assist low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with their heating bills.

On November 2, 2009, local community action agencies began administering all available funds under state contracts, and homebound and elderly (aged 65 and older) households were able to begin applying for help.

All other eligible families may apply starting December 1, 2009. In most cases, payments will be made directly to the home energy supplier for gas, electricity, propane gas, wood, coal or kerosene. Qualifying applicants will receive payments of either $310 or $350.

To participate in the program, the family must meet a yearly income equal to or less than 60 percent of the state median income. For a one-person household, that would be $21,458; for two people, $28,061; for three people, $34,663; for four people, $41,266; for five people, $47,868; for six people, $54,471, for seven people, $55,709; for eight people, $56,947 (for each additional person, add $1,238 to annual income).

To qualify, applicants must bring their most recent fuel bill or statement of service from their heating provider. They also must have proof of income for all household members for the last 30 days. This may be paycheck stubs, a letter granting public assistance, Social Security or unemployment benefits. Applicants must also have social security numbers for all household members. Verification of age will be required for all elderly households.

Assistance will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program will close April 30, 2010, or when funds are exhausted.

For more information, contact the Division of Family and Children Services, Community Based Programs in metro Atlanta, by calling 404-656-2323 or toll free at 1-800-869-1150.
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Track & Field Champion, Carl Brown Joins the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk to Keep You Moving This Holiday Season

/PRNewswire/ -- Get moving this holiday season at the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis®. Be one of the thousands of runners and walkers who hit the nation's pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability.

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk events are a fun and festive way to bring in the holidays with family and friends. This annual event kicks off in November and aims to raise funds in the name of preventing, controlling and curing arthritis, all while encouraging daily physical activity for better health.

"Staying active through the winter months is imperative for both people with and without arthritis," said Carl Brown, U.S. Track and Field Champion, diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 36. "Moving just 30 minutes a day can ease joint pain, improve mobility, reduce fatigue, and even ward off those unwanted holiday pounds."

By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million people in the U.S. will be affected by arthritis, up from current estimates of 46 million. Even more alarming is the fact that the prevalence of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, continues to rise even though it can often be prevented by staying active through enjoyable physical activities such as walking.

To find the nearest Jingle Bell Run/Walk event contact the local Arthritis Foundation chapter or visit www.arthritis.org.

"The Jingle Bell Run/Walk event provides an opportunity to get people moving for a worthy cause," added Brown. "By participating in this event, I hope it encourages others to commit to daily physical activity and continue to move together throughout the year."

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. Founded in 1948, with headquarters in Atlanta, the Arthritis Foundation has multiple service points located throughout the country.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $400 million in research grants since 1948. The foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. Information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-283-7800 or www.arthritis.org.

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Teenagers Are At The Top Of Nonprofit's Gift List This Holiday Season

The Atlanta Bow Tie Society will kick off Atlanta’s busy holiday fundraising season when it hosts the second annual Black Tie Ball on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, at the Georgian Terrace in Midtown Atlanta, which will feature a “Vintage Vegas” theme, complete with a Vegas-style orchestra and casino games. Gift proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit teen-focused organizations during the upcoming holiday season.

To fulfill its mission to make the holidays a special time for underprivileged teenagers, Atlanta Bow Tie Society (ABTS) members and invited guests will bring unwrapped age-appropriate gifts to the “Vintage Vegas” fundraiser. The gifts will be donated to several metro Atlanta nonprofits including A Friends House, Another Way Out, Carrie Steele-Pitts Home, CHRIS Kids, Cobb County Center for Children and Young Adults, Gwinnett Children’s Shelter, Noah’s Ark Children Care Homes, Rainbow House of Clayton County and The Bridge. Last year, Atlanta Bow Tie Society members and guests donated $50,000 in gifts and gifts cards at the Black Tie Ball.

“It is an honor for the Atlanta Bow Tie Society to be able support these organizations during the holidays,” said Scott Willett, president of Willett Honda South and a founding member of the Atlanta Bow Tie Society. “We hope to raise a significant number of gift contributions that will encourage a cheerful holiday, especially for the teenagers living at each residential care facility.”

Founding board members of the Atlanta Bow Tie Society are Kelly and Scott Willett, Lisa and Bill Tush and Merry and Chris Carlos. Additional board members include Usher Raymond IV, Bert Weis, Mark Taylor, Mark Hayes, Anne and Dave Sapp, Dr. and Mrs. John Schilling and Eleanor Ringel Cater and Arthur Cater.

For more information about joining the Atlanta Bow Tie Society, contact Lisa Tush at atlantabowtie@hotmail.com, or visit www.atlantabowtiesociety.com.

About Willett Honda South
Willett Honda South (www.willetthonda.com), based in Morrow, Ga., is one of the premier leaders in the automotive industry and is currently ranked among the top 150 Honda dealers in the U.S. in terms of sales volume. An independently owned dealership, Willett Honda’s inventory consists of 400 new and 125 used vehicles including the Honda Pilot, Accord and Civic. In addition, the dealership offers a comprehensive parts and service department. The company’s 90 employees share a common desire to provide the best opportunities to its customers, surrounding communities, and manufacturer.

About Atlanta Bow Tie Society
The Atlanta Bow Tie Society (ABTS) (www.atlantabowtiesociety.com) is a membership-driven nonprofit organization established in 2007 to benefit underprivileged teenagers. ABTS distributes gifts to teen-focused nonprofit organizations in metro Atlanta each December. ABTS members come from a cross-section of Atlanta’s business, nonprofit, entertainment, sports and philanthropic community.
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DCH Partners with Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness

State Promotes Healthy Living in Homeless and Emergency Shelters

The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and the Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc. (GCEH) have partnered to raise awareness of flu prevention among the state's homeless population. The outreach is being launched during Homeless Awareness Week in Georgia, November 1-7, 2009.

"We applaud GCEH for getting involved and advocating for the homeless in Georgia," said Dr. Rhonda Medows, DCH Commissioner and State Health Officer. "Our collective mission to ensure the health and overall wellbeing of Georgia's homeless can impact the lives of the men, women and children living in shelters or temporary housing in
Georgia."

The homeless population is diverse, transient, and includes single adults, children and families. Much of the homeless population resides in shelters, but over 40 percent are unsheltered. In addition, events such as acts of nature (e.g., floods, tornadoes and hurricanes), reduce access to everyday resources. Disease outbreaks such as the 2009 H1N1 flu may contribute to a rapid increase in emergency shelter usage.

Therefore, the CDC's interim recommendations to reduce transmission of seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 flu in this group are critical.

"It is critical for all housing facilities to ensure that the best health and safety precautions are implemented to protect the families in their care," said Katheryn Preston, Executive Director, Georgia Coalition to End Homelessness, Inc. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends general guidelines for homeless and emergency shelters to prevent the spread of disease, and DCH and GCEH are promoting these recommendations through educational pamphlets and prevention messages."

The CDC recommendations are:

1. Encourage all persons within the shelter to cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue. Throw all tissues in the trash after use. Maintain good hand hygiene by washing with running water and soap, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth;

2. Make the means for appropriate hand cleansing is readily available within the shelter, including common food preparation and dining areas. Ideal means for hand cleansing include, running water, soap, and hand drying machines. Paper towels and waste baskets should be made available. Shelter staff, volunteers and clients should frequently wash their hands with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap and water is not possible;

3. Shelters should follow standard precautions in the shelter settings. This includes training staff in the control of infectious diseases, providing access to personal protective equipment and apparel,
and encouraging proper hand washing; and

4. Clean all common areas within the shelter routinely and immediately with the cleaning agents normally used in these areas. Items that are often in contact with respiratory droplets and hands (e.g., doorknobs, faucets, etc.,) should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with detergent and water. Cups and utensils should not be shared until after washing.

For a copy of the Homeless and Emergency Shelters - Protect Yourself Against Seasonal Flu and 2009 H1N1 brochure, visit http://health.state.ga.us/;

A complete list of the Interim Guidance for Homeless and Emergency Shelters on the H1N1 virus can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/homeless.htm.
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Another Round: Wine-Tasting Benefits Georgia's Children, Again

/PRNewswire/ -- Again, the Venza Group generated a positive impact on the lives of Georgia's foster and adoption families by sponsoring their 2nd Annual Charity Wine-Tasting Event. The crowd sipped and sampled in assistance of Supporting Adoption and Foster Families Together (SAFFT), a newly established organization that declares the following belief: BUILDING and MAINTAINING a supportive foundation for all caregivers improves the overall lives of children in care. This year's event raised $4,415 from the wine tasting, a silent auction, and raffle ticket sales. Coordinated by the Venza Group and Music for Charities, attendees of the event enjoyed free hors d'oeuvres and a live music performance by the Tom Willner Trio. Stirred by the lovely autumn air, the party-goers enjoyed the indoor/outdoor comforts of the Sage Woodfire Tavern's Garden Room for the second year in a row.

Raffle tickets were drawn throughout the evening. The lucky winners were awarded a wide range of prizes, from oil changes to hand-crafted jewelry. Just like last year, a weekend stay at the Escape to Blue Ridge cabin retreat of North Georgia was the grand prize. The silent auction included items such as hot-air balloon rides and donated pieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stacy and Ashley, SAFFT Director, said the following about their collaboration with the Venza Group and Music for Charities: "The team from Venza Group and Music for Charities truly delivered an amazing night for SAFFT. We raised much needed funding for our organization which will directly benefit the Foster and Adoptive children of Forsyth County Georgia. We want to thank both organizations along with our generous sponsors for hosting such an amazing event and we look forward to working with them in the future on more collaborative efforts to help our children in need."

The Venza Group threw the party to celebrate another extraordinary year of growth and development as one of the Southeast's most trusted training services advisors. Specializing in the hospitality, healthcare, and retail industries, the Venza Group is grounded in the timeless principles that form lasting partnerships. Through consulting, custom courseware development, and the implementation of learning management systems, the Venza Group delivers results clearly aligned with the needs and intentions of their clients.

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