Cobb Christmas, Inc. and CobbLinc have teamed up again this year to create the county’s most unique and memorable holiday program, Stuff-a-Bus. Think of Stuff-a-Bus as the opposite of Santa’s sleigh—Santa uses his sleigh to deliver gifts and Cobb Christmas makes a CobbLinc bus our sleigh for collecting gifts.
During this event, a specially-wrapped CobbLinc bus travels to designated host sites to collect donations of new unwrapped toys for Cobb Christmas’ annual distribution. These donations go directly to help Cobb families in need. This year, we are hitting the road Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 9-10. Please donate new unwrapped toys at any of the Stuff-a-Bus host sites listed on cobbcounty.org.
Toys needed for ages 2-13 (the biggest need is ages 9-13) include:
Educational toys
Legos
Ethnic baby/Barbie dolls
Sports equipment
Play kitchens
Kid puzzle
Remote control toys
The full pickup schedule can be found here, with both East Cobb stops taking place on Thursday, Dec. 10:
8-8:30 a.m.: Wellstar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road)
12:30-1:30 p.m.: Three13 Salon Spa & Boutique (2663 Canton Road)
Donations of new unwrapped toys also can be dropped off at the Cobb Christmas distribution site (IAM Lodge 709, 1032 South Marietta Parkway) on December 8-10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cobb Christmas Inc. is a non-profit, non-denominational all-volunteer organization that assists low-income and working-poor families during the holidays.
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Here’s a productive way to start the New Year, by getting rid of recyclable materials you don’t need and helping out the Pope Band. Submitted by the Pope Band Parents Association:
Recycling Fundraiser: Saturday, January 16, 9 am-2pm at the Northeast Cobb YMCA located at 3010 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30062 to support the Pope Band.
Bring your metal, electronics, appliances, paint and paper documents for shredding. Cost is $10 per car PLUS additional disposal fees of $40/TV, $30/monitor, $20/large item, $2-$25/paint container depending on size, and $20 for 1-8 standard boxes of paper for shredding. Pick-up of large items available within a 5-mile radius of Pope during the week prior with advance reservation. See www.popeband.com/recycle for complete details. For questions and pickup reservations, email popebandrecycling@gmail.com. Please wear a mask to help protect the volunteers.
Thank you for supporting the Pope Band and the environment.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Members of East Cobb Church have responded to the pressing needs of the poor in Cobb County by buying Simple Needs GA a brand-new box truck for picking up and delivering furniture.
In addition to the donation of the 16-foot GMC Savana box truck, the congregation also made a large financial donation that will cover the cost of insurance and maintenance for the vehicle over the course of its lifetime.
More than 250 church members also purchased about 3,000 full-sized toiletries and other useful items for distribution by SNGA to shelter check-ins and people experiencing homelessness in Cobb County.
Taken together, the gifts are by far the largest donation in the history of the Marietta-based nonprofit.
As a result, SNGA will no longer need to spend large sums of money to rent box trucks for picking up and delivering furniture and household items as part of its Simple Household Needs program, said Brenda Rhodes SNGA Founder and President.
“The donation of the box truck gives our volunteers much more capacity for picking up and delivering furniture as needed,” she noted. “We’ve already been making pickups and deliveries with the truck and have seen firsthand how being more efficient will allow us to help many more people over time.”
Located at 2450 Lower Roswell Rd., East Cobb Church was founded in January 2020.
The donation came as part of its first-ever “Be Rich” campaign, which gets its name from 1 Timothy 6:18 (“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”).
The goal of the fundraising portion was to help SNGA with its furniture logistics challenges. “Our volunteers often had to scramble to find a way to get much-needed furniture and household items to our clients in Cobb County,” Rhodes noted.
Initially, though, Pastor Jamey Dickens assumed the campaign would bring in enough money to buy the nonprofit a used pickup truck—not a far-more-expensive, brand-new box truck, he said. Dickens and Katie Peters, a pastoral counselor at East Cobb Church who coordinated the campaign, asked the church’s roughly 800 members to each donate at least $39.95.
The outpouring of generosity that resulted was remarkable, Dickens said. “The money just came pouring in,” he said.
On October 23, East Cobb Church delivered the truck to SNGA’s Marietta warehouse near Cobb Parkway to the applause and tears of SNGA board members, volunteers and other contributors.
Already deeply involved in community service, members of East Cobb Church were well aware of the disproportionate effects of the pandemic on the poor and were eager to answer the call when the Be Rich campaign was launched, Dickens said.
“Our people deserve a major shout out and so does Katie, who did a fantastic job leading this effort,” he said. “We’re grateful, too, for how God has led and moved in our church.”
As Dickens sees it, the successful campaign illustrates the power of people coming together as a community to help others.
“I loved that it was a very large group effort,” he said. “The ask was just basic, but people stepped up and did what they could—and look at what happened. People give where their heart is engaged.”
Hearts at Simple Needs GA were touched as well, said Yolanda Kingsberry, a member of SNGA’s board and frequent furniture volunteer.
“We’re so fortunate to live in a community of generous supporters who value our work and want to help us help others,” she said. “We will make East Cobb Church proud by using this truck to bring comfort to many more deserving families.”
In a reflection of the generosity of our community at this time, the largest prior donation to SNGA also came during the pandemic when Linked UP Church in Powder Springs donated $14,250 to SNGA this past summer.
Founded in 2010, SNGA has distributed thousands of duffel bags of full-sized toiletries to shelter check-ins and people experiencing homelessness. Among other activities, the Marietta-based nonprofit last year brought birthday presents and other useful items to more than 270 homeless children; brought furniture and household items to 151 clients; and provided 166 children in 64 families with $100 in requested Christmas gifts.
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On Thursday, November 19th, Cobb Community Foundation awarded $27,000 in grants, wrapping up the final phase of Operation Meal Plan. The initiative began in March of this year with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Cobb Community Foundation (“CCF”) partnering to provide food to those in need, help local restaurants keep their workers employed, and provide a vehicle for citizens to help each other.
“This project was just one great example of how Cobb’s business and non-profit communities have pulled together to get help to those who need it,” said Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “Our goal was to find a way to keep our restaurants afloat while providing a valuable resource to our non-profits who are serving people in need. Operation Meal Plan was a way to link these entities together.”
In its first couple of months, Operation Meal Plan received $89,000 in community contributions, funding 13,850 meals delivered by 22 different restaurants and caterers to 30 different non-profit organizations around Cobb, all of which serve meals as part of their mission.
At the end of May, Operation Meal Plan went on hiatus when Cobb’s board of commissioners allocated $1 million from its CARES Act dollars for the Cobb County Food Grant, providing an alternative source for funding of these meals for the non-profits. Remaining dollars, including a half of a $50,000 total contribution to CCF from Lockheed-Martin, would be held for distribution in the fall.
The grants, payable to six different organizations in increments of $3,000 to $6,000, will be used to purchase prepared meals from Cobb restaurants or catering businesses. “Ten months in to this pandemic, non-profit staff members and volunteers desperately need a break,” said Shari Martin, CCF’s president and CEO. “In many cases, they have been serving significantly more clients, and in all cases, they are doing so with far fewer people. Not only are these grants going to provide some financial relief, they are also going to provide some physical and emotional relief.”
Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA) – $6,000
LiveSAFE Resources – $4,500
The Table on Delk – $3,500
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health – $3,500
The Zone – $6,500
The Extension – $3,000
Interested in helping others navigate the challenges of the pandemic? Let us help you! Call us at 770-859-2366 or email CCFTeam@cobbfoundation.org.
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Kirsten Glaser, newly relocated to East Cobb, jumped into help feed families impacted by COVID soon after moving here in the summer, and now heads the “Lasagna Love” program in Georgia.
It’s a nationwide effort of volunteers who prepare home-cooked meals not just for those medically and financially rocked by the pandemic, but also for health care workers, first responders and teachers. She explains how she got cooking for this cause and how you can get involved or order a meal if you need one:
“My husband and I moved to East Cobb in June from New York. We’re both young, active business professionals that thrive on social interaction. Moving to a new state and starting a new job during a pandemic halted our ability to quickly make new friends and even meet our new colleagues.
“It didn’t seem to matter how many Netflix shows we watched, banana breads I baked, or long walks we’d take with our dog, I still felt bored and most importantly, not connected to our new community.
“On September 28, I saw a story on The Today Show which struck a chord with me immediately. Lasagna Love is a movement started by Rhiannon Menn in May. She, too, was searching for some way to help those around her. Her lone effort of making lasagnas for her neighbors in need has now become a full blown movement in 47 states with 3,000 volunteers and over 6,000 families served as of today.
“I knew that this was what not only I needed but a way I could immerse myself into my new community, so I signed up to become a Lasagna Mama. I quickly received a response that I was the first in my area and was asked if I wanted to be the Regional Leader. Not knowing what this meant, I accepted the task.
“Each week, we receive requests from families who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19; this might be financial, medical or emotional. We are now reaching out to healthcare professionals, first responders and teachers who are under greater stress than ever because of the pandemic.
“I match our Lasagna Mamas and Papas (volunteers) to these families to receive a home-cooked meal. Some Mamas and Papas make just lasagna and some provide other entrees and full meals. Each of us does what we can without judgment.
“I now co-lead Lasagna Love for the entire state of Georgia and we currently have over 100 active volunteers! Each week I spend many hours matching mamas and papas to families as well as cooking lasagnas and delivering in addition to my full-time job. And I’ve never felt more fulfilled. This has given me an opportunity to connect with my neighbors, make new friendships with the Lasagna Mamas, as well as help those in our community in need.
“With the upcoming holiday season, Lasagna Love hopes to ease some stress and bring some joy to the families that are served as well as to the army of volunteers.
“For more info visit: lasagnalove.org. You can sign up to become a Lasagna Mama or Papa or request/nominate a meal.”
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We got this message from Steve Kleinrichert, father of Tyler Kleinrichert, who was a freshman at Walton High School when he took his own life in August 2017.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Georgia chapter is conducting a virtual walk fundraiser he says is $6,000 away from being the tops in the country, and is asking for support for the work of “Team Tyler.”
A week ago, we gathered at one of Tyler’s favorite spots—East Cobb Park—and had our own small walk. We were joined by several friends including both Luke and Hope comfort dogs and their ministry team who also brought us sandwiches.
Tyler’s friends wanted to walk—so we did. And, along the way our participants placed painted stones with messages of love and hope to share with those we don’t know. Awareness is a big deal and many stones were found, some documented on Facebook accounts of people in our community unaware of why they were placed there.
Our team was continuing in the process of helping others, while honoring Tyler’s story. We have been a top 15 fundraising team since starting, but the awareness and help goes well beyond how those funds help the cause to support the efforts to deter and stop suicide. There have been many families counseled and directed to resources as a direct result of Tyler’s Tribe. We know of at least two lives saved—from our team alone, many other potential changes that could represent even more lives.
Our Tyler’s Tribe Team has brought suicide prevention into the open with local and national politicians, schools, Boy Scouts Atlanta, and Veterans groups. We have helped to set up training sessions through AFSP on how to spot and work with someone who may be suffering—getting them to the right resources. The task is long , but we have made inroads and the work continues. Funds have helped to establish a 988 emergency number that will be properly staffed, helped to fund education and prevention programs, and have helped to spotlight after care resources for survivors and friends and family of those lost.
I don’t think Team Tyler will raise $6000 on its own—but we can reach deeper and make a small contribution that leads to long reaching solutions. AFSP is the largest organization in the country working on these issues and the charitable organization contributes a large percentage to the cause with less going toward administration—thanks in large part to strong volunteerism.
Please consider any sized donation to our team – $1, $5, $20, $50, $100, $500 ALL help!
All of the donations go to help AFSP’s work in Georgia.
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A home on Waterfront Drive that’s on property being assembled for a church and townhomes. (ECN photos)
Not long after our Monday post about a major rezoning request at Johnson Ferry and Shallowford roads, we heard from Fred Hanna, the prominent debt-collection lawyer and East Cobb resident who with his wife owns much of the land that’s being proposed for a church and townhomes.
What’s been put on the Cobb zoning calendar in December would be a new campus of the Alpharetta-based North Point Ministries plus 125 townhomes on 33 acres.
Hanna’s private property company and a non-profit ministry run by his wife have owned most of that property for nearly two decades.
Hanna Land Company owns 15 parcels and the True Vine Experience Foundation—which works to help those at risk of homelessness—owns 14 parcels. Another was owned by Sara Sweeney, a chiropractor whose office is on Shallowford Road.
Hanna told us he hoped the county would approve the church “and let it be tall and shine a light in the face of Tokyo Valentino [the controversial new adult retail store further down Johnson Ferry, whose business license was revoked last month by the county].
“Let’s send a message of what East Cobb is about.”
He said he bought his first property there, a house on Shallowford Road, in 2003 with the intention of knocking it down for redevelopment.
Lynn Hanna, his wife, urged him to let some needy people move in instead, and a family of four soon began living there rent-free.
Hanna bought 24 more homes in the same neighborhood, and many of those dwellings have been occupied by people trying to fend off homelessness.
True Vine’s work includes helping those people develop life and financial planning skills and job training in exchange for the free rent, which she estimates has added up to more than $3 million over the years.
When we called the Hannas to find out more, she explained to us that “we’ve always had in mind that we would sell.”
In 2016, CalAtlantic, a residential developer, applied for rezoning for single-family and some multi-family homes. But community opposition developed and in early 2017 the application was withdrawn.
Cobb commissioner Bob Ott suggested at the time that any redevelopment should wait until the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford master plan process that was approved in August.
A current land use map of the proposed North Point church and townhomes, outlined by the Cobb Zoning Office.
In those intervening four years, Lynn Hanna said there have been some other overtures from potential buyers.
A few months ago, their agent contacted North Point, which initially wasn’t interested, and that she said had been holding makeshift gatherings in East Cobb at Eastside Baptist Church.
But in recent months, discussions began with North Point in earnest, and now the church is the applicant for the proposal (which you can read here).
While North Point campuses in Alpharetta and Buckhead have capacities of 3,000, she said the East Cobb campus “won’t be a megachurch.”
The plans call for up to 1,500 adults and 400 kids “on the best Sunday.”
“The reason I think it’s so good for the community is that it’s only going to be two hours on Sunday,” she said.
North Point doesn’t have a day care or pre-school, so there won’t be traffic during the week stemming from the church. The proposal also includes a small amount of retail and restaurant space.
But the 125 townhomes being proposed would need an RM-8 zoning that category that isn’t in the vicinity. That’s prompted traffic concerns—as well as a proposed parking deck next to the church—from some readers we’ve heard from.
Lynn Hanna said she understands that, and admits that “there are always people who object.” But she said they’re not going to make nearly the money selling to a church that they would have for an all-commercial assemblage.
North Point’s rezoning request, which was submitted by noted Cobb zoning attorney Kevin Moore, states that single-family residential use currently zoned “is economically unfeasible.”
According to Cobb Tax Assessor’s Office records, the properties owned by Hanna Land and True Vine range in appraised value from $35,000 (empty lots) to $647,000 for a lot at 3085 Johnson Ferry Road.
Most of the parcels with homes on them have appraised values in the low-to-mid 200s.
Those same records indicate that on Oct. 22, Sweeney sold her property at 4260 Shallowford Road to North Point Ministries for $650,000 (it has an appraised value of $491,530).
Lynn Hanna said she began notifying those living in the houses they own several months ago about the rezoning, and are working with them to find new housing
“We’re feeling good about this,” she said. “Knowing that it’s a church and that we’ve been helping near-homeless people is our reward.”
Said Fred Hanna:
“I think this matter has been a God thing. God had a plan some 17 years ago but first, he needed some 500 people to pass thru the houses, and be ministered to. But now is the time for the church.”
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Pure Farmland recognized The Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA) in Marietta and its positive impact in the community through a recent check donation of $1,000. The endowment is part of the 2020 Pure Growth Project, an initiative launched by Pure Farmland earlier this year to ensure community gardens and farms continue to thrive, and to help increase the availability of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables nationwide. CCYA was selected as a 2020 grant recipient to support its commitment to providing nourishment and a safe place for homeless youth to live, thrive, and heal, which is needed now more than ever during this critical moment in time.
After receiving 167 applications from community gardens and farms across 31 states, 50 organizations were carefully selected to receive grants, totaling $100,000 in financial support, to nurture these unique neighborhood spaces.
On its nearly 5-acre campus, CCYA houses a flourishing farm-to-table garden that is “blooming with possibilities.” The garden is the non-profit’s source of over 2,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for hundreds of youth residents, low-income staff and their families, churches, construction workers, and neighborhood and civic groups. Youth housed on-site can apprentice in the garden and use the fruits and vegetables in cooking classes or to enjoy in meals. In addition, CCYA hosts a farmer’s market stand to bring more fresh produce to its community, which is currently considered a food desert.
Pure Farmland is celebrating the organization’s exemplary stewardship and the impact its hard work has on the neighborhood. The award of $1,000 will be used to complete the campus garden plans for the year – including the purchase of enhanced soil bags to fill cinder blocks that line garden rows and inhibit weeds, and for seeds and plants to companion every row. During these uncertain times, CCYA is expanding its production to enhance access to healthy, nutrient dense food, and allowing the specialization of food production for kids.
“Big thanks to the Pure Growth Project grant program for allowing CCYA, in close partnership with the Cobb Master Gardeners, to complete optimal growth plans for the year,” said Maureen Lok, legacy board member and Cobb Master Gardener for CCYA. “A therapeutic opportunity is presented through this milieu for youth as it provides a foundation for vocational and life skills training through garden apprenticeships. Equally an oasis of tranquility and beauty, its effect is palpable, as youth, staff, neighbors, and visitors alike feel compelled to comment on its aesthetic appeal.”
“At Pure Farmland, we’re dedicated to increasing access to fresh, locally grown produce nationwide. Which is why we’re thrilled to join forces with the hard-working individuals at CCYA as part of the Pure Growth Project, to help further their mission and strengthen the local Marietta community,” said Erin Thacker, MA, RDN, brand manager for Pure Farmland. “It is important now more than ever to support local neighborhoods and encourage the next generation to grow sustainably sourced produce.”
For more information, please visit pure-farmland.com/impact/. Pure Farmland is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
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Leaders of the Walton Marching Raider Band have announced that their final recycling event of the year – known for accepting metal, electronics and paint – will be held this Saturday, November 7th. Proceeds support the marching band program and help provide a high-quality experience for East Cobb students attending George H. Walton Comprehensive High School.
The final recycling event of 2020 will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walton High School, 1590 Bill Murdock Rd, Marietta, GA 30062.
Support of the event is especially needed this year due to the novel coronavirus and its impact on regular band fundraising activities.
All residents and businesses are welcome to donate and support this Walton Marching Raider Band event. People who have cleaned their homes during the pandemic and don’t know what to do with the metal, electronics and paint they want to dispose of and local businesses who are in the same situation are all welcome to support the event.
The Walton Marching Raider Band is participating in a limited number of school events and following stringent protocols including wearing masks and being physically distanced during outside performances.
Here’s more information, including a list of items that will be accepted and how you can pay; the cost is a $10 donation per car.
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The Good Mews Animal Foundation of East Cobb is among the CARES Act not-for-profit recipients.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners has approved federal CARES Act funding totaling $842,500 for 68 non-for-profit organizations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organizations were recommended by SelectCobb, the economic development arm of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, and will receive grant funding for personnel and operational expenses.
They include community service organizations, animal welfare groups, special-education schools and arts entities.
The cash grants range from $2,500 to $25,000, and will go organizations that are locally-operated. They include the following:
$25,000
MUST Ministries
Nobis Works
$20,000
MDE School of East Cobb
liveSAFE Resources Inc.
$15,000
The Georgia Ballet Inc.
The Center for Family Resources
The Extension
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta
Good Mews Animal Foundation
Friends of the Strand
Davis Direction Foundation
$10,000
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art
Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue & Adoption
Food Security of America
Curing Kids Cancer Inc.
$2,500
Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society
Family Promise Cobb County
Marietta Police Athletic League
The full list of recipients can be found here. In July commissioners approved $2 million for the not-for-profits; all CARES Act funding must be designated and distributed by Dec. 31.
Commissioners also voted last week to allocate an additional $57,864 in emergency food funding from the CARES Act to 25 Cobb organizations, including MUST, the Noonday Baptist Association and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.
Each organization will receive $2,314 and the full list can be found here.
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On Saturday the East Cobb-based United Military Care organization will be holding a free barbecue lunch for veterans, and this year it’s going to be a drive-through event.
The pickup period takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their offices (1220 Canton Road, across from the Olde Mill Shopping Center) and you can sign up by calling 770-973-0014 or by e-mailing peggyb@unitedmilitarycare.org.
Proof of veteran status is required when you pick up your food. Non-veterans can purchase meals for $10 to help fund programs to help veterans in crisis. Volunteers will be holding signs thanking veterans for their service.
Last year we visited United Military Care at its Veterans Day event and wrote about the organization’s efforts to provide food, financial, housing and other assistance to veterans in need.
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Tommy Nobis Center, a Marietta-based nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment, recently elected Jerry Chang as a new board member.
Chang is senior managing director and partner at Ankura, a management consulting firm with clients in the legal, corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Chang has over 25 years of experience specializing in valuation and financial advisory, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, strategic planning, and litigation support. He attended Georgia Tech before earning his BBA in finance, with honors, from Georgia State University and his MBA in business and finance from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and was a member of Leadership Atlanta’s class of 2020.
“I am honored and excited to serve on the Board of Directors of Tommy Nobis Center,” says Chang. “I am looking forward to helping transform the lives of many people with disabilities.”
Chang believes that people with disabilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and given the opportunity to work toward financial independence. He supports the inclusion of all people in the workplace.
“Jerry’s experience and passion will be an incredible asset to our board,” says Dave Ward, President and CEO of Tommy Nobis Center. “His expertise and servant’s heart are the perfect combination for helping us achieve our mission and change lives.”
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The Cobb Library Foundation‘s annual “Booked for the Evening” fundraising gala that’s held in the fall is going virtual this year.
The event is Wednesday, Oct. 28, starting at 6:30 p.m., and the guest is Mark Victor Hansen, best-selling author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”
The honorary chairman is Dr. Grant Rivera, Marietta City Schools Superintendent. The event includes auction items, and individuals not attending online can still participate in that portion of the evening.
Proceeds benefit the Cobb County Public Library System, and you can register and get more information by clicking here.
Individual tickets start at $35, and sponsorships are also available starting at $500.
Among the programs funded by foundation include the Connecting Cobb Internet hotspot program, Cobb GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science), free public computers with Internet access, literacy programs, summer reading programs and more.
The foundation is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides financial and other assistance to the Cobb library system, including community partnerships.
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Cobb District Attorney Joyette M. Holmes announces that her office and its partners have been awarded a four-year grant worth up to $400,000 to create a Family Justice Center, where victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse can receive services in a single location.
“It is exciting that Cobb County has such great collaboration and support among victim-service providers, law enforcement and county government that we were successful in seeking out this opportunity,” DA Holmes said. “The partnering agencies are committed to the establishment of a Family Justice Center for our community so that we can serve the victim where they are rather than the victim having to seek services where the agencies are located. This streamlining of services will provide a safe place for victims and survivors to go to receive wrap-around and holistic services. I am devoted to leading in the planning, implementation, and ongoing partnership to build a Family Justice Center for Cobb County.”
Partners include LiveSAFE Resources, SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc., along with Cobb County Government, the Cobb Sheriff’s Office and Police Department, the Solicitor General’s Office, and Legal Aid of Cobb County. Partnering agencies and offices will have the opportunity to house representatives in the new center to serve victims.
Tracey B. Atwater is the Executive Director of LiveSAFE Resources.
“Too often, those seeking help after victimization must visit various service providers and agencies in order to get the assistance they need. This incredible new project will allow us and our community partners to better serve those in need by creating a collocated space, reducing barriers for victims seeking help,” she said.
Jinger Robins, Chief Executive Officer of SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc., also welcomed the project.
“What a great day for Cobb County citizens! The successful award from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of funding for a Family Justice Center will serve all citizens in Cobb County and further ensure victims of crime are able to have the best access to all the services they deserve. SafePath is honored to be one of the partnering agencies as we work collaboratively to connect victims to services as they heal,” Robins said.
The grant is administered through Georgia’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council with federal dollars from the Victims of Crime Act. Only two other Georgia communities, Waycross and Macon, were awarded grants to create family justice centers. Savannah has the only existing center in Georgia.
The family justice center model has been identified as a best practice in the intervention and prevention of domestic violence by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. Documented and published outcomes include reduced homicides, increased victim safety and empowerment, reduced fear and anxiety for victims and their children, and reduced recantation by victims receiving this level of support.
Agencies that provided support for Cobb’s center in the application process include Center for Family Resources; Cobb Collaborative; the Division of Family and Children’s Services; Kennesaw State University’s WellStar College of Health and Human Services; police departments of Acworth, Kennesaw and Smyrna; the Georgia Commission on Family Violence; and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia.
Planning and establishing the center will require significant community buy-in. Cobb’s leaders are planning a virtual community meeting in early December to begin discussions.
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The Senior Citizen Council of Cobb County celebrated National Senior Citizen Day by selecting six outstanding Cobb senior citizens to receive Life Achievement proclamations from Cobb County. These distinguished individuals were presented with their proclamations in a ceremony at the Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting on October 13.
The Life Achievement award recipients were called up separately and Commissioners JoAnn Birrell and Keli Gambrill read their individual proclamations aloud. The six honorees were Dr. Julie Bolen, Dr. Betty Ann Cook, Ms.Shelle O’Loughlin, Ms. Jessica Townley, Ms. Jeanene Abernathy, and Ms. Mildred White (who was unable to attend).
All of the honorees have a lifetime of professional accomplishment and years of devotion to the betterment of the Cobb community. A video of the awards ceremony can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8U_bsby-WQ&t=278s.
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On Friday, October 16th, The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team held an appreciation barbeque lunch to honor local police, firemen, EMT’s and military personnel. The Capital City Home Loans grilling food truck served up burgers and hotdogs with a variety of sides sponsored by other local partners.
Attendees were welcome to use the “social distancing patio” to enjoy their meal or take it on the road. Event sponsors and members of the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team had a great time serving the 85+ guests and appreciating them for what they do day-to-day.
Additional sponsors for the event included: Arrow Exterminators, First American Home Warranty, Amerispec Home Inspection, Chick-fil-A East Lake, Panera Bread and Perrie & Associates. Local Cobb County and surrounding area first responders, police, fire, detective units and military were all invited. Lunch was also packed up and delivered to Cobb County 911 dispatch.
For more information on community events at the Janice Overbeck Team office, visit: www.JaniceOverbeck.com.
Send Us Your News!
Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.
Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.
Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.
We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
From left, Delta Community Credit Union Manager Jill Dent, Sedalia Park Elementary School Assistant Principal Kahilah Rachel and Sedalia Park Elementary Support Staff Specialist Aunquize Perkins
Submitted information and photo:
To show gratitude for teachers’ ongoing commitment to quality education during the COVID-19 health crisis, Delta Community Credit Union’s East Cobb location recently delivered care packages to teachers at Sedalia Park Elementary School.
The manager of the Delta Community branch on Johnson Ferry Road presented gift bags with snacks and personal supplies, such as hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes, and personalized thank you notes for the school’s teachers and support personnel.
“Thank you for giving so much of your time, and your heart, to children and our community,” said Jill Dent, manager of Delta Community’s Johnson Ferry Road branch. “This year, we are especially grateful for all you are doing, every day, for students in East Cobb.”
Sedalia Park Elementary, located at 2230 Lower Roswell Road, is one of 18 schools that Delta Community serves as a Partner in Education. The credit union, which is the largest in Georgia, has three branches and administrative headquarters in Cobb County.
Send Us Your News!
Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.
Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.
Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.
We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
The Davis Direction Foundation, a Marietta-based addiction recovery non-profit, is holding a substance abuse prevention event, “Beyond the End Zone,” in East Cobb and virtually on Thursday.
The event is from 5-7 p.m. in the conference center at Piedmont Church (570 Piedmont Road) and will feature two guests from the football world.
They are Heisman Award Winner George Rogers, who will be in person to share his story of recovery (and the trophy will be there too!), as well as Las Vegas Raiders player Darren Waller doing the same via Zoom.
The $25 cost per ticket includes a BBQ dinner and auction and proceeds will benefit the foundation’s programs (more details here, and ticket purchases here).
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
The Salvation Army’s Marietta Corps will host this year’s annual membership coffee of the metro area’s Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary on Thursday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any women who are interested in volunteering and learning more about how The Salvation Army and the Women’s Auxiliary work together “Doing The Most Good” throughout metro Atlanta are invited to this free event at the Marietta Corps, 202 S. Waterman St., Marietta.
Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing, or share news about what people are doing in the community—accomplishments, recognitions, milestones, etc.
Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.
Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.
We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
The Center for Family Resources (CFR) is asking the community to help them reach their goal of providing 1,000 Thanks for Giving Food Boxes for 1,000 families for this year’s reimagined Thanks for Giving event. Rather than hosting food drives throughout the area, supporters are asked to pack family food boxes themselves using a premade shopping list. The CFR is asking the community to get involved by becoming a Smart Stuffer Packing Partner, or by sponsoring or donating to this year’s “I’m Thankful For…” giving campaign. Celebrating its 35th year, Thanks for Giving provides everything a family needs to keep or create their own family traditions in ways that are meaningful to them.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges unlike any other for our community, including a rise in food insecurity, unemployment and incredible uncertainty,” said Melanie Kagan, CEO for the Center for Family Resources. “Due to restrictions on large gatherings and general health concerns, we are unable to conduct our event in the same manner as in previous years, however, we know the need is even greater. We are committed to providing Thanksgiving family food boxes to ensure families can celebrate the holiday in whatever way works best for them,” she continued.
Smart Stuffer Packing Partners will commit to donating pre-packed family food boxes ($60-$65 each) using a suggested shopping list, and deliver the completed boxes to a designated community drop-off location, or to the IAM Local Lodge #7091032, Marietta, in November. This event is a perfect way to invite colleagues, neighbors, family members and civic groups to participate and be involved with a great cause for the holiday season. Food boxes are distributed to families the week before Thanksgiving.
For more information on how you can get involved please visit www.thecfr.org/t4g.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
