East Cobb Community Service

Simple Needs Ga receives $7K grant from FHLBank Atlanta

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Submitted information:Simple Needs GA

 Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) has awarded Simple Needs GA (SNGA) a $7,000 grant for people in need in Cobb County.

The 2019 sponsorship represents a continuation of FHLBank Atlanta’s support of SNGA, said Brenda Rhodes, Founder and Executive Director of the Marietta-based nonprofit. “We’re so touched and grateful to receive this amazing gift from FHLBank Atlanta,” she said. “The Bank has helped our organization in so many ways over the past few years. This latest gift, the largest yet by the Bank, will allow us to help even more children and families in need this year.”

With FHLBank Atlanta’s support, Rhodes noted, SNGA continued to broaden its reach in 2018: Its My Birthday Matters program brought birthday presents and other useful items to 256 homeless schoolchildren, up from 217 in 2017. Its Simple Household Needs program brought furniture and household items to 126 clients, a major increase over the 77 it helped in the prior year. And its Spirit of Christmas program provided 159 children in 61 families with $100 in requested gifts along with extras like puzzles, board games, hats, gloves, scarves and, for parents, a $25 Walmart card.

“Major financial contributions such as those provided by FHLBank Atlanta are critical for us and make a real difference for our clients,” Rhodes said. “For example, we typically don’t receive enough in-kind donations of mattresses and box springs to meet the overwhelming demand in our community. Financial donations like this allow us to buy beds so that our furniture clients and their children don’t have to spend too many nights sleeping on a bare floor.”

For more information about SNGA, email brenda@simpleneedsga.org.

For more information about the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, please visit www.fhlbatl.com.

Related story:

 

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East Cobb’s MDE School to host ‘A Gatsby Affair’ fundraiser in March

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MDE School East Cobb

Thanks to Mitchell Katz of the MDE School in East Cobb for the following information:

The MDE School of East Cobb hosts “A Gatsby Affair,” March 2, 7 to 11 p.m. at the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta, Atlanta, GA. The event is presented by Ed Voyles Automotive Group.

The second annual event is the largest fundraiser/benefit for the MDE School, a non-profit, private school in East Cobb that serves K-12 children with varying special needs. The MDE School, the only school of its kind in Cobb County, provides an exceptional learning environment where students with special needs have access to academics, music, drama, adaptive PE, enrichment programs and life skills training. MDE serves students with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, communication disorders, and developmental delays.

Since MDE School’s inception in 2008, enrollment has increased from 3 to 50 students from all over metro Atlanta. MDE is able to uniquely serve children with special needs who cannot be served in a traditional educational environment, and addresses each students’ learning, social, cognitive, and developmental goals allowing their students to maximize their potential.

“Words cannot express the feeling of watching the school’s growth and progress. It has truly been AMAZING! I no longer worry about my son’s well-being. I know that the teachers and staff have all the students’ best interest at heart,” says Angie Monday, a MDE parent.
The Gatsby themed evening is $100 per person for tickets. Sponsors as of printing include Ed Voyles Automotive Group, Laugh and Learn Child Development Center, Brasfield & Gorrie, Croy Engineering, Spectrum Behavioral Associates, Publix Super Markets Charities, Honest-1 Auto Care, and Ms. Donna Maslia. Sponsorships ranging from $250-$5,000 are still available.

Evening events include live roaring 20’s music by Tray Dahl & The Jugtime Ragband, heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar, a wine pull, and live auction with prizes ranging from $20 to $2,500. The event is hosted by Dean Crownover, Georgia’s #1 Benefit Auctioneer. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the students of MDE and will help expand academic and specialized programming, as well as the renovation of the Alexis Jarrett Memorial Playground. The playground is named in memory of MDE student Alexis Jarrett who suddenly passed away on August 14, 2018.

“Think Gatsby glitz and glam in a fun, high-energy atmosphere,” said Mindy Elkan, Executive Director for The MDE School, who said the event is projected to sell out.

“There are still opportunities to donate auction and raffle items,” said Elkan. She said you probably have something you know about or could offer as an auction item, citing examples such as your condo at the beach you could donate for a weekend, airplane tickets, pampering items such as a facial, manicure, or massage, or restaurant gift cards for a night out.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.mdeschool.org. Tickets will be available until the event sells out.

 

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Local art sale raises funds for Emory ALS research

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Janice Overbeck, Emory ALS research

Submitted information and photo:

On Friday, January 25th, the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team held an art show at their office benefiting ALS research. Each participating artist generously donated 15% of their sales toward the fundraiser.

The exhibit included works from a variety of local artists including: Popi Marden, Katherine Knowles, Kent Knowles, Travis Carr, Matt Phillips, Jeff Pickard, Stacie Jean Albano, Rachel Silva, Danielle Rose, Naomi Garcia, Sara Farmer, and Mandy Grant. Hors d’oeuvres were sponsored by Perrie & Associates and premium cocktails were provided by Belle Isle.

The art show raised just over $800 for ALS, bringing the total raised for Emory ALS Center by Janice’s non-profit, JO Gives, to $190,962. 

 

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East Cobb students raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

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Thanks to Katie Valley, a sophomore at Walton High School, for letting us know about a fundraiser she’s holding over the next few weeks for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

LLS logo, East Cobb students

She tells us that she and her group of fellow students, who attend Walton, Lassiter, Pope and Wheeler, are selling T-shirts and taking donations, with all the proceeds going for blood cancer research.

It’s part of the “Steps to Strength” fundraising drive that involves teen fundraisers in honor of young patients who are battling or are in remission from cancer. Here’s more about what the Steps to Strength drive is all about:

“The candidate team that raises the most money at the end of the seven weeks is named Student(s) of the Year. Our mission is to not only raise the most money but also to bring attention to blood cancers like leukemia, which is the most common form of cancer in children and teens.”

Here’s the link to donate:
https://events.lls.org/ga/AtlantaSOY19/tstepstost

And here’s the link to buy a t-shirt:
https://goo.gl/forms/kndHzLrupsKOLzz22

The fundraiser continues to March 23, For more visit the main LLS website.

 

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Catholic Church of St. Ann to hold human trafficking forum

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St. Ann human trafficking forum

Last week we mentioned a human trafficking discussion at Mt. Bethel UMC that featured Mary Frances Bowley, who leads a local organization fighting childhood sexual abuse and exploitation.

She’s going to be back in the community again next Thursday at a forum on the topic at the Catholic Church of St. Ann.

It’s called “Get the F.A.C.T.S.,” and the acronym stands for Fighting to Abolish Child Trafficking for Sex. The forum is from 6:30-8 in Nolan Hall at the church (4905 Roswell Road).

Bowley started Wellspring Living, which was started in Atlanta in 2011. She  is a member of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, and will be joined at the St. Ann forum by representatives from the Cobb District Attorney’s Office and the Cobb County Police Department.

The event is part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month across the country.

 

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Cobb MLK holiday service includes ‘Living the Dream’ award

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Cobb MLK holiday service

On Monday Cobb County will hold its official service to honor Martin Luther King Jr. on his national holiday.

King, who was assassinated in 1968, would have turned 90 years old on Jan. 15. The service on Monday takes place at 10 a.m. at Turner AME Church, 492 North Marietta Parkway (at Fairground Street).

The emcee is Fred Blankenship of WSB-TV. The service includes entertainment performances with messages that convey Dr. King’s dedication to freedom, justice and equality for all.

The event will also feature the annual presentation of the “Living the Dream” award by the Cobb branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

This honor is given to community members who demonstrate leadership and commitment to making our county more diverse and inclusive.

This annual celebration is free to the public and hosted by Cobb County Government and the Cobb NAACP.

All Cobb government offices and services, including libraries, will be closed on Monday. Cobb schools also will be closed on Monday.

 

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Mt. Bethel UMC human trafficking discussion entitled ‘You Can Help’

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Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church will feature a guest speaker this weekend on the subject of human trafficking. Mt. Bethel UMC human trafficking discussion

Mary Frances Bowley is the president and founder of Wellspring Living, which fights childhood sexual abuse and exploitation. The event, “You Can Help: Combat Human Trafficking,” takes place Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. at the church (4385 Lower Roswell Road).

It’s part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month across the country, and it’s also been getting a special push in Georgia.

Last week we noted efforts by the Cobb District Attorney’s office to get a Windy Hill Road motel to address concerns about sex trafficking, with the threat of forfeiting its property.

Bowley is a member of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, and other related organizations will be onhand at the Mt. Bethel event with information on how the public can help.

For registration information click here.

Also next Tuesday, Jan. 15, the East Cobb Middle School PTSA is holding a forum on similar topics for middle school and high school students and their parents.

“Hidden Dangers” will explore trafficking issues, social media, “sexting” and pornography. Guest speakers include Susan Norris of Rescuing Hope and Jeff Shaw of Out of Darkness.

The title comes from a U.S. Department of Justice statistic that for 76 percent of predators, their most common first encounter is online.

Last month a Canadian man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a Cobb girl he contacted online, and whom he arranged to meet in person. He was arrested at the Atlanta airport.

The event takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. at East Cobb Middle School (825 Terrell Mill Road), and there are separate events for students and parents. Click here to register.

 

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Lassiter-Pope-Kell NJROTC recognized by Keep Cobb Beautiful

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Lassiter-Pope-Kell NJROTC

Photo and info from the Cobb County School District:

Because of their dedication to community beautification, students in the Lassiter-Pope-Kell (LPK) NJROTC program earned the title of Adopt-a-Mile Youth Group of the Year by Keep Cobb Beautiful. 

Capt. Jim Minta (USN, RET) and First Sgt. Lorenzo Cox (USMC, RET) recently paired the NJROTC unit with the Keep Cobb Beautiful initiative by adopting Shallowford Road in front of Lassiter High School. Once a quarter, cadets, armed with plastic gloves, trash bags, and neon vests, spend a morning picking up trash along the mile stretch.  

Knowing that individuals are far less likely to desecrate a well-maintained community motivates the Cobb students to keep their community beautiful. The student volunteers are not only helping the local community, but they are also helping the environment. 

Ever since the unit’s involvement along the road, litter within the area has decreased dramatically, according to the students’ NJROTC leaders. The reduction of litter mitigates the effect of pollutants flowing into the surrounding water basins. Both the Lassiter High School campus and the area surrounding it appear healthier and cleaner than ever. LPK’s NJROTC cadets plan to continue to set an example with their clean-up efforts in their East Cobb community.  

 

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Delta Community Credit Union delivers Toys for Tots in East Cobb

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Delta Community Credit Union Toys for Tots

The weather was frightful on Saturday morning, but thanks to those at the Delta Community Credit Union not only for getting out in the cold rain to help out with Toys for Tots but also for passing along the photo and information from its event at Highland Plaza Shopping Center on Sandy Plains Road.

Branch manager Eddie Johnson is pictured with Kristin Klingshirn, from The Bert Show on radio station Q100, as part of the Great Toy Drop taking place across metro Atlanta.

Donations will benefit the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign, which provides gifts for underprivileged children during the holidays.

Toys for Tots will also be accepted from Dec. 10-23 at metro Atlanta Publix stores. For more information, visit the Q100 website.

 

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McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA named recipient of Cobb Chamber health awards

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McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA
From L-R: Trey Sanders, 2018 Cobb Chamber Chairman; Becky Shipley, East Cobb YMCA, 2018 Health Hero Award Winner (organization); Misty Lathem, East Cobb YMCA, 2018 Health Hero Award Winner (individual); Dr. Ross Brakeville, 2018 Health & Wellness Committee Chair (Photo: Cobb Chamber)

Thanks to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce for the info and photo with some good news about the McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA:

The Cobb Chamber presented its 2018 Health Hero Awards to two recipients at its First Monday Breakfast at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Dec. 3. The awards, sponsored by MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service and the Cobb Community Foundation, recognized the outstanding accomplishments of one individual and one organization who have made significant impacts on the health of the Cobb County community.

The individual 2018 Health Hero Award was presented to Misty Lathem, Wellness Director for the YMCA of East Cobb. In addition to her role as wellness director, Lathem serves as the East Cobb Y hunger relief coordinator, organizes and manages the YMCA run club and oversees the Haunted Hustle 5K/10K, Little Nugget 1 Miler and Youth Fit 4 Life events.

Lathem further serves the Cobb community by managing Farm Fresh Markets for impoverished seniors, promoting active lifestyles through the Atlanta Y Kids Tri program and providing leadership as a board member of the Roswell Bike Club, Cobb 2020 and the Cobb Health and Wellness Committee. 

The organizational 2018 Health Hero Award was presented to the YMCA of East Cobb, which actively seeks gaps in the Cobb community and plays a critical role in the health and wellness of thousands of citizens. The Y tackles hunger through Farm Fresh Market food deliveries and the School’s Out Lunch program, and as America’s Swim Instructor, teaches thousands of children how to protect themselves in water.

Additionally, East Cobb YMCA addresses the needs of special community populations, having designed programs such as PD Gladiators, a program designed for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, and programs supporting cancer survivors and promoting diabetes prevention.

In 2018 alone, East Cobb YMCA partnered with Walton Communities to offer adult swimming lessons, with Brumby Elementary and MUST Ministries to create a food pantry, with Cobb and Douglas Public Health to prepare children for their first-ever triathlon and continued a partnership with East Valley Elementary School and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, offering Youth Fit 4 Life, an after-school fitness program designed to lower the BMI and increase the cardio health of children.

 

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CobbLinc ‘Stuff A Bus’ dropoff points include 3 in East Cobb

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CobbLinc Stuff a Bus dropoff points

Next week a toy collection drive that includes the county’s transit service will take place across the county. The CobbLinc ‘Stuff A Bus’ dropoff points include three in East Cobb, on designated days and at specific times.

Donations of unwrapped toys, food and monetary contributions will be accepted to assist needy children and their families during the holiday season.

It’s part of the Cobb Christmas program, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, and which “provides a minimum of three age-appropriate toys to each child, ages infant through 15.” Participating families go through a qualification process.

The collections in East Cobb will take place as follows:

  • Monday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at WellStar East Cobb Health Park (3747 Roswell Road);
  • Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at WellStar administration building (805 Sandy Plains Road);
  • Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 2:30 p.m to 3 p.m., at Three-13 Salon (2663 Canton Road).

The full dropoff schedule and other details about Cobb Christmas can be found at this link.

 

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SPI Theatre holiday relief program includes Toys for Tots fundraiser

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Press release:

Destiny Center & SPI Theatre will be hosting its Annual “Holiday Relief” program with Toys For Tots on Saturday, Dec.15 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All community participants will receive a complimentary table top Christmas Tree along with decorations to be able to participate in the “2018 Christmas Tree Challenge.” They will also receive a wrapped toy for the kids, popcorn, a tour of the facility and watch a LIVE “Holiday” performance by Spoken Images’ talented performers.

This is a free event for the community and is for kids and adults of all ages!!

During the free event, you will be given the opportunity to support the work of Holiday Relief with a tax-deductible charitable donation. Your generosity and monetary gift will have a positive impact on the Performing Arts within the Cobb County Community. All donations are tax-deductible.

The Christmas Tree Challenge/Holiday Relief program will be held at the SPI Theatre at 3378 Canton Rd., Marietta 30066. For more information visit https://www.spitheatre.com/.

 

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Olde Towne holiday fundraiser shows to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

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John Driskell Hopkins, Olde Towne holiday fundraiser

Press release:

Treat your friends and family to an Intimate Christmas Brunch or Dinner Concert with the John Driskell Hopkins Band and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. John Driskell Hopkins (“Hop”) is a founding and current touring member of the Zac Brown Band. For several years Hop and his band have put their own spin to best loved holiday classics including: Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Santa baby, Here Comes Santa Claus, and scores of others!

Joining John and the band to serve up mouthwatering brunch and dinner is Chef Rusty Hamlin, Executive Chef on tour with the Zac Brown Band. For the evening concert only, 15 members of the Atlanta Pops Orchestra will join the band on stage for a truly memorable experience.

The Olde Towne Athletic Club will host two concerts on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The first concert is a family friendly brunch (yes, with Santa!). The evening concert will be a more upscale, adult-oriented evening featuring our special guest, Wes Henderson of Angels Envy bourbon – and of course special cocktails featuring one of the world’s highest rated spirits. VIP meet and greet opportunities are available for both events.

A silent auction adds to the excitement, you even have the opportunity to bid on a private concert by Hop in your home for your guests.

Both shows benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Click here to go to the ticketing site.

Please contact Lara Dolan for information on donations, and for VIP Tickets and tables. Lara.dolan1969@gmail.com or text to 404.514.6533.

 

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East Cobb celebrity poker fundraiser nets $20K for Emory ALS research

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East Cobb celebrity poker fundraiser

Real estate agent Janice Overbeck and former Atlanta Falcons player Terance Mathis were the hosts of a celebrity poker fundraiser for Emory ALS last weekend in East Cobb.

Here’s more on the event per a release from the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team:

A little over one hundred attendees joined together to try their luck in the tournament while raising funds through a silent auction and awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease. Other local celebrities such as Mark Lee from the band Third Day, Michael Reid (NFL), and Corey Patterson (MLB) came to support the cause and play in the tournament with local fans and event goers.

Through donations, silent auction, and raffle tickets sold, the event raised $20,472 presented to Dr. Jonathan Glass of the Emory ALS Reach Center.

Since its inception in 2016, the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team’s non-profit, JO Gives, Inc., has hosted fundraising events in addition to making donations to the Emory University ALS Research Center annually.

“After losing my father to ALS in 2015, I have been very passionate about research and finding a cure for this horrible disease. Additional funding is extremely important to better understand the disease and determine possible risk factors. Though research has advanced over the last several years to help m any ALS patients live longer and more productive lives, there is still a lot of work to be done,” says Overbeck.

For more information on current research and clinical trials for ALS or to make a donation please visit the Emory ALS Research Center website.

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Cobb Police coat drive accepting donations at precincts

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East Cobb Government Center, Cobb Police Precinct 4, Cobb Police coat drive

The Cobb County Police Community Affairs Unit is conducting its second annual coat drive for those needing them this winter.

Last year more than 2,000 coats and other items were collected as part of “Giving the Gift of Warmth.”

Those wishing to donate new or gently used coats, scarves, hats and gloves can do so now by dropping off items at Cobb Police precincts. In East Cobb, that’s Precinct 4 at the East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road).

The hours to make donations are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. A cutoff date for the drive will be announced later.

The other precinct locations are as follows:

  • Pct. 1—2380 Cobb Parkway, Kennesaw;
  • Pct. 2— 4700 Austell Road, Austell;
  • Pct. 3—1901 Cumberland Parkway, Atlanta;
  • Pct. 5—4640 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs;
  • H.Q.—140 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta.

Those who donate to the coat drive and who are interested in adopting a pet can get the adoption fee waived by the Cobb Department of Animal Services.

To receive a voucher, donate either five hats, five pairs of gloves or one coat. Those items must be new, and you should indicate to the precinct staff where you drop off that you’re interested in getting a pet adoption voucher.

Vouchers can be obtained starting Nov. 19, and can be used for an adoption from Dec. 3-21.

Those who want to donate but cannot do so in person are asked to call Sgt. Jeff Tatroe, the Cobb Police Community Affairs Unit supervisor, at 770-499-3981 or email him at jeff.tatroe@cobbcounty.org for a scheduled pick-up.

 

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Simple Needs GA to have Saturday open house in Marietta

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A couple weeks ago we wrote about Brenda Rhodes of Simple Needs GA, who was named the East Cobb Citizen of the Year.Simple Needs GA open house

She noted that the non-profit she started to help people in need with basic, everyday items is holding an open house Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They’ve got a warehouse in the Marietta area, and will be giving tours, discussing their programs and asking for volunteers to help them help families in need. Here’s more from Rhodes:

 

“We’re inviting everyone in our community to stop by the warehouse to chat, grab a bite to eat, meet some clients and learn about our mission. The open house is a great opportunity to see for yourself what Simple Needs GA does for people in need in Cobb County and to learn how you can get involved. Those who take the tour always learn something new about our programs.”

The open house coincides with a donation drive in which SNGA is collecting household items, winter wear and more. For more details, visit simpleneedsga.org.
For more information and to get the warehouse address e-mail: brenda@simpleneedsga.org.

 

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East Cobb Honest-1 to have 5th anniversary celebration

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East Cobb Honest-1

On Saturday, Nov. 24, the East Cobb Honest-1 automotive repair business is having its fifth anniversary celebration.

The festivities are from 10-4 and include door prizes, games for kids, a cookout with free hamburgers and hot dogs and a photo opportunity with Cousin Eddie from the “Christmas Vacation” movie.

There also will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. with the East Cobb Business Association.

Owner Butch Carter is active in the community as a member of the ECBA and the Rotary Club of East Cobb.

As part of the celebration, Honest-1 also is collecting items for the food pantry at Brumby Elementary School.

You’re asked to bring like peanut butter, jelly, canned meats, beef stew, spaghetti noodles and sauce and granola or breakfast bars.

Anyone who brings a bag with those items to the event will receive a voucher for a free synthetic blend oil change.

Honest-1 is located at 1391 East Cobb Drive, next to the East Cobb Station post office and behind Pinestraw Plaza (Trader Joe’s and California Pizza Kitchen).

Tell us about your business

Do you have business news to share? We’ll post your openings and non-sales events here, including charitable activities. E-mail us at editor@eastcobbnews.com.

If you want to promote your business (including sales and specials other than grand openings), email us at advertising@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll be glad to send you a media kit.

 

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East Cobb teen Trevor Goldenberg holds basketball clinic for special-needs children

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East Cobb teen, Trevor Goldenberg

Thanks to Donna Goldenberg for the photo and information about her son Trevor, who for the second year in a row organized the For Three Basketball Clinic for exceptional youth, and a few adults.

She says 18 participants, ranging in age from four years old to 39 years old, turned out for the clinic last Tuesday at the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy high school gym on Post Oak Tritt Road.

In addition, around 20 volunteers took part in helping run the clinic, which was held on Election Day, when Cobb schools are closed.

Donna says the clinicians are selected in various ways, usually by word of mouth. She says Trevor, who’s circled at the bottom left of the photo, began the clinic last year as a bar mitzvah project (the family attends Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell). He is an 8th grader at Dodgen Middle School and is a member of the school’s Beta Club.

She adds that East Marietta Basketball, a youth organization, and president Clark Humble, is involved as a sponsor of the event.

“We are going to do it again next year and will continue to do it with their help,” she said. “Hopefully, we can get more sponsors next year to make it even bigger and better.”

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Brumby Elementary School food pantry opened by MUST Ministries

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Brumby Elementary School food pantry
Rev. Ike Reighard of MUST Ministries opens the Brumby Elementary School food pantry with students, volunteers and staff. (Cobb County School District photos)

The 31st school in Cobb and Marietta schools to be provided with a food pantry had a ribbon-cutting Thursday. The Brumby Elementary School food pantry is now open to students as part of the non-profit’s Save It Forward initiative.

The pantries are located primarily at Title I public schools in the county to address hunger and nutrition needs for at-risk students.

Brumby Elementary School food pantry

Brumby Elementary School food pantry

In the Save It Forward program, volunteer shoppers receive weekly e-mail lists for items that cost less than $6 each. Those items, which also include toiletries, are then stocked on the shelves at the school pantries for students and their families who need them.

Partial funding for the pantries also comes from the United Way of Greater Atlanta. More than 3,000 Cobb students and their families are served by the school pantries.

On hand for Thursday’s event were Cobb Board of Education member Scott Sweeney and State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, as well as members of the Rotary Club of East Cobb, which is involved extensively with community service projects at Brumby Elementary School.

Brumby Elementary School social worker
Rev. Reighard meets with Charlene Brisco, the Brumby social worker.

Other Save It Forward schools in East Cobb include Lassiter and Sprayberry high schools and McCleskey Middle School.

 

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East Cobb Citizen of the Year is Brenda Rhodes, Simple Needs GA founder

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East Cobb Citizen of the Year, Barbara Rhodes
Brenda Rhodes receives the East Cobb Citizen of the Year plaque from Johnny Johnson of Edward-Johns Jewelers. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

The East Cobb Citizen of the Year for 2018 has an expansive background in community service, but she noticed some seemingly small things from her primary volunteering effort that led to larger action.

Volunteering at MUST Ministries inspired Brenda Rhodes to do something more for the homeless and low-income people who relied upon the non-profit agency for shelter, food and other basic assistance.

In 2010, the East Cobb resident started Small Needs GA, a non-profit that helps those in need with a little more—like bringing tents to those living in the woods, or duffel bags with toiletries and other household items.Barbara Rhodes, 2018 East Cobb Citizen of the Year

It’s grown to much more than that, but her philosophy has remained the same.

“I just happened to see some needs that were being unmet,” Rhodes said Thursday as she was honored by the East Cobb Area Council of the Chamber of Commerce at a breakfast at Indian Hills Country Club.

“So I thought that I should do something about it.”

That was in 2010. Since then, Simple Needs GA has helped hundreds of clients, many of them single mothers with children, often fleeing domestic violence and abuse. Among the items delivered are birthday and Christmas presents, shoes, furniture, bedding and mattresses and school uniforms.

Last year, Simple Needs GA provided birthday gifts and other items to more than 200 homeless children in Cobb through the My Birthday Matters and Spirit of Christmas programs.

Rhodes, who holds down a corporate job as a business analyst at Genesys, says she spends 20-30 hours a week with Simple Needs GA, and even drives delivery trucks.

“It’s actually fun to drive a big truck,” she said.

“Our goal is to meet the needs that aren’t being met” by other agencies. “We’re trying to fill the gap.”

Simple Needs GA accepts donations of money and other items on its website. More about its programs and community partnerships can be found here.

Rhodes has served in many capacities as a community volunteer. In addition to MUST, she has helped with Good Mews Animal Foundation, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Hands On Atlanta, WellStar Foundation and The Center for Family Resources.

She contributes to local missions teams, sings in the choir at First United Methodist Church of Marietta and belongs to the Georgia Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Rhodes is a two-time recipient of the National Points of Light Award and was Hands On Atlanta’s Premier Volunteer in 2004.

She is a graduate of the 2016 class of Leadership Cobb and the winner of the 2016 W. Wyman Pilcher Jr. Memorial Grant for community service from the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association.

The East Cobb Area Council chooses the Citizen of the Year from nominations made by members of various community service organizations, including the East Cobb Lions Club, Rotary Club of East Cobb, the East Cobb Civitans Club, the East Cobb Business Association and others.

 

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