East Cobb Community Service

Marietta recovery center The Extension holds open house, sign dedication

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The Extension Marietta

Submitted information and photos:

On Thursday, May 2nd, Marietta city and county officials, Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, The Extension Board of Directors, staff and friends of The Extension gathered to dedicate The Extension’s new sign and enjoy lunch and  an open house event. The sign dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony was officiated by Marietta’s Mayor Steve Tumlin. Tyler Driver, The Extension’s Executive Director, spoke about the solution to homelessness and addiction in our community. After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a catered lunch and tours of the facility.

The Extension, located on the Church Street Extension in Marietta, is a somewhat obscure building. According to Renee McCormick, the Director of Community Relations at The Extension, “People said that they had been passing by our building for years not knowing what it was, they assumed we were part of the County or Must Ministries. We needed a way to set ourselves apart and to make ourselves more visible.” The Extension Board of Directors came together and donated the funds to build a beautiful monument styled sign that accomplished their objectives.

“For us, it is not just about the opioid crisis or focusing on the disease of addiction, it is about focusing on the solution, and giving those who are suffering and their families real hope for recovery and restoration,” says Driver. For over thirty years, The Extension has saved lives and restored families in Cobb County. They are a nonprofit, nine to twelve month, residential treatment program for men and women twenty five and older who are homeless as the result of a drug and/alcohol addiction. They have fifty seven men in their men’s program and twenty four women in their women’s program.

The Extension partners with local businesses, churches and civic organizations to meet the needs of their clients. For more information about The Extension or to make a donation go to their website www.theextension.org or connect with them on Facebook www.facebook.com/The-Extension-Inc-180185961985

The Extension Marietta
From L-R, Marietta Mayor “Thunder” Tumlin, The Extension executive director Tyler Driver and Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce.

 

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MUST Ministries issues urgent need for food items; drop-off spot in East Cobb

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MUST Ministries urgent call food supplies

Submitted information and photo:

MUST Ministries has been a growing beacon in the local community for the homeless and families who need a hand up for the past 47 years.

Recently they have put out an urgent SOS for food items they are critically low on for their local Cobb County food pantries which serve an average of 345 families per month.

The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team with Keller Williams is holding an ongoing food drive for MUST at their office located at 2249 Roswell Road in East Cobb.

Items can be dropped off there or can be arranged for pick up by calling 404-585-8881.

The items they need include but are not limited to canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables and other non-perishable grocery items.

To learn more about the current food pantry needs or make a donation online visit bit.ly/MM-FOOD.

Photo: Janice Overbeck and Tom Gonter, MUST Ministries.

 

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Cobb Community Foundation names its 2019 Philanthropist of the Year

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Submitted information:Bob Kiser, Cobb Community Foundation

Each year since Jim Rhoden was named Cobb’s first Visionary Philanthropist, Cobb Community Foundation has recognized and honored a Cobb business and community leader who makes significant contributions to the community through gifts of time, talent and treasure. The individuals named have all exhibited visionary leadership and have utilized their influence in ways that have truly improved quality of life for Cobb residents. On Friday, April 26th at Cobb Community Foundation’s 2019 Partners in Philanthropy Luncheon, Bob Kiser will be recognized as one of those individuals.
 
Following fourteen years as a pilot, six with the United States Air Force and eight for a commercial airline, Bob began a very successful career with Moore Colson. In 2009, he succeeded Greg Colson as Managing Partner. Colson commented at the time, “Bob’s experience and respect in the industry coupled with his unique relationship building abilities will afford the firm continued success going forward. Bob’s strong bond with the firm’s other 13 partners and admiration by the staff is a direct reflection on his leadership skills.” During his tenure as MP, Moore Colson was named one of America’s 2013 Best of the Best Top 50 CPA Firms by INSIDE Public Accounting Magazine (which annually honors only 50 Firms in America), one of the Fastest Growing Atlanta Firms (revenue and professionals) and also began what is now a long-standing tradition of being named one of Atlanta’s Top Workplaces by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Throughout his career, Bob’s focus was not only on helping his clients achieve their objectives, he also wanted to see others in the community achieve theirs. “We’re all in this together,” he says. Bob served on the board of Cobb Community Foundation (“CCF”) from 2006 to 2011, including chairing the board in 2009. Despite the turbulent economy, under his leadership, CCF still made grants totalling over $800,000 to the non-profit community.

After four years as a board member of The Center for Family Resources (“the CFR”), Kiser took on the role of board chair in 2011. Two years later, he chaired their annual gala and raised $366,000 for the organization. That year, the CFR Chair presented him with their Founder’s Award which recognizes a company, organization or individual who best exemplifies the organization’s work and mission. CFR’s annual report for that year reported, “He has always given generously of both his time and resources…. Bob’s hard work was instrumental to the success of the Center for Family Resources during the time he served on our board and as committee and gala chair.”

Bob stepped down from the managing partner role at Moore Colson in 2014 and for the past few years has been focusing his time on travelling with his wife, Phyllis, spending time with daughter, Jean Ann, son-in-law, Steven Murphy, and their sons Matthew and Jonathan, and visiting son, Tim, and daughter-in-law, Katie, who live in Chattanooga and are expecting their first child.

Even so, Bob’s commitment to the community has not even slightly wavered. Many do not know that two years ago, Bob, an active member of Marietta Kiwanis, was also instrumental in ensuring that the mission of United Arts of Cobb, an organization created by Ron Francis, continued and that Ron’s legacy remained strongly intact. Bob worked to transition the governance of the fund to the club and now chairs the Marietta Kiwanis Art Fund Committee, continuing the mission of United Arts of Cobb and overseeing the grant review and awards process.

Kiser is frequently consulted by and continues to advise the CFR and CCF, and he still continues to fundraise for organizations whose missions he supports. Just ask Marietta High School’s Student Life Center. Last year, the Marietta Country Club Thanksgiving Golf Tournament that he and fellow club member, Steve Fisher, co-chaired raised a record $75,000. Marietta Kiwanis, a co-sponsor of the tournament, added an additional $25,000, resulting in a $100,000 total contribution to the organization.

Cobb Community Foundation board chair, Bruce Clayton (who nominated Kiser for the award) refers back to the CFR’s annual report and the Greg Colson quote. “They said it best,” he says. “Bob always gives generously of both his time and his resources, and his personal relationships and leadership abilities allow him to make an impact on everything he gets involved in.” Clayton continues, “This community is fortunate to have him. He makes it better just by being here.”

Bob Kiser will be recognized as the 2019 James L. Rhoden, Jr. Visionary Philanthropist of the Year at Cobb Community Foundation’s Partners in Philanthropy Luncheon on Friday, April 26th. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to https://e.givesmart.com/events/cCz/.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2018 David and Brittney Bottoms
2017 Governor Roy Barnes
2016 Valerie Voyles
2015 Ron Francis
2013 Doug Hertz
2012 Bob Prillaman
2011 Doug Chaffins
2010 Fred Bentley, Sr.
2009 Sam Olens
2008 Jerry Nix
2007 Earl Smith
2006 Larry Freeman
2005 Bob Moultrie
2004 Bob Elsberry
2003 Jim Rhoden

 

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Simple Needs GA to hold 5th anniversary celebration with open house

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Simple Needs GA

Submitted information and photo:

Simple Needs GA’s My Birthday Matters program is marking its fifth birthday at an open house on April 13.

“Last year, our My Birthday Matters program brought birthday presents and other useful items to approximately 256 homeless schoolchildren from across Cobb County, up from 217 the year before,” said Brenda Rhodes, an East Cobb resident who founded Simple Needs GA in 2010. “Since MBM is turning five this year, we thought it would be a great idea to throw an anniversary ‘birthday party’ and invite the public to learn more about the program.”

The Open House/MBM Birthday Party, sponsored by longtime SNGA supporter FHLBank Atlanta, is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Simple Needs GA’s Marietta warehouse, 991 Industrial Park Dr.

“We’ll be giving tours, chatting with old and new friends and introducing newcomers to our MBM and six other programs,” Rhodes said. “Clients will be on hand to share their stories, and we’ll have some yummy snacks along with sandwiches and salads generously donated by Newk’s Eatery (1975 Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw).”

Those who plan to attend may RSVP by emailing brenda@simpleneedsga.org.

“Feel free to bring friends or colleagues who might be interested in learning more about how our work benefits people in need,” Rhodes said. “And thanks to event sponsor FHLBank Atlanta and all of the amazing donors and volunteers who have enabled us to help hundreds of homeless schoolchildren over the past five years!”

 

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Georgia Area 3 Civitans Clubs accepting nominations for ‘Servant’s Heart’ Awards

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Several north metro Atlanta Civitans Clubs, including East Cobb, are accepting nominations for the Georgia organization’s annual “Servant’s Hearts” award.Georgia Civitans Servant's Heart Awards

The awards, which began in 2018, are given to “unsung heroes” in a community who “support families and individuals who are affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The other chapters include Chattahoochee, Marietta, Bartow and North Cobb.

Nominations can be made through May 6 and should be sent to: pambrems@mansourcenter.com.

The Area 3 Civitans will hold a reception to honor their 2018 recipient on June 6 at the Mansour Conference Center in Marietta.

For more information, and to download a nomination form, visit the Georgia Civitans website; you can download a nomation form here.

 

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Walton and Wheeler students team up for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising

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Thanks to Bhavini Rajan, an East Cobb resident, for information about her son’s ongoing fundraising project, along with Emma Mason, a junior at the Wheeler STEM magnet school. Here’s the appeal Anant Rajan, a Walton junior, is making to raise funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through March 23, and it’s similar to another one involving Walton students we posted about last month:Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, East Cobb students

I’m very excited to share with you that I am part of the 2019 Student of the Year campaign and I will be working to raise money and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and their mission to find a cure for blood cancers.

It’s an honor to be a part of such an outstanding group of fellow students, but an even larger honor to be able to work for the patients, survivors and their families. I am fundraising in honor of Lauren Bass-Sanford, a shiningly brilliant girl who fought with blood cancer and came out the other side. We need to make this possible for more people, and we can only do that with your help! To learn more about why this cause is so important to me, watch THIS VIDEO.

My personal goal is to raise $40,000 between January 31st and March 23rd. It’s a lofty goal, but I am willing to work hard to reach it. I cannot do it alone, I need your help. There are a few ways you can support my fundraising efforts:

  1. Donate via my personal fundraising page: https://events.lls.org/ga/AtlantaSOY19/tcambiamon
  2. Share my message & fundraising link with your contacts via email or social media
  3. Donate a silent auction item that can be used for the Grand Finale Gala auction
  4. Help me secure a corporate sponsorship (Sponsorships start at $5,000 and sponsors receive Gala benefits)

Not only is this campaign a great way to support LLS and their life-saving work, but it’s a great leadership opportunity for me. Students receive scholarships based on our fundraising and awareness efforts. I am so excited to be able to make a difference in my community in this way.

Please note that we have organized a fundraiser event of Indian Classical Dance & Percussion on Sunday, 10th March 2019 at Hindu Temple of Atlanta – the details are in http://evite.me/eHMyNEH36V

Thank you for your generosity and support. Your donation truly makes a difference and with your help, we’re one step closer to a cure for blood cancers.

I can’t wait to share the exciting updates of the next six weeks with you. Stay tuned to see what my team and I are able to accomplish!

Sincerely,
Anant Rajan and Emma Mason

 

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Cobb High School Coalition students begin new Habitat project

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Cobb High School Coalition

Thanks to Sheri Kell for the photos and information about a new home going up under the auspices of the Smyrna-based Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and that’s also involving the Cobb High School Coalition.

The group includes high school students from seven high schools in the county, including Pope, Walton and Wheeler, and they’ll be working on a house in Mableton for U.S. Army veteran Danny R. Burgess, who served nine years before being medically discharged for an injury in the line of duty.

The project will continue every Saturday through the scheduled completion date of May 4.

The Northwest Metro Atlanta branch of Habitat has constructed or repaired more than 500 homes in Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties since its inception 33 years ago. Says Jessica Gill, the branch’s executive director and CEO, about the Cobb High School Coalition’s contributions:

“We are so thankful for these committed high school students who volunteer their Saturdays to create a safe, stable home for a hero who has served for us. We appreciate their dedication to improving a veteran’s life and the betterment of our community.”

Cobb High School Coalition

 

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East Side Chargers baseball team joins childhood cancer fight

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East Side Chargers baseball team

Thanks to Dana Wright, manager of the 11- and 12-year-old East Side Chargers, for letting us know about how his kids are are getting ready for a big summer tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y. in a special way.

Instead of holding a fundraising drive for their trip, Wright says, the boys have decided to use the occasion to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer during the season.

Specifically, they’ve created a Kids Helping Kids Program called Hits-4-Childhood Cancer Research, along with the Rally Foundation.

That’s the Atlanta non-profit that is devoted to childhood cancer research and awareness with some connections to youth athletes in East Cobb who’ve passed away: Grace Bunke, a Walton swimmer, and Matt Hobby, a Pope football player.

The East Side Chargers began their fundraising drive on Feb. 1, but is continuing until July 1, when they’re getting ready to head to Cooperstown. Wright says they’ve raised about $2,500 thus far, and here’s how the pledging works, and all donations are tax-deductible: 

The program is very simple. . . . People can pledge a flat amount OR to help motivate for the boys on the field by pledging $ for EVERY TEAM HIT during the season.

We will play 30+ games and estimate 4-5 hits per game—bringing the total to 120-150 hits. We ring a cowbell at every game for every hit. . . This really motivates the kids and has generated new pledges.

We are also looking for other teams to join and set up their own program. . . . Rally will do all the work and make it turn key for any other coach or team families to participate.

More viral we can make this – the more money is raised to fight childhood cancer.

It has really motivated these young men on the field to work harder, given them a sense of pride knowing that they are helping other kids and giving them a better understanding of the disease.

Attached is a flyer for more details. For more, visit the Hits-4-Childhood Cancer page.

 

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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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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!