As he was planning another back-t0-school extravaganza earlier this summer, D.A. Layne lost his mother.
She was so much more than a parent, as he told friends and participants at his 5th annual In The Layne Backpack-N-Swag event Saturday in East Cobb.
She was his inspiration for so many things beyond the successful basketball career he enjoyed at Wheeler High School and the University of Georgia.
She taught him to give back to the community, and helped him start the event that provides free backpacks and school supplies for students in need at the start of the school year.
“What she wanted for me was what she wanted for all of us,” Layne said as a small group of friends and families honored her memory with a balloon release at the basketball courts at Grace Church Marietta on Holt Road.
Earlier in the afternoon, families turned out to enjoy food, live music, bouncy houses and the backpack giveaways.
While there was plenty of labor and goodies donated—including the box lunches from Zaxby’s—Layne said his foundation pays for the backpacks and school supplies.
Nearly 500 people signed up in advance, and Layne said they had to cut off registration after that.
“We want to reach everybody we can,” he said, adding that those turning out come from beyond the East Cobb community to include other parts of metro Atlanta. “Thousands even.”
He began In the Layne Hoops to help children through basketball, but his community work has gone beyond the court.
During the Christmas holiday season, he works with sponsors to hold a toy drive for children who otherwise wouldn’t get gifts.
It’s part of what he said his mother stressed to him from a very young age, and it’s an influence he hopes to continue spreading.
“We’re still grieving here,” he said. “But we have to keep it going.”
Layne and his family observe a moment of silence for his mother before a balloon release in her honor.
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It made common sense as a first-time business owner to meet others for networking, referrals, and doing some business.
What I didn’t know was the extent to which many of these small-business owners go to serve their communities.
As in really serving their communities.
After a corporate sales career, ECBA member Butch Carter in 2013 became the owner of Honest-1 Auto Care in East Cobb and Johns Creek, and where I’ve happily had my vehicles serviced over the years.
But like many business owners I’ve come to know through ECBA and elsewhere, that’s only the start of what Carter means for the community.
He’s also the current president of the Rotary Club of East Cobb, which next weekend will stage its biggest fundraiser, the Dog Days Run.
The Rotary Club is involved in charitable work in this community and beyond to an amazing degree, and has set a goal of raising $100,000 from that event that it will give out to more than 20 non-profit organizations.
Carter touched on this effort earlier this month at the ECBA regular business luncheon, which was themed around the ideas of business and community building.
“We’re typical of a lot of small businesses in East Cobb in that we give back to the community,” Carter said.
He calls what he advocates “cause marketing” and at the luncheon representatives of other Cobb non-profits spoke, including Shelly Owen of the Cobb Community Foundation, which she says connects “donors who care with causes they like.
“We’re not the fixer of the problem, but we’re the convener of those who can.”
She said the CCF last did an extensive human needs assessment in 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be conducting another one this fall.
CCF helps connect major and corporate donors with its Corporate Community Champions program.
“It’s an awesome way to connect with others in the community,” Owen said.
On a small-business scale, Honest-1 is involved in efforts to raise awareness for breast cancer that started by selling pink wiper-blades.
He urged his fellow business owners to think creatively about how they can help, by donating items or products or services from their businesses, as well as expertise.
An Air Force veteran, Carter has has held cookouts for veterans at his shop on East Cobb Drive and has supported the work of United Military Care, an East Cobb non-profit that assists veterans and next weekend will have its We CARE Vet Fair at the Cobb Civic Center.
It’s a place for veterans who need services, help navigating the Veterans Administration bureaucracy, and basic assistance with food, housing and medical care.
Leenie Ruben, a retired marketing professional who does community outreach for United Military Care, has found the value of associating with the ECBA, and attends many events.
She said at the luncheon that the work of UMC continues to grow, with the ranks of veterans in Cobb County swelling to more than 44,000.
Another longtime ECBA member, Susan Hampton, has spearheaded the organization’s sponsorship of an appreciation dinner for Cobb Police Precinct 4 staff and the entire Cobb Fire and Emergency Services Department.
She’s expanded that advocacy into a role with the Cobb County Public Safety Foundation, a non-profit that supports local public safety professionals.
Next Saturday, that group also will have a benefit event, the First Responder 5K Run/Walk, at The Battery Atlanta.
ECBA member Susan Hampton is also involved with the Cobb Public Safety Foundation and the East Cobb Lions Club.
Hampton, a former East Cobb Citizen of the Year, also is involved with the East Cobb Lions Club, which conducts 15,000 eye screenings a year for children in need.
These are all examples of what MUST Ministries CEO Dr. Ike Reighard offered to urge business owners and leaders to start “kicking your buts.”
“I would like to help, but . . . ” is the common refrain that Reighard, also the senior pastor of Piedmont Church in East Cobb, said he has heard in many years of community advocacy.
He picked up on the theme of cause marketing by explaining that “people look for companies and organizations that are oriented that way.”
He rattled off many things that “volunteering does for you,” including making new friends and staying connected with people close, instead of resorting to screen companionship.
“You get surrounded by people who have the same values that you have,” Reighard said. “And you’re building friendships along the way. It makes you happier.”
Volunteering “also gets you out of your comfort zone. The day your memories are greater than your dreams, you’re dead in the water. It gives you a sense of purpose.”
Carter said the work of blending business and serving community is an easy “win-win” for both.
“Our goal is to help build a better community.”
If you’d to get involved in any of these organizations financially and/or as a volunteer—and you don’t have to be a business owner—here are their links:
Last weekend, Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta and the Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition (CIHC) hammered the first nails and raised the first walls on their 22rd annual Habitat house.
This year’s faith groups include Smyrna First United Methodist Church, Bethany United Methodist Church, the Islamic Center of Marietta, East Cobb Islamic Center, Temple Kol Emeth, St. Thomas the Apostle, Log Cabin Church, Covenant UMC, Unity North Church, McEachern United Methodist Church, St. Catherine’s Episcopal, First Presbyterian of Marietta, and Due West United Methodist Church.
This year’s corporate partners include Pinkerton & Laws Construction of Atlanta, Fortune Johnson, Foresite Group, Moore Colson, Atlanta West Carpets, and Nissan.
The build is for future homeowner Vernita, who has worked as a General Manager at McDonald’s for 21 years. Vernita is always willing to lend a helping hand, a quality that has allowed her to create a family environment with her work staff. She chose this role because it gave her the flexibility to spend time with her daughter Diamond, who is now 21.
The family of two lives in a Villa Rica apartment where the living conditions are very stressful. Vernita didn’t think she would be able to afford the down payment on a home, but now that she is approved for Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership program, she is so excited to have a place to call home. She is most excited about spending time outside working in the yard.
“For more than two decades multiple religious organizations from many different faiths and denominational backgrounds, come together with corporate partners for the common purpose to build,” says Jessica Gill, CEO, Cobb County Habitat Coalition.”
The CIHC coalition uses the motto, ‘We Build to Coexist, We Coexist to Build’. Henry Hene, longtime coalition co-chair said, “Despite obstacles, and regardless of the economy, for 22 years, this coalition stayed the course of showing selfless service and demonstrating faith in action.”
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One of the largest community fundraisers in East Cobb—the Dog Days Run—is just around the corner.
It’s the 18th edition of the event staged by the Rotary Club of East Cobb, and takes place Aug. 5 at the McCleskey Family-East Cobb YMCA (1055 E. Piedmont Road). The run/walk is a 5K format that starts at 7:30 a.m.
Last year, the event generated nearly $100,000, with proceeds going to more than 20 charities in East Cobb. After the run, awards will be given out to top finishers in various categories and sponsors and community groups will have tables in a mini-festival setting.
Butch Carter, current president of the Rotary Club, said runner registrations “typically more than cover the race expense, so that combined with the business sponsorships are what allow us to give back to the community.”
Sponsorships range from $250 for a “Friend of Rotary” sponsorship that includes a race entry and t-shirt to a $15,000 presenting sponsor designation. They’re designed to appeal to all sizes of businesses and community organizations.
Other sponsorship levels include silver ($1,250), lazy dog ($2,500), gold ($3,000) and platinum ($5,000), and include a variety of verbal and logo recognitions, Rotary Club breakfast invitations, race entries, t-shirts and festival booths.
Higher-level sponsorships also receive tickets to the Rotary’s “Give Back” dinners during which charities receive their donations from the run.
This year’s sponsors include Honest-1 Auto Care, Indian Hills Country Club, Dentistry at East Piedmont, the YMCA, The Hanna Family and Malon D. Mimms Company.
Race beneficiaries include the following:
MDE School; American Cancer Society Relay for Life; Boy Scouts of America; Brumby Elementary School; Camp Kudzu; Center for Children and Young Adults; Cobb Library Foundation; Cobb County Public Safety; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; East Cobb Park; Family Promise of Cobb County; Laws of Life School Essay Contest; Kidz2Leaders; Project Mail Call; Rally Foundation; Rotary Youth Exchange Program; “Service Above Self” Heroes; Walton/East Cobb Robotics; WellStar Foundation (Hospice); Wheeler High School AVID Program; YMCA NE/East Cobb
The registration fee is $30 through July 31 and is $35 after that and for phantom runners.
Prize Money includes $200 each for the overall male and female winners, $200 for the master (age 40-49) male winner, $150 for the master female winner; $150 for the grandmaster (50+) male and female winners; $100 each for the senior (60+) male winner; $50 for the senior female winner.
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Mt. Bethel Church and MUST Ministries are accepting donations and seeking volunteers to help with its Summer Lunch Program.
The program aims to feed around 8,000 children in Cobb County for nine weeks during the summer.
Volunteers have begun assembling meal kits that will be distributed until the end of July. In addition to financial donations, participants can also shop for food for the program via Amazon and help deliver meals.
MUST estimates that 43,000 children in Cobb County received free or reduced-price lunches during the school year—roughly 40 percent of the school system enrollment.
Furthermore, around 24,000 children are considered transient, and another 2,700 homeless:
“We will be packing and delivering Meal Kits each Wednesday, beginning May 31, with donations accepted any day of the week. Why not make this opportunity to serve a family affair? You and your family can be part of our efforts to feed the children who experience food insecurity in Cobb County and BE the hands and feet of Jesus!”
You can find more information, including a list of needs and volunteer and donation details, by clicking here.
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Mike Hendley, left, with MUST Ministries CEO Ike Reighard
East Cobb resident Mike Hendley, a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual, has been named the company’s 2023 Community Service Most Exceptional Award winner and has received a $25,000 grant on behalf of MUST Ministries.
Hendley has been involved with the Marietta-based non-profit that helps those who are homeless find housing, jobs and other assistance for more than 25 years, as a volunteer and as the former chairman of the MUST board development committee.
The grant funding will go toward services at the MUST Hope House, which opened in 2021 as the new shelter and main facility for its operations.
“My passion for helping my community was ingrained in me at a young age, as my parents led by example and demonstrated the importance of helping those less fortunate,” Hendley said in a Northwestern Mutual release.
“One of the most impactful parts of volunteering with this organization is sitting at the table with MUST clients as they share their life stories and experiences. The vulnerability that is shown through these conversations continues to have a lasting impact on my life and fuel my passion for working with this organization for years to come.”
“Northwestern Mutual is a company built on helping people, and it is inspiring to see the impact that these financial advisors are making on their communities through selfless contributions,” Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, said in the release. “I’m honored to work alongside these dedicated advisors who embody our company’s values and commitment to the communities we serve.”
Northwestern Mutual is distributing $270,000 to nonprofits nationwide this year in its community service awards program, and has donated nearly $7 million since the program’s inception in 1995.
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The Credit Union of Georgia is hosting an in-branch and online School Supply Drive benefiting schools in the community.
School supplies can be dropped off at any Credit Union branch location (including 1020 Johnson Ferry Road in East Cobb) or you can visit their Amazon Wish List at amzn.to/42fi3Fq to purchase items. The items purchased from the Amazon Wish List will be shipped directly to Credit Union of Georgia and then delivered to local schools.
School Supply needs include the following:
Pens
Notebooks
Pencils
Binders
Glue Sticks
Index Cards
Pencil Sharpeners
Crayons
Rulers
Two Pocket Folders
Scissors
Erasers
Paper
Backpacks
“We love to support our schools and students,” said Brian Albrecht, President/CEO of Credit Union of Georgia. “We want to make sure that they have everything they need to succeed!”
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Students from the Habitat clubs of the Cobb County High School Coalition recently completed their 26th home in the Marietta area, and on May 20 celebrated the dedication with the family.
The students are from Campbell, Hillgrove, Pope, and Walton high schools, and the resident is Laurelle, a mother of two children who is a paraprofessional at Birney Elementary School.
A native of the U.S. Virgin Islands, she applied for Habitat consideration through her son’s therapist. Soon, she will be closing on a home with a zero interest mortage, according to Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta.
“Every year, it is amazing to see busy high school students give up their Saturdays for nine weeks to build this house,” NW Metro Atlanta Habitat CEO Jessica Gill said. “The students are led by great teachers who help them raise the funds for the project all year and build alongside them and the homeowner each Saturday.”
Cindy Cassanova, Habitat Club sponsor from Pope High School, said “they not only get to be a part of building a home for a family, but they also get to do it with peers from other area schools.
“Seeing the family and crew all dressed up and celebrating a new home that will be loved and lived in for years…well that is what it is all about.”
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L to R: Dr. Cheri Vaniman, Principal Rocky Mount ES; Peter Munk (dad); Karen Munk (mom); Aimee Mendel, past president KCMGK: Jim Perry, presenter and past president KCMGK; John Kone, president KCMGK and Dr. Sage Doolittle, Rock Mount ES. Front: DEANNA MUNK, SP award winner
Thanks to John Kone, president of the East Cobb-based Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K, for the following information and photo:
The Silver Pen Program, now a statewide award, was created over 25 years ago by the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K (KCMGK). Since then, the Silver Pen Award has been presented by the KCMGK to Cobb County Fourth grade students. The essay completion was competitive since the award was open to all 4th grade students on a school wide level.
Jim Perry, past president of the KCMGK and Silver Pen Award presenter summarized it this way, “The Club challenges all fourth graders in three schools to write a comprehensive essay on a topic assigned by the Club. Teachers in each section of fourth grade send their best two submissions to the school administration. One paper from each class is submitted to the Club, who has a panel of judges select the winner from each school. The Silver Pen Award was our Signature Program for many years, but its success became widely known. Now, this is an approved program for Kiwanis Clubs throughout the Georgia District.”
This year, the KCMGK awarded the Silver Pen Awards at three Cobb County schools: Acworth, Rocky Mount, and Tritt Elementary Schools. The winning students were: ASHLEY LANGAN, Acworth ES; JAMES THORPE, Tritt ES, and DEANNA MUNK, Rocky Mount ES. Each winner was presented with a silver pen in a velvet sleeve, a roll of $25 uncirculated one dollar coins acquired directly from the Philadelphia Mint, and an engraved plaque. The presentations were made during the morning broadcast to the whole school.
Everyone was extremely proud of the Silver Pen Award winners, however, the most surprising change observed by us, the adults (parents, teachers and Kiwanis Club members) was the delivery! At each school, the SP awards were presented LIVE, to each classroom, via a “closed circuit” in house TV system. “We never had anything like this when I was in Elementary School,” one parent went on to say.” Both students and adults are thankful for all the technological changes that have taken place in our schools over the years.
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Tommy Nobis Center, a Marietta-based nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment, hosted its 25th annual Galaxy of Stars luncheon on Friday, April 28, 2023 at the Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Ballroom.
The event brought together corporate leaders, community supporters, and friends to honor the impact of Tommy Nobis Center’s programs, celebrate its participants, and raise much needed funds to support growth of programs.
This year’s Galaxy of Stars theme was Celebrating Resilience & Hope. Masters of Ceremonies, WSB-TV Anchors Wendy Corona and Linda Stouffer kicked off the event followed by a welcome and comments from President & CEO Dave Ward. Students enrolled in The Academy at Tommy Nobis Center’s inaugural class took the stage to thank the event sponsors and attendees for their support and several participants throughout the room shared their stories.
“This year’s event was absolutely amazing,” said CEO Dave Ward. “Words can’t describe how inspiring it is to hear directly from our participants and their families about the impact of TNC’s programs in their lives.”
Tommy Nobis Center presented four awards to recognize the hard work and dedication of outstanding individuals who have contributed greatly to building inclusive communities where employment success is possible.
The award winners included:
Tommy Nobis Rising Star Award – Presented to Pamela Martinez, a Tommy Nobis Center employee at HUD in Denver, CO. Pamela has faced many obstacles in her lifetime but her persistence and determination along with a great sense of humor has carried her through. Despite multiple challenges including breaking her neck in a car accident and battling cancer, she has always found a way to carry on. She has excelled during her six years as administrative assistant and has recently been hired by HUD as a GS12 Service Support Specialist. She is an overcomer, and her life is a portrait of resilience and hope.
Community Champion Award – Presented to Roger Brathwaite, a disability champion and accessibility leader who is currently the ServiceNow Accessibility Program Manager at Accenture. Having survived two strokes before the age of 50, Roger has gone on to found The Young and the Restless of Atlanta, a state-wide support group for the brain injury community and he serves as vice-chair of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia Board of Directors. He has not only shown resilience and hope personally but has used his experience to support and inspire others.
Family Member Advocate Award – Presented to Manya Parker, the parent of a daughter with autism. Manya has been a fierce advocate for her daughter, Darby, working tirelessly to ensure that she receives the support she needs to reach her full potential. Darby has participated in Tommy Nobis Center’s programs and has been accepted into The Academy at Tommy Nobis Center in the fall. Manya also served as a parent advisor through Parent to Parent of Georgia and substitute taught primarily in elementary special education classes for ten years.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented to Doug Hertz, Chairman and CEO of United Distributors, Inc. Doug has been a driving force in metro Atlanta since becoming President and CEO of United Distributors in 1984. He has immersed himself in the civic and philanthropic community and contributed his expertise to advance the missions of many organizations. He is Chairman of Camp Twin Lakes, a camping facility he founded in 1989. The camp is designed for and serves nearly 10,000 special needs children and adults annually. Doug is a past Chairman of the Board at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a past Chairman of the Georgia Research Alliance and the Woodruff Arts Center, and a past director of Georgia Power Company. He also serves as a trustee for the Marcus Foundation and the Holly Lane Foundation. The Atlanta Business Chronicle has consistently named him as one of Atlanta’s 100 most influential individuals.
The event that raised a record $300,000 to directly support programs and services for people with disabilities was sponsored by Cobb EMC Foundation, WSB-TV, and Miller Family Foundation and Rachel & Ben Miller. A recording of the event can be viewed at https://tommynobiscenter.org/galaxy.
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Front row left to right: East Side Elementary Youth Essay Contest winners Cameron Courant (5th grade), Stella Eagen (4th grade), Polly Funk (4th grade) and Gianna Sitaf (3rd grade). Back row left to right: Ryan Behrens (Community Development, Delta Community), Jessica Williams (Assistant Branch Manager/Johnson Ferry Road, Delta Community) and Maria Clark (Principal).
Four students from East Side Elementary School in East Cobb were named recipients of the 2023 Delta Community Credit Union Youth Essay Contest in April.
The contest, held in April in recognition of National Credit Union Youth Month, was open to third, fourth, and fifth graders, and 21 students from metro Atlanta schools were chosen. Delta Community received more than 130 entries and selected seven winners from each grade level.
The East Side students are third-grader Gianna Sitaf, fourth-graders Stella Eagen and Polly Funk and fifth-grader Cameron Courant.
Each of the recipients was awarded a $100 youth savings account. Here’s more from Delta Community about the essay content:
“Winning essays included responses from students that said they would save money for altruistic causes like donating to the National Brain Tumor Society, building a wildfire refuge for animals, or providing necessities for those in need. Another student said they would save money to build a school, and another would save to pay for college.”
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The Vision To Learn on-site mobile clinics will return in June to Cobb County public libraries this summer to provide eye exams and glasses–free of charge–for children ages 5-18.
The program, which began in 2018, is expected to exceed last year’s record of almost 400 exams, with more than 250 receiving glasses.
Funding is being provided through the next four summers by the Cobb Board of Commissioners, using $264,000 of the county’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act, as well as $247,000 for Vision To Learn programs with Marietta City Schools.
One library branch in East Cobb will be the venue for the Vision To Learn visits. The Sewell Mill Library (2051 Lower Roswell Road) will be accepting appointments from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on two Wednesdays next month, June 7 and June 14.
The Vision To Learn visits are part of the Cobb County Public Library’s collaboration with Learn4Life, Metro Atlanta Regional Education Partnership for students’ success to make the region a more equitable and prosperous community.
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Bottom row L to R : Rashida Lee-Walker, Assistant Principal; Donna Evans, East Cobb UMC; Sarah Alwardt, 5th Grade Teacher Back row standing L to R: Kathy Culbertson, Media Specialist; Sandy Perry, Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K; Jim Perry, Past President KCMGK; Aimee Mendel, Past President KCMGK; Rosie Teague, VP KCMGK; Linda Bonstein, East Cobb UMC; Elayna Wilson, Principal Powers Ferry ES and John Kone, President KCMGK
Submitted information and photo:
On April 14th, 2023 through a cooperative effort of the staff from Powers Ferry Elementary School, volunteer members of the East Cobb United Methodist Church and members of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K (KCMGK), winning 5th grade students received special certificates and books as they were rewarded for meeting the “March Reading Challenge.” Following the presentation ceremony, the students were treated to snacks and an “Amazing Readers” engraved cake for dessert!
Quite an accomplishment indeed and one student boasted he read over 30 books!! … GOOD JOB STUDENTS!
“I don’t know who was more thrilled” one of the volunteers exclaimed, “the 5th graders who won the certificates or the adults (Kiwanis club members and East Cobb First UMC volunteers) who provided all the goodies for the winners.” In any event, everyone is extremely proud of the accomplishments of the students.
The amazing thing about the reading challenge is that, at the beginning of the school year, 42 percent of the students were reading below the basic level. At mid-year, this number was reduced to 29 percent for a dramatic improvement!
Each child completing the challenge got a book to keep and a certificate showing that this is sponsored jointly by East Cobb United Methodist Church, as a Partner in Education, and the Kiwanis Club of Marietta Golden K as a part of its Student Leadership Program.
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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!
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(L to R) Mary Allphin, Dawn Menear, Tonya Cheek and Cindy Theiler pose with The Salvation Army’s Captain Kettle.
Submitted information:
The Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary’s Kettle Krush 5K run/walk annual fundraiser is going strong – thanks in part to four East Cobb women who are leading its efforts for the sixth consecutive year. The organization – that includes many women from East Cobb – is nearing the $500,000 mark in net proceeds over its five-year history.
The women – Dawn Menear, fundraiser chair; Tonya Cheek, SAWA president; Mary Allphin, SAWA vice president; and Cindy Theiler, communications chair – are striving through this year’s event on May 20 in Marietta Square to exceed that total. The event’s purpose is to help The Salvation Army “krush” poverty, homelessness and human trafficking while supporting youth enrichment and veterans in metro Atlanta. Funds raised support Salvation Army programs, services, and initiatives in the metro area, including in Cobb County.
“We strive annually to increase our participation and dollars raised as well as awareness of all The Salvation Army in metro Atlanta does to support our community,” said Menear. “We hope to exceed last year’s record of 500+ participants.”
“Since taking over this event six years ago from The Salvation Army, SAWA has been able to provide The Army with financial support for many initiatives, programs, and services, including replacing bunk beds at The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Shelter to help homeless veterans, providing funding to fight hunger through the Annual Can-a-thon, helping the Boys and Girls Clubs with youth enrichment through summer day camp, and supporting the capital campaign to renovate Red Shield Shelter,” said Theiler, who chaired the first race for SAWA. “When Covid hit, we knew The Salvation Army needed funds more than ever so we did a Race in Place live broadcast on Facebook for two years to continue our annual fundraising. The community really supported our efforts those years.”
For more information about the event, including registration, click here.
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On Wednesday, April 12th from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team held an appreciation barbecue lunch to honor local police, firemen, EMT’s and military. Churchill Mortgage served bbq with a variety of sides and drinks sponsored by Arrow Exterminators. Attendees were welcome to use the patio to enjoy their meal, or they could take it on the road. Additional sponsors for the event included: First American Home Warranty, and Chick-fil-A East Lake. Local Cobb County and surrounding area first responders, police, fire, detective units, and military were all invited. 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 g
Credit Union of Georgia is hosting an online raffle to raise money for local charities in the community of Northwest Georgia. There are four amazing Easter Baskets for four lucky winners to choose from! The last day to purchase raffle ticket is Thursday, April 6, 2023. The Easter Baskets can be viewed on the Credit Union of Georgia Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/CUofGA.
“We love supporting our local charities. We are a community-based Credit Union – and if we aren’t doing something to help better our communities, then we’re not doing enough.” said Brian Albrecht, President/CEO of Credit Union of Georgia. “Help us help our community by purchasing a raffle ticket to win one of our four amazing Easter Baskets we have up for grabs!”
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!
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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!
L to R: Barbara Means, Ryan’s Case for Smiles; Linda Bailey, ECQG President 2022; Abbi Rabeneck, Co-chair, ECQG Community Service; Tawana Benard, Department of Family & Children Services; Andrea Rapowitz, Cobb Senior Services/Meals on Wheels.
The East Cobb Quilters’ Guild is holding a special one-day event Thursday to produce special items for various charities.
What the organization is calling a “Sewcial” takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Room at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Town Center (625 Big Sandy Road, Kennesaw).
A total of 18 quilters will bring their machines and materials to sew Beads of Courage bags for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta cancer patients, placemats for Meals on Wheels, pillowcase for hospitalized children through Ryan’s Case for Smiles and quilts for the Cobb Department of Family and Children Service.
Beads of Courage bags are a new addition to their outreach, 18 quilters will bring their machines, materials and dedication to sew all day to continue their commitments of community service.
Last year the Quilters’ Guild donated more than 1,300 items to local community organizations. This year they’re tracking progress toward those goals that can be found by clicking 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 new Marietta Porch for Schools initiative—which purchases healthy snacks for children in local Title 1 schools—will have a fundraiser next weekend at an East Cobb retail business.
Kendra Scott Jewelry at The Avenue East Cobb will be donation a portion of its weekend proceeds to Marietta Porch for Schools, which initially provided snacks for students at Sedalia Park Elementary School.
You can help by shopping at the store on those dates or
shop online at KendraScott.com using the code GIVEBACK-DTGGP.
That giveback code will be active from March 25-28, and at the store Marietta Porch will have a table with treats, goodies and other freebies, volunteer Sue Heavlin tells us.
As we noted back in January, Marietta Porch picks up food in a number of East Cobb and Marietta-area neighborhoods on designated days and sends those donations to the Brumby Elementary School pantry and the Center for Family Resources.
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!
On Saturday the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team’s non-profit arm will hold its annual Texas Hold’em fundraiser to benefit the Emory ALS Center.
The public is invited to take part in the event (at the agency’s office (2249 Roswell Road) starting at 6 p.m.
There are prize packages for the top three winners. Food and drinks will be served, and there will be a raffle and silent auction.
Former Altanta Falcons player Terance Mathis returns as the celebrity guest host, and he’s bringing some of his football colleagues with him: Jerome Bettis, Jessie Tuggle, Bob Whitfield and Chuck Smith.
All of the proceeds will be distributed by JO Gives, the Overbeck non-profit, which has raised more than $250,000 for ALS research.
The suggested donation is $100 a person, but any donation amount will be accepted, and registration can be completed by clicking here.
Sponsors of the event include Perrie & Associates, Clear to Close Team at PRMG, AMLI Residential, Mansfield Cares, Trotter Roofing and Gutters, Arrow Exterminators, Amerispec Inspection Services, Integral Choice, HWA Home Warranty, and Eye Consultants of Atlanta—The Piedmont Group.
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!
