Taylor Pinion, 7, of Gainesville created her own fundraiser to help the people of Haiti, selling handmade construction-paper crowns for $1. Within a few days, she had raised $25. All money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank’s holiday food drives created about 5,669 meals. North Hall High School was the top collector at 1,500 pounds.
Food Bank Executive Director Kay Blackstock said the organization collected 7,257 pounds of food, with 18 different groups, businesses and individuals participating in holiday food drives.
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank has several large food drives planned for spring 2010. The food bank will partner with Gainesville ProMusica Concert Series and First Presbyterian Church to do a large food drive associated with the Spivey Hall Children’s Tour Choir concert. The food drive is planned for March 6 and the concert will be held on March 7. For more information on the event, visit www.pro musicaconcertseries.com.
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank serves Hall, Lumpkin, Union, Dawson and Forsyth counties, which have more than 420,000 people.
According to 2008 statistics, 10.4 percent of the 420,000 residents live in poverty.
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank also received several gifts during the holiday season toward its capital campaign to raise funds for a food distribution warehouse, which would include dry storage, cooler and freezer storage.
Those interested in making a donation, volunteering or holding a food drive may contact the Georgia Mountain Food Bank at 770-967-0075.
The Gainesville Jaycees recently finished a work project at Interactive Neighborhood for Kids in Gainesville, as well as made donations to local organizations Junior Achievement and Challenged Child and Friends.
Jaycees members recently painted a portion of INK’s dairy farm exhibit. INK provides hands-on learning through a variety of interactive exhibits appropriate for all ages.
The Jaycees also donated $5,000 to Junior Achievement and Challenged Child and Friends to help support their missions. Junior Achievement focuses on enhancing children’s education by providing students with a number of adult role models who can impart their life experiences. Challenged Child and Friends provides a nurturing learning environment for preschool-aged children, with an ability to aid those children with special needs.
Do you have good news you would like to share? Send it to Life, The Times, 345 Green St. NW, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30501; or e-mail it to life@gainesvilletimes.com.