Lifeline recently hosted a luncheon to honor volunteers who work with the emergency response system. Special guest speaker was Tom Smiley, pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church, who congratulated Lifeline volunteers for 26 years of preserving the dignity of the physically disabled, medically at risk and older adults in our community. Guests also paid tribute to Jim Telford, founder of Lifeline.

This past year, volunteers for Lifeline, an affiliate of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, have installed 110 units, driven more than 13,901 miles and given more than 1,420 volunteer hours, allowing subscribers to continue living independently in their homes with the security of knowing they can quickly access help if they need it.

The 24th annual Mansfield Oil Golf Classic recently raised $300,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Held at two Chateau Elan courses and the private Legends Golf Course, a record 310 golfers teed off at the event. The day also included a raffle and a silent auction, both made possible by community donations.

The golf tournament made the Mansfield event one of the largest for MDA in the country; $2.5 million has been raised for MDA in the past 24 years.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to find treatments and cures for 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Allstate Insurance Agent Chris Gaines, a Dawsonville-based agent, has received the Agency Hands in the Community Award for volunteering in the community. With this award came a $1,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation for Habitat for Humanity in Dawsonville, where Gaines volunteers.

Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Vance C. Smith, Jr. presented Brock with the award. She is a 24-year veteran with Georgia DOT, spending her entire career in right-of-way acquisition. She and her husband Wesley, also a DOT employee, live in Hall County and have two daughters; Hannah and Jenna.