The Gainesville Jaycees wrapped up the 2009 Empty Stocking Fund project on Dec. 17 by raffling off three prizes in a drawing held at Luna's Restaurant in downtown Gainesville.
Since 1955 the Jaycees, through the Empty Stocking Fund, have provided Christmas presents for needy children in Hall County. Thanks to this year's efforts, along with the help of special partnership programs, 493 children received clothes, shoes and a toy.
The Jaycees sold 1,389 tickets, raising more than $17,000 for the project — surpassing a goal of 1,200 tickets sold.
This year's prizes were:
- Grand prize: Christmas shopping spree, $3,500 Visa gift card
- Second prize: Beach weekend getaway to Savannah, including a two-night stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Savannah and a $1,000 Visa gift card
- Third prize: Beach weekend getaway to Beaufort, S.C., including a two-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in historic Beaufort and a $500 Visa gift card.
Achasta and Southern Living recently presented a donation to the United Way of Lumpkin County/Dahlonega. Funds raised were generated from tour proceeds at the Southern Living Idea House at Achasta.
The Idea House welcomed almost 18,000 visitors from June 6 to Oct. 18, making it one of the most successful in the 26-year history of the Southern Living Idea House program.
Ron Larson, managing director of Achasta and Robin Fender, house manager, joined Frank Craige, manager of the Southern Living Idea House Program, in presenting a check for $35,720 to United Way board members and representatives of the 16 agencies that will benefit from the donation.
The volunteers who supported and embraced the project included the Dahlonega Merchants Association, the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce, and members of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at North Georgia College & State University.
The North Georgia Barbershop Singers recently chose to offer financial support to the Meals on Wheels program in Hall County.
Representing the larger chorus, members Dave Haas, Tom Riggle, Jack Martin and Rich Pilch — members of a quartet known as the North Georgia Gentlemen — presented the chapters' donation to the Hall County Community Service Center in Gainesville.
After presenting the check, the North Georgia Gentlemen quartet sang some old time barbershop tunes.
The visit and donation was made possible by fundraisers, including the upcoming Singing Valentine program. For more information, call Riggle at 770-287-7737.