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Good News, Nov. 27
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The John Jarrard Foundation presents a check to Good News at Noon Clinics earned from the annual concert Sept. 23-24. Pictured are, from left, Michelle Piucci of the Jarrard Foundation's executive board; Jody Jackson, foundation executive director; Cheryl Christian, Good News Clinics executive director; and Robin Smith of the Jarrard Foundation executive board.

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The John Jarrard Foundation presented checks Nov. 22 to nonprofits earned from the 10th annual benefit concert held Sept. 23-24 at Brenau University in Gainesville.

The annual show has raised more than $1 million for several local charities, including Good News at Noon Clinics, Good News at Noon, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, Challenged Child and Friends and the Georgia Mountain Food Bank.

This year's concerts included music by Blackberry Smoke, Balsam Range, Steve Dorff, Jan Smith, John Driskell Hopkins of The Zac Brown Band, Greg Barnhill, Will Robinson, Marc Beeson and Gov. Nathan Deal's daughter, Katie Deal.

Jarrard, born and raised in Gainesville, became a successful songwriter after moving to Nashville, writing 11 No. 1 songs for such performers as Alabama, George Strait, Diamond Rio, John Anderson, Reba McEntire and Tracy Lawrence. He died in 2001 from complications of diabetes.

Since his death, the John Jarrard Foundation has continued to provide great music and help for local charities. Next year's 11th annual concert is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Wells Fargo managers and team members have chosen 13 local nonprofits in the Gainesville area for grants in the Days of Giving program.

It is the second year of a program that recognizes local groups for their good works.

The following groups were given $1,000 checks: Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County; Challenged Child & Friends; Children's Center Hope and Healing; Eagle Ranch; FCA One Way to Play; For Her Glory; Gateway House Inc.; Good News at Noon; Gwinnett Children's Shelter; Habitat for Humanity Hall County; Habitat for Humanity Lumpkin County; Our Neighbor, Inc.; and Piedmont CASA.

The groups were honored at a community breakfast in Gainesville at the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center.

"Wells Fargo has a long proud history of community involvement and local decision making," said J.D. Mealor, business banking area manager and market president for Gainesville. "Days of Giving is the ideal representation of that and we look forward to celebrating our communities in this way for years to come."