Elfreda Lakey, assistant superintendent of operations, policies and human resources for the Gainesville city school system, has been named the 2008 “Employer of the Year” for the Georgia Mountains region by the Georgia’s Older Worker Network. She was honored recently at the Georgia’s Older Worker Network 20th annual awards luncheon in Columbus.

Lakey has been a partner of the Senior Community Service Employment Program through Legacy Link. She was instrumental in the formation of a bus monitoring program that hires program participants. Last year, 12 senior workers were hired to work for the school system.

Foundation seeks nominations for Philanthropist of the Year
The North Georgia Community Foundation is seeking nominations for the Philanthropist of the Year to be honored at the Philanthropy Day celebration on Nov. 19.

The person or people receiving the honor will be selected from nominations received from the foundation’s 15-county service area, which includes Banks, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties.

Nominees for the award should be individuals with a proven record of exceptional generosity who demonstrate outstanding civic and charitable responsibility, and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles.

Nominations should be submitted to the foundation by Oct. 10. Nomination forms can be obtained by visiting the foundation’s Web site at www.ngcf.org or by calling 770-535-7880, ext. 221.