Making a Difference Archives - Reporter Newspapers

Sandy Springs Conservancy executive director exits

by Hannah Greco | Jan 26, 2020 | Making a Difference, Sandy Springs Reporter | 0

Melody Harclerode, the executive director of The Sandy Springs Conservancy, has resigned from her position to join another unnamed metro Atlanta organization. Now the parks advocacy organization is searching for new leadership. “Melody Harclerode will join another metropolitan area organization in March after three years of tremendous service to the Conservancy and Sandy Springs,” the Conservancy said in a press release. “We wish her the best with her next position.” The Conservancy is now searching for a new executive director for leadership with local recreation projects, the release said. Some of the projects named include the Marsh Creek Trail,...

Photos: Hundreds volunteer for Dunwoody’s annual MLK Jr. Day of Service

by Dyana Bagby | Jan 21, 2020 | Dunwoody Reporter, Making a Difference | 0

More than 400 volunteers braved chilly temperatures on Jan. 20 to plant 200 trees and 5,000 daffodils at Brook Run Park as part of the city of Dunwoody’s annual MLK Jr. Day of Service. Partners for the fourth annual event included the Dunwoody-Atlanta chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Hands on Atlanta and Trees Atlanta. Mayor Lynn Deutsch issued a proclamation to honor Jack and Jill of America, one of the nation’s oldest and largest African American family organizations. The local chapter approached the city four years and asked officials to start a Day of Service to honor...

New Community Assistance Center branch opens in Dunwoody

by Dyana Bagby | Jan 20, 2020 | Dunwoody Reporter, Making a Difference | 0

A new branch of the Sandy Springs-based Community Assistance Center has opened in Dunwoody and expects to serve more than 400 families facing homelessness and hunger this year, according to officials. The new office opened Jan. 14 at 5 Dunwoody Park South, Building 5, Suite 113. The office is just north of I-285 off North Shallowford Road and is scheduled to be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The location was selected to provide access to families living in the area, especially those with no cars, according to a news release. The public is invited...

Exceptional Educator: Brandon Hall teacher leads National Cemetery cleanup

by Hannah Greco | Jan 5, 2020 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Education, Making a Difference, People & Places, Sandy Springs Reporter, Slideshow | 0

Greg Morris has been working hard to have his students more actively engaged in the community, from cleanup projects to water testing experiments. Morris teaches science at Brandon Hall School, a Sandy Springs private school serving grades 6-12, and started in 2017. Before he became a teacher, Morris was in the Army and worked for the Lilburn Police Department, which inspired his school field trip in September. To honor the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorism attacks, Morris brought the middle school class to the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, one of the 135 national burial sites in the...

20 Under 20: Honoring students who give back to the community

by Joe Earle | Dec 27, 2019 | Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Education, Making a Difference, Sandy Springs Reporter, Slideshow | 0

With more than 80 nominations this year, narrowing down our slate of 20 Under 20 honorees was more difficult than ever. But we think you’ll agree that this year’s honorees – along with runners up – are doing extraordinary things to make world a better place to live. As in previous years, we asked public and private schools along with service organizations and the general public to nominate students who have been active volunteers in their communities. These students have accumulated thousands of hours of volunteer time, traveled to other countries, created nonprofits and worked with the underprivileged as...

Brookhaven Police’s ‘Shop with a Badge’ helps 75 children buy holiday gifts

by Dyana Bagby | Dec 24, 2019 | Brookhaven Reporter, Making a Difference | 0

Brookhaven Police officers recently took 75 children on shopping sprees to buy gifts for themselves and their families as part of their annual “Shop with a Badge” event. During the Dec. 14 in-store shopping event at the Target at 2400 North Druid Hills Road, the children were paired with police officers and other public safety professionals who helped them pick out holiday gifts for the kids’ families. The 75 participating children were referred to the program with assistance of the Mercy Care/Chamblee agency, which ensured the children were from disadvantaged Brookhaven homes and performing well in school, according to...

Georgia Power employees serve meals at Buckhead’s Shepherd Center watch party

by John Ruch | Dec 24, 2019 | Buckhead Reporter, Making a Difference | 0

Members of Georgia Power Co.’s Alliance of Differently-Abled People in Power Working Together employee group served meals to patients, families and staff at Buckhead’s Shepherd Center for a Sept. 7 football party. It was the second annual SEC Championship watch party hosted by the group, which brings together Georgia Power employees who have disabilities or are connected to people who do. Joined by former NFL player Dunta Robinson, the group served more than 200 meals, according to a press release. The Shepherd Center at 2020 Peachtree Road is a rehabilitation hospital for people with spinal or brain injuries or...

Capitol City Opera raises over $4K for children’s program

by Hannah Greco | Dec 15, 2019 | Arts & Entertainment, Making a Difference, Sandy Springs Reporter | 0

The Capitol City Opera Company raised over $4,300 for its Opera Outreach for Children program with an October concert in Sandy Springs. The princess-and-pirate-themed concert was held at the Highpoint Episcopal Community Church on Oct. 26, according to a press release. CCOC is a nonprofit that creates productions for Atlanta-based classically trained singers to establish their careers. All proceeds from the concert and auction went to CCOC’s Opera Outreach for Children Program, a group that performs fully staged and costumed operas specifically for kids, which is currently booking shows for spring...

Dunwoody’s Spruill Gallery holiday market begins Nov. 14

by Reporter Newspapers | Nov 7, 2019 | Arts & Entertainment, Dunwoody Reporter, Making a Difference | 0

The Holiday Artists Market at Dunwoody’s Spruill Gallery begins its season on Nov. 14 and continues through Dec. 23. The market features works of art and handcrafted gifts by local artists. The gallery is in the Spruill Center for the Arts, 4681 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. For more information, see...

‘Little Things’ make for a big show at Buckhead’s Swan Coach House

by Reporter Newspapers | Nov 7, 2019 | Arts & Entertainment, Brookhaven Reporter, Buckhead Reporter, Dunwoody Reporter, Making a Difference, Sandy Springs Reporter | 0

When the opening night crowd surges through the Swan Coach House Gallery red door on Nov. 14, they will be greeted by an array of more than 240 artworks filling the walls. The much-anticipated “Little Things” show is up. The “Little Things” exhibition celebrates its 20th year this holiday season. Two decades ago, the gallery’s first curator, Marianne Lambert, initiated the small works concept with a modest show of sketches from artists’ sketchbooks. It quickly expanded to include a broad array of mediums and styles to become an annual tradition which, today, draws large crowds ranging from new and...

Atlanta Fire Rescue awards breakfast to be held in Buckhead Nov. 12

by John Ruch | Nov 6, 2019 | Buckhead Reporter, Making a Difference, Public Safety | 0

Atlanta’s firefighters, paramedics and EMTs will be honored for heroism and other exceptional efforts at a Nov. 12 breakfast ceremony in Buckhead. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation’s annual “Breakfast with Our Bravest” will be held at the Flourish event facility, 3134 Maple Drive, starting at 7:30 a.m. Hosted by WSB-TV reporter Tyisha Fernandes, the event will include such awards as “Firefighter of the Year,” the Award of Merit and the Medal of Valor. Proceeds go to the foundation, which supports the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. Tickets are $100. For more information, see...

Sandy Springs’ Elegant Elf Marketplace returns Nov. 9-10

by Reporter Newspapers | Nov 4, 2019 | Arts & Entertainment, Making a Difference, Sandy Springs Reporter | 0

The Elegant Elf Marketplace returns to Sandy Springs Nov. 9 and 10. The market features 90 local and regional artisans in gifts, art and food. A fundraiser for the Sandy Springs Society, the market’s proceeds promote the arts, heritage, education, the environment and social services in the city. The market runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. Tickets are $5. For more information, see sandyspringssociety.org/the-elegant-elf....