Toy drives, food collections help make holidays brighter

Turkey Shoot brings in gifts for Toys for Tots

Golfers and nongolfers alike got a chance to test their driving skills and raise money for Toys for Tots by trying to hit a 6-foot-tall inflatable turkey at the first Turkey Shoot sponsored by David Weekley Homes at the Fairways of Canton Golf Course in Laurel Canyon.

Participants donated cash or toys to Toys for Tots for each shot they took, raising hundreds of dollars and collecting dozens of toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.

The staff at David Weekley Homes grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for participants. Publix Supermarket in Canton donated 15 turkeys for the winners.

“This holiday season, giving to others is especially important. The U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program is a wonderful charity,” said Gary Runner, division president for David Weekley Homes. “Our event was successful, everybody had a great time, and the donations to Toys for Tots were very heartwarming.”

Real estate agents help Lawrenceville ministry

Agents at Re/Max Around Atlanta’s Duluth office collected $525 and more than 200 cans of food for the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry Inc., which provides food and emergency assistance to residents of Lawrenceville and Dacula.

Lucy Troutman, a relocation specialist and auctioneer for the real estate firm, organized the effort among the company’s 125 agents.

The Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry is an ecumenical organization sponsored and operated by an alliance of area churches to meet the emergency needs of people in the community.

Windsong Properties collects toys for charity

To celebrate five years in business, Windsong Properties collected toys for Atlanta Toys for Tots at a luncheon for trade partners and business associates.

Attendees enjoyed a barbecue luncheon, dessert and door prizes, and they donated 70 toys to Toys for Tots.

“We decided to make this celebration more than just a luncheon by coming together as a group to make the holidays brighter for children in Atlanta,” said Steve Romeyn, managing partner of Windsong Properties.

Windsong Properties builds EarthCraft- and Easy Living-certified communities for buyers age 55 and up.

Development aids Empty Stocking Fund

Kingston on Lake Oconee and local Morgan County businesses teamed up to collect toys and foods for needy residents during a holiday celebration at the lake community’s welcome center.

The event was held to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund, sponsored by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department and the Morgan County Action Incorporated Food Bank.

Those in attendance received a raffle ticket for each toy or food item they brought. Raffle prizes were donated by local businesses.

Site Smart program receives Grand Award

The Site Smart program at Peachtree Hills Place has received several awards for its efforts to preserve the trees during construction of the residential community for people 55 and older.

The project received the Grand Award for outstanding business for 2008 from the Georgia Urban Forest Council, a statewide organization with the mission of sustaining Georgia’s healthy trees, and third place from Keep Georgia Beautiful.

The Site Smart program is a four-hour certification program that trains construction superintendents and equipment operators on best practices for tree partnership. Peachtree Hills Place developed the pilot program in collaboration with the Chattahoochee Nature Center and the Georgia Forest Commission.

Conservation techniques at Peachtree Hills Place include preserving 50 percent of the trees and deeding 5 acres of land to the city of Atlanta to be maintained as green space with a nature trail.

OBIE Award given for My House Project

HomeAid Atlanta and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods won a gold OBIE Award from the Sales and Marketing Council of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders for their work on the My House Project for homeless infants and toddlers.

John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods served as builder captain for the construction of a 2,400-square-foot addition to the Cherokee County facility that provides care for medically fragile infants and abused children.

The new facility was completed in December 2007 and houses 12 children. The project also included minor repairs, replacement of siding and carpet, painting, and finishing the terrace level of the home to provide offices, a food preparation area and a play area.

HomeAid Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for the temporarily homeless through partnerships with Atlanta home builders and their trade partners.

Retirement community donates to ministry

Residents of the Park Springs continuing care retirement community in Stone Mountain donated food and clothing to the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry, which gives food, clothing, school supplies, counseling and emergency assistance to needy families in Lilburn, Stone Mountain and Tucker.

The endeavor was spearheaded by Park Springs resident Bob Pebbles, who has volunteered for more than 10 years with the nonprofit, which is a collaborative effort of 37 churches. Lilburn Cooperative Ministry gives out more than 120 tons of food each year. The amount depends on donations from the community and proceeds from its thrift store.

“This economy has created a bigger financial need. We are seeing more people who have lost their jobs and are looking for a way to pay their rent,” said Patty Kosolapoff, assistant director of the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry. “We are grateful to the community for helping us restock our pantry.”