Think social media is just for kids? Not so! A winning Facebook campaign has netted some new wheels for Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta. The organization, which delivers 8,000 meals per month through its Meals on Wheels program, emerged victorious after an 18-hour Facebook voting contest this week sponsored by Toyota. "What an amazing team effort from so many great supporters," said SCS executive director Jeffrey Smythe. "Their hard work and thousands of votes made sure that more seniors will benefit from our services." The group, which won after racking up the most winning votes on Monday, will put the new 2011 Toyota Highlander to use delivering meals. Toyota is giving away 100 vehicles to nonprofits this summer through its "100 Cars for Good" program. See the Toyota Facebook page for details.
Opera Ball plans announced
Here in the middle of the summer swelter, Merry Carlos and Cathy Cooper have their eyes focused on fall. They are co-chairing this year's Atlanta Opera ball, planned for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at the St. Regis Atlanta. Themed "Indulge Your Senses," the event will feature silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, dancing to "The American Flyers," and a special opera performance. The event honors Atlanta Opera chorus master Walter Huff . The Atlanta Opera chorus patron tickets start at $1,500 a pair and individual tickets are $300. Call 404-591-2928, email amandaw@atlantaopera.org or see www.atlantaopera.org for details.
Turnover in gala chairs
Former Georgia Tech head basketball coach Paul Hewitt and his wife, Dawnette, have served as co-chairs of the "BasketBall" gala benefiting the American Cancer Society, for the past two years. They received an assist this year from co-chairs Coca-Cola Enterprises exec John Brock and his wife, Mary. Since Hewitt is now coaching the George Mason University Patriots, the organization has announced its 2012 gala chairs will be new Georgia Tech coach Brian Gregory and his wife, Yvette. This year's event, held recently at the Buckhead Ritz-Carlton, raised more than $250,000 for the American Cancer Society's Winn-Dixie Hope Lodge in Atlanta, where cancer patients stay for free while undergoing treatment at Atlanta-area medical facilities. The crowd included Dream owner Kathy Betty and the members of her team, former Tech basketball coach Bobby Cremins, Utah Jazz player Derrick Favors and retired Green Bay Packers player Dorsey Levens. This year's gala raised more than $250,000. RC Cancer Centers was the presenting sponsor of the gala for the second year in a row.
Celebrity birthdays
Actor Gene Wilder is 77. Actor Chad Everett is 73. Comedian Johnny Brown ("Laugh-In") is 73. Singer Joey Dee is 70. Actress Adrienne Barbeau ("Maude") is 65. Drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top is 61. Singer Donnie Van Zant of .38 Special and of Van Zant is 58. Actor Peter Bergman ("The Young and the Restless") is 57. Actor Hugh Laurie ("House") is 51. Singer Gioia Bruno of Expose' is 47. Country singer Bruce Robison is 44. Bassist Smilin' Jay McDowell (BR5-49) is 41. Bassist Dan Lavery of Tonic is 41. Bassist Tai Anderson of Third Day is 34. Actor Joshua Jackson ("Dawson's Creek") is 32. Actor Shia LaBeouf is 24.
Contributing: news services
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