Information: www.baldridgelodge.org
Fifteen volunteers from Five Star Painting made Bald Ridge Lodge, a non-profit Stabilization and Assessment Center for boys, in Cumming feel more like a home when they teamed up on Sept. 27 to revitalize the facility through much needed painting work.
“I was looking for a volunteering opportunity in the community that I live in so I asked (Executive Director Heidi Snarey) if they needed any painting. When I toured the facility, I was moved at how the facility was created through donations and volunteers,” said Scott Specker, owner and general manager of Five Star Painting in Suwanee/Sugar Hill. “The facility was in need of some painting to make it nice. The boys see it as their home, so we wanted to make it a warm inviting environment to live in.”
The Bald Ridge Lodge, which houses up to 12 boys at a time ranging from ages 12-18, provides counseling, mentoring and community support, while engaging the young men in positive activities. The goal of the organization is to reunify families, while making residents and families stronger.
“We aim to provide a safe haven for boys who are in need of protection, direction and supervision, in a manner that nurtures the child, strengthens family relationships and allows the community to care for their own,” said Snarey. “Seeing Five Star Painting come out to and give back makes the boys very appreciative to all of our volunteers and understand that it makes their stay at the Bald Ridge Lodge a little easier even in a difficult situation.”
Volunteers and the community are a big part of Bald Ridge’s success. “We are always looking for volunteers as mentors serving as positive role models, forming lasting relationships and letting the boys have someone to look up to,” added Snarey. “It is great asset to Bald Ridge Lodge’s work. Toiletry donations and gift cards for outings are other ways the community can help us too.”
The community service was a part of the Five Star Cares National Day of Paint and franchise locations in Cumming, Alpharetta and Lawrenceville took part in painting the kitchen ceiling, hallway ceiling and activities room ceiling, in addition to approximately 20 doorjambs.
“It’s always great doing something for someone when they don’t expect it,” added Specker. “ I hope that the boys can takeaway that there are good people in the world that want to see them succeed in their future.”
In other news: The Taste of the Highlands held May 17 in John Howell Park raised over $21,000 for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The festival, started in 2002, has to date raised over $300,000 for CHOA and its programs.
About the Author
