Gala raises money for disabled adults, children

An effort that started out to celebrate family and friends has become a tradition to give back to the local community. Seraphim Skin Care in Buckhead helds its fourth annual Angel Gala that benefited Friends of Disabled Adults and Children for a second year in a row.

“As much fun as the gala was in its first two years, I felt it needed something more in the season of giving,” said Lil Dyer Cobbs, owner and founder of Seraphim Skin Care. “I wanted to give back to my beloved Atlanta. When we were talking about the 2015 gala, I had met Aimee [Copeland] and I was deeply touched by her story and her strength and the good work she is doing in this community.”

Copeland was in the news when she was met with flesh-eating virus from a zipline accident that caused her to become a quadruple amputee. She now serves on the board of FODAC. The nonprofit provides home medical equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, etc. at little or no cost to people who are have disabilities. She also was the keynote speaker at the gala.

“I learned about FODAC, and all the difference it makes in the lives of adults and children with disabilities – who have very little money,” added Cobbs. “Seraphim was excited support a cause for which we felt we could make a tangible difference.”

The goal for this year’s gala was $5,000. “We are grateful for Seraphim’s generosity and for what they are doing for the people FODAC serves. The money raised will help us continue to provide service to this growing number of clients, sustainability for these programs is needed,” said Chris Brand, president and CEO of FODAC.

Brand adds that people can support the organization by donating used equipment, home goods that can be sold in the organization’s thrift store or making a monetary contribution. FODAC also needs volunteers to work in the thrift store or help sort medical equipment or clean equipment.

“My involvement with FODAC came shortly after my injury. I was sent home with a chair I wasn’t independent in, and FODAC helped me get a loaner chair I could actually use,” said Aimee Copeland. “When I found out how much they do with so little, multiplying funding through recycling and reuse, I became a lifelong supporter. Seraphim has also changed my life, and they couldn’t have chosen a better cause.”

In other news: Creekland Middle School students, staff and families have collected more than $8,900 to benefit the Tennessee fires relief fund. The 1,500-student school held a "Wacky Wednesday" dress-up day, with students and staff invited to participate if they made a donation of at least $1 to the Gatlinburg & Sevier County Relief Fund.


Information: fodac.org