The month of December highlights many things: family, holidays, gratefulness, parties, reminiscing, the New Year and giving to others.
It was during this season that an “Evening of Giving” was held at Tiffany & Company in Buckhead.
Clients, employees and guests attended the event hosted by Bank of America, Merrill, Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, and Tiffany & Co. held at the Phipps Plaza jeweler to benefit a local Atlanta charity.
"When you have a gathering of people who are like-minded during holidays, it is natural to talk about giving and giving philosophies," said Jill Toth, senior vice president Atlanta marketing executive for Bank of America.
“We decided it would be really fun if each guest was asked to write down the name of a charity they would like to be chosen for a gift,” she said.
Soccer in the Streets was awarded $7,500 based on the number of nominations it received.
It began in Jonesboro when Carolyn McKenzie saw the need for something constructive for the kids to do that lived in her apartment complex back in 1989, said Soccer in the Streets executive director Phil Hill.
The organization now “serves metro Atlanta and about 5,000 kids per year in 30 locations around the city.” Much more than simply the sport, “our goal is to create leadership roots for these kids into adulthood and the work environment,” he said.
“Bank of America’s philosophy is pretty clear to our employees, and we try to make it clear when we do have an opportunity to give in the community,” said Toth.
Through relationships with MARTA, the Atlanta United Foundation and the city of Atlanta, three locations adjacent to train stations have been developed that give the communities a safe place to not only play soccer and allow travel, but also the opportunity to learn.
The money received will go toward their program StationSoccer, with seven more stations opening over the next three years.
“We have been in Atlanta Bank of America for 100 years and we are really proud of our heritage, history of giving and being part of the community,” said Toth. “And we look forward to the next 100 years.”
Each Sunday we write about a deserving person or charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To submit a story for us to cover, email us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
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