“A Night at the Races”
Sponsored by the St. Ives Charity Guild
6:30-10:30 p.m. Friday
St. Ives Country Club, 1 St Ives Country Club Dr., Johns Creek
Tickets are $100 at the door, and include $5,000 of play money
Info: 770-330-6733, charityguildsi@gmail.com
Among the amenities at the upscale enclave of St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek is the chance to extend goodwill beyond the community’s borders. The Charity Guild of St. Ives has been doing just that since its inception in 1993, when a nucleus of neighbors rolled up their sleeves and organized a food drive for North Fulton Community Charities.
“We started in the home of a woman who got everyone together,” explained Kay Leaumont, a 25-year resident of St. Ives who joined the guild six years ago and is now the secretary and incoming president. “It just grew from there, and we started doing events that raised funds for a few charities the members felt strongly about.”
This time of the year, members focus their attention to bringing Easter cheer to senior citizens in the area and to children supported by STAR House, an after-school program in two Fulton County elementary schools. Around 150 baskets of sweets and treats were recently assembled in the community clubhouse. It’s just one of a few select outreach programs the Guild supports.
“Every September, we have an event to support Chris Kids,” said Leaumont. “At Christmas time, we have a parade and Santa workshop for North Fulton charities, and we adopt families. We also sponsor a golf tournament for Wellspring Living, that helps those affected by sex trafficking. That group also benefits from our annual yard sale.”
The Guild’s biggest fundraiser is set for April 25, when “A Night at the Races” takes over the community’s clubhouse. A 15-member committee has planned the evening of food, drinks, auctions and taped horse races. The goal is to raise at least $30,000.
Members also donate time to the thrift stores run by Wellspring and to the food pantry sponsored by North Fulton Charities. “We give a combination of time and money, but most important, there’s a chance for our members to learn about the work these organizations do,” said Leaumont.
Though the Guild bears the name of the 750-home community, the 120 members don’t need to have a St. Ives address to get involved.
“The neighborhood does support us in so many ways we can’t even track,” said Leaumont. “But we also have members who don’t live here; they learned about us through members and paid the $45 annual membership and joined.”
The attraction is the chance to reach out to others in ways that go beyond just making a donation, said Leaumont. “ We get really involved in the organizations we support. We bring their CEOs in to give us updates. It makes you feel really good to know you’re doing something to help seniors, the homeless, girls in tragic situations. At the same time, it provides a spirit of community, and it’s such a fun way to give back.”
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