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Painted turtles return to Sandy Springs

After more than a decade’s hiatus, the famous painted turtles of Sandy Springs are back. The Sandy Springs Society is again making the fiberglass sculptures available for purchase, to raise funds for philanthropy. The first recipient was a graduating class of Heards Ferry Elementary School; the students, now in middle school, returned to Heards Ferry this spring to dedicate their turtle. SANDY SPRINGS SOCIETY
After more than a decade’s hiatus, the famous painted turtles of Sandy Springs are back. The Sandy Springs Society is again making the fiberglass sculptures available for purchase, to raise funds for philanthropy. The first recipient was a graduating class of Heards Ferry Elementary School; the students, now in middle school, returned to Heards Ferry this spring to dedicate their turtle. SANDY SPRINGS SOCIETY
By David Ibata
July 6, 2018

The turtles are returning to Sandy Springs.

Fourteen years after the Sandy Springs Society came up with the idea of creating and selling 75 custom-painted, fiberglass turtles, raising $750,000 for philanthropy, the nonprofit’s board has agreed to offer them again.

The 2016 graduating fifth-grade class of Heards Ferry Elementary School got the first new turtle, according to society spokeswoman Elizabeth Kelly. After working with the school PTA to raise more than $3,700, the students – now at Ridgeview Middle School – returned in May to dedicate the sculpture.

Turtles will be sold upon request to schools, organizations, businesses and individuals at a cost to be determined, split between the manufacturer and the society’s endowment fund.

Purchasers will be responsible for selecting an artist, whose design must be approved by the society; and painting, sealing, mounting and maintaining the sculptures. Each turtle stands 5 feet tall and weighs about 60 pounds (add 300 pounds for the base). Information: http://sandyspringssociety.org/

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