community news
VolleyFest & SwingFest - Supporting Breast Cancer Care and Prevention in Your Community
The VolleyFest seventh annual Breast Cancer fundraiser runs from April 27-May 17. VolleyFest begins Friday the 27th with the kick-off Pink Party presented by Coca-Cola; the Pink Party will be held at the Grand Ballroom in the Gwinnett Civic Center, doors open at 7pm.
The Tournaments include: The VolleyFest Tennis Tournaments, KidFest Tennis tournaments, SwingFest Golf Tournaments, and RunFest (Walk & Run), making its debut this year. The “Fest Events” are currently held in Gwinnett, North Fulton & Forsyth
counties at the following nine venues: TPC Sugarloaf, Summit Chase, Laurel Springs, St. Marlo, St. Ives, The River Club, Hamilton Mill Country Club, Collins Hill, and Windward Lake Club. The finale luncheon will conclude the event on the last day of each tournament and includes awards, raffle prizes, and inspirational speakers. The registration fee to participate ranges from $100-$150. To become a sponsor, participate in the tournaments, and to attend the Pink Party for a chance to win over $45,000 in prizes go to www.volleyfest.org
World Class Golfing Returns to Gwinnett
Atlanta’s annual PGA TOUR stop has a new name, the AT&T Classic, which reflects the recently approved merger between AT&T and Bellsouth Corp. What hasn’t changed is the rich tradition of hospitality, charity and world-class golf on the TPC at
Sugarloaf in Duluth May 14-20.
The AT&T Classic, now in its 39th year, will offer a total purse of $5.4 million, up $100,000 from last year. In 2006, the tournament contributed a record $1.7 million to local charities. Since 1983, the tournament has donated more than $15 million to local charitable organizations.
Professionals who are expected to compete in May include two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson, two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, Chris DiMarco, Sugarloaf resident Stewart Cink and many more of the world’s finest golfers.
See Buford & Lake Lanier's Finest!
Spend a lovely spring Sunday afternoon visiting the beautiful homes of Lake Lanier and Buford while helping the Buford Lanier Woman’s Club raise money to continue supporting over 35 projects. On April 29 between noon and 5 p.m. four spectacular homes and a nationally featured houseboat will be open to visit. Tickets are $15 for advance purchase or $20 on the day of the Tour.
For more information call Julia at 770-831-9383 or Amy at 678-482-7606.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and many activities including public seminars are being held locally and nationally to improve public awareness of this disease. Dr. Indran Krishnan of Gwinnett Digestive Clinic & GDC Endoscopy Center recommends cancer screening in all adults starting at the age of 50 or even earlier for people who have a family history of colon cancer. Risk factors include family history of colon cancer, personal history of gynecological cancer and breast cancer, obesity, high red meat intake and high animal fat intake. Dr. Krishnan says African Americans have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer and recommends they begin screening earlier than age 50. Early screening and detection saves lives!
Lilburn Relay Rally
The City of Lilburn, Lilburn Woman’s Club and the Lilburn Business Association are sponsoring the 3rd Annual Lilburn Relay for Life Rally. All proceeds will be given to the Gwinnett County Relay for Life fundraiser. The Relay begins at 5p on Friday, April 27 with opening ceremonies followed by cancer survivors leading the First Lap. There will be entertainment on the stage until 10:30p.
Teams may register online at www.lilburnrelayrally.org.
Gwinnett Chamber Honors Outstanding Citizens
The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated Gwinnett’s finest citizens, as well as one of the most successful years in the Gwinnett Chamber’s history at the 59th Annual Dinner presented by Gwinnett Medical Center.
Held at the Thomas P. Hughes Grand Ballroom at Gwinnett Center, attendees celebrated the contributions of those who have
given of themselves in an effort to positively impact and influence our community. Their hard work and dedication truly makes a difference. It is our pleasure at Accent Gwinnett to add our voices of congratulations to the award recipients:
The Legacy Award: Given in honor of the life, memory and legacy of the late Clyde Roberts and accepted by his son, Spencer Roberts. Mr. Roberts was active in civic affairs that contributed greatly to the shaping of Gwinnett County. Among his many accomplishments, Roberts served as president of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Gwinnett County Blood Services Program and director of the Humane Society.
Citizen of the Year Award: John D. Stephens was instrumental in the construction of Gwinnett’s water and sewer infrastructure. Stephens supports the Children’s Shelter, the American Heart Association, the Shepherd Center and the North East Georgia Council for the Boy Scouts of America. With great pride we also congratulate the winners of the Ambassador of the Year Award, Jill L. Andrusko; The 2005 Salesperson of the Year for Total Revenue, Jackie Ginn; The 2005 Salesperson of the Year for Memberships, Mindi Hall; The D. Scott Hudgens Award, presented to The Gwinnett Children’s Shelter.
Gwinnett Month of the New Child
The Gwinnett Month of the Young Child Steering Council joins the state of Georgia and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (www.naeyc.org) in celebrating April as the Month of the Young Child. This month is the time to plan how we, as a community, will better meet the needs of all families with children, particularly those from birth to 8 years of age.
The steering council will sponsor a “Literacy Campaign” in Gwinnett County for parents, childcare providers/centers, school age professionals and community partners. We are focusing this month on literacy because research shows that learning to read and write begins very early in a child’s development – years before kindergarten- and is a direct result of adult interaction and guidance. The Literacy Campaign will include; a Book Drive for “New” books, Gwinnett Commissioners Proclamation Signing, Literacy Resources, and distribution of books to agencies serving families with children 0-8 years old. Organizations are invited to participate by purchasing new books, donating dollars for new books and/or participating in the delivery of the books.
For more information or to get involved please contact Debbie McMinn at 404-527-8806 or email her at dmcminn@unitedwayatlanta.org.
