Pictured are Thriving Family participants Odessa, Susan, Kie and Crystal with Maj. Fisher adn Maj. Knoblach of the Cobb County Police Department precinct 2 in the Riverside Community during a community walk.
Pictured is a group photo of the volunteers from the Keep Cobb Beautiful and WeLoveU Foundation's litter clean-up on July 25 of the East West Connector and Floyd Road.
Pictured is a small group of the volunteers from the Keep Cobb Beautiful and WeLoveU Foundation's litter clean-up on July 25 of the East West Connector and Floyd Road.
Pictured are the We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association volunteers that participated in the Amerigroup tools for schools event at the Marietta Civic Center on July 24.
On July 24, H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center in Mableton provided book bags and school supplies at their annual Back to School Bookbag Giveaway. Pictured are Carolyn Turner, Jermaine Jones, Melissa Jones and Sherman Turner.
On July 24, the Shady Grove Nextdoor.Com group got together with Mableton Improvement volunteers to remove over 20 bags of litter from Old Alabama Road near the Maxham Road intersection in Austell. Pictured are the Steinholdts and Robin and John Ford.
Pictured is an unidentified child picking a book out from the Cobb Collaborative's sixth Little Free Lending Library, which was dedicated on July 26 and established by BNI Smyrna Business Exchange.
Pictured are members of the BNI Smyrna Business Exchange, who were present for the July 26 ribbon cutting and dedication of the Cobb Collaborative's sixth Little Free Lending Library.
The International WeLoveU Foundation partnered with Keep Cobb Beautiful on July 25 for a street cleanup of the East-West Connector. Pictured is a group photo of the volunteers that participated in the cleanup.
Pictured is Cobb County Commissioner Monique Sheffield addressing the volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation and Keep Cobb Beautiful's East-West Connector street cleanup on July 25.
On July 29, Holly Britt and her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, donated care packs to homeless veterans at teh Marietta Veterans Center, 40 Dodd Street in Marietta.
On July 29, Holly Britt and her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, donated care packs to homeless veterans at teh Marietta Veterans Center, 40 Dodd Street in Marietta.
On July 29, Holly Britt and her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, donated care packs to homeless veterans at teh Marietta Veterans Center, 40 Dodd Street in Marietta.
Pictured are South Cobb Lions Club members Ron Kirby and Barry Krebs at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
Pictured are Carolyn Turner and South Cobb Lions Club member Barry Krebs at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
Monica DeLancy with We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association discussing community outreach events with Erin Anderson of After School Break Center at the county’s National Night Out event at Jim Miller Park in Marietta.
Pictured is Monica DeLancy sharing smiles With Cobb County Sheriff Deputy Melton at the county's National Night Out event at Jim Miller Park in Marietta.
Above left and right: Photographs from July 31 cookout that Cobb County Police Precinct 2 police officers had with the South Cobb High School football team in Austell.
Cobb District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield’s newsletter/Special
Pictured are photographs of the 2021 Cobb EXCEL Class which provided The Center for Children and Young Adults a play area storage structure and more for their class community project.
Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter/Special
Pictured is a group photograph of the volunteers from all over Cobb County that assisted Keep Cobb Beautiful and Cobb County Water Management at Jim Miller Park on Aug. 7.
Pictured are Kimberly White and Jennifer McCoy providing instructions to the volunteers from all over Cobb County that assisted Keep Cobb Beautiful and Cobb County Water Management at Jim Miller Park on Aug. 7.
Pictured are volunteers Mike Halloran and Eva Thackett with Officer Pharr that assisted Keep Cobb Beautiful and Cobb County Water Management at Jim Miller Park on Aug. 7.
Pictured is the sign advertising The Bee Library: A Little Free Library at 2800 Sanford Road SE in Smyrna, which had a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 12.
A Marietta child served by the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program poses with a book he received from the Book Mobile. The Cobb County Library System’s Book Mobile followed the nearly 400 Summer Lunch volunteers along the Summer Lunch routes throughout the summer.
Two Marietta children served by the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program pose with books they received from the Book Mobile. The Cobb County Library System’s Book Mobile followed the nearly 400 Summer Lunch volunteers along the Summer Lunch routes throughout the summer.
Pictured is a group of photographs from the recent back-to-school event held by the Cobb County Neighborhood Safety Commission and Freshstart Ministries.
From Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter/Special
Pictured is a group photo of volunteers from various organizations that participated recently in the Back To School Litter Clean-Up event. Volunteers assisted with cleaning up streets around Cityview Elementary School and Riverside Elementary School.
Pictured is volunteer Tina Daniel serving hot dogs at the Aug. 16 First Christian Church of Mableton's bike repair men's ministry event at Mableton Manor.
Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta, 461 Manget Street SE in Marietta, received a $50,000 donation from the Enterprise ROAD Forward initiative to continue advancing social and racial equity in the community. Aaliyah Gibbs of Enterprise Holdings presented Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta CEO Tiffany Collie-Bailey and a group of Girls Inc. afterschool program participants with the check on Aug. 18. Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy in a pro-girl environment. The organization’s comprehensive approach to whole girl development equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. These positive outcomes are achieved through mentoring relationships, girls-only safe spaces, and research-based programming. Informed by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also advocates for legislation and policies to increase opportunities for all girls.
Pictured, front row, are Rick Gieryn, chairman of NW Metro Atlanta Habitat, in polo and khaki shorts; Henry Hene, vice chairman of NW Metro Atlanta Habitat and senior vice president of Pinkerton & Laws; Jessica Gill, CEO/president of NW Metro Atlanta Habitat; Rachel Coates, future Cobb County home owner; David Massey, partner at Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors; and Bert Mills, managing partner at Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors.
Pictured are the volunteers from First Christian Church of Mableton and the South Cobb Lions Club assisting Sweetwater Mission on Aug. 20 at The Waverly Mobile Home Park.
Pictured are the volunteers from First Christian Church of Mableton and the South Cobb Lions Club assisting Sweetwater Mission on Aug. 20 at Econo Lodge Extended Stay Motel.
Pictured are Mr. and Mrs. Washington, the founders of Family Life Restoration Center. The Mableton Christian-based charity is celebrating its 15 year anniversary.
Pictured from left are St. Luke United Methodist Church Pastor Roy Moore and Trustee chairman Will Carter recently preparing over 1,000 school supplies for Mableton Elementary School. Mableton’s St. Luke UMC is the little church with a big heart. The church has partnered with the school several times in recent years showing Christ’s love in our community. — Viveca Powell
Pictured are volunteers Claudia and Barry Smith greeting guests at the First Christian Church of Mableton's Aug. 26 event where food was provided to 147 families.
Kiwanis Club of Greater South Cobb member Angelia Pressley is pictured at the 24/7 Coin Laundry on Veterans Memorial Highway with the first installation of the Laundromat Libraries.
Pictured is a combination photograph showing the flooding at the Marietta Crossing apartments and Monica DeLancy with We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association delivering pizzas to the residents.
Pictured is the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team arriving at the Marietta Crossing apartments after floodwaters damaged over 100 cars and impacted homes.
Pictured from left are Abby Freed, Erin Kappel, Julia Acker and Aila McLean. Not pictured is Ansley Roberts who also helped on the project for the Little Free Library at Green Acres Elementary School in Smyrna.
Pictured from left are Abby Freed, Erin Kappel, Alia McLean, Green Acres Elementary Principal Ashley Mize and Julia Acker. Not pictured is Ansley Roberts who also helped on the project for the Little Free Library at Green Acres Elementary School in Smyrna.
Pictured from left are Green Acres Elementary Principal Ashley Mize, Abby Freed, Erin Kappel, Julia Acker and Alia McLean. Not pictured is Ansley Roberts who also helped on the project for the Little Free Library at Green Acres Elementary School in Smyrna.
On Aug. 18, Chicken Salad Chick West Cobb had a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Two days of pre-opening events generated a $1,050 donation for Marietta-based MUST Ministries.
A group of the volunteers from Linked UP Church and South Cobb Lions Club at the Sept. 16 food distribution event.
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Pictured is volunteer Jaliene greeting guests at the Sept. 16 food distribution event.
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Pictured are volunteers Nate, Lindsey and Jessica loading cars in the rain at the Sept. 16 food distribution event.
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While the evening of Sept. 16 had some showers, it did not slow down volunteers from Linked UP Church and South Cobb Lions Club from serving 181 families that drove through the First Christian Church of Mableton parking lot to get USDA Food Boxes containing fruits and vegetables, Post cereal, orange juice, canned/dry goods, bread and Kenny's Pies. Sweetwater Mission was kind enough to deliver the food as well as provide the tents and help. We made it past the wet weather to serve our neighbors with our whole heart.
- Barry Krebs
Wednesday, Sept. 15
LiveSafe Resources and Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q are working together to spread the word about the dangers of domestic violence and its impact on families.
Williamson Bros. Bar-B-Q sauces, sold in 2,000 grocery stores throughout the U.S., will feature a specially designed label with information about the importance of stopping domestic violence and how to access help for yourself or a loved one experiencing violence at home or in a relationship. They will be
available for the next few months in local stores, including Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Wholefoods and other grocery stores where Williamson Brothers brand sauces are sold. The sauce retails for around $5 and a portion of proceeds from the sale of each bottle will benefit LiveSafe Resources.
“We so appreciate the support of Williamson Brothers BBQ in spreading the word about domestic violence and how we can help” said LiveSafe Resources executive director Tracey Atwater. “This company has been a friend and partner to us for many years and we always appreciate their creative ways of helping us spread the word that help is available.”
Based in Marietta, LiveSafe Resources is dedicated to building a community free from domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse.
For more information, visit www.livesaferesources.org. To reach the 24-hour crisis line, call 770-427-3390.
Monday, Sept. 13
On Aug. 18, Chicken Salad Chick West Cobb had a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Two days of pre-opening events generated a $1,050 donation for Marietta-based MUST Ministries.
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On Aug. 18, Chicken Salad Chick West Cobb had a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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On Aug. 18, Chicken Salad Chick West Cobb, 3805 Dallas Highway, Suite 816, in Marietta had a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by brand leadership, members of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and local employees. Honoring its mission to serve others, the company aligned with Marietta-based MUST Ministries for the opening to support initiatives that directly impact the local community.
Grand opening day saw over 120 guests arrive before the restaurant opened for a chance to win free Chicken Salad Chick for a year. Two days of pre-opening friends and family dining events generated a $1,050 donation on behalf of Chicken Salad Chick to MUST Ministries. Funds from the partnership will be used to support their food pantry feeding local families.
Pictured is the group of volunteers that distributed food boxes at The Waverly Mobile Home Park on Sept. 10.
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Pictured is volunteer Lizbeth greeting guests at the Sept. 10 food box distribution at The Waverly Mobile Home Park.
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Pictured is volunteer Nelson loading cars at the Sept. 10 food box distribution at The Waverly Mobile Home Park.
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Pictured is the group of volunteers that distributed food boxes at Extended Stay Motel on Sept. 10.
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On Sept. 10, assisted by the Cumberland Christian Church, World Destiny Church and the South Cobb Lions Club, Sweetwater Mission hosted the USDA Food Box distributions at The Waverly Mobile Home Park providing 161 families with produce, canned/dry goods, Post cereals, milk, bread, juice and frozen blueberries. Afterwards, we moved to the Extended Stay Motel to supply their residents with nutrition. All of the volunteers worked well together and very much enjoyed each other's company.
-Barry Krebs
Pictured is a volunteer in the impromptu Riverside Parkway and Blair Bridge community cleanup.
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Pictured is a volunteer in the impromptu Riverside Parkway and Blair Bridge community cleanup.
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Pictured is a volunteer in the impromptu Riverside Parkway and Blair Bridge community cleanup.
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We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association hosted two impromptu community cleanups Sept. 10-11. Volunteers Benny and Kenny collected 20 bags of litter from Riverside Parkway and Blair Bridge in unincorporated Austell. Thank you to our volunteers.
Pictured is Monica DeLancy speaking to resident while passing out resource guides and rental assistance information in Austell on Sept. 11.
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We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association also passed out resource guides and rental assistance information in the Austell community on Sept. 11. The resource guides were provided by FEMA and is a guide to assist people with planning for storms, unplanned natural disasters and fires. The residents were appreciative to receive the information.
-Monica DeLancy
Friday, Sept. 10
Pictured is a group photo of the volunteers from the Sept. 9 Meals On A Mission event.
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Pictured are volunteers Claudia and Nick loading cars at the Sept. 9 Meals On A Mission.
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Pictured are volunteers Ron Kirby and Abraham loading cars at the Sept. 9 Meals On A Mission event.
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The First Christian Church of Mableton hosted the Sept. 9 Meals On A Mission providing 133 families with produce boxes, juices, canned/dry food, milk, Post cereal, yogurt and bread. Sweetwater Mission delivered the product while volunteers from the South Cobb Lions Club, Word Of Faith Church and Cumberland Christian Church served our neighbors. We carefully listened to executive minister Barry Smith's words as he inspired us to act humbly as servants as we greeted and assisted our guests.
-Barry Krebs
Pictured are two Cobb County police department officers delivering food boxes on Sept. 8 at Sierra Forrest apartments in Mableton.
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Pictured is a family picking up a fresh food box to take home on Sept. 8 at the Sierra Forest apartments in Mableton.
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Great day on Sept. 8 at Sierra Forrest apartments in Mableton. It was renters rights parent appreciation day and We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association set a resource connection pop up and shared resources with families. The residents received fresh food boxes from Revive Church ATL, rental assistance information and school updates. Special thank you to the two officers from Cobb County Police Department who assisted with delivery of food boxes.
-Monica DeLancy
Thursday, Sept. 9
Pictured from left are Abby Freed, Erin Kappel, Julia Acker and Aila McLean. Not pictured is Ansley Roberts who also helped on the project for the Little Free Library at Green Acres Elementary School in Smyrna.
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Pictured from left are Abby Freed, Erin Kappel, Alia McLean, Green Acres Elementary Principal Ashley Mize and Julia Acker. Not pictured is Ansley Roberts who also helped on the project for the Little Free Library at Green Acres Elementary School in Smyrna.
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Pictured from left are Green Acres Elementary Principal Ashley Mize, Abby Freed, Erin Kappel, Julia Acker and Alia McLean. Not pictured is Ansley Roberts who also helped on the project for the Little Free Library at Green Acres Elementary School in Smyrna.
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Julia Acker, Abby Freed, Erin Kappel, Aila McLean and Ansley Roberts, all Pope High School students and members of Girl Scout Troop 13389, came together to work on the Girl Scout "Silver Project" and are responsible for establishing a Little Free Library at Green Acres Elementary School in Smyrna.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting books in the hands of children and adults in communities around the world with a vision to have “a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader.” These book-sharing boxes remove barriers to book access by being available seven days a week, 24 hours a day with free accessibility. LFLs operate under the “Take One, Leave One” theory which encourages readers to not only take a book, but to leave one for others when there is an ability to do so.
A ribbon cutting was held for the Green Acres Elementary LFL on the morning of Sept. 9.
As a Little Free Library community partner, the Cobb Collaborative has a goal of establishing 21 LFLs throughout Cobb County in 2021. The LFL at Green Acres Elementary is No. 12 in this initiative with more planned forinstallation throughout the remainder of the year.
Cobb Collaborative also serves as the local point of contact for the Get Georgia Reading Campaign. Research from the campaign demonstrates that development and use of language skills from childhood through adolescence can have a dramatic and positive impact on an individual’s quality of life and life outcomes.
The East Cobb Civic Association provided lunch on Sept. 9 to Cobb County Fire Station 15. Kelly Ryan, Ric Grome and Marvin Shams represented the ECCA.
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On Sept. 9, Cobb County Fire Station 15 was provided lunch by the East Cobb Civic Association Inc. The firemen of all Cobb County fire stations work around the clock to support the community and we thank all of them for jobs well done.
ECCA works to ensure growth and development aligns with the character and uniqueness that is East Cobb by working with Cobb County government by providing recommendations to zoning and code-related issues. ECCA Members are encouraged to be active in voicing their support or concerns.
For more information on ECCA or becoming a member, visit www.eastcobb.net.
Pictured is a combination photograph showing the flooding at the Marietta Crossing apartments and Monica DeLancy with We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association delivering pizzas to the residents.
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Pictured is the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team arriving at the Marietta Crossing apartments after floodwaters damaged over 100 cars and impacted homes.
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Thank you to everyone who assisted the residents in the Marietta Crossing apartments after floodwaters damaged over 100 cars and impacted residents homes. We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association delivered pizza to residents. The metro Atlanta American Red Cross visited the residents and was able to assist residents with temporary lodging, food and health essentials.
-Monica DeLancy
Wednesday, Sept. 8
United Community Banks Inc., which has several locations in Cobb County, will honor 9/11 victims and heroes with acts of service in communities across their five-state footprint.
This service initiative is led by United’s Together for Good Council, a group that encourages community service throughout the bank, and is a way for United’s 2,400 employees to personally honor those impacted by the tragedy.
United Community Bank employees are encouraged to organize acts of service within their communities or participate in projects led by the Together for Good Council. In many areas, volunteers will honor veterans, soldiers or first responders by collecting donations, assembling care packages and writing thank you letters.
In addition to the acts of service, the United Community Bank Foundation will be making a total of $25,000 in donations to local organizations that support first responders.
Publix Super Markets recently named the Cobb Schools Foundation a recipient of the “Tools for Schools” campaign.
Last week, Bruch Humphries, district manager of Atlanta Central West Region, and two local store managers delivered over $125,000 in gift cards for Cobb students and teachers.
“The Cobb Schools Foundation is overjoyed to receive the generosity of our local Publix shoppers. These gift cards will be distributed throughout the county to serve students in need as well as teachers who are doing all that they can to create the best learning experience for students,” said Frank Wigington, president of Cobb Schools Foundation.
Out of the approximately 107,000 students who are enrolled in the Cobb County School District’s 112 schools, over 40% are considered economically disadvantaged. The gift cards donated by Publix will go directly towards supporting the needs of those students and teachers in the district.
For those interested in working together with the Cobb Schools Foundation to take student success to new heights, visit https://www.cobbschoolsfoundation.org/.
The Cobb Schools Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and is the philanthropic arm for the school district and focuses on family stabilization, learning interventions, scholarships and career development for students.
Tuesday, Sept. 7
Cars lined up at Mosaic Church in Marietta to pick up food boxes being delivered by the Cobb Community Food Fleet.
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Tyler Holley of the Atlanta Braves Foundation unloads food for the fleet to be refrigerated prior to pick-up at Truist Park.
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Marietta-based MUST Ministries is pictured picking up food from Truist Park.
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Food being distributed at Reflections of Trinity in Powder Springs.
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On Sept. 16, after 15 months, the operations of the Cobb Community Food Fleet will come to an end.
Since the end of May 2020, a group of nonprofits, churches, businesses and government entities has been responsible for the receipt and distribution of 168,000 boxes of food being received and distributed throughout Cobb County and beyond. That equates to 4.4 million pounds of fresh produce and proteins, the equivalent of nearly 3.7 million meals.
The group that has become known as the “Cobb Community Food Fleet” includes 14 organizations that picked up the food from Truist Park, the Galleria, the Cobb Energy Centre and Sweetwater Mission, subsequently delivering it to over 50 other fleet members, primarily churches and other nonprofits, throughout the county.
Thanks to S.A. White and Mobilized Fuels who provided the diesel needed to run the trailers, refrigeration was never lacking.
The effort has been a joint initiative of Cobb Community Foundation and Noonday Association of Churches. Costs were largely underwritten by the Atlanta Braves, who also contributed the use of the stadium’s massive refrigerator and loading docks as the first distribution center.
Cobb County’s Board of Commissioners provided CARES Act and ARP Act funding of $540,000 to purchase food boxes, but the vast majority of the food was provided through the USDA’s Farmers to Families program. What made Cobb such an attractive partner for the program’s food distributors was having a central distribution center at easily accessible facilities with subsequent deliveries throughout the entire county being handled by others. In this case, a “fleet” of nonprofits.
The need for a centralized distribution center went away when the USDA’s Farmers to Families program ended, but the need for food remains. Cobb Community Foundation took this issue to the Cobb Board of Commissioners earlier this year. The Board of Commissioners ultimately allocated $1.5 million of American Rescue Plan funding for the purchase of food by Cobb nonprofits.
“We will continue to work to ensure that food remains available when needed and where needed," said Shari Martin, president/CEO of Cobb Community Foundation.
To that end, Noonday Association of Churches, the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Cobb Community Foundation are working on an upcoming event for all nonprofit food providers at which attendees will be presented with census tract-level data on food insecurity to explore opportunities for collaboration.
Pictured is a group photo of the voulnteers from Sweetwater Mission's Meals On A Mission Sept. 3 event.
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Pictured is Claudia, a volunteer at Sweetwater Mission's Sept. 3 Meals On A Mission event, greeting guests.
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Pictured are Neil and Debbie, volunteers at Sweetwater Mission's Sept. 3 Meals On A Mission event, loading cars.
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On Sept. 3, Sweetwater Mission hosted the Meals On A Mission providing 177 families with fruit, canned/dry goods, bread, vegetables, Post cereal and a five pound bag of frozen chicken for the Labor Day cookouts. We started off at The Waverly Mobile Home Park and finished up at the Extended Stay Motel. The volunteers from the South Cobb Lions Club and Cumberland Christian Church had fun as we came together to serve our neighbors.
A group photo of the volunteers that cleaned up Nickajack Road on Sept. 4.
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On Sept. 4, The Friends Of The Nickajack had a terrific turnout from the Mableton Improvement Coalition, South Cobb and Pebblebrook high school students. Together, we were able to remove over 25 bags of litter from their adopted Nickajack Road and surrounding areas.
If you would like to make a positive impact on the appearance of your neighborhood, contact Dawn at keepcobbbeautiful@cobbcounty.org and she can provide you with everything that you need to adopt your own mile.
-Barry Krebs
Friday, Sept. 3
The YMCA of Metro Atlanta will have its 2021 Days of Service event on Sept. 10-11 at various Y locations across metro Atlanta.
The annual event, which brings together organizations and volunteers, will support under-resourced families facing food insecurity. Through support from its sponsors, including Publix, JLL and Pritchard & Jerden, the Y is able to provide hunger relief to food insecure communities.
In partnership with Atlanta Community Food Bank, Latin American Association, Common Market, Diaz Foods, Roadie, Helping Mamas and Hope thru Soap, the Y will pack and provide food and hygiene kits for those in need.
On Sept. 10, corporate teams are invited to pack hygiene and food items at various Y branches. In Cobb County, volunteers are needed from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. to noon at the Northeast Cobb Family YMCA, 3010 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.
On Sept. 11, community members, families and volunteers are invited to assist with the assembly and distribution of donated items. In Cobb County, volunteers are needed from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. to noon at the Northwest Family YMCA, 1700 Dennis Kemp Lane NW in Kennesaw.
Days of Service began in 2018 as a celebration of the Y’s 160 years of service in the Atlanta community. In 2020, the tradition continued as more than 600 Y volunteers and staff gathered for a safe, socially distanced Day of Service to pack food boxes for thousands of families in the community facing food insecurity due to the pandemic.
A group photo of the volunteers from First Christian Church of Mableton at the Sept. 2 Meals On A Mission event.
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Pictured is volunteer Lizabeth greeting guests at First Christian Church of Mableton's Sept. 2 Meals On A Mission event.
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Pictured are volunteers Claudia and Lizabeth greeting guests at First Christian Church of Mableton's Sept. 2 Meals On A Mission event.
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The First Christian Church of Mableton hosted the Sept. 2 Meals On A Mission event. With the help of the South Cobb Lions Club and Linked UP Church volunteers, we were able to provide 191 families with food supplied by Sweetwater Mission including bread, fruit, canned goods, Post cereal, vegetables and a five pound bag of frozen chicken breasts for the long Labor Day weekend. Our team "fired on all cylinders" as we served our neighbors.
-Barry Krebs
Pictured is a volunteer from Revive Church ATL delivering food boxes to the Sept. 2 Resource Connection Pop Up and Vendors Expo.
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Pictured is a youth attending the Sept. 2 Resource connection pop up and vendors expo.
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Pictured are attendees at the Sept. 2 Resource Connection Pop Up and Vendors Expo.
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On Sept. 2, We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association hosted the Resource connection pop up and vendors expo at Parkview Apartments in Austell.
Attendees received fresh food boxes from Revive Church AtL, signed up for free cell phones from Safelink, received rental assistance information and enjoyed the vendor expo. The Resource connection pop-up is one of the month long events hosted by We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association September renters month of action. For more information, contact Monica DeLancy at 770-369-6531 or www.wethriverenters.com.
Thursday, Sept. 2
Kiwanis Club of Greater South Cobb member Angelia Pressley is pictured at the 24/7 Coin Laundry on Veterans Memorial Highway with the first installation of the Laundromat Libraries.
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Kiwanians Henry Lust and Angelia Pressley installed the first of the Laundromat Libraries at 24/7 Coin Laundry on Veteran's Memorial Highway. The program is a partnership with United Way in collaboration with Kiwanis of Greater South Cobb. Thanks to Book Worm in Powder Springs as a contributor and to the Ambroses for allowing the stations in their facility.
Pictured are the two Chad’s Brackets delivered to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta by the South Cobb Lions Club.
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The South Cobb Lions Club had two Chad's Brackets delivered to Children's Healthcare Of Atlanta this week. Chad's Bracket is a wagon designed to transport kids around the hospital in a fun way. Our goal is to make the children's stay in the hospital as pleasurable as possible. Hopefully, the Chad's Brackets will brighten up an otherwise dismal day for the children.
-Barry Krebs
Wednesday, Sept. 1
Pictured is Ms. Icyss moving her boxes into her new apartment on Aug. 27.
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Chris Vasquez is pictured unloading Ms. Icyss’ furniture on Aug. 27 into her new apartment.
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On Aug. 27, We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association assisted Ms. Icyss and son moving into their new apartment.
We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association arranged and paid for a mover to assist with moving her furniture and also connected Sweetwater Mission who assisted with her move in deposit. Ms. Icyss was worried that she would be evicted from her previous home when she contacted We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association. Thank you to Sweetwater Mission, Chris Vasquez Handy services and We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association.
A group photo of the volunteers from the First Christian Church of Mableton that conducted a “work day” at Sweetwater Mission on Aug. 24.
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On Aug. 24, the First Christian Church of Mableton conducted a “work day” at Sweetwater Mission whereby volunteers spent a few hours packing groceries into boxes and bags for distribution to people in need around the community. Sweetwater Mission is the large provider of food to people located in Cobb, Fulton and Douglas counties. They are always very appreciative to the volunteers who pitch in to help out. It is lots of fun and a great way for students needing community hours, civic organizations and churches to make a difference. If you are interested, visit www.sweetwatermission.org and click on the volunteer button.
Pictured are Habitat for Humanity volunteers Craig Thiman and Michael O’Brien who recently made improvements to a blind homeowner’s house.
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Habitat For Humanity volunteers Craig Thiman and Michael O’Brien had a little spare time between projects and donated their valuable down time to install security windows, roofing repairs and other upgrades to a blind person’s house. The Lions Club paid for the building supplies. The improvements were substantial and the person’s life was dramatically improved because of the kindness of others. Craig and Michael are excellent examples of people performing “Acts Of Kindness."
-Barry Krebs
Monday, Aug. 30
Pictured is a group photo of Sweetwater Mission volunteers at The Waverly Mobile Home Park on Aug. 27.
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Pictured is Tanessha Marshall serving guests at the Aug. 27 Sweetwater Mission food distribution event.
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Volunteer Lizabeth attends to guests at the Aug. 27 Sweetwater Mission food distribution event.
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Pictured are Tanessha Marshall and Debbie Ginocchio at the Aug. 27 Sweetwater Mission food distribution event.
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On Aug. 27, Sweetwater Mission assisted by volunteers were able to provide nutritious food such as vegetables, canned goods, bread, fruit, dry goods, Post cereal and Kenny's Key Lime Pies to 144 families that came through our drive through at The Waverly Mobile Home Park and at the Extended Stay Motel. We worked together as a finely tuned team to let each person that we encountered know that we care for them.
Pictured is a group shot of the residents of the Legacy At The River Line Home Owners Association during the Aug. 28 litter clean-up.
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On the morning of Aug. 28, the residents of the Legacy At The River Line Home Owners Association along with help from the Mableton Improvement Coalition removed 25 bags of litter from their adopted two miles of Discovery Boulevard. They also removed five bags of litter from the Chattahoochee River Bridge along Veterans Memorial Highway. The Quarterly Adopt-A-Mile clean-ups are a great way for the home owners to bond together to make their community look better.
If you or your home owners association is interested in the Adopt-A-Mile program, reach out to Dawn at keepcobbbeautiful@cobbcounty.org. She will provide you with grabbers, safety vests and orange bags so that you can clean your neighborhood.
- Barry Krebs
Friday, Aug. 27
On Aug. 26, volunteers from the South Cobb Lions Club and Linked UP Church helped First Christian Church of Mableton provide food to 147 families.
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Pictured is volunteer Claudia greeting guests at the First Christian Church of Mableton's Aug. 26 event where food was provided to 147 families.
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Pictured are volunteers Claudia and Barry Smith greeting guests at the First Christian Church of Mableton's Aug. 26 event where food was provided to 147 families.
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On Aug. 26, volunteers from the South Cobb Lions Club and Linked UP Church assisted the First Christian Church of Mableton provide food such as fruit, bread, Post cereal, meat, dry goods, vegetables, canned goods and Kenny's Key Lime Pies, supplied by Sweetwater Mission, to 147 families. Executive minister Barry Smith blessed the team with words of inspiration from the Bible where Samuel sees the crucial needs in front of him, recognizes that he has the capacity to meet them, and steps in to resolve them. As we worked together, we did our best to meet he needs of our neighbors.
-Barry Krebs
Wednesday, Aug. 25
Pictured from left are St. Luke United Methodist Church Pastor Roy Moore and Trustee chairman Will Carter recently preparing over 1,000 school supplies for Mableton Elementary School. Mableton’s St. Luke UMC is the little church with a big heart. The church has partnered with the school several times in recent years showing Christ’s love in our community. — Viveca Powell
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Volunteers from We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association.
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On Aug. 24, We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association had an opportunity to speak at the Cobb County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Thrivers spoke about rental assistance, housing concerns and the importance of being involved in the community. Thrivers also commended the Cobb County Fire Department Engine 22 for their rescue efforts at the Always Childcare Center that flooded last week and battling the fire at the Patek meat plant.
- Monica DeLancy
Tuesday, Aug. 24
Pictured are Mr. and Mrs. Washington, the founders of Family Life Restoration Center. The Mableton Christian-based charity is celebrating its 15 year anniversary.
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A group photo celebrating the 15 year anniversary of the Christian-based charity, Family Life Restoration Center.
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Congratulations to the Family Life Restoration Center for their 15 year anniversary.
They are a Christian-based charity devoted to providing food, clothing, hot meals, counseling and work force development to our neighbors in need. The Family Life Restoration could use your support with volunteering or donations. They are located at 6106 Mableton Parkway in Mableton. Their contact information is 770-944-1066 or familyliferestor@comcast.net. Their motto is "Life begins with a family and life ends with a family."
-Barry Krebs
Monday, Aug. 23
Pictured are the volunteers from First Christian Church of Mableton and the South Cobb Lions Club assisting Sweetwater Mission on Aug. 20 at The Waverly Mobile Home Park.
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Pictured are the volunteers from First Christian Church of Mableton and the South Cobb Lions Club assisting Sweetwater Mission on Aug. 20 at Econo Lodge Extended Stay Motel.
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A volunteer greets guests at Sweetwater Mission’s Aug. 20 event.
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On Aug. 20, volunteers from the First Christian Church of Mableton and the South Cobb Lions Club assisted Sweetwater Mission in providing 142 families with produce boxes, canned goods, Post cereal, dry goods and Kenny's Key Lime Pie. We started at The Waverly Mobile Home Park and finished up at the Extended Stay Motel. We were inspired by Deacon Joseph's prayer to "let our light shine bright" as we served our neighbors.
Pictured is Mableton Improvement Coalition board member Jeff Padgett with the $100 bill that he found during the Floyd Road clean-up on Aug. 21.
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The Mableton Improvement Coalition adopt-a-mile litter clean-up of Floyd Road was conducted on Aug. 21. We removed 20 bags of litter along with a tire and car parts from this important road. Jeff Padgett, a MIC Board member, found a $100 bill during the litter clean-up. It pays to volunteer.
-Barry Krebs
Thursday, Aug. 19
Pictured, front row, are Rick Gieryn, chairman of NW Metro Atlanta Habitat, in polo and khaki shorts; Henry Hene, vice chairman of NW Metro Atlanta Habitat and senior vice president of Pinkerton & Laws; Jessica Gill, CEO/president of NW Metro Atlanta Habitat; Rachel Coates, future Cobb County home owner; David Massey, partner at Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors; and Bert Mills, managing partner at Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors.
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Cumberland-based Moore Colson celebrating the firm's 40th anniversary in business had their second service day on Aug. 12 working with Smyrna-based Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta. The team worked on the future home of Rachel Coates and her family.
Coates is a 47-year-old single mother of two, originally from Kenya. She has lived in Cobb County for the past 13 years. Her children are Jeremy, 13, and Polleen, 12, and she works as a caregiver at Arbor Terrace at Burnt Hickory.
The family currently lives in a two-bedroom apartment in Marietta, which has become too small for them.
Coates is very grateful for the opportunity to partner with Habitat and excited about her future prospects of finally owning her own home.
Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta, 461 Manget Street SE in Marietta, received a $50,000 donation from the Enterprise ROAD Forward initiative to continue advancing social and racial equity in the community. Aaliyah Gibbs of Enterprise Holdings presented Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta CEO Tiffany Collie-Bailey and a group of Girls Inc. afterschool program participants with the check on Aug. 18. Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy in a pro-girl environment. The organization’s comprehensive approach to whole girl development equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. These positive outcomes are achieved through mentoring relationships, girls-only safe spaces, and research-based programming. Informed by girls and their families, Girls Inc. also advocates for legislation and policies to increase opportunities for all girls.
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Tuesday, Aug. 17
Volunteer Caleb at the Aug. 16 First Christian Church of Mableton’s bike repair men’s ministry event at Mableton Manor.
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Pictured is volunteer Tina Daniel serving hot dogs at the Aug. 16 First Christian Church of Mableton's bike repair men's ministry event at Mableton Manor.
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Volunteers Don Haris and Sherman Turner working on bikes at the Aug. 16 First Christian Church of Mableton’s bike repair men’s ministry event.
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On Aug. 16, the First Christian Church of Mableton hosted a bike repair men’s ministry event at the Mableton Manor. They were able to fix many bikes in need of technical abilities and elbow grease of the volunteers. They also served hot dogs, snacks, drinks and school supplies to everyone in attendance. It was a great way to show their love for their community.
-Barry Krebs
Monday, Aug. 16
Pictured is Dujuana Webster and her son, Tijuan, with Monica DeLancy at the Aug. 14 Back to School Litter Clean-Up.
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Pictured is the Thrivers' Zoom graduation picture. The group is Odessa, Julia, Susan, Nikitia, Tiara, Davita, Denise and Crystal.
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It was a busy weekend for We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association volunteers as they assisted with the Back to School Litter Clean-Up hosted by Keep Cobb Beautiful volunteer Barry Krebs on Aug. 14 and graduated eight Thrivers from the Thriving Families project.
Volunteers assisted with cleaning up streets around Cityview Elementary School And Riverside Elementary School. On Aug. 15, eight Thrivers graduated from the thriving families project after completing the six-month program. The Thriving Family Project is hosted by We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association.
The Thrivers completed monthly goals and participated in workshops on academic success, routes to home ownership, entrepreneurship and civic engagement. Thrivers earned incentives for completing goals and $1,000 rental assistance. The next class will be in October and will be a two-day reboot camp.
Pictured is a group photo of volunteers from various organizations that participated recently in the Back To School Litter Clean-Up event. Volunteers assisted with cleaning up streets around Cityview Elementary School and Riverside Elementary School.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Pictured is executive minister Barry Smith and Abraham Antunez, who participated recently in the Back To School Litter Clean-Up event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Pictured is Barry Krebs with two bags of litter in the recently held Back To School Litter Clean-Up event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Organizations from South Cobb such as the Mableton Improvement Coalition, First Christian Church Of Mableton, South Cobb Lions Club, HOPE Family Resource Center, Austell Community Taskforce, We Thrive In Riverside and local teachers recently worked together to remove 74 bags of litter from a close proximity to 21 Cobb County Schools in our area.
We also celebrated Abraham Antunez’s 20th birthday and got a young, skinny, stray kitten adopted.
Thank you to The Green Room gourmet pizza and Dunkin Donuts for your help. We had lots of fun as we got these schools looking good so that our students can attend class with pride in their community.
Pictured is a group photo of the volunteers from the Aug. 13 Meals On A Mission event at The Waverly Mobile Home Park.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Pictured is executive minister Barry Smith and volunteer Joseph loading cars at the Aug. 13 Meals On A Mission event at The Waverly Mobile Home Park.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Sweetwater Mission hosted the Aug. 13 Meals On A Mission event at The Waverly Mobile Home Park and finished off the day at the Extended Stay Motel.
We were able to serve 121 families by providing them with fresh vegetables and fruit as well as canned goods, dry goods, bread, Post cereal and Kenny's Key Lime Pies. We appreciate the volunteers from the Word Of Faith Church, First Christian Church Of Mableton and South Cobb Lions Club who helped out. Executive minister Barry Smith challenged us to convey our love for our neighbors with each and every car that drove through.
-Barry Krebs
Friday, Aug. 13
Pictured is a group of photographs from the recent back-to-school event held by the Cobb County Neighborhood Safety Commission and Freshstart Ministries.
From Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter/Special
The Cobb County Neighborhood Safety Commission assisted Freshstart Ministries, led by Armenia Wilson, this last weekend with a back-to-school event.
The event was designed for those children who started school without a backpack or supplies. Over 300 students along with family members participated in the event and brought home what they needed to get started with their schoolwork. Showing support and engaging with the children were Cobb Fire & Emergency Services, Cobb County Police Public Affairs Unit and Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.
Attending and helping to distribute supplies were District Commissioner Monique Sheffield as well as her mother and Chairwoman Lisa Cupid. Spearheading the efforts of the NSC were Cynthia Edwards, former Fire Chief Dave Harris, NSC vice chair Andy Smith and NSC chair Jeff Wood.
-From Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter
A Marietta child served by the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program poses with a book he received from the Book Mobile. The Cobb County Library System’s Book Mobile followed the nearly 400 Summer Lunch volunteers along the Summer Lunch routes throughout the summer.
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Two Marietta children served by the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program pose with books they received from the Book Mobile. The Cobb County Library System’s Book Mobile followed the nearly 400 Summer Lunch volunteers along the Summer Lunch routes throughout the summer.
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Thousands of Cobb County children are returning to school after a healthier summer thanks to a vibrant MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program.
More than half a million nutritious meals were distributed to children in need, breaking all records in the program’s 26-year history. In 2020, the program served 379,000 meals.
This year, the program extended to seven counties, where 5,201 children received 537,527 meals, totaling 840,117 pounds of food served through Summer Lunch. Nearly 400 volunteers spent more than 10,000 hours distributing the meals. Lunch, breakfast and snacks were provided in the meal kits, as well as dental kits, hygiene kits and school supplies. A Book Mobile also followed some Summer Lunch routes to donate books to children receiving meals.
The need for these food and wellness products was greater than ever after the coronavirus pandemic caused the loss of jobs, incomes and housing for an untold number of our neighbors.
The Summer Lunch program served seven counties include Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, Douglas, Gwinnett, Pickens and South and North Fulton.
Pictured is the sign advertising The Bee Library: A Little Free Library at 2800 Sanford Road SE in Smyrna, which had a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 12.
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Pictured is the The Bee Library: A Little Free Library at 2800 Sanford Road SE in Smyrna, which had a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 12.
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The Bee Library: A Little Free Library at 2800 Sanford Road SE in Smyrna, had a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 12.
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Pictured is The Bee Library: A Little Free Library at 2800 Sanford Road SE in Smyrna, which had a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 12.
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“She read books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.” This quote by Pulitzer prize winning author Annie Dillard from her novel entitled, "The Living," speaks to the passion of Smyrna resident Susan Ciavolino. Driven by a lifelong love of reading and a desire to share books with the community, Susan and her husband, Marco, have established The Bee Library: A Little Free Library at 2800 Sanford Road SE in Smyrna.
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting books in the hands of children and adults in communities around the world. These book-sharing boxes play an essential role in encouraging a love of reading by providing free access to books. They operate under the "Take One, Leave One," theory which encourages readers to not only take a book, but to leave one for others as well.
The Ciavolinos have joined in partnership with Cobb Collaborative supporting the Collaborative’s mission to install 21 Little Free Libraries across Cobb County in 2021.
A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for this Little Free Library was held on Aug. 12. Family, friends and neighbors of Ciavolinos gathered to celebrate this event. The Bee Library is LFL No. 10 to be dedicated by Cobb Collaborative this year with more planned for installation and dedication throughout the remainder of the year.
For more information about the Little Free Library program, contact Cobb Collaborative executive director Irene Barton at ibarton@cobbcollaborative.org.
Pictured is a group photo of volunteers at the Thursday evening Meals On A Mission event on Aug. 12.
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Pictured are volunteers Robin and Connie at the Thursday evening Meals On A Mission event on Aug. 12.
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Pictured are volunteers Carrington Rodgers and Deidra Rodgers loading cars at the Thursday evening Meals On A Mission event on Aug. 12.
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The First Christian Church Of Mableton hosted the Thursday evening Meals On A Mission event on Aug. 12 whereby we served 120 families by providing them with nourishment. Sweetwater Mission supplied the fresh fruits and vegetables as well as the canned goods, Post cereal, bread, dry goods and Kenny's Key Lime Pie. We are thankful for our volunteers from Word Of Faith Church, Linked Up Church and South Cobb Lions Club. We took executive minister Barry Smith's words to heart about doing our best to convey our love to our guests. We had a lot of fun as the work load was steady the entire time.
- Barry Krebs
Tuesday, Aug. 10
Pictured are H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center volunteers preparing for guests. From left are Tony and Sheila Thomas and Carolyn Turner.
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Sherman and Carolyn Turner, the founders of Mableton-based H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center Inc.
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H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center Inc., 6108 Mableton Parkway in Mableton, has added produce boxes to their nutritional offerings. The Family Life Restoration Center was kind enough to receive, store and load the produce boxes. H.O.P.E. encourages both donations and volunteer work. They have been providing groceries to approximately 50 families per week. Their hours are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. They can be reached at hopefamily2@gmail.com or 678-310-0525.
- Barry Krebs
Monday, Aug. 9
Pictured are volunteers Jessica, Tate, Debbie and Veronica on the truck tailgate at the Aug. 6 Sweetwater Mission event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Pictured is Veronica Molina greeting guests at the Aug. 6 Sweetwater Mission event.
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A group shot of the volunteers at the Aug. 6 Sweetwater Mission event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Pictured is Tate, one of the volunteers at the Aug. 6 Sweetwater Mission event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
On Aug. 6, Sweetwater Mission along with volunteers from the First Christian Church of Mableton and the South Cobb Lions Club provided 123 families with food boxes containing fruits and vegetables along with Post cereal, bread and Kenny's Pies. We started off with prayers directed to our friends who have lost loved ones. We started off at The Waverly Mobile Home Park and finished up at the Extended Stay. We had a good, steady rhythm going as we served our neighbors.
Pictured is a group photograph of the volunteers from all over Cobb County that assisted Keep Cobb Beautiful and Cobb County Water Management at Jim Miller Park on Aug. 7.
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Pictured are Kimberly White and Jennifer McCoy providing instructions to the volunteers from all over Cobb County that assisted Keep Cobb Beautiful and Cobb County Water Management at Jim Miller Park on Aug. 7.
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Pictured are volunteers Mike Halloran and Eva Thackett with Officer Pharr that assisted Keep Cobb Beautiful and Cobb County Water Management at Jim Miller Park on Aug. 7.
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Volunteers from the all over Cobb County assisted Keep Cobb Beautiful and Cobb County Water Management in serving 911 cars that drove through the Household Waste Recycling event at Jim Miller Park on Aug. 7. Many of the household chemicals and paint can be recycled. At the very minimum, we were able to keep the items from ending up in the landfills and creeping into our soil and water. We had a great time as we kept the wait times to a minimum. Afterwards, we celebrated with Chick-Fil-A sandwiches.
-Barry Krebs
Friday, Aug. 6
Pictured are several photographs from the Career Fair and Tenant Forum held on July 31.
Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter/Special
Thank you to all that attended our Career Fair and Tenant Forum on July 31. There were several attendees that were hired on the spot.
Thank you to our non-profit agencies, the Marietta Housing Authority and NACA for attending the tenant forum to answer rental assistance and home purchase questions. Thanks to Judge Brendan Murphy and his staff for helping to draft answers to eviction notices. Thanks to Cobb Douglas Public Health for administering the COVID vaccine on-site.
A special thanks to Cobb County chairwoman Lisa Cupid, county manager Dr. Jackie McMorris, Rep. Erica Thomas and Joyette Holmes for stopping by to show their support. And of course, it would not have been nearly as successful without Deedra Watts and our volunteers.
As a follow up to the event, a number of residents will be interviewed with landlords that will accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Our office received great feedback from the vendors and attendees and it has been requested to host another event in the fall.
Above left and right: Photographs from July 31 cookout that Cobb County Police Precinct 2 police officers had with the South Cobb High School football team in Austell.
Cobb District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield’s newsletter/Special
The Power of Peace Project partnered with the Precinct 2 police officers and Maj. Robert Fisher for a cookout with the South Cobb High School football team at the Tramore Village Apartments in Austell on July 31.
It was a day filled with fun, food, music and games. There was also a cornhole tournament between police officers and the youth. It was no surprise that our athletic team from South Cobb High School won the tournament and have earned bragging rights against our Precinct 2 police officers.
Pictured are photographs of the 2021 Cobb EXCEL Class which provided The Center for Children and Young Adults a play area storage structure and more for their class community project.
Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter/Special
Congratulations to the 2021 Cobb EXCEL class. The class selected The Center for Children and Young Adults for their class community project. The Cobb EXCEL class provided CCYA with a play area storage structure, a new and improved deck, tree removal and a revitalized garden area to provide a horticulture therapy space for children to enjoy. Job well done Cobb EXCEL class of 2021.
-From Cobb County District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter
Pictured is the First Christian Church of Mableton’s volunteer group at the Aug. 5 Meals On A Mission event.
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First Christian Church of Mableton’s volunteers Jaliene and Veronica greet guests at the Aug. 5 Meals On A Mission event.
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Pictured is the First Christian Church of Mableton's volunteers Azia and Jessica loading cars at the Aug. 5 Meals On A Mission event.
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The First Christian Church of Mableton hosted the Aug. 5 Meals On A Mission whereby 91 families were provided with fruits, canned groceries, Post cereals, vegetables, dry groceries, bread and Kenny's Pies. We are thankful to Sweetwater Mission for supplying the food and helping to organize the event. Joseph led the prayer where we remembered our friends who have recently lost loved ones. We have several of our regular volunteers who are going back to college. We will miss them. While we were working, we did our best to display our love to our neighbors who drove through the food line.
- Barry Krebs
Wednesday, Aug. 4
Monica DeLancy with We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association discussing community outreach events with Erin Anderson of After School Break Center at the county’s National Night Out event at Jim Miller Park in Marietta.
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Pictured is Monica DeLancy sharing smiles With Cobb County Sheriff Deputy Melton at the county's National Night Out event at Jim Miller Park in Marietta.
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Pictured is a group heading to the stage to perform at the county's National Night Out event at Jim Miller Park in Marietta.
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The Cobb County Police Department's Community Affairs Department did an excellent job with the county's National Night Out event at Jim Miller Park in Marietta. Fantastic entertainment, great food from the food trucks and great representation from community organizations. We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association was in attendance passing out information about renters assistance and school information. Had a great time supporting our public safety departments. Thank you for your service.
-Monica DeLancy
Tuesday, Aug. 3
Pictured is a group shot of the volunteers and the Ryder Truck used at the July 30 Sweetwater Mission Meals On A Mission event.
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On July 30, Sweetwater Mission hosted a Meals On A Mission event at The Waverly Mobile Home Park in Mableton. Volunteers from the First Christian Church of Mableton, Linked Up Church and Cumberland Christian Church distributed dry goods, bread, Post cereal, canned goods and Kenny's Key Lime Pies to 135 families in the area. Everybody had a great time as we served our neighbors.
Pictured are members of the Prayer Walk For Mableton Schools that took place on July 31.
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Pictured is Tina Daniels, who took part in the Prayer Walker For Mableton Schools on July 31.
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Pictured are Prayer Walker For Mableton Schools volunteers Kim Krebs, Debbie Ginochio, Rose Bailiff, Pat Soden and Pam Williams.
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On July 31, members of the First Christian Church of Mableton participated in the Annual Cobb County School Prayer Walk. They were joined by members from the Mableton Improvement Coalition as well as the HOPE Family Resource Center. Several school principals and teachers joined in as the volunteers arrived to their school grounds.
The morning began with a Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Sweetwater Mission followed by Prayer and Praise Time led by Mableton's own, Nashville recording artist Carl Ray. Members and community leaders then caravanned to nine South Cobb school campuses and took time to pray at each and every flagpole for students, teachers, administrators and families for each school community. It was a great day in Mableton.
-Barry Krebs
Monday, Aug. 2
Pictured are We Thrive volunteers having fun in the Aug. 1 parade.
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Pictured is Pebblebrook High School Mighty Marching Machine in the Aug. 1 parade.
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Pictured is the Cobb County Fire Department engine No. 9 firefighters talking with community members in the Aug. 1 parade.
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Pictured is the Pebblebrook High School band booster president Tarelyn and Maj. Robert Fisher sharing smiles after the Aug. 1 parade.
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Aug. 1 was a fantastic night to honor our brave heroes in the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Safety Department on Riverside Parkway. The Pebblebrook Marching Band led the parade with their music while other civic organizations such as the Mableton Improvement Coalition, South Cobb Lions Club, We Thrive in Riverside, STING Inc, PKOTS followed closely behind. We were happy that the Cobb County Police Department, Fire Department and Library Bookmobile were able to be in the parade as well. QueTV, Get Results Ministry and others decorated their vehicles to join in the festivities. The crowds lined both sides of Riverside Parkway to enjoy this touching tribute to our first responders. Afterwards, we celebrated with ice cream. We very much appreciated We Thrive In Riverside for organizing this terrific event. Thank you to the Thriving Family parade organizers Nikitia Phares, Susan Mealer, Crystal Baugh, Odessa Harris and Brianne Perkins.
- Monica DeLancy
Pictured are volunteers loading cars at the First Christian Church of Mableton's July 29 evening Meals On A Mission.
Grosbin Anturno/Special
Pictured are the volunteers at the First Christian Church of Mableton's July 29 evening Meals On A Mission.
Grosbin Anturno/Special
Pictured are volunteers JaLene, Lithabeth and Calib greeting guests at the First Christian Church of Mableton’s Meals On A Mission event on July 29.
Grosbin Anturno/Special
The First Christian Church of Mableton hosted the July 29 evening Meals On A Mission whereby 75 families were provided with nutrition supplied by Sweetwater Mission including canned goods, dry goods, bread, Post cereal and Kenny's Pies. The volunteers from the church and the South Cobb Lions Club had lots of fun kidding around as we served our guests. We kept Executive Minister Barry Smith's theme in mind to "exercise our spiritual muscles as well as our physical muscles" in distributing food to our friends who drove through the line.
Pictured are South Cobb Lions Club members Ron Kirby and Barry Krebs at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
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Pictured are some paintings at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
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Pictured is the Mascot and some children at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
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Pictured is a participant getting their hair cut at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
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Pictured are Carolyn Turner and South Cobb Lions Club member Barry Krebs at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
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Pictured are Atlanta Firefighters at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
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Pictured are the free Bibles that were available at the July 31 Back To School Festival hosted by Maximum Impact Association of Churches.
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Maximum Impact Association of Churches hosted the July 31 Back To School Festival at the CT Martin Recreation Center with health screenings, vaccinations, arts and crafts, a job fair, live music, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers as well as free back packs and Bibles. It was a great time for everybody-especially the kids. For more information about Maximum Impact, visit www.maximumimpactlove.us.
-Barry Krebs
Friday, July 30
On July 29, Holly Britt and her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, donated care packs to homeless veterans at teh Marietta Veterans Center, 40 Dodd Street in Marietta.
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On July 29, Holly Britt and her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, donated care packs to homeless veterans at teh Marietta Veterans Center, 40 Dodd Street in Marietta.
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On July 29, Holly Britt and her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, donated care packs to homeless veterans at teh Marietta Veterans Center, 40 Dodd Street in Marietta.
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Holly Britt, her seven-year-old daughter, Jade, and the East Cobb Moms in Marietta raised almost $700 from their community to donate care packs to homeless veterans.
On July 29, Holly and Jade meet with James, the director of Marietta Veterans Center, to pass out care packs to those in need and learn more about how Marietta Veterans Center, 40 Dodd Street in Marietta, helps veterans and homeless veterans. The focus is on Vietnam War veteran that need assistance.
Holly's brother is a chaplin in the Air Force Reserves. Her father is a Vietnam War veteran. Holly and Jade were excited to bring home the commemorative 50 year anniversary pin to him. All Vietnam veterans that come are honored with that 50th anniversary pin as a continued thank you for serving the country.
Thursday, July 29
Pictured is a combination photograph showing the school supply drive with KIDS CARE and the Cobb County Police Department at the Cobb Civic Center.
District 2 Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson's newsletter/Special
We had a wonderful time at our fifth Acts of Kindness event - a school supply drive with KIDS CARE and the Cobb County Police Department at the Cobb Civic Center. KIDS CARE is a non-profit that focuses on volunteering in environmentalism and education, created by Jaida Burke and her mother, Amie Burke. Cobb Police Officer Akram and Officer Collum helped organize and attend the event. Thank you to everyone who came out to donate and volunteer for the cause.
Pictured is Cobb County Firefighter Dominic Simone from Squad 16, who rescued a puppy that had fallen into a storm drain.
District 2 Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson's newsletter/Special
Last week, Cobb Fire crews saved this little guy from a storm drain. Some tenants in an adjacent apartment heard something making noise. Truck 8 responded and heard this curious little fella whimpering approximately 15 feet down.
As they were trying to spot the pup they managed to disturb a yellow jacket nest and a couple of the crew were stung a few times.
They tested the air quality in the hole before Firefighter Dominic Simone, Kennesaw’s newest hero from Squad 16, grabbed this mischievous pup with no injuries. The unidentified dog was given to Cobb County Animal Services and he was later reclaimed.
The crews secured the manhole to the storm drain and cleared the scene.
- From District 2 Cobb County Commissioner Jerica Richardson's newsletter
Wednesday, July 28
The International WeLoveU Foundation partnered with Keep Cobb Beautiful on July 25 for a street cleanup of the East-West Connector. Pictured is a group photo of the volunteers that participated in the cleanup.
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Pictured are some of the volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation and Keep Cobb Beautiful's East-West Connector street cleanup on July 25.
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Pictured are some of the volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation and Keep Cobb Beautiful's East-West Connector street cleanup on July 25.
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Pictured is Cobb County Commissioner Monique Sheffield addressing the volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation and Keep Cobb Beautiful's East-West Connector street cleanup on July 25.
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The International WeLoveU Foundation partnered with Keep Cobb Beautiful on July 25 for a street cleanup of the East-West Connector. The partnership is in support of the Clean World Movement that is taking place throughout the nation. 125 volunteers met at the Walmart located at 1133 EW Connector in Austell. The result was 1,200 pounds of litter and four tires removed.
- Colbi Ellison
Pictured is an unidentified child picking a book out from the Cobb Collaborative's sixth Little Free Lending Library, which was dedicated on July 26 and established by BNI Smyrna Business Exchange.
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Pictured are members of the BNI Smyrna Business Exchange, who were present for the July 26 ribbon cutting and dedication of the Cobb Collaborative's sixth Little Free Lending Library.
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With a goal of installing 21 libraries in 2021, the Cobb Collaborative’s sixth Little Free Lending Library was dedicated on July 26 and established by BNI Smyrna Business Exchange.
BNI Smyrna Business Exchange has over 50 members who meet weekly to provide referrals and support to each other's companies. The chapter is participating in a BNI Foundation movement known as Business Voices, an initiative to help schools solve challenges through community support and relationships.
Kay Eller, a BNI Smyrna Business Exchange member, has taken on the role of leading the BNI Smyrna Business Exchange Business Voices program. Through Eller’s outreach, the chapter adopted Fair Oaks Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Cobb County, as their partner school.
Over the last three years, the chapter has provided monetary donations, equipment donations and participated in other events promoting learning at Fair Oaks Elementary. The most recent project is the donation and ongoing support for the Little Free Library, which was installed at a local apartment complex that houses many Fair Oaks Elementary students and their families.
Chapter members were present for the ribbon-cutting of this LFL. The chapter will share in the efforts of keeping the library stocked and maintained in ongoing support of partnering with Fair Oaks Elementary School.
On July 24, H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center in Mableton provided book bags and school supplies at their annual Back to School Bookbag Giveaway. Pictured are Carolyn Turner, Jermaine Jones, Melissa Jones and Sherman Turner.
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H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center in Mableton invested in students from the South Cobb community school system by providing book bags and school supplies on July 24 at their annual Back to School Bookbag Giveaway.
The H.O.P.E. team promotes educational excellence with a desire to assist in advancing the learning experience. Two local students, Jermaine Lamar Jones Jr., a senior at South Cobb High School, and Kiera Aguirre, a sophomore at Pebblebrook High School, received the gift of laptops for their upcoming school year.
H.O.P.E. appreciates the volunteers from the Mableton Improvement Coalition and South Cobb Lions Club who pitched in to make this event a big success. H.O.P.E. can be reached at hopefamily2@gmail.com or 678-310-0525.
On July 24, the Shady Grove Nextdoor.Com group got together with Mableton Improvement volunteers to remove over 20 bags of litter from Old Alabama Road near the Maxham Road intersection in Austell. Pictured are the Steinholdts and Robin and John Ford.
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On July 24, the Shady Grove Nextdoor.Com group got together with Mableton Improvement volunteers to remove over 20 bags of litter from Old Alabama Road near the Maxham Road intersection in Austell. They had lots of fun as they made a difference in their community.
If you are unhappy with the litter in your neighborhood, try getting your neighbors together using the Nextdoor.Com App. It is a great way to meet your neighbors and get your area looking nicer. Dawn at keepcobbbeautiful@cobbcounty.org can provide you with all of the supplies to make your Nextdoor.Com litter clean-up a success.
- Barry Krebs
Monday, July 26
Ralph L. Laughter of Marietta recently gave his 100th blood donation to the American Red Cross.
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Ralph L. Laughter of Marietta recently reached a milestone with the American Red Cross. Laughter, who gave his 100th blood donation, says it has taken him over 15 years to reach this plateau. "It is very rewarding knowing you may have assisted in making someone's life better," Laughter said.
Pictured are volunteers from the First Christian Church of Mableton loading cars on July 22 for the Meals On A Mission event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Pictured are volunteers from the First Christian Church of Mableton loading cars on July 22 for the Meals On A Mission event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
Pictured is a group photo of the volunteers from the First Christian Church of Mableton on July 22 for the Meals On A Mission event.
Grosbin Antunez/Special
The First Christian Church of Mableton hosted the July 22, Meals On A Mission event whereby 78 families were provided with nutrition supplied by Sweetwater Mission which included canned goods, bread, Post cereal, kid's drinks, kid's meals and Kenny's Pies. We enjoyed working as a team as described by executive minister Barry Smith "to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ."
Pictured is a group photo of the volunteers from the Keep Cobb Beautiful and WeLoveU Foundation's litter clean-up on July 25 of the East West Connector and Floyd Road.
Special
Pictured is a small group of the volunteers from the Keep Cobb Beautiful and WeLoveU Foundation's litter clean-up on July 25 of the East West Connector and Floyd Road.
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On July 25, Keep Cobb Beautiful hosted the WeLoveU Foundation litter clean-up of the East West Connector and Floyd Road. The International WeLoveU Foundation brought approximately 120 volunteers from all over Atlanta to participate in this exciting event. Also in attendance were many important Cobb County officials including Commissioner Monique Sheffield and KCB's Dawn Smith who coordinated the event. The International WeLoveU Foundation specializes in environmental causes, disaster relief as well as social, senior and childhood welfare. The young volunteers were full of energy and enthusiasm which was inspiring to everyone involved. They had fun as this was their first Atlanta project since COVID. Together, we removed 63 bags of litter and other debris from the roadways. We appreciate Starbucks who donated a lot of coffee and pastries as well as QuikTrip and Target who donated items as well. For more information, visit https://intlweloveu.org/ and https://weloveuusa.org/.
- Barry Krebs
Pictured are the Thrive campers celebrating the end of summer at Golden Corral on July 23.
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On July 23, The Thrive campers celebrated their end of summer at the Golden Corral. The youth participated in the Thrive activity camp at the Thrive Resource Center at Kingsley Village Apartments in the Riverside community. They enjoyed games, science activities and leadership class. The youth are looking forward to a Thriving School year.
Pictured are the We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association volunteers that participated in the Amerigroup tools for schools event at the Marietta Civic Center on July 24.
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We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association participated in the Amerigroup tools for schools event at the Marietta Civic Center on July 24. Amerigroup did a great job and over 500 students received backpacks and school supplies. We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association gave out information about rental assistance and other resources.
- Monica DeLancy
Friday, July 23
Pictured are the participants in the Thriving Families project celebrating.
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Thank you to the nine families who completed the Thriving families project hosted by We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association.
The families celebrated with a fun event at the Riverside Epicenter on July 21. The official graduation will be Aug. 15.
The thriving families received incentives for completing their goals and rental assistance for completing the six month program. To find out about the next thriving families cohort, contact Monica DeLancy at We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association by calling 770-369-6531 or visiting www.wethriverenters.com.
-Monica DeLancy
Wednesday, July 21
Pictured are H.O.P.E. volunteers Sherman Turner, Cole Jennette, Mike Gilliam and Sheila Thomas.
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H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center Inc., 6108 Mableton Parkway in Mableton, has added kid boxes to their nutritional offerings. On July 20, Cole Jennette and Mike Gilliam from Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church assisted in the delivering, loading and sorting of the boxes.
Cole has a close friend who used to be a recipient of free groceries when his friend fell upon hard times. Now his friend is doing well and volunteers much of his free time to helping others who are in need. He also wanted to thank the Sprayberry and East Lake Chick-Fil-A branches for donating the much needed boxes.
H.O.P.E. encourages both donations and volunteer work. They have been providing groceries to approximately 60 families per week. Their hours are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. They will also be hosting a book bag event on July 24.
Pictured are Thriving Family participants Odessa, Susan, Kie and Crystal with Maj. Fisher adn Maj. Knoblach of the Cobb County Police Department precinct 2 in the Riverside Community during a community walk.
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We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association and Cobb County Police Department preparing for the National Night Out Against Crime parade on Aug. 1.
Volunteers participated in a community walk with Maj. Fisher and Maj. Knoblach from the Cobb County Police Department Precinct 2 in the Riverside Community on July 20. The parade will have participants from the community including all of the public safety departments, Cobb Sheriff's Office and Pebblebrook Mighty Marching Machine will kickoff the parade at 6 p.m. from the South Cobb Recreation Center.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.