Acts of Kindness: Stories of the community helping one another during the pandemic
Jan. 3—In times like these, the good in people shines.
Since March 2020, the MDJ has been reporting on acts of kindness, goodwill and generosity during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you know of an instance of benevolence — on any scale — and are willing to share with MDJ readers, tell us your story.
Send an email to mdjnews@mdjonline.com with the subject line: Act of Kindness.
Monday, Jan. 3
The Books For Africa, a nonprofit with a warehouse at 1491 Cobb Industrial Drive, Building B in Marietta, will ship over 100,000 books to schools and libraries in Somalia and Somaliland this week.
The books have been donated by people in Georgia, Minnesota and across the country to help the students in Africa. The books will be trucked to the port of Savannah and shipped to the port of Berbera, Somalia in five 40-foot containers. The shipment is being supported in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense's Funded Transportation program. The program provides logistical support to nonprofits in conjunction with the State Department.
The book drive was organized by the Tima-Ade Foundation.
The organizations receiving the books include the Gabiley National Library, a brand-new library where 55,000 books from BFA will help fill up the shelves. Other recipients include the Center for African Peace and Research in Bosaso; the East Africa University in Puntland and the Marodi Relief Organization in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
For more information, visit https://www.booksforafrica.org.
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The Partnership, located at 1100 Circle 75 Parkway SE, Suite 930 in the Cumberland area, announced they provided nearly $30,000 in financial support for community programming and initiatives across the Southeast.
Heavily engaged in volunteerism and philanthropy, The Partnership focused support during 2021 on higher education, elementary school programming, non-profits, and youth development organizations. Selected organizations initiatives provided scholarship support, life-skill trainings, educational, and behavioral services, with a majority servicing underserved communities of women and at-risk youth affected by homelessness, unemployment, and challenged hardships.
Organizations supported by The Partnership included the University of West Georgia, Sanders Elementary School in Austell, Down 7 Up 8 Inc., and the Georgia Middle School Athletic Association.
For more information, visit www.ThePartnership.com.
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Thursday, Dec. 30
On Dec. 19, Superior Court Judicial candidate Taneesha Marshall co-sponsored a successful local children's event with Cobb County Judge Robert E Flournoy III and others. The event, "Christmas for Cobb's Kids," hosted over 50 families who received gift cards, participated in activities and crafts, and enjoyed snacks with Santa.
As the event left a surplus of Christmas cheer, Marshall and Judge Flournoy donated the remaining gift cards to the Center for Children & Young Adults in Marietta, which caters to at-risk homeless youth, and to LiveSafe Resources, an organization which helps families impacted by domestic violence.
A former staff attorney for Judge Flournoy with 20 years of state and federal legal experience, Marshall is a steadfast community advocate who dedicates her free-time to giving back to the county she and her family call home. She is running for Judge Flournoy's soon-to-be-vacant seat and will appear on the ballot in 2022.
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Wednesday, Dec. 29
Credit Union of Georgia employees volunteered to ring the bell for The Salvation Army at Kroger in Kennesaw for an entire week.
Their efforts and Doing the Most Good spirit paid off as they raised over $2,800. Along with this total, the credit union contributed an additional $2,500 bringing the grand total of funds raised to help individuals and families in the community to over $5,300.
For more information, visit www.CUofGA.org or www.salvationarmyusa.org.
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Tuesday, Dec. 28
Thank you to the We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association volunteers for cleaning Riverside Parkway in Austell. On Dec. 27, 32 bags of litter were collected.
We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association hosted a holiday party for Lexington Properties residents and a toy giveaway in partnership with STING Inc. on Dec. 23 at the Riverside Epicenter. The residents enjoyed bowling, an arcade, a toy giveaway and a special visit from Santa Claus. Thank you to Lexington Properties for community partnership and to the holiday planning committee and volunteers from STING Inc. and The HOPE Club from South Cobb High School.
-Monica DeLancy
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Monday, Dec. 27
Sweetwater Mission hosted the Dec. 21 Meals On A Mission in a new location, The Village Apartments off Six Flags Road in Austell. Volunteers from the Lions Club and the First Christian Church Of Mableton helped serve 137 families with frozen turkeys, milk and frozen dinners. We met some really nice people and the apartment management team was terrific. We hope to conduct additional events at their location.
On Dec. 22, Sweetwater Mission delivered 200 frozen turkeys to our Sheriff's Department. Later in the day, they delivered 110 frozen turkeys to Precinct 2 police and fire fighters. Hopefully, they will have a chance to relax and enjoy the holidays.
H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center is a designated Toys For Tots destination providing gifts for over 150 children up to 12 years old. They also accepted donations and supplied 60 coats, 32 pairs of shoes, clothing, suits, jewelry and small household items to approximately 50 adults. It was clear to everyone involved that the people who came by the center were in need of help and were very grateful for the efforts of H.O.P.E. Family Resource Center.
-Barry Krebs
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Thursday, Dec. 23
The family volunteer group Little Helpers of Atlanta teamed up with The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta recently to help raise money for the Red Kettle campaign. Families from Roswell, Marietta, Lawrenceville and Kennesaw rang the bell, sang holiday carols and even played musical instruments to encourage shoppers to donate.
To be a bell ringer or donate to the campaign, visit www.salvationarmyatlanta.org.
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Wednesday, Dec. 22
Pastors John and Aventar Gray, parishioners and friends distributed toys to the community on Dec. 15 at Relentless Church on Macland Road. Kids received toys, played video games, showed off their arts and crafts skills, took photos at the 360-selfie booth and filled their tummies with yummy treats. The atmosphere was festive with lots of smiles and Christmas cheer. A heartfelt thanks to Pastors John and Aventar Gray for their support and sharing Relentless' first Christmas with the residents of Powder Springs.
Old St. Nick dropped by the Ron Anderson Recreation Center on Dec. 18 to deliver toys and bikes to his helpers at the Powder Springs Community Taskforce. Congratulations to the team for hosting their 7th Annual Giving Hope for the Holidays event and spreading Christmas cheer, gifts and toys to the youth in west Cobb.
Powder Springs resident and candidate for Superior Court Judge of Cobb County, Taneesha Marshall recently hosted her annual Christmas for Cobb's Kids event along with Judge Robert E. Flournoy III, Santa and his helper. The event at the Play Bistro & Desserts restaurant on Powder Springs Road in Marietta was a great day of fun for the District 4 youth as they munched on some of their favorite cookies and cupcakes, gave instructions to Santa on where to hide their gifts, designed their own ornaments and received an early Christmas gift from Santa. They all promised not to be naughty ... at least not before Christmas. Thank you Taneesha for your community outreach and helping to make Christmas magical.
-District 4 Cobb County Commissioner Monique Sheffield's newsletter
