Local News

Community Food Fleet Comes to an End

After 15 months, the Cobb Community Food Fleet operations ended last month. Starting in May 2020, a group of nonprofits, churches, businesses and government entities was responsible for the receipt and distribution of 168,000 boxes of food 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 included 14 organizations that picked up the food from Truist Park, the Galleria, the Cobb Energy Centre and Sweetwater Mission, and delivered it to more than 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 never was lacking.

The effort was a joint initiative of Cobb Community Foundation and Noonday Association of Churches. Costs largely were underwritten by the Atlanta Braves organization, which also contributed the use of the stadium’s 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 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 central distribution centers at easily accessible facilities, with subsequent deliveries throughout the entire county being handled by others. 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 county commission earlier this year, which allocated $1.5 million of American Rescue Plan funding for the purchase of food by Cobb nonprofits.

Cinthia Perez

Kennesaw Native Serves Aboard USS Tripoli

Seaman Cinthia Perez, a 2019 Kennesaw Mountain High School graduate who joined the Navy two years ago, serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate aboard the USS Tripoli, the Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, homeported in San Diego.

“I made the decision to join the Navy for travel and education opportunities,” Perez said. “In Kennesaw, we are all about helping each other, so I try to do that here, too. I do my job and I stay humble.”

USS Tripoli incorporates key components to provide the fleet with a more aviation-centric platform. The design features an enlarged hangar deck, realigned and expanded aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowing parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.

“The sailors aboard this ship have been given an enormous task — get this ship ready,” said Capt. John Kiefaber, Tripoli’s executive officer. “They brought this ship to life in the midst of a pandemic, and continued to operate it safely and effectively, rising to every occasion. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Serving in the Navy means Perez is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“We protect the seas and help keep peace,” Perez said. “We also help other countries when they need our help.”

With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

“I was the first in my family to graduate from high school and the first to join the military,” Perez said. “Graduating boot camp and having the opportunity to serve my country gives me a strong sense of pride.

“Serving in the Navy means that I’m able to help protect my country and help people in need,” Perez added.

13th Annual Diaper Day Announced

The Cobb Diaper Day Committee will hold its 13th annual Diaper Day virtually, due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic. The community-wide effort to collect diapers for low-income families is occurring throughout October. Organizations, companies and individuals are encouraged to donate to the Barbara Hickey Children’s Fund (managed by Cobb Community Foundation), purchase diapers through the Cobb County Diaper Day Amazon Wishlist, and hold diaper drives.

The community-wide collection dates are Oct. 13, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Oct. 27, 4-6 p.m. at Cobb EMC Solar Flower Garden in Marietta.

All diaper donations will be given to the Cobb Douglas Public Health Teen Pregnancy Program, Communities in Schools of Georgia in Marietta/Cobb County, LiveSafe Resources, MUST Ministries, Ser Familia, Simple Needs GA, South Cobb United, Sweetwater Mission and the Center for Family Resources, for distribution.

The Cobb Diaper Day Committee was founded by the late Barbara Hickey to assist low-income families in Cobb County. This year’s goal is to donate more than 100,000 diapers. To donate online, visit www. cobbdiaperday.com, where you also can learn more about the Diaper Day Committee.

Participants practice how to climb back into their kayaks if they capsize in the middle of a lake.

River Network Offers Safety Classes

After initial offerings sold out quickly, Georgia River Network (GRN) added introductory kayaking and water safety classes at the end of September, to help train new paddlers who are finding their way to rivers and lakes as an outdoor escape from the pandemic.

Recent increases in paddle sports participation have resulted in more accidents and fatalities. GRN wants to help paddlers enjoy the state’s waterways safely. One of the class offerings, Rescue for Rec Boaters, is the first comprehensive safety and rescue class offered for lake and Class I river paddlers in this region.

“The pandemic spawned an explosion in interest in paddle sports,” said GRN Paddle Georgia Coordinator Joe Cook. “Kayaking, in particular, has really taken off. We want to help folks paddle safely, whether joining our trips or leading their own.”

Founded in 1998, Georgia River Network is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the voice of Georgia’s rivers, and which works to empower everyone to enjoy, connect with and advocate for economically vital and clean flowing rivers. Visit https://garivers.org/grn-events for upcoming events.

Commissioners Honor Garrett

On Aug. 24, Lucinda Garrett was honored by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners for her 30 years of service to Cobb County Community Services Board (CCCSB) and the greater Cobb community. Garrett started with CCCSB on Aug. 1, 1991, and is the residential services coordinator for the Mothers Making a Change program.

Lucinda Garrett is joined by fellow CCCSB team members to celebrate.

Cassie Mazloom Kimberly White Tara Riddle

Cobb Employees Recognized for Achievements

Each year, LiveSafe Resources selects 15 Women of Achievement for exemplifying qualities of leadership, achievement, dedication and generosity. More than 500 female community leaders in our area have been honored with this award. The year’s honorees then are recognized at LiveSafe Resources’ annual Tribute to Women of Achievement and are inducted into the Academy of Women Leaders.

LiveSafe Resources recently selected three well-deserving Cobb County employees to be honored as a 2021 Woman of Achievement: Cassie Mazloom, director of the Cobb Emergency Management Agency; Kimberly White, executive director of Keep Cobb Beautiful; and Tara Riddle, Probate Court judge.

Mazloom has dedicated time to helping All Hands-on, an organization that focuses on disaster training for the deaf community. She also works with the American Red Cross and Cobb County Emergency Management volunteers and the volunteer search and rescue team.

White implemented the first countywide Hefty Energy Bag program in North America and is a site supervisor for AmeriCorps’ Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program. She also was awarded the Keep Georgia Beautiful Executive Director of the Year Award.

Riddle has volunteered with, and was managing attorney for, Cobb County Legal Aid while serving as gala chair and fundraiser for MUST. She was awarded the Jack Vaughn Human Services Award for going above and beyond to serve those in need.

For more information on LiveSafe Resources, visit livesaferesources.org.

Brubaker Appointed to Neighborhood Safety Commission

Brett Brubaker is one of the new Neighborhood Safety Commission members, serving the citizens of Cobb County and Commission District 1, which includes West Cobb.

Brubaker has lived in District 1 since 1994. He attended John McEachern High School, served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, spent five and half years as a Cobb County Police officer, seven and a half years as a criminal investigator with the Cobb County Solicitor General’s Office under Barry Morgan, and graduated from Kennesaw State University. He is manager of information technology/ cyber security with the Genuine Parts Co., based in Cobb County.

Brubaker joins Rick Rubio and Chairman Jeff Wood as members of District 1’s Neighborhood Safety Commission.

Brett Brubaker

Chairwoman Honored as 2021 Woman of Distinction

Congratulations to Cobb County Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, who was named the 2021 Woman of Distinction last month during the Cobb Chamber’s Marquee Monday event.

The Cobb Chamber’s Cobb Executive Women Program has presented this award since 1991 to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her professional endeavors, community involvement and social responsibility.

Cupid was elected as Cobb County chairwoman in 2020, after serving on the commission for eight years, representing District 4. She is an attorney and former mediator, policy analyst and manufacturing process engineer.