Spend Summer Break Learning Together

BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

Summer break offers our students and their families more time together, whether on vacation, at the pool or relaxing at home. The break also is an excellent time for students to explore subjects they’d like to learn more about.

One of our favorite resources for summer learning is the Sequoyah Regional Library System. Through a partnership between our school district and the library system, students can use their school identification number to access an EZ Student Access library membership, for checking out books and materials.

The library system boasts an excellent collection of materials for all ages, from picture books, novels and nonfiction to magazines, DVDs, board games, puzzles and backpacks filled with STEM, music and other learning kits. Additionally, the library system offers an outstanding selection of e-books to check out; free passes for day trips, like to Zoo Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium and Georgia state parks; and access to equipment like 3D printers and digitizers.

Every summer, the library steps up its already awesome activity calendar, with even more programs geared toward students. The summer reading program schedule, which is posted at www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org, offers a wide range of choices — from storytimes for littles, to craft classes for elementary and middle schoolers, to special events designed by teens for teens. The library system regularly organizes Beanstack reading challenges for students, with the opportunity to earn incentives for their dedication to reading.

Cherokee County is home to two history museums, perfect for a summer “field trip” the Cherokee County History Center in downtown Canton (https://historycherokee.org/ visit) and the Funk Heritage Center,

Georgia’s Official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center, at Reinhardt University in Waleska (www.reinhardt.edu/ funkheritage). Both museums are open for self-guided tours and regularly offer special programs, with guest speakers and other activities.

The Woodstock Visitor’s Center, in the historic Dean’s Store downtown (https://bit. ly/3KHAsUG), and the Georgia National Cemetery, a majestic final resting place for U.S. veterans in Canton (https://bit.ly/3UAHCie), are two more history-rich sites to considering visiting.

Another field trip idea close to home is visiting one of Cherokee’s outdoor attractions, such as Gibbs Gardens, a 300-acre garden in Ball Ground (https://gibbsgardens. com), or Lake Allatoona, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed destination offering fishing, boating, parks, picnic sites and camping (www.allatoonalake.org).

Cherokee’s county and city parks systems feature numerous parks, trails and facilities for outdoor summer recreation, as well as special events, such as outdoor concerts and farmers markets.

You can learn more about their locations and activities at www.playcherokee.org, https://bit.ly/3JV2Otx and https://bit.ly/43Beb3q.

One of the most popular summer recreation choices is the Cherokee County Aquatic Center, which offers swimming pool access to the community. Mark your calendars for Water Safety Week, June 19-23. Learn something new each day, and participate in The World’s Largest Swim Lesson, June 22, noon-12:30 p.m. Participants will have their names put in the Guinness Book of World Records. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3zX1P8i.

Kenzi Ben

Everyday Angels continues to accept donations in support of families featured in the past. We like to use the summer months to provide our readers with updates on a few of the families featured so far this year.

In April, we featured 3-year-old Kenzi Byess, the youngest of seven, who began having difficulty breathing in February. X-rays revealed that she had swallowed a button battery, and it had lodged in her esophagus, resulting in emergency surgery and weeks spent in the hospital.

Kenzi’s most recent follow-up esophagram showed a pocket where the battery had been lodged, which was expected. The great news is that there are no fistulas or leaking! They will continue to watch closely for scar tissue and the expected long-term effects.

“I would like to thank those who contributed to our family through Everyday Angels and our GoFundMe page. I wish I could say we have recovered completely, but the financial impact has been overwhelming and bills keep coming in. These past six months have been incredibly hard, but we have so much to be thankful for,” Peggy Byess said.

In February we featured Benjamin Thompson. Ben was born with a collapsed trachea, detached esophagus, bilateral blocked nasal passages and clots in his brain. He coded often at the hospital. He spent the first five months of his life in the hospital and was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, a disorder that affects many areas of the body. Ben and his mom, Kris, have spent the past three years in isolation, due to COVID-19 and his weakened autoimmune disorder. “There isn’t one impairment; there are so many. And they all affect the other. Setbacks, infections and UTIs are all roadblocks for his progress,” Kris said.

When we asked for an update, Kris responded: “Ben is still suffering with recurrent infections. Setbacks always have a domino effect with his other conditions, so we continue to battle each day. I wish the news was better, but these four years in isolation feel like eternity. Thank you to all who have generously helped us.”

Meghan and Jason

In March, we shared Jason and Meghan Brunette’s story. In 2011, Jason was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, the same disease that took the life of his mother, aunt and grandmother. His kidney function has deteriorated, and he is now on the long list of 100,000-plus people waiting for a life-saving kidney.

Jason’s wife, Meghan, a nurse, began working with Lifelink of Georgia, an organ procurement organization that assists loved ones who want to be organ donors. She was approved to be a living donor. She is not a match for her husband, so she decided to participate in the Advanced Donation kidney swap program.

On March 15, Meghan successfully donated her kidney to a stranger in her husband’s honor, which moves him up on the living donor list. “If I had three kidneys, I’d donate again tomorrow. My incision is only 2 inches and is healing well. Our wonderful neighbors fed us for three weeks, bringing food every other day, which helped tremendously. We are still waiting for the lifesaving call for Jason. On April 25, we attended the first annual Living Donor Awareness game at the Braves stadium, honoring state Sen. John Albers. I’ve been talking with him about his ‘Gift of Life Act,’ and I’m hoping to be able to work more with him on spreading the word about the tax incentives for living donors. I’ve been asked to be a mentor for future living donors with the Georgia Transplant Foundation.”

We are so proud of Meghan’s bravery and selflessness! We continue to pray for Jason to receive a kidney soon.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels. info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock, GA 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in our community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com.