2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT
A Decade of Empowering Our Community
The Cobb EMC Foundation stands as a testament to our community’s collective spirit of giving. Our mission is to assess the financial needs of charitable organizations and allocate available funds to the benefit of the community and the members we serve.
Our approach is rooted in understanding that every dollar counts, and every decision we make has the potential to create lasting impact. Through this mission, we strive to strengthen our community and uplift those in need.
Operation Round Up Small Change Powers Big Change At the heart of the Cobb EMC Foundation is Operation Round Up, a program built on the belief that small change can yield big impact. For 10 years, Cobb EMC members have been rounding up their bill each month, contributing to a pool of funds that support charitable organizations that serves members within our five-county service area.
Your annual gift may seem small, but when combined with the contributions of your neighbors, it becomes a powerful force for good.
$6.00
Average Annual Gift Per Member
2
2023 Community Impact Report
$11.88
Maximum Annual Gift Per Member
Cobb EMC Foundation Board The Cobb EMC Foundation board, composed of ten members residing in the Cobb EMC service area, oversees the distribution of these funds. As a third-party foundation separate from Cobb EMC, decisions are made based on the availability of funds and the potential community impact of requests.
The Cobb EMC Foundation Board (l to r): Back Row: Cathy Lane, John Golemo, Marlon Longacre (on Stool) Betsy Wade, Paul Letalien, Michele Sutcliffe, John Umphlett (on stool), David Tyler; Front Row: Heather Trainor, Diane Parker
Your Contributions in Action Every dollar contributed through Operation Round Up goes directly to supporting nonprofits that are making a difference in our community. Whether it’s providing meals for those in need, offering educational opportunities, or supporting local arts and culture, your contributions are rounding up hope, opportunity, and possibility for countless individuals within our community.
2023 Total Impact
$914,715 Total Awarded
267
Organizations
Thank you for your continued support and for proving that together, we can make a big impact! 2023 Community Impact Report
3
Public Safety
Jobs
Environment
Philanthropy
Health Education, Schools and Literacy
Arts & Culture
Housing & Shelter
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF IMPACT! Human Services
Families, Children and Youth
4
2023 Community Impact Report
Since 2013, Members Have Contributed $8.6+ Million To Benefit 1,068 Nonprofits
SPOTLIGHT
Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding Empowering Lives Through Equine Therapy Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding uses the transformative power of equine therapy to enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs. Their mission is as noble as it is necessary: they encourage their riders to reach beyond limits, fostering physical, developmental, psychological, and social growth through therapeutic horseback riding. In 2023, the organization faced a devastating setback when a catastrophic barn fire destroyed everything they had built over the past decade. But their resilient spirit shone through and they swiftly moved their horses to a temporary location, ensuring the continuity of their services. The grant funds awarded played a critical role in this effort, enabling them to continue subsidizing therapy sessions and offering full scholarships to riders who would otherwise have been unable to participate in their life-changing program.
“In the face of adversity, the Cobb EMC Foundation’s grant was a lifeline that enabled us to continue our mission. Without the generous contributions of members, we would not be able to impact the local special needs community in the way that we have. Thank you for rounding up!” Dr. Kimberly Oviedo | Founder/Executive Director, Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding
Operation Round Up 2023 Impact
1 Donated Horse Snickers is a barn favorite, who provides approximately 10 lessons per week, or roughly 1/3 of all lessons!
1,594
Lessons Provided/yr (subsidized by the Cobb EMC Foundation)
9
Therapy Horses Total (Started with 1 horse!) 2023 Community Impact Report
5
SPOTLIGHT
Kidz2Leaders Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration
Serving more than 200 community families, Kidz2Leaders (K2L) provides stability, opportunity, and a Christian community for children of inmates. With an unwavering mission to break the cycle of generational incarceration, their decade-long continuum of programming guides these children towards a life of self-sufficiency, joy, and success. The grant funds received were instrumental in supporting K2L’s expanding year-round opportunities, enabling the organization to extend its impact and provide more children with the tools and support needed to rise above their circumstances and rewrite their future. Kidz2Leaders stands as a testament to the power of opportunity, commitment, and transformative programming, proving that with the right support, every child can become a leader.
“We are so thankful for our partnership with the Cobb EMC Foundation and their ongoing support to help make a difference in the lives of the families in our community.” Dan Komitor | Development Director, Kidz2Leaders
Operation Round Up 2023 Impact
Organization’s Overall Impact
99%
of alumni live incarceration-free
84%
Pursued postsecondary education
225
Cobb Families Served 6
2023 Community Impact Report
475+
Family Members Served
1,600
Individuals Served
82%
Live without government support
SPOTLIGHT
Reflections of Trinity Ensuring No Family Goes Hungry Since 2003, Reflections of Trinity has worked tirelessly to transform lives in our community. With a mission rooted in compassion, service and Christ, they strive to meet basic needs by distributing food to those who need it most. In the past year alone, Reflections of Trinity has served an astounding 84,894 individuals and 30,647 families across 45 counties in Georgia with a concentrated impact in Cobb, Douglas, Paulding, Clayton and Fulton counties. During their 2023 Thanksgiving outreach, they served over 1,100 cars and distributed a staggering 230,000 pounds of food— all in four hours! We are proud that the grant funds from the Cobb EMC Foundation have played a pivotal role in enabling Reflections of Trinity to continue their essential work.
“We are grateful to the Cobb EMC Foundation for their generous support, which has been instrumental in our mission to ensure no family in our community goes hungry. Their contribution is more than a donation; it represents a shared commitment to compassion and service, making a tangible difference in the lives of the thousands we serve.” Laurie Wong | Founder and CEO, Reflections of Trinity
Operation Round Up 2023 Impact
84,894 Individuals Served
4M lbs
Food Distributed
Refle Trinit ctions of appr y has serv oxim ed peop ately 7,00 le a 0 since month 2019 !
Organization’s Overall Impact
585,000 17M lbs Individuals Served
Food Distributed
2023 Community Impact Report
7
SPOTLIGHT
SafeAmerica Foundation
Driving Change for Veterans
SafeAmerica Foundation is a lifeline for veterans, providing essential transportation services to medical and mental healthcare appointments. With their VET Tran program, SafeAmerica made a profound impact last year, providing more than 1,000 miles of rides to veterans so they can access the critical care they need. In 2023, the grant funds received from the Cobb EMC Foundation were instrumental in ensuring these vital services continued as demand for them steadily increases. The funds were used to repair two ambulances and further expand its reach to other non-profits and organizations serving veterans in the Cobb EMC service area. Through its dedicated work and the transformative VET Tran program, SafeAmerica is not just driving veterans to their appointments; it’s driving change in their lives, fostering access to healthcare, and honoring the service of those who have given so much for our country.
“Our veterans have selflessly stood on the front lines to safeguard our freedoms. Today, through the VET Tran Program, we stand with them, ensuring they are not left behind. In 2024, thanks to the generous support from the Cobb EMC Foundation, we hope to double the number of rides we provided in 2023.” Len Pagano | President and CEO, SafeAmerica Foundation
Operation Round Up 2023 Impact
1,000
Rides Provided in 2023 8
2023 Community Impact Report
2,000 Ride Goal in 2024
7
Counties Served in Georgia
SPOTLIGHT
Saving Lives America A Lifeline in Our Community Understanding the importance of preparedness, Saving Lives America is dedicated to equipping first responders with life-saving Stop-the-Bleeding kits. These kits are ingeniously designed to keep victims alive until EMS arrives on the scene, providing crucial moments that often mean the difference between life and death. They have touched hundreds of lives in the past two years, empowering first responders with the tools needed during emergency situations. Saving Lives America’s goal is to have a kit in the hands of each first responder in the entire Cobb EMC service area. The organization is also proud to collaborate with Cobb EMC to supply custom kits designed to address the unique safety requirements of electrical-related emergencies. Saving Lives America’s work is a poignant reminder of the power of preparedness. In a world where emergencies are unpredictable, Saving Lives America is making sure that readiness isn’t.
“We estimate that many lives have been saved with the kits that Operation Round Up has generously sponsored. On behalf of our team, our dedicated first responders and those who have been given a second chance at life, thank you to all Cobb EMC members and the Foundation. You’re truly helping save lives!” Tim O’Neil | Founder, Saving Lives America
1,200
Kits Deployed in Cobb EMC’s Service Area
3,000
Total Kits Deployed Across 3 States 2023 Community Impact Report
9
SPOTLIGHT
Students Without Mothers Empowering the Future
Students Without Mothers serves as source of hope and resilience for high school students who have tragically lost their mothers due to death or unfortunate circumstances. This inspiring organization provides scholarships for collegebound high school students, empowering them to overcome personal tragedy and pursue a college education. Thanks to the grant funds received from Operation Round Up, the organization was able to extend its scholarship support to even more students in Cobb County in 2023. But Students Without Mothers doesn’t just stop at providing scholarships. They continue to journey alongside students throughout their college years, consistently checking in to ensure they’re thriving and benefiting from the program. Upon graduation, these students are encouraged to give back to the program through financial aid or volunteering, creating a cycle of support and inspiration.
“Through our mission and scholarship program, Students Without Mothers is changing lives. We are grateful to Operation Round Up and all of the Cobb EMC members for their generous support. With your help, we’re opening doors to bright futures.” Mary Torrence Williams | Founder/Executive Director, Students Without Mothers
Operation Round Up 2023 Impact
Since 2019, students have made the largest gains (43-63%) in: ▹ Decision-Making ▹ Self-Defeating Behaviors ▹ Self-Discovery
122
Total Scholarship Recipients 10
2023 Community Impact Report
▹ Social Engagement/Etiquette ▹ Choosing a College/Major
Illuminating Paths to Success
Previous Cobb EMC Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Each year, we proudly award 14 exceptional high school seniors, who call the Cobb EMC service area home, with the Cobb EMC Foundation Scholarship. Each scholarship is $5,000 and provides a financial springboard that may be used at accredited colleges, universities, or vocational-technical institutions of the recipient’s choosing. This investment in education underscores our ongoing commitment to fostering the growth and development of future leaders within our community.
Do you know a deserving student on the verge of higher education? Encourage them to seize this opportunity for academic advancement. For complete details and application procedures, candidates are invited to visit www.cobbemc.com/foundationedu.
2023 Community Impact Report
11
2023 Grant Recipients 1 Little Meal Inc
Blue Thanksgiving Inc
Connecting Generations - STFCC
10 Women of Hope
Boss Kids, Inc
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America
100 Black Men
Boy Scouts of America
Davis Direction Foundation
911 Memorial Ride
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta
Destiny’s Daughters of Promise
2MyPlace
Brookwood Christian School
Devereux Center
Abundant Living Foundation
Bullock Foundation
Down 7 Up 8 Inc
Act Together Ministries
Caleb’s Cup
Elite Women of Excellence
Adult Disability Medical Healthcare
Calvary Children’s Home
Elm Street Cultural Arts
Adventure Bags
Camp Big Heart
Advocates for Bartow’s Children, Inc
Camp Dream Foundation
Encompass Ministries (Previously Papas Pantry)
ALS Association of Georgia
Camp Kudzu, Inc
Aloha To Aging Inc
Camp Puzzle
Alzheimer and Dementia Foundation
Camp Trach Me Away
Alzheimers Association
Camp Twin Lakes
American Cancer Society
Celebrate Life International
American Foundation for Suicide
Center for Children and Young Adults
American Red Cross
Center for Family Resources
Angel House of Georgia
Chattahoochee National Park Concervancy
Animals Deserve Better, Inc DBA Paws for Life USA
Essential2Life Etowah Scholarship Foundation Facing Adverse Challenges Everyday Socially Family Alliance of Paulding County Family Life Restoration Center F.A.S.K.I.A. Friends and Sisters Keepers In Action Fellowship of Christian Athletes Ferst Readers of Cobb County
Artsbridge Foundation
Cherokee Co Education Foundation
Artz for the Harp Corp
Cherokee Makerspace, Inc
Atlanta Angels
Children’s Development Academy
Atlanta Food Bank
Children’s Haven
Atlanta Growing Leadership of Women “Glow”
Circles Cobb
Foster Siblings Reunited DBA camp to belong
Circuit Runners Robotics
Four Corners
Clubhouse of Atlanta
Friends of Cherokee County Library
Cobb Christmas
Friends of Disabled Adults with Children
Cobb Collaborative Inc
GA Lions Camp for the Blind
Cobb Community Foundation (Cobb Children’s fund)
Garments of Grace
Atlanta Lyric Theatre Atlanta Youth Tennis & Education Foundation Auditory Verbal Center Aviation History and Technology Center Bagel Rescue Bald Nation Rocks Be THE Voice BEATS, Inc Bethany Christian Services Bethany Place Bethesda Community Clinic Better Day Givings Beyond Beautiful Blessings Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding Bless Coalition 12
Chattachoochee Tech College Foundation
Erin’s Hope for Friends
2023 Community Impact Report
Cobb County 4-H Cobb County FOP Charities (Previously Kermit S Sanders Lodge 13) Cobb County Public Schools Education Foundation Cobb County Safety Village Foundation Cobb County Youth Museum Cobb Moms Helping Cobb, Inc Cobb Police Athletic League Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation Communities in Schools of Marietta/ Cobb County
Fitfully Forward FOCUS Foster Care Support Foundation
Georgia Association of Conservation Georgia Community Support and Solutions Georgia Kids Belong Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council Georgia Philharmonic Georgia Police K9 Foundation Georgia Preschool Association Georgia Symphony Orchestra Georgia Transplant Foundation Gift of Music Foundation
Giving Kitchen
Make-A-Wish Georgia
Sheltering Arms
Good Mews Animal Foundation
Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
Sheltering Grace Ministry
Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb
Marietta Fire Fighters Support Fund
Sirens Project, Inc
Good Shepherd Farming Education and Outreach, Inc
Marietta Police Athletic League
Skye Precious Kids
Master Gardeners Volunteers
Smith-Gilbert Gardens Foundation
McKenna Farms
Smyrna Public Safety Foundation
Men Elevating Men
Sober Streets Inc.
Miracle Foundation of Arts and Academics
Special Needs Cobb
HHH Equine, Inc. Habitat for Humanity North Central GA
MUST Ministries
Habitat for Humanity Northwest
New Tenth Foundation
Haven of Help
New Transition to Success, Inc
Helping One Guy
Next Step Ministries, Inc
Helping Other People be Empowered DBA H.O.P.E., Inc
Nobis Works
Goshen Valley Foundation Great Prospects Greater Wealth Works (Prev. The Edge)
Henry Arthur Callis Ed Foundation HIS CAMP dba Camp Gideon Homestretch, Inc Hopedealers Worldwide iHoop Factory, Inc It Starts With Me 2 International Association of African Authors and Scholars Jess Rousey Honoring Heroes Junior Achievement of Georgia Kates Club, Inc. Kennesaw Museum Foundation Inc Kennesaw State University Foundation Kidz2Leaders Inc KidsPeace National Centers KOS Inc. La Amistad Inc Lake Allatoona Association Laurel’s Edge Lekotek of Georgia Life Circle 72 LIFT2 Enrich, Inc Lifelearning Community Center Live 2 Create Foundation Network LiveSafe Resources (formerly YWCA) Loving Arms Cancer Outreach Inc MDE School of East Cobb
Operation Appreciation Optimize The Vizion Our Giving Garden Papayago Rescue House Paulding Child Advocacy Center Paulding County 4-H Pearls of Esther PORCH Marietta Positive American Youth Power of Peace Initiative Project Keep’em Off the Streets Rachel’s Gift Inc Reflections of Trinity Revved Up Kids RISE Employee Fund Inc Rise Up Road Trip Home Animal Rescue Safe America Foundation SAFE Place SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center Salvation Army Saving Lives America Second Helpings Atlanta Ser Familia, Inc Serenade Heights Service League of Cherokee Cty
Special Needs Development Group Special Needs Respite, Inc Special Olympics of Georgia St Vincent De Paul STING Inc. Strides Horse Park TEMS Students Without Mothers Sunshine on a Ranney Day Sweetwater Mission Tahirih Justice Center The Drake House The Extension The STEAM Generation, Inc Timothy’s Cupboard Together We Care Top Dogg K9 Foundation Transformations by Atlanta Angels Unite Homeschool Support Network Upper Etowah River Alliance Urban League of Greater Atlanta Vision Rehabilitation Services of Ga VISIONful Communities Waymark (Kids Cubed) We Thrive Riverside Renters Association Wellspring Living Wellstar Foundation Wildlife Action Inc Women in Technology Young Women Crush Cancer Youth Villages ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer Zion Keepers, Inc
Share the Love Outreach Organization, Inc 2023 Community Impact Report
13
The Cobb EMC Foundation administers Operation Round Up funds to local nonprofits with outreach programs benefiting members in Cobb EMC’s service area, which includes Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Fulton and Paulding counties. For more information and testimonials, please visit cobbemc.com/foundation.