Charity Gala Scores Big for Those in Need

Before Peachtree Corners officially became a city, the Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) was established as a business membership organization that focuses on innovative approaches, programs, shared resources, community outreach and opportunities for member businesses and professionals to connect, develop, grow and prosper.

According to its website, the PCBA is made up of businesses of all sizes and types that want to expand their reach and grow their business within Peachtree Corners and the greater metro-Atlanta area. Spreading the love and funds

PCBA has a dedicated philanthropic side. To continue that part of its mission, the organization dedicated its 10-year anniversary celebration as a fundraiser for three specific charities.

Paint Gwinnett Pink 5K is a celebration of survivorship while raising awareness and funds for breast cancer programs at Northside Hospital Gwinnett. Funds support cancer patients in Gwinnett County by providing improved access to cutting-edge imaging technology for earlier diagnosis, mammograms, transportation and other assistance needed for cancer treatments. This year’s PCBA donation will go to the installation of additional imaging units.

PCBA will present Paint Gwinnett Pink 5K with a check in October to coincide with its major event — the largest 5K supporting breast cancer in Gwinnett County. The annual Paint Gwinnett Pink 5K Walk/Run is held at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. The 2022 event is set for Saturday, October 15.

A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club provides an environment where all youth can feel safe and secure to dream, discover and develop. The staff works with hundreds of kids and teens each year to help them reach their full potential. The focus is on helping kids succeed in school, live healthy and become leaders through a variety of programs.

The programs include: culinary arts and gardening, STEM Club, Creative Coding, a music studio with music production, a photography club with film production, visual and performing arts, fashion and design, a creative writing and comic book club, a science club, career bound programs, Diplomas to Degrees program, tutoring and homework support, Toastmasters, sports, character and leadership development clubs.

PCBA will present a check to A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club in November.

Corners Outreach is a non-profit equipping Atlanta’s under-served students of color and their families to lead full lives though educational

By Arlinda Smith Broady Photos by Richard Phillips

development and economic opportunities. Corners Outreach offers three paths to impact the community: volunteering, donating and becoming a customer, according to its website.

All three paths change lives and are accomplished through Corners Academy (early learning, elementary tutoring, teen development), workforce development (basic needs, life skills, job skills, educational advancement), family engagement (adult workshops, food assistance, health services) and Corners Industries and Staffing (sustainable living wage, career advancement certification).

PCBA will award a check to Corners Outreach in November.

Opposite page, l to r, check for Because One Matters – Allison Reinert, Monte McDowell, Lisa Proctor, Toby Anderson, Kati Tait, Matt Childs, Donna Linden (Kati is with Because One Matters) Middle row down, l to r, Paint Gwinnett Pink Gwinnett Medical Center – Cindy Murphy and Jennifer Griffiin with Paula Fine (Trinity Life at Home) L to r, Lawrence Mims A Worley Brown Boys and Girls Club Row on right, top down, l to r, Jahara Martin (Atlanta Marriott), Jaqita Goodman (Atlanta Marriott), Lori Mullee (Servpro of Norcross), Shivan Stewart (Atlanta Marriott), Julie Davis (Peachtree Corners Magazine) L to r, Juan Orengo, Suzanna Martinez, Cari Mask, Fredrick Mask L to r, Cornhole Winners – Thomas Freese and Jeff Fairchild with Monte McDowell (Cornhole Captain) and Disc Jockey Gary Braner (Music to Remember) L to r, Larry Campbell (Corners Outreach); Matt Childs and Andrew Henry (Childs Company)

Because One Matters receives check

During the charity gala, PCBA awarded a check to Because One Matters for $500. Those funds will be used for the Because One Matters’ “Wrapped in Love” Foster Closet to allow foster parents and parents from underserved households to shop — free — for new and gently used clothing items.

The Wrapped in Love Closet aims to provide the children with the gift of hope for a better future and show them that their community supports and loves them. Funds will be used to purchase new underwear, socks, gloves and scarfs.

“We help foster kids transition into their new norm,” said Program Manager Kati Tait. “Of course, some kids don’t come with anything. Sometimes they have to rush and grab everything in a plastic bag or a trash bag. What we do is we step in and provide these brandnew things that they can call their own, and it restores dignity within that child.”

Tait thanked PCBA for its generous support monetarily, but also by getting the word out about its services and its needs. “I’m glad to connect with anyone who wants more information. And for those that I did connect with, I want to thank you once again for your support.” Thanks to the sponsors

Of course, the gala wouldn’t have been possible without sponsorship from many in the community.

PCBA president Lisa Proctor thanked them all: ■ Childs Company ■ City of Peachtree Corners ■ The Forum ■ First Horizon (Bank) ■ Sanford Rose Associates –

Lake Lanier Islands ■ ALR Marketing Solutions ■ DRG – Diversified Resource

Group ■ Hancock Askew & Co ■ Strong Gaddy Lee ■ IP Investment Group ■ Forsyth Business Radio X ■ Paradigm Security Services ■ Imagination Construction

Many items were donated to PCBA to raise funds through their auction. The hottest selling items of the night included: ■ The Solo Stove Fire Pit, donated by Michael Pugh at

Thompson O’Brien, ■ The Ninja 10QT “Smart

Cooking” Air Fryer, donated by Lisa Proctor, Sanford Rose

Associates – Lake Lanier

Islands, ■ The Firebirds Wood Fired

Grill gift basket, ■ Kroger Gift Cards, ■ Buff City Soap gift baskets, ■ Hilton Romantic Pampered

Night, ■ The Marriott Weekend

Getaway, and ■ The Andretti Indoor

Karting & Games Family

Pack. Second chance

Anyone who missed out on the excitement still has an opportunity to help the effort. There is a second chance auction that includes last-minute donated items that did not make it in time for the Sept. 22 event, as well as items that did not sell when the silent auction closed. Many items are available for shipping.

“We are still tallying the numbers and have some great items still available on ‘second chance,’ including tickets to the 20th anniversary season opener of the Atlanta Gladiators,” said Proctor. “The Kroger gift cards available can be used for food and gas and will still give money to a good cause. We also have VIP tickets to experience the College Football Hall of Fame.”

The second chance auction is available through Oct 13. Find it at charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/pcba-celebrating-10-years-and-touchdowns-33153.

Or text the word “PCBA” to 88793 – this gives you a quick way to find it in your text messaging and will be where you receive notices of being outbid or other silent auction updates.

Clicking on the link from your phone will allow you to save the URL to your phone’s home page to get there quickly for fast bidding and checking out new items.

“We are excited right now to bring in extra dollars into our community as we have people who watched our sites from New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, California, Texas and other areas outside Georgia,” said Proctor. “A couple of items had bids from people outside our community who believe in what we are doing.”

She added that the last-minute sales will not prevent PCBA from awarding checks to the three charities. “The additional funds will allow us to increase the funds we actually award to the charities and go into the general fund towards things like scholarships for next year,” Proctor added.

Also, the centerpieces from the evening are still available for purchase from Christi Mathews Design (CMD). CMD will donate all the sales from those items to PCBA’s charity event. Anyone interested can contact Christi at christi@christimathewsdesigns. com. ■

Far left column top down, l to r, Silent Auction Sponsors Childs Company Matt Childs, Andrew Henry and their guests L to r, Suzanna Martinez and Juan Orengo L to r, Donna Linden and Riema Cummings Above, l to r, Jaqita Goodson, Atlanta Marriott representing UGA in cornhole Left, Eric Christ includes DJ Gary Braner

Pets & their People 2022

If we’re honest, the animals in our lives are more than just pets. They’re companions, family members, sometimes even soulmates. That’s why Peachtree Corners Magazine takes the time and holds the space to celebrate our non-human friends each year.

The 2022 Pets and Their People Giveaway attracted a lot of submissions. We loved looking through all the photos that were sent our way.

Congratulations to the lucky three winners. Our generous local sponsors make sure they’ll get special treats. And we look forward to even more enjoyable pet and people photos next year.

Grand Prize

▲ Grand prize goes to 14-year-old Elizabeth Barrett, a 9th grade student at Wesleyan, and Millie, an Australian Labradoodle from SkyeDoodles in Marietta, @millie_marshmallow21. They’ve won five days free boarding at Camp Woof in Norcross, a $100 gift card from Pet Wants in Johns Creek and a $200 Visa gift card. Third Prize

► Third prize is claimed by Melanie Willenborg, with daughters (L to R), Morgan, a 5th grader at Simpson ES, and Whitney, an 8th grader at Pinckneyville MS. Their horse Macaroni is a Dutch Warmblood that joined their family this past summer. They’ll receive a $100 gift card from Pet Suites of America in Norcross, a $100 gift card from Puppy’s Paradise and a $50 Visa gift card. Second Prize

◄ Second prize is awarded to Kimberly Madera, with Boba, a mini Goldendoodle, shown with her husband Brandon Endy. Their prize includes a $100 gift card from Pet Suites of America in Norcross, a $250 gift card from Jillian’s Fetch + Sketch Dog Training and a $100 Visa gift card.

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