Housing for transplant patients

BROOKHAVEN

Foundation offers affordable housing for transplant patients and caregivers

BY BETH E. CONCEPCIÓN

Mary Evans showed Becky Merrill around the two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in a complex that sits on the Brookhaven city line. “The kitchen has everything you need,” Evans said as she opened the cabinets.

“That’s good because my passion is cooking,” Merrill said.

Evans could have been an Airbnb host welcoming a guest, but the truth is more complicated than that: Merrill will be staying in one of seven apartments offered by the Jeffrey Campbell Evans Foundation, a foundation set up to provide affordable lodging for transplant patients and their caregivers.

Merrill’s brother Richard received a double-lung transplant May 26 at Emory Transplant Center. Merrill will be taking care of him in the foundation’s apartment for at least four weeks after he is discharged. Merrill lives in Acworth, but she and her brother need to live close to Emory while he recovers.

“You are my passion, not your brother,” Evans said to Merrill. “We know what it’s like to be a caregiver, and it’s not easy.”

Evans knows all too well. In fact, the foundation was born out of grief after the death of her son, the foundation’s namesake.

Evans’ son Jeffrey Campbell Evans was 23 when he fell ill with an unknown virus that attacked his heart. Within five days of contracting the virus, his heart had ballooned to the size of a soccer ball and lost 80 percent of its function.

“I’ll never forget passing someone in the hospital looking at X-rays,” she said. “I heard, ‘Oh my God! Whose heart is this?’ It was Jeff’s.”

Her son spent three years on the transplant list before he passed away from cardiomyopathy and its various complications.

“There’s always a hole in your heart,” Evans said. “The grieving process never ends.”

Nearly 10 years later, Evans said she was sitting at her kitchen table when she had an epiphany. She remembered what it was like when Jeff had to live no more than 10 miles away from the hospital while on the transplant list.

“The bills at home don’t stop,” Evans said. She decided to start a foundation to help caregivers with affordable housing. She told her husband Bob and their other son Brad about her idea. “’Let’s go for it!’ they said,” according to Evans.

They opened the first apartment in 2017, sourcing all the furnishings from flea markets and estate sales. Four years later, there are seven apartments, all in the same complex. The foundation provides the residences at low cost or no cost to those who qualify for financial assistance through the Georgia Transplant Foundation.

Evans said she has even bigger plans. “We want to have a standalone transplant house in Atlanta to help more people.”

Evans is raising money now, with the hope to begin construction in less than two years in Brookhaven’s Executive Park.

There definitely is a need. More than a thousand transplants were performed in Georgia last year, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The foundation has helped 132 patients and their caregivers since launching. More than 70 percent of these families made the trek to Emory for aftercare. About 20 percent commuted just down the street to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The final 10 percent are affiliated with Piedmont Hospital.

For Merrill, the apartment will be perfect for her and the rest of her family to care for her brother.

“This is an answer to prayers,” she said. “That’s what this is.”

Mary Evans (right) and Bob Evans greet caregiver Becky Merrill. (Beth E. Concepción)

Mary Evans (left) shows caregiver Becky Merrill all the kitchen supplies in the apartment provided by Jeffrey Campbell Evans Foundation for Transplant Housing. (Beth E. Concepción)

Brookhaven city clerk wins award

The Georgia Municipal Clerks Association has awarded Brookhaven City Clerk Susan Hiott the 2021 “Clerk of the Year” award.

Hiott, who has worked for the city since 2013, received the award at the association’s annual meeting in Savannah, Ga.

Before Brookhaven, Hiott served as the first clerk for the city of Roswell.

Hiott’s accomplishments include being the first clerk in the state to receive Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2008. She served as the president of the Georgia Municipal Clerk Association in 2010, and she holds a master’s degree in business administration. “We already knew that Susan Hiott was the best in the business, and now the rest of Georgia knows it too,” said Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst. “From day one of Cityhood, Susan Hiott has set the standard for leadership, customer service and quality of work. We are elated that GMA has recognized her achievements, as Susan has earned this distinction.”

John Funny resigns as social justice commission chair

After qualifying as a candidate for Brookhaven’s City Council election, John Funny resigned from his role of chairman of Brookhaven’s Social Justice, Race, and Equity Commission.

Funny announced his resignation during the commission’s Aug. 19 meeting. The city established the commission in September 2020 in response to last summer’s national outcry around social justice and police brutality. The commission is tasked with recommending improvements to the city’s vision and mission statement, city hiring and retention practices, procurement and contracting, and policing.

Funny thanked the mayor and council for selecting him to lead the commission and all of the commissioners for their work over the past year. “I am grateful for the opportunity afforded me over the past year, to learn from you,” he said. “My hope is that I was able to likewise allow you to learn a little something or two from me.” Tywana Minor is the new chair of the city’s Social Justice, Race, and Equity Commission. — SAMMIE PURCELL

Brookhaven approves contract for community green

BY SAMMIE PURCELL

The Brookhaven City Council has approved a $391,676.88 contract with Integrated Construction and Nobility to begin work on Murphey Candler Park’s community green project.

The council approved the contract during an Aug. 24 meeting. The community green project is part of the city’s $40 million park bond, which voters approved in 2018.

After tree cutting earlier this year, some residents expressed concern over the decision to put parking on Horseshoe Road, also known as “the loop road.” Residents also expressed concern over the community green project, fearing it would be more like an amphitheater and bring more traffic to the park.

City officials have previously stated that the community project will not include an amphitheater and is not intended for large crowds or concerts.

Brookhaven resident Pamela Burnett spoke on behalf of residents who are looking to keep parking out of the loop road.

“We keep getting the answer that you are doing the loop road because it was what the voters approved and it can’t be changed,” she said. “Virtually every project in the bond has changed ...so your stock answer is ridiculous, and quite frankly, insulting.” Councilmember Linley Jones, whose district includes Murphey Candler Park, put her full support behind the project. “To the extent that any changes we would make will change the fundamental character of providing what our bond promised, which was parking on the Horseshoe, we cannot do that,” Jones said.

Parks Bond Program Manager Lee Croy said work should begin in four to five weeks, and the contract allows for up to a four-month build.

BEAT THE TRAFFIC AND HIT THE TRAIL ON AN E BIKE

LARGEST IN-STOCK INVENTORY IN GREATER ATLANTA

E-Bike and Accessories Sales and Service in Brookhaven ElectroBike Georgia

2484 Briarcliff Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30329 www.electrobikega.com

Bicycle and E-Bike Rentals, Sales and Repairs on the Beltline Atlanta Bicycle Barn

151 Sampson Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30312 www.atlbikebarn.com

Pictured left to right: MaryJane LeCroy, CFP®, Bill Kring, CFP®, and Phillip Hamman, CFA, CFP®

LINSCOMB & WILLIAMS IMAGINE FINALLY FEELING CONFIDENT ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE

Let Linscomb & Williams’ financial planning and investment management help you build, protect and manage your wealth, no matter what life brings your way.

•Real advice. We’re a fee-only, fiduciary advisor. We don’t sell any products or get paid on commission. Instead, we simply give you advice that’s in your best interest, always. • Unparalleled experience. When your future is at stake, experience matters.

Our senior staff members have an average of 22 years of experience. • Full service. With a team from multiple professional backgrounds, we work together with you and your other professionals to maximize and protect your wealth. • Expertise that helps you do better. Insightful tax and estate planning strategies can enhance your financial outcome without additional risk. Our advisors are finance and investment professionals, but many also hold advanced degrees or certifications in accounting or law. • C Cost-effective, transparent fees. We provide our complete service for one simple, transparent fee so you can keep more of your money working for you.