Snack in a Backpack holds Mardi Gras event at Merciers Orchard
Community, News February 24, 2019Bringing a taste of New Orleans to the North Georgia Mountains was one goal of Snack in a Backpack (SIAB) organization. Lots of good food, festive music, and camaraderie of fellow Fannin County citizens gathering together to raise money for the SIAB program were a few other goals. Mercier Orchards graciously donated their facility for the gallant evening.
Each weekday Fannin County children are given meals at breakfast and lunch. On weekends many children who rely on school meals might go without nourishing food or not have enough to eat. Snack in a Backpack volunteers begin packing bags with non-perishable, healthy food on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. to ensure children have something to take home for the weekend.
School Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney said while standing in line for the buffet at the nights event, “The hardest decision I ever have to make is to close a school. If I have to delay a school opening, that means a child doesn’t get breakfast. Or if I have close the school for the day, the child does not get breakfast or lunch.”
Guests were treated with a wonderful array of foods on the buffet table cooked by chefs at Merciers Orchards. Food choices included chicken gumbo, shrimp and sausage jambalaya, and black-eyed peas among other snacks and salads. Popular choices of Louisiana cooks during Mardi Gras.
Desserts were made by local bakery artisans at Chester’s,Tonia Ross, and Sweet Shoppe of the South. Ross provided a two-layer sheet cake, Chester’s donated two pies, and Sweet Shoppe delivered cupcakes. All sweets definitely delighted the palates of the guests by the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ being heard in the room.
Attendees visited with each other, made bids for silent auction items on display in one of Merciers sales room while listening to Rollin’ Bones Band playing R & B, rock, and soul music. Winners of generous bids walked away with beautiful prizes and the funds go to Snack in a Backpack.
Mardi Gras themed Bringin’ the Blues to Blue Ridge was the 10th annual fundraiser for Snack in a Backpack.
Event table sponsors were:
- A. D. Frazier Family.
- America’s Home Place.
- Blue Ridge Coin Shop.
- Dickey-McCay Insurance.
- United Community Bank.
- Woodman Life (Richard York).
Volunteers are always welcome to help prepare the weekly bags or to deliver to designated schools. For more information contact Angela Huffstetler, program director at 706-851-8190 or [email protected].
All donations are tax deductible. Personal and corporate donations help keep this much needed program successful and are sincerely appreciated. Donations can be made by cash, check or PayPal.
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Habitat for Humanity Fannin/Gilmer Counties Hosts Orientation Meetings
Community June 27, 2018The local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce it will be hosting orientation meetings to begin the process of selecting a partner family to purchase the next Habitat home, which will be built in Fannin County.
The first step in the search is to make sure everyone who might qualify for a home is aware of the opportunity.
We encourage interested families to attend one of our two orientation meetings. The first will be held on Thursday, July 12th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at United Community Bank’s Community Room in Blue Ridge, and the second will be held on Saturday, July 14th, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Fannin County Senior Center in downtown Blue Ridge.
The meetings are free and will last approximately two hours.
In the orientation meetings, interested families will view a presentation about Habitat and learn about the requirements for becoming a Habitat homeowner. Applications, along with a listing of required documents, will be distributed during the meeting.
Volunteers and partner families build Habitat houses along with contractors, often using donated supplies. Habitat then sells the homes to the partner family. As partner families repay Habitat over a 20-30-year period, their zero-interest mortgage payments go towards funding future builds.
To qualify for a Habitat house, a family must demonstrate three things: a need, ability to pay, and a willingness to partner with Habitat. No children at the meetings, please.
For additional information contact Habitat at 706-455-6603.
Fannin United Community Bank Customer Appreciation event
Business, Community May 4, 2018United Community Bank (UCB) in Fannin County and their friendly staff are always looking for ways to give back and support their local community. If you’re wondering what’s happening at United Community Bank today, it’s customer appreciation day!! Giving back to the community or known to most “tomato plant day” with Better Boy tomato plants.
UCB started giving out tomato plants the first Friday in May in the late 1980’s. UCB in Fannin County alone will give out 15,000 tomato plants.
You know summer is around the corner when it’s tomato plant day at UCB.
Did you know they are also giving away hot dogs? They have the grill hot and will serve about 3,000 hot dogs today.
Check out more pictures from today’s event here!
Community comes to the aid of Open Arms
Community November 30, 2017BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Tragedy brought to the forefront this week a charity that has rarely been spotlighted in our community. Some had heard of The Open Arms Home for Children, but because of the nature of the charity and the need for privacy, awareness of this cause is often overshadowed.
A call came in at 8:36 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, that the home for Open Arms was on fire, and emergency responders rushed to the scene. All of the girls housed at the Open Arms facility, as well as the staff, were able to make it out safely, but the home and personal belongings were devastatingly damaged.
State investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set, and Captain Justin Turner with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a juvenile was in custody. The investigation remains open as more details emerge about the fire.
Peter Knutzen, vice president of Open Arms, did confirm, “A couple of girls involved with the fire, that were in the home, are no longer in the home.”
As with many tragedies, there is a beautiful outpouring of support and love shown in the aftermath. This has been the case with the Open Arms disaster and the support of the community in the wake of the devastation.
“The first responders, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), DFACS (Division of Family and Children Services), and the general community of Blue Ridge and Blairsville and the surrounding area has done an incredible job of responding.” Knutzen began when questioned about the response of the community.
Wal-Mart of Blue Ridge helped the night of the fire with getting the girls the essentials needed for the following days. During their weekly luncheon, the Rotary Club of Blue Ridge, the Blue Ridge Lodging Association, as well as individuals and separate companies, announced monetary donations to be made to The Open Arms Home for Children.
Knutzen showed happiness as he recognized everyone coming together to support this cause. When talking about individuals who have offered help, Knutzen said, “Marines, guys that work with Toys for Tots, they’re going to go up and get everything out of the shed. Rakes, lawnmowers, everything that was not burnt and secure it.”
Knutzen, though deeply saddened by the recent events, displayed optimism when discussing the girls in their care and the future of Open Arms. “These girls are in crisis. They come from crisis. So for them, they are resilient in many ways. We have a wonderful group of girls with us right now,” Knutzen said.
As for how the girls are doing, Knutzen explained, “They feel let down because of what happened. The anxiety now is what happens next. We are assuring them, the best we can, that they are going to stay together. The girls find this home, the home they want to be at.”
Shortly after this interview, word did come from DFACS that the girls would be able to stay together, relieving one of the many obstacles to be faced in the process of rebuilding. In an update on the Open Arms Facebook page, the good news was announced:
“Thanks to DFACS, our girls will remain here together and will continue schooling and extra-cirricular activities in Fannin County. This is a true blessing and for sure an answer to our prayers.”
While the days, weeks, and months to come will be a struggle to this charity as they replace and rebuild, Open Arms would like to the community to know how much their continued support means and how grateful they are. “We have an incredible community that has, and always, responds to crisis,” Knutzen concluded.
If you would like to make a donation or learn more about The Open Arms Home for Children please visit their website at www.oahome.org. Donations can also be made at several locations in Blue Ridge and Blairsville. These locations include: United Community Bank (Main Branch), Blue Ridge Cotton Company and Gather (East Main Street, Blue Ridge), Blue Ridge Cotton Company (Blairsville), Harry Norman Realtors (West Main Street, Blue Ridge) and Old Toccoa Farms (Mineral Bluff).
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“Stuff the Bus for the Kids of Fannin County”
Community July 5, 2017Beginning July 10th, pink and blue paper buses will be on display at various locations in the county (think paper angels at Christmas) with school supplies attached so that people can sponsor students in our area that are not able to afford the necessary supplies. Supplies (with bus attached) can be returned to United Community Bank in Blue Ridge, West Fannin Elementary School, or Fannin County Middle School by July 24th. Let’s “Stuff The Bus” for the kids in Fannin County!
Our Transportation Department will have a bus parked at United Community Bank in Blue Ridge throughout the event.
So far the businesses that will have paper bus displays are:
United Community Bank – Blue Ridge
Silks For Less
Tanglez Salon
Image Salon
Buses can also be picked up by calling me, Deb Cantrell, at 706-632-6100 or by email at [email protected]
United Community Bank says thank you with annual Customer Appreciation Tomato Day
Community May 5, 2017Everyone was welcomed with delicious hot dogs and free tomato plans at United Community Bank’s annual customer appreciation “Tomato Day!”
The weather was damp but the smiling faces brightened the day as the staff at United Community Bank served its customers hot dogs, cold drinks, popcorn and of course the free tomato plants. Customers could sign up for a drawing to win wonderful prizes and enjoy the picnic style meal and have a nice tomato plant to take home.
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United Community Bank told us why they plan this special day: In appreciation of you, our loyal customers, we host our annual Customer Appreciation Day events! From free food and treats to the iconic tomato plant giveaway, it’s just our little way of saying ‘thank you’ for allowing us to serve you!
You can tell from the large attendance this event is truly enjoyed. United Community Bank employees enjoyed getting to know the customers and it was a fun way for the bank to show its appreciation! The bank gave away thousands of tomato plants today!