Get our e-newsletter

Do-Gooders Blog

Features stories on East Cobb residents doing good and giving back to the community. A place for East Cobbers to recognize random acts of kindness and announce volunteer opportunities.

Attention expectant military moms! Operation Homefront Georgia planning upcoming baby showers.

Newborn baby

Thanks to the generosity of their corporate partners, Operation Homefront Georgia will be hosting several baby showers across Georgia for expectant military moms.

Operation Homefront Georgia kindly requests all expectant Georgia moms to complete a survey that will aide in planning baby showers this year. Shower dates have not been set, more information will follow based on the results of the survey.

Click here to take the survey

Chime In graphic

Are you an expectant military mom? When is your new bundle of joy due? Click “Chime In” to comment on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!


Sprayberry Hosts “Super Clash” Fundraiser this Saturday

P7T_rgbSprayberry_at_Pope_05

Sprayberry football coach Billy Shackelford

Professional wrestling will come to Sprayberry High School on Saturday as Universal Championship Wrestling holds its “Super Clash” event inside the school’s gym at 6 p.m.

Part of the proceeds from the event — orginially designed as an athletic fundraiser — will go to Sprayberry student Lidiane Carmo. The 15-year-old freshman was the lone survivor from a Jan. 29 car accident that killed her parents, her sister and her uncle.

The accident, which came in along Interstate 75 near Gainesville, Fla., also claimed 11 other lives and injured 18.

Lidiane Carmo remains hospitalized in Florida.

“I hope the community comes out and has a good time with it,” Sprayberry football coach Billy Shackelford said. “Our hearts and prayers are certainly with that young lady and her family.”

Shackelford will find himself at the forefront of Saturday’s wrestling card, as part of a six-man tag match alongside Marcus “Buff” Bagwell and Scott “Big Poppa Pump” Steiner.

Bagwell is a former Sprayberry football player and teammate of Shackelford’s in the late 1980s. Bagwell and Steiner both achieved notoriety with the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling organization in the ’90s and into the 2000s.

“I actually think they are trying to talk me into getting into the ring, but Buff Bagwell, Scott Steiner and the boys will have a lot of work to do to get me ready for that,” Shackelford said.

The team of Shackelford, Bagwell and Steiner will compete against the team of Brodie Chase and former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestlers Luke Gallows and Mike Knox.

“I was a big wrestling fan as a boy,” Shackelford said. “Actually, back in those days, we called it ‘wrasslin’.” I cheered for the good guys and booed the bad guys.”

This won’t be the first time a local football coach has taken a turn as a wrestler. North Cobb’s Shane Queen tag-teamed with former WCW and WWE wrestler “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan at a fundraising event in 2006.

Other wrestlers scheduled to appear Saturday include “The Natural” Chase Stevens, Johnny Swinger, Micah Taylor, Steven Walters, “Squire” Dave Taylor, Adrian Hawkins, Brad “Lodi” Cain, John Skyler, “The King” Shane Williams and the tag team of Cru Jones and Shaun Banks.

“We have several former champions from WCW and WWE, so I expect the wrestling to be a lot of fun and exciting for anyone who enjoys this type of entertainment,” Shackelford said.

The show will offer a VIP Super Pass for $45, which includes a front-row seat and backstage access.

Advance ringside tickets are $20 and will be $25 on Saturday. Advance adult general admission is $12 and $15 on Saturday.

General admission for children ages 6-12 is $7 and free for children under 6.

Cobb County employees and members of the military will receive a $3 discount on adult tickets at the door.

Tickets are available at Printing Impression at 1200 Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw, at Sprayberry High School or online at www.ucwtv.com.

While the card is subject to change, all the wrestlers who appear will be available to sign autographs before the event and during intermission.

“We will have a full concession stand available for families to come out and eat and they will also have an opportunity to get autographs and take pictures with the wrestlers,” Shackelford said.

For more information about Saturday’s event, call (404) 919-1829.

(Reprinted from the MDJ, February 16, 2012. Written by Greg Oshust.) 

East Cobb Lions Club Seeks Sponsors and Players for Annual Golf Tournament

MP900433121

The East Cobb Lions Club invites you to participate in the East Cobb Lions Club Foundation’s 21st Annual Charity Golf  Tournament. This tournament presents an outstanding opportunity for any individual or business to receive recognition
for sponsoring an event that provides much-needed funds for the Lions Club support to deserving projects in the Cobb County community. This is their major annual fundraiser, with the monies going directly to numerous programs they help sponsor, most notably sight and hearing conservation programs that include the Georgia Camp for the Blind, Leader Dog Program, Recordings for the Blind, and the Georgia Lighthouse Foundation. They also provide college scholarships to students from six high schools in East Cobb County.

East Cobb Lions’ 21st annual tournament will be held on Thursday, April 9, at the Indian Hills Country Club, 4100 Clubland Drive, in East Cobb. Sponsorships will be well advertised through signs at the tees or greens and corporate messages will be included in their printed sponsorship program. The program will be distributed to all tournament participants and East Cobb Lions Club families. Companies are encouraged to make this worthwhile charity event known to their employees and encourage their participation as players, or consider sponsoring some customers or potential customers for a day of golf. Several levels of sponsorship packages are available and contributions are tax deductible under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, contact Don Garrow at 770-955-6914.

(Reprinted from the February 2012 issue of EAST COBBER.) 

Nalley Driven for a Cause: Vote for Operation Homefront Georgia!

439

Nalley Cars will donate a new car to the lucky winner of this contest. To vote for Operation Homefront Georgia, simply click here to vote on their Facebook page. Spread the word to family and friends! But hurry – voting ends on February 25th!

Chime In graphic

Did you vote? Click “Chime In” to comment on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!


Community raises more than $50K for Carmo funeral

CCG4_carmo_for_web

Students place flowers in front of a makeshift memorial outside of Sprayberry High School during a candlelight vigil for the Carmo family on Feb. 2. Staff/File

Through an outpouring of love and support, members of the Sprayberry High community and people from all over the country have raised more than $50,000 to defer the costs of funeral arrangements for five Cobb County residents who were killed in a tragic multi-car accident in Gainesville, Fla., on Jan. 29.

Funeral services for Jose and Adriana Carmo; their 17-year-old daughter, Leticia Carmo; Jose Carmo’s brother, Edson Carmo; and Edson Carmo’s companion, Rosie Fagundes, will be held Monday at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Ave. in Marietta, with a viewing at 1 p.m. Both services will be open to the public.

Bobby Curtis, a pastor at Igreja Internacional da Restauracao church in Marietta where Jose and Adriana Carmo were pastors and the rest of their family were members, said the process of getting the bodies back to Georgia, preparing the bodies for burial, making funeral arrangements and getting everything ready to fly them to Brazil for burial next week has been overwhelming.

“I never knew when I went to bed on Saturday night (Jan. 28) that we would be thrown into these circumstances,” he said. “It’s been a lot of pressure in dealing with the Brazilian consulate, funeral homes, preparation of the bodies and airports. There’s a lot of logistics.”

Funeral arrangements will be handled by SouthCare funeral home in Marietta. Curtis said the bodies will be leaving the funeral home around 1 p.m. Monday, and a processional will be directed through Marietta to First United Methodist.

Five church members will then fly with the bodies from Atlanta to Brazil on Tuesday.

Curtis said Jose and Adriana Carmo’s 15-year-old daughter, Lidiane Carmo, who survived the crash, is still hospitalized at Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville, but is improving every day.

“(Doctors and nurses) are getting her in and out of the bed and getting her to sit up a little bit more,” he said. “She will be there at least another two to four weeks. (Doctors) don’t want her to travel to another hospital. If they can get through some medical issues, she’ll be able to head home rather than another hospital.”

When Lidiane does return home, the Sprayberry High freshman will be welcomed with open arms.

Ever since the accident, Sprayberry High and people nationwide have set up fundraisers and made donations to help show the freshman and Carmo families their support.

Curtis couldn’t say exactly how much has been raised, but said they exceeded their goal of $51,500 and on top of all the donations, they received free air flight for the bodies and five church members, and Florida governor Rick Scott has helped reduce the cost of the funeral arrangements to almost zero.

Sprayberry High students alone have raised about $6,000 by making T-shirts, selling bracelets and hosting bake sales.

Assistant Principal Tim Crunk said that in his three years with the school he has never seen this much support for anything or anyone, but it didn’t surprise him.

“There has been a lot of momentum here,” Crunk said. “It speaks to the Sprayberry students. They are empathetic and took charge. It’s been very heartwarming.”

On Friday afternoon, the students held a walk for the family, sporting the T-shirts they sold over the last two weeks with the slogan “Stay Strong Lidiane” on the back.

Crunk said students followed the parade route they usually take during the homecoming parades to show how many students are behind Lidiane’s fast recovery and safe return back to Marietta.

On top of student and faculty support, the school has also received phone calls from people all over the country who want to make donations outside the Bank of America account that was set up last week, Crunk said.

“People are calling because they want to do more than that,” he said.

In the meantime, the family and school have asked that additional donations be made at Bank of America locations. The account is under the “Carmo Family Funeral Fund,” account number 334036157634.

In another demonstration of community support, a Chick-Fil-A restaurant located across the street from the high school held a fundraiser Monday, and according to their marketing director Tracey Pitts, they broke a 20-year sales record, collecting $4,820.75 for the family.

“We had an amazing turnout,” she said. “It was an amazing event to be a part of, and we’re all part of a really good thing.”

Nearly 3,000 people were served on Monday between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and at one point during the dinner rush, cars in the drive-thru line were wrapped around the restaurant and onto East Piedmont Road, Pitts said.

“I’ve never seen that before,” she said. “We have the best customers.”

The restaurant often hosts fundraisers like this for the Sprayberry community, but they specifically chose to help out the Carmos because they have so many Sprayberry students who work at their restaurant, and Pitts said they felt like they needed to do something to help out.

“It personally hit close to home to me,” she said.

(Reprinted from the MDJ, February 11, 2012. Written by Lindsay Field.) 

Volunteers Needed to Plant Trees at YWCA

MP900437347

Attend the Marietta Tree Keepers Tree Planting on Saturday, February 11 at 8:30am at the YWCA,  48 Henderson St. , Marietta, GA 30064

8:30am Sign-in and refreshments, 9-11am, tree planting.

This FREE, family-friendly event is open to the public and appropriate for all ages.

Volunteers are asked to arrive at 8:30am to enjoy donuts and beverages before digging in to work. All ages are welcome to this family-friendly event. Dress appropriately for the weather. Tools will be provided although volunteers are welcome to bring their favorite outdoor gloves and tools if they like.

In case of bad weather, call 770-424-4664. Large groups please email mariettatreekeepers@comcast.net

Chime In graphic

Trees help clean the air and beautify the community. What’s your favorite local variety? Click “Chime In” to comment on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!


Donate your used blue jeans to Teens for Jeans

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Between now and February 12th, donate your blue jeans to Teens for Jeans

Mount Bethel Elementary PTA will be collecting jeans for Norton Park Elementary School, a Cobb County Neighbor. Norton Park will donate the jeans to Teens For Jeans in hopes of winning $5000.00 much needed dollars for their school and a free pair of jeans for every student at Norton Park.

For more information, visit http://www.dosomething.org/teensforjeans.

Serenade your Valentine with help from the Big Chicken Barbershop Chorus

Thrill your loved one with a singing valentine delivered by a quartet from the BIG CHICKEN CHORUS. Singing Valentines will be delivered on February 14th. A quartet dressed in tuxedos will deliver a rose, a card with your special message of love and will sing two songs to your loved one. Prices begin at $50 for an in-person Valentine, $15 for a phone Valentine. Call the sweetheart line at 770-438-9752 for more information. 

Chime In graphic

What would you like for Valentine’s Day? Click “Chime In” to comment on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!


East Cobb Civitan Club announces upcoming speakers

The East Cobb Civitan Club meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday’s of the month at Noon for lunch at The Olde Town Athletic Club (behind Tuesday Morning & Sports-O-Rama), 4950 Olde Towne Pkwy, Marietta, GA 30068. 

East Cobb Civitan is an inclusive club dedicated to community service and welcome everyone to come as a guest to a meeting of their choice. To attend a meeting, contact Patty O’Toole at patricia_otoole@att.net or 770-971-1916 or visit them online at  http://www.eastcobb.civitan.net/Meetings–and–Reservations.php.

Upcoming events and speakers include:

February 9:  Clergy Appreciation week

February 23:  George Milton-Sheets, Director of Georgia Special Olympics

March 8: Kathy Lathem of Cobb Senior Services.Lathem will discuss plans for a new center to focus on health and wellness for all Cobb County residents ages 55 +.  The new center will be at 1150 Powder Springs Street and is scheduled to open late summer 2012.

March 22: Attorney, Vic Reynolds of Berry and Reynolds law firm. The firm handleshigh profile cases like Lynn March (antifreeze), Tokars, etc. He is running for DA to replace Pat Head who is retiring.

April 12: Civitan Awareness Week

April 26: James Scharnikow, Journey of Hope.  Journey of Hope, a 4,000 mile bicycle ride from San Fransisco, CA, to Washington, D.C. to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities. After each day of cycling 50-120 miles, the team stops in communities to interact with the people they are riding for. The event is sponsored by fraternities, Pi Kappa Phi’s, Philanthropy- Push America (www.pushamerica.org).

June 14: Mary Crawford, jobs counselor for the State of Georgia. Crawford will share her work at various schools helping kids with disabilities get the training needed to find employment.

Chime In graphic

Have you attended a Civitan event? Click “Chime In” to comment. We’d love to hear from you!


Newcomers of Cobb County February Meeting

The Newcomers of Cobb County hold a general meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 10am, John Knox Church, 505 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, 30067.

Those new to Cobb County, or just looking for new friends and activities, are invited to join in. The NEWCOMERS CLUB OF COBB COUNTY holds a wide variety of social activities throughout the month including Bridge, Canasta, Pinochle, Book Club, Mah Jongg, Ladies Night Out, Golf, Bunco, Chick Flicks, Out to Lunch, Stitch and Sew, Mexican Train and Weekend Pot Luck Dining.

For more information, call 770-234-5068, email newcomersofcobbcounty@yahoo.com or visit www.newcomersofcobbcounty.com.