Doing Good

Bringing the Bees

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2022

Kathy Dean

Madison Mitchko (second from right) and the Gold Award Team, Lily Park, Jalia Killings and Tixie Fowler (Advisor).

Madison Mitchko’s Gold Award project attracts and protects pollinators.

Girl Scout Madison Mitchko has been working to make a positive difference in the community by attracting more pollinators with her Gold Award project.

The Peachtree Corners resident lives in the Riverfield neighborhood and is a Junior at Rivers Academy in Alpharetta. She has received approval on her project and plans to complete it this fall.

“My Gold Award Project aims to make the world a better place to live in by increasing healthy habitats for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds and moths,” Mitchko said. “Native pollinators are very important because they are the most effective pollinators and help plants reproduce and support other species of wildlife.”

Planting, some girls from Madison’s Girl Scout Troop that helped and are working on their own Gold Award Projects (Riley and Evelyn).

She explained that pollinators are responsible for approximately one-third of the food and drink that human beings consume. In fact, it’s estimated that the value of crop pollination is between $18 and $27 billion each year in the U.S.

“There is a worldwide decline of pollinator populations because of habitat fragmentation, pesticide use and climate change,” Mitchko added. That’s what inspired her to take on the project, she noted.

Since last March, Mitchko has been working with the City of Norcross, a certified Bee City USA, to build a pollinator habitat in front of their City Hall. Bee City USA provides a framework for conserving native pollinators through healthy habitats rich in native plants and nest sites and protected from pesticides.

“Another big aspect of my project has been teaching young people in Peachtree Corners about the importance of pollinators,” she said. “I also teach them how to plant native plants that attract pollinators.” Mitchko notes that she has seen an increase of butterflies and bees in her yard after she added native plants there.

She gives a lot of credit for the project to her team, and specifically to one member, Gold Award Coach Jennifer Skurpski. Also a Peachtree Corners resident, Skurpski is the leader of Girl Scout Troop 2427.

Mitchko has reached out to city officials in Peachtree Corners hoping to stir up interest in the city becoming a Bee City and building its own pollinator garden. If it does work out, she plans to be on the front lines, ready to help out.

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Kathy Dean

Contributing Editor Kathy Dean has been a writer and editor for over 20 years. Some of the publications she has contributed to are Atlanta Senior Life, Atlanta INtown, Transatlantic Journal and The Guide to Coweta and Fayette Counties.

Community

PCBA Accepting Scholarship Applications for Class of 2025 Seniors

Published

2 weeks ago

February 14, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Peachtree Corners Business Association log with dark green tree on a light green background and PCBA in white type.

The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) continues their philanthropic work with an annual scholarship opportunity for local high school seniors who demonstrate community spirit and initiative and meet the requirements. The scholarship program was established to raise awareness among high school students of the need to give back to the local community and their school.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024-2025 Student Scholarship Program. The PCBA will award one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving graduating high school senior.

Students are invited to apply now by completing the scholarship application. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2025.

Application details

Applications should be emailed to scholarship@peachtreecornersba.com.

Sealed transcripts may be sent to the PCBA office at
4989 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 200
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

Click here for the current scholarship application for eligible graduating seniors.

Qualifications include:
Must be a graduating senior & meet at least one of the following to qualify:
– Resident of Peachtree Corners
– Senior at Norcross HS, Wesleyan HS, Paul Duke HS, or Duluth HS
– Child of PCBA member

Applications must include the application form, a copy of the student’s sealed or official transcript showing cumulative GPA and an essay of 500 words or less describing why you are the best candidate for the scholarship, including three (3) things you’ve learned that you believe will help you in the future.

A separate page listing any of the following the student has been associated with, along with a brief description of your involvement is also required:

School organization affiliation
Sports affiliation and extra-curricular activities
Areas of community involvement
Personal time donated to charitable/humanitarian causes
Activities completed or participated in to support the community, healthcare workers, first responders and others.

“The PCBA is proud to continue this scholarship opportunity, which recognizes local students who have positively impacted the community,” says Donna Linden, PCBA board member. “In previous years, we were impressed at the dedication to community service we saw from applicants. We look forward to honoring the deserving student who receives this scholarship.”

Funds for the scholarships are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorship and the organization’s annual charity event.

For questions regarding the scholarship program, please email scholarship@peachtreecornersba.com.

Doing Good

Peachtree Corners Festival: A Tradition of Fun and Philanthropy

Published

3 weeks ago

February 6, 2025

Shawne Taylor

An older white man in a blue shirt holding a giant donation check with a young, dark-haired woman from Simpson Elementary School

Over the past 13 years, the Peachtree Corners Festival has become a favorite fall tradition for local residents and city visitors alike. Held each September, the family-friendly celebration brings the community together for a full weekend of fun that includes vendor booths, arts & crafts, food, live music, a car show and more.

Though the festival itself takes place once a year, the volunteer organization behind it works year-round not only to plan for the big event but to give back to the Peachtree Corners community in other ways as well.

The Peachtree Corners Festival mission

According to the festival website, the organization is “dedicated to bringing a safe, wholesome and family-friendly festival to the City of Peachtree Corners,” with the goal of fostering “community pride and civic involvement in our diverse city. … To the extent that the festival experiences positive cash flow, the funds will be dedicated to supporting two areas: Education and Beautification.”

An older man in blue shirt holding a giant donation check with a representative of peachtree elementary school

Two men holding a large donation check from Peachtree Corners Festival to Pinckeyville Middle School

“We generally give anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 total each year to the public schools in our area and to local nonprofits like Bridges Peachtree Corners for school and teacher supplies,” said Dave Huffman, president of the Peachtree Corners Festival.

Community donations

In 2024, the organization donated funds to several local schools, including $500 each to Peachtree Elementary, Simpson Elementary and Pinckneyville Middle School and made a $1,000 donation to Norcross High School.

Other recent donations have included:

• $20,000 for landscape plantings in the Hwy. 141 medians near Chick-fil-A and Walgreens

• $20,000 donated to the city for Christmas light displays at the Town Green

• $15,000 for the City Hall flag plaza

Three flags on poles in front of PTC city hall — photo courtesy of Peachtree Corners Festival

In addition, for the last few years, they have also awarded a drama scholarship in memory of Debbie Mason, Peachtree Corners’ former first lady.

Last year’s winner was Norcross High School senior, Pavin Jones. The next drama scholarship winner will be announced in spring 2025.

For more about the Peachtree Corners Festival, visit peachtreecornersfestival.com.

Doing Good

Peachtree Corners Business Association donates $3500 to Spectrum Autism

Published

2 months ago

January 2, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

A group of people holding a large check to represent a $3500 donation from the PCBA to the Spectrum Autism Support Group

The Peachtree Corners Business Association awarded a check for $3,500 to Spectrum Autism Support Group at their December Business After Hours Speaker Series and Year End Holiday Celebration event.

Established in 1998, Spectrum Autism Support Group provides support, education and resources for individuals and families impacted by autism. The organization currently serves over 1,500 families in Gwinnett County and the surrounding metro Atlanta area and has become a well-known resource in the autism community.

Support group meetings, summer day camps, overnight camps, social skills groups, respite, community training and family events are offered for all ages and abilities.

“The PCBA is proud to donate a check for $3,500 to Claire Dees, executive director and co-founder of Spectrum Autism Support Group and the Spectrum Autism Support Group board in support of their efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by autism,” said Lisa Proctor, PCBA president.

“Our PCBA board members are impressed with Spectrum Autism’s commitment to provide support to the autism community through their many programs, events and resources. With the PCBA’s continuous commitment to supporting our community in a meaningful way, we are excited to be a small part of their efforts,” she continued.

A tradition of giving

The PCBA has donated $170,000+ to local deserving charities and awarded 19 scholarships to outstanding graduating high school seniors in the metro Atlanta community since the inception of their community outreach program.

Funds for the PCBA Community Outreach program are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorships and an annual charity event. Donations and scholarships are awarded at PCBA’s monthly events, so their members have the opportunity to learn more about the organizations they are supporting.

“Where businesses come to grow”

The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) is 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.

The PCBA is made up of businesses of all sizes and types who want to expand their reach and grow their business within Peachtree Corners and the greater metro Atlanta area.

For more information visit peachtreecornersba.com.