Community
Tailgating For Charity
PCBA revises its football themed annual fundraiser for three local charities.
Following up with its success of last year’s inaugural event, Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) will once again use the tailgating theme for its annual fundraiser. The PCBA Tailgates & Touchdowns Annual Charity Party will take place 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 24 at Atlanta Marriott Peachtree Corners.
Similar to the previous year, guests are encouraged to wear attire celebrating their favorite college and professional football teams. It was no surprise that a lot of UGA, Georgia Tech and Falcons gear was on display last year.
Additionally, there will be business networking, a silent auction where participants do not need to be present to bid, a live auction, music entertainment, tailgating cuisine and vendor tables. The important part of the evening, and the reason for the party, is raising money to support local charities.
“Last year, based on the generosity of our sponsors, members and community support, we were able to award a check for $4,000 each to our three charities. These three checks were the largest checks the PCBA has been able to donate based on the net proceeds of the event — a total of $12,000 in net proceeds,” said PCBA President Lisa Proctor.
By the end of July 2023, the PCBA had donated in excess of $134,000 and awarded 17 scholarships in the last 11 years.
“All of the money we have donated comes from a portion of our membership dues, annual sponsorships and the net proceeds from our annual charity event. Since we do not have any paid employees and are a volunteer organization, we are able to give more back to the community and those in need,” said Proctor.
“This year, we are hoping to meet and exceed our 2022 charity event proceeds, but we still need a few more sponsors and donors to get there. The checks for the three charities for this year will be awarded in October, November and December, so we can make sure each of the three charities is provided recognition and time to talk about their charity.”
Sponsors still needed
Proctor added that there is still time to provide sponsorship.
“If we can drive turnout for the event and get more people involved in donating and bidding on silent auction items, we should be able to hit a strong showing,” Proctor said. “Community engagement always has a powerful impact on our event.”
Proctor stressed that participants don’t have to wait for the tailgate party to secure auction items. “If someone sees an item that they’d like now, instead of waiting for the auction, they can see if it has a “buy now” option,” said Proctor.
For example, the DynaTrap ½ Acre Mosquito & Insect Trap might be an item that someone would like to put into use now. So, instead of waiting until August 24, they can purchase it and have a month of use before the auction takes place.
Proctor added that a charity auction isn’t necessarily a place for bargain hunters even though good buys exist.
“We’re hoping to raise the most we can for the people in our community that need it the most,” she said. “Through the generosity of sponsors, members, donations, etc., we’re making a difference.”
Charities benefitting from fundraiser
The three charities that will benefit from the fundraiser have already been announced.
“We are focusing our fundraising efforts on health, education, providing food, necessities and community assistance to these three charities,” said Proctor.
Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett offer general medical and dental services for the poor and uninsured, according to its literature. It aims to meet the physical, mental and spiritual needs of patients by:
- Providing quality low-cost primary healthcare and dental services to the uninsured to eliminate health disparities for poor and uninsured populations.
- Decreasing the demand of the uninsured for non-emergent medical services on the emergency room to help reduce the cost of indigent care on the public healthcare delivery system.
- Providing a venue for matriculating future medical professionals to advance their educational goals while serving the poor of our community to help disadvantaged students prepare for employment in the health and dental fields.
Rainbow Village programs focus on building self-sufficiency. The organization strives to turn the tide on homelessness.
It is a traumatic event and healing requires both guidance and time. Rainbow Village programs are each tailored to meet the needs of residents throughout their journey, according to its literature.
- The ASPIRE program provides safe, stable housing for families experiencing homelessness for up to two years.
- The THRIVE Alumni Program provides an additional three years of support to families after completing the ASPIRE program.
- The ACADEMY Academic Enrichment and Afterschool program provides support for children of ASPIRE and THRIVE participants.
Corners Outreach offers three paths to impact its community — volunteering, donating and becoming a customer. All three paths change lives, according to its literature.
These paths 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 & Staffing (sustainable living wage and career advancement certification).
PCBA Tailgates & Touchdowns Charity Party
Thursday, August 24
5:30-8 p.m.
Atlanta Marriott Peachtree Corners
475 Technology Pkwy., Peachtree Corners
Visit peachtreecornersba.com for more info.
Peachtree Corners resident, Alex Everett traveled to Italy this past September — not as a tourist but as an athlete. The 28-year-old accountant and liver transplant survivor, served as goalkeeper on Team USA as they competed in the first-ever Transplant Football World Cup.
The event — part of the larger World Transplant Games — promoted giving the gift of life through a week of connection and sportsmanship, showcasing how people with organ transplants can live a normal, active life.
“I first heard about the US Transplant World Cup team a few years ago through a social media post,” said Alex. “The first Transplant World Cup was originally going to take place in 2022 but was postponed due to the uncertainty around international travel and COVID. Fast forward to 2024 and Team USA had an interest meeting via Zoom to discuss details about the tournament and fielding the American team.”
Team USA
All together, they had 14 people from around the United States (hailing from Georgia, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, California and Hawaii) join the team, which traveled to Cervia, Italy in September to compete.
“There were 10 other countries that were represented in the World Cup, and we were split into two groups, one of five and one of six,” Alex explained.
“It was an incredible experience representing the US at an international level, competing against other transplant recipients from around the world. We not only were able to share our passion for soccer but also our stories of transplantation and what obstacles we had to overcome to be where we were.”
Coming together to compete
Team USA played well in their matches but placed 9th out of the 11 teams. Because players came from all over the country to join the team, they hadn’t had the opportunity to practice together — or even meet in person — before the tournament started.
“The first time we met face to face and kick a ball as a team was our first game against France,” said Alex. “While that outcome was not what we wanted, we progressively got better as the tournament went on. Eventually ending with a win in a penalty shoot-out against Wales and a normal time win in our final game against Northern Ireland.”
“It was an incredible experience, and I would highly recommend anyone who’s involved with transplantation to reach out and get involved with not only Team USA but also with the Transplant Games of America (TGA), which is an Olympic-style competition for people who have received transplants or living donors,” he added.
Most states in the US have their own TGA team, including one here in Georgia.
World Transplant Games 2025
The next World Transplant Games will be held in Dresden, Germany on August 17-24, 2025.
Over six days, athletes and teams from 60 countries will meet to compete in 17 different sports. The US Team is excited to be part of it again and are currently looking for more players interested in taking part.
Leave a lasting legacy
Alex is also involved with the Peachtree Corners-based organization LifeLink® of Georgia, a division of the LifeLink® Foundation.
Established over 40 years ago, the foundation’s mission is to inspire new organ donor registrations and celebrate those who have decided to save lives as a registered organ, eye or tissue donor. The mission is carried out locally through education programs and community awareness campaigns.
Earlier this year, LifeLink of Georgia launched The Infinity Campaign, a state-wide educational effort aimed at motivating and registering new organ donors. The campaign is represented by the infinity symbol, to demonstrate the lasting impact of organ and tissue donation.
About LifeLink of Georgia
LifeLink of Georgia partners with hospitals to support and guide families as they establish their loved one’s legacy through organ and tissue donation.
They carry out the decisions of registered donors or their families and honor the life of each donor by providing organs and tissue for transplant to as many patients as possible.
In 2023, 457 men, women and children gifted a legacy of life through organ donation with LifeLink of Georgia, yet there are still nearly 3,000 patients in the state awaiting an organ transplant and thousands more that could benefit from tissue transplantation.
“When you become an organ donor, your life story continues through the lives you save, ensuring that your legacy lives on indefinitely,” says Katie Payne, executive director, LifeLink of Georgia. “Life is an invaluable treasure, a lesson we learn anew each day from our donor families. Thanks to their generosity, LifeLink of Georgia saves thousands of lives every year, and we are deeply honored to continue this extraordinary mission.”
The Infinity Campaign
The Infinity Campaign features a series of real stories from registered donors, each telling what inspired them to register and emphasizing the effect this decision has on saving lives. By sharing these stories, LifeLink aims to motivate more people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and spread the message of hope and life.
“The decision to become a donor was deeply personal. It is an opportunity to give the ultimate gift — the gift of life,” said Adán Bean. “I get to continue to tell the story for others, be a little bit of ink in their pen and help them write what they want to write.”
As part of the launch, LifeLink has created the website mystorycontinues.com, which spotlights stories from donors and recipients and offers innovative tools, including the opportunity to upload a photo to share your support and spread the word on social media about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Become a donor
Being a donor is an incredible way for individuals to make a difference and have an impact on the lives of others. One organ, eye and tissue donor can potentially save or improve the lives of more than 75 people.
The need for organ and tissue donors is greater now than ever, given the growing numbers of people on transplant wait lists and increasing numbers of people with diabetes and kidney disease.
Currently, there are about 3,000 people in Georgia on the organ transplant list and thousands more on the tissue transplant list.
There are several simple ways to register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor:
- Visit mystorycontinues.com and sign up today.
- Register when renewing or receiving a driver’s license or identification card at the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
- Register when obtaining a hunting or fishing license through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
For more about LifeLink of Georgia, visit lifelinkfoundation.org/our-story/#llgeorgia.
New experiences await at this season’s Walk Through Bethlehem
An annual must-see holiday event, Walk Through Bethlehem, presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church, will take place over three evenings, December 13–15.
With 1,200 luminaries, Simpsonwood Park is transformed into Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers and witness a live nativity.
Visitors can also enjoy a fire with stories from shepherds, pet live animals and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.
Before your journey ends, enjoy a photo opportunity with a Roman Guard and hot chocolate and cookies.
The details
Walk Through Bethlehem transforms several acres of Simpsonwood Park into Bethlehem Village on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers, witness a live nativity and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.
The special holiday event is presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church with the help of more than 300 community volunteers.
What to expect
- 1,200 luminaries welcoming guests to Bethlehem
- Live camels and Roman guards at Bethlehem’s entrance
- Shopkeepers in costume interacting with guests
- Interactive village with more than 12 individual shops
- Animal petting area with donkeys, sheep and more
- Shepherds sharing stories around a fire
- Live nativity with wisemen bringing gifts
- Attendees donating canned goods to Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
- Attendees enjoying hot chocolate and cookies
Make plans to attend
Dates and hours
- Friday, December 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Simpsonwood Park, 4511 Jones Bridge Cir NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
FREE admission; accepting canned food donations for Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries.
For more information, visit simpsonwoodumc.org/walk-through-bethlehem.
The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) awarded a check for $500 to the United Way of Greater Atlanta (Gwinnett County) at their Business After Hours networking event in November.
The local organization was chosen by PCBA’s Outreach Committee because of their commitment to providing assistance and bettering the lives of children within the community.
United Way of Greater Atlanta
The mission of United Way of Greater Atlanta is to engage and bring together people and resources to drive sustainable and equitable improvements in the well-being of children, families and individuals in local communities.
“Greater Atlanta is one of the most vibrant regions in the country, but the region has significant barriers to realizing its potential in the future because of its continued ranking at the bottom of the list of metro areas in income mobility,” stated Vanessa Roussell, United Way senior director of corporate relations.
“Children born in low-income households have only a 4% chance of getting out of poverty in their lifetime,” she continued. “We at United Way of Greater Atlanta don’t like those odds. Our work is about changing them so that children — regardless of where they’re born — have the chance to realize their potential and build lives that sustain themselves, their families and their communities.
Assessing needs within the county
The organization’s goal is to help every child unlock their full potential, by improving education, healthcare, resources and economic mobility in the communities where they live. Their “every child program” includes every child in Gwinnett.
Based on the 2023 census track for Gwinnett County, 94,308 people living in Gwinnett County are at risk, particularly in and around Sugar Hill/Buford, Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Lilburn and Snellville. The highest-need residents are located in the I-85 corridor, mainly around Duluth, Norcross and Lilburn.
Giving back to support the community
“The PCBA is proud to donate a check for $500 to United Way of Greater Atlanta (Gwinnett County),” said PCBA President, Lisa Proctor. “Our outreach committee and board are committed to supporting our community, and investing in the well-being of the children in our community aligns with our core principles. We know that our dollars will be targeted to help those at highest risk … We are glad to have the local Gwinnett chapter located right in our community.”
Funds for the PCBA Community Outreach Program are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorship and an annual charity event. Donations and scholarships are awarded at their monthly events so that members have the opportunity to learn more about the community organizations and their programs.
Over the past 12 years, the PCBA has awarded 19 scholarships to outstanding graduating high school seniors and donated in excess of $165,500 back into the community.
About Peachtree Corners Business Association
“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.
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