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Doing Good

GAC Shares Joy of Christmas with Annual Can-A-Thon Support

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Three female students wearing santa hats and red scarves, posing in front of large boxes of donated food items they've helped gather for the Salvation Army can-a-thon.

Supporting the 11Alive/Salvation Army Can-A-Thon has been an annual school-wide tradition at Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) since 2012. This year, the GAC student body of 1,800 students came together and provided 28,730 non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army.

The food collected will be used in the fight against food insecurity in the Gwinnett County community and beyond to not only fill stomachs but also nourish souls.

On collection day (Friday, December 6), student service and leadership groups from every GAC school level efficiently collected, counted, boxed, packed and delivered food to the Salvation Army. The GAC Concert Choir provided festive Christmas music, creating a joyful atmosphere as volunteers worked.

Competition and collaboration

Throughout November, students and families, infant-12th grade, rallied their efforts in varying ways to accomplish their goals. Friendly competitions and celebrations spurred the number of donations to grow. 

This successful commitment to Can-A-Thon resulted from a collaborative effort across GAC to live out Christ’s call in John 17:25-26 to make God known to the world.

“At GAC, we often say, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” said Justin Bagwell, GAC’s director of Christian life. “We encouraged our students to use their gifts and talents for this service project and for families to shop together for each student to bring 18 food items. We’re blown away by how our community showed up this year to surpass our goal.”

As the GAC community celebrates this season of giving, the success of the Can-A-Thon serves as a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas — sharing God’s love through generosity and service to others.

About Greater Atlanta Christian School

Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) is one of Atlanta’s largest Christian schools, serving over 1,800 PK-12th grade students.

The walkable 90-acre campus is located in Norcross, Georgia, a half-mile off I-85 and Indian Trail Road. GAC provides an array of in-person, online and hybrid options with over 65 STEM courses, 29 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses and personalized and project-based learning.

In addition to forward-thinking innovation, GAC students benefit from caring, responsive teaching and small class sizes. GAC is a faith-infused, academically rich community, ranking at the top of the state for teaching quality, arts, and athletics.

For more information, visit greateratlantachristian.org.

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Community

PCBA Accepting Scholarship Applications for Class of 2025 Seniors

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

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

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Doing Good

Peachtree Corners Festival: A Tradition of Fun and Philanthropy

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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.”

“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.

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Doing Good

Peachtree Corners Business Association donates $3500 to Spectrum Autism

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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.

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