Doing Good

Giving Back and Getting Back

Published

6 months ago

September 13, 2024

Teen boy holding a card and smiling at the camera

Local teen’s creative fundraising program continues to grow

Peachtree Corners teen, Lex Stolle, was ten years old and just starting fifth grade when he was diagnosed with high-risk, acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After the diagnosis, he underwent an initial round of chemotherapy to put the disease into remission, followed by 10 months of intense treatments and another two-and-a-half years of monthly maintenance and nightly medicine to keep it there.

The treatments were hard on his body, limiting his ability to attend school and participate in his usual activities. But his spirit and determination stayed strong. A close-knit family, loving friends and excellent care from the Aflac Center and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta supported him every step of the way. And his own optimistic personality kept him going through even the most difficult moments.

“I claim I’ll live just like my blood type and ‘B positive,’” Lex said of his personal motto. “I value determination, optimism and a deep belief in the bigger plan for my life.”

Now, at 15-years-old, Lex says he’s doing better than ever and is committed to using his experience to help others. One way he’s doing that is through his nonprofit fundraising program, Cancer Card.

Cancer Card and beads — photo courtesy of Lex Stolle

A fundraiser that gives back and gets back

A simple but clever idea, Cancer Cards are discount cards connected to restaurants within the community. The participating businesses agree to be part of the program, offering a discount for card users. People buy the cards, which raises money for cancer treatments and research, and then they use the cards to save money when going out to eat — driving business to the local restaurants. It’s a win-win-win for everyone.

The idea for the program came to Lex in 2022.

“As a kid going through childhood cancer, I met a lot of other kids on the same journey as me,” said Lex. “Fortunately, so many of the friends that I made are now healthy and successfully in college or participating in sports in high school. However, I did have some friends that were not able to finish their journey. It made me so upset that a child could never get married, never go to college, never get a job and have kids. I knew we needed a solution to this. I’m not someone that likes just asking for money, so I brainstormed a way for everybody to benefit.”

Cancer Card with beads — photo courtesy of Lex Stolle

Continued growth

He initially started out with a focus on Peachtree Corners businesses, selling the discount cards to his own friends and family. The fundraiser quickly grew beyond his immediate circle though, becoming an official nonprofit in 2023.

Since then, the program has grown even larger. This year, the fundraiser offers cards for five communities: Peachtree Corners, Dunwoody, Milton/Alpharetta, Marietta and Athens, with plans to expand beyond that as more and more people learn about the program.

“In the first year, we raised a couple hundred dollars,” Lex shared. “Then last year, we brought in over $8,000, and we are projecting a much higher number this year!”

Ongoing challenges

Though the Cancer Card program has been a success so far, Lex shared that it’s a lot harder to get businesses to sign up than people might think.

“Last year, I reached out to over 340 businesses and went in person for many, yet got responses from less than 10%,” he said. “It’s especially hard to get corporations and chained restaurants.”

Two people manning a fundraising booth outdoors — Cancer Card fundraising booth

As far as getting people to purchase the cards, he said “it’s just about enlightening them of the benefit of it. So many people don’t understand that the card will quite literally save you money over the course of the year. As residents, we all eat at these places anyway, so why not get 10 or 15% off every single time you go?”

He continued, “There’s a common saying that goes, ‘there’s no such thing as a selfless act,’ and while I agree that it can be hard to not think about ourselves 100% of the time, when we do help out others, it carries love to our community that we all so desperately need right now. If we all tried to hold the door for one person a day or pick up a water bottle off the sidewalk, Peachtree Corners would become a much happier, safer and cleaner environment for us all.”

Looking forward

With an admitted passion for finding solutions to problems that are close to his heart, Lex shared that he enjoys speaking publicly for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. He hosts his own monthly radio show on WSB Radio called 95.5 WSB Presents: The Children of Children’s. And he likes keeping up with the latest politics.

“While those aren’t typical hobbies for a 15-year-old,” he said, “I wouldn’t change it for the world. Every day I look forward to seeing how many Cancer Cards I sold the day before or checking on the status of legislation to benefit Americans going through cancer diagnoses.”

Looking to the future, this tenth grader at William and Reed Academy has big plans — for himself and for the Cancer Card program.

Teen boy smiling and holding discount fundraising cards — Lex Stolle with Cancer Cards

“It’s not a usual dream job for a sophomore, but I would love to become a federal politician or potentially a lobbyist — for good of course,” he shared. “My hope is that I can stay true to my morals and fight for people with a story similar to mine. I would love to continue Cancer Cards into college, or better yet, find my next passion project that can have an even larger impact not just in Georgia, but all over the United States. I’m excited to see what’s in store for the future of Cancer Cards.”

The details

2024 Cancer Cards are on sale now and active through May 25, 2025. Each card is $25. All proceeds go to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — the same place where Stolle received his treatment.

Cards can be purchased for Peachtree Corners, Milton/Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Athens and Marietta. The discounts associated with the cards can be used at participating restaurants more than once until the expiration date.

To purchase your cards (or make a tax-deductible donation), visit cancercard.net.

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PCBA Accepting Scholarship Applications for Class of 2025 Seniors

Published

3 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

4 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.