From the President
Celebrating Life – and Athens
I found out last week that a former co-worker will be moved to a Hospice House in Atlanta this week due to cancer. After we both left state government, Tom – at 50 plus – took on a challenging job in Iraq, which he loved. He returned to Atlanta a year ago, ready to enjoy an early retirement. Unfortunately, two weeks ago doctors discovered he had cancer throughout his body and said he only had a few weeks to live.
I have many fond memories of Tom teaching me the ins and outs of state government. He loved dinner at Manuel’s, coming in early and staying late during Session, and whispering about political gossip. He was quite a character, and my life is richer because of him.
I have decided to celebrate his life on August 20th at our fall fundraiser, Celebrating Athens. The ticket price is part of my donation in honor of Tom, and I look forward to bidding on silent auction items, knowing that the money raised will go to help others like Tom in the Athens area.
Do you have someone you would like to honor through attending Celebrating Athens?
I look forward to seeing you August 20th.
—Alison Bracewell McCullick
“Celebrating Athens” is almost here!
The Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary invites you to join us for dinner, dancing, and bidding at the fifth annual fundraiser and concert featuring the Sensational
The Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary invites you to join us for dinner, dancing, and bidding at the fifth annual fundraiser and concert featuring the Sensational Sounds of Motown
- Thursday, August 20th
- Doors open and dinner begins at 6:30
- The band starts at 8:30
- The Foundry Park and Melting Point
- 295 E Dougherty Street
- Athens, GA 30601
- For questions contact Whitney Byce, (706) 224-6836 or webyce@gmail.com
But wait! There’s more! While the dinner and silent auction might appeal to many of us, we all have friends that prefer to dance the night away and forgo dinner. Call and email those friends – encourage them to spend their girls’ night out with the Sounds of Motown for $15 at the door ($12 in advance). A portion of these proceeds will still benefit AACA – and we want to sell out the Melting Point!
Celebrating Athens Silent Auction Updates
Would you love to have a fresh bouquet of flowers every month?
How about an original Jamie Calkin painting?
What about a week-long trip to the beach?
A stay at a beautiful mountain cabin?
These items – and many more – will be available for bidding at the “Celebrating Athens” silent auction on August 20th. We do need your help, though, in gathering a few more items. Please contact Cassie Malone at cassie.malone@wellsfargoadvisors.com if you can donate (1) a vacation home or destination trip or (2) a golf package.
A more complete list of silent auction items will soon be available on our website, so please check back to begin preparing for bidding!
New Member Info Session
Help Us Reach Our Goal of 41 New Members!
Mark your calendar and invite your friends – the AACA New Member Information Session will take place Thursday, August 13 at Kathryn Rodrigue’s home beginning at 6:30 pm. Details about AACA membership will be provided to guests, and the get-together will conclude with a hands-on service project.
Stacy Tarver is currently collecting names for women to invite, so please email Stacywith suggestions. If you are interested in assisting at the event, please let her know as well. Feel free to bring guests without RSVP’ing. For directions, or if you get lost, call Kathryn at 706.202.4334.
In Their Shoes Walk
Saturday, October 17th is the In Their Shoes Walk! If you are interested in being on the team to walk that day, please let Natalie (Harris) or Virna know and also sign up online, www.armc.org/itsregistration. If you would like to join our cheering station that day instead of walking, we’d love to have you! We will provide sign up sheets and more information at the upcoming meeting. There are many ways to get involved and many practice opportunities to get us ready for the big day! Just ask us how! natalieharris7@gmail.com or virnamm@yahoo.com.
The deadline to sign up for the In Their Shoes Walk is September 1st! We have a great group of ladies already signed up to walk and would love to add more to the team. Many of our walkers are already on their way to reaching their fundraising goal!
Please let Natalie Harris or Virna Mendoza know if you are interested in signing up or if you have any questions. Visit the In Their Shoes Web site!
Volunteer Opportunities
Food Donations for Fundraising Event
We once again have an opportunity to support the Northeast Georgia Cancer Care Foundation. On September 24th they are hosting a Bunco fundraiser at the Overlook in downtown Watkinsville. We need 10 members to provide finger foods, chips/dip, etc. for the event. There is not a way to heat things up or keep them warm, so please think of cold items to bring. If you are interested in helping out, please email: aacaservice@gmail.com and let us know what you’ll be bringing! You can drop off items between 12-3pm at NE GA Cancer Care, or between 4:30-5:30pm at the Overlook.
Also, if you’re interested in playing in this fun event, you can contact Kimberly Liebowitz for more information: kliebowitz@negacancer.com.
Yard Work Help Day
The first Yard Work Help Day was a great success! Thanks to those that helped out. Leaves were raked, grass was mowed, flowers were planted, and smiles were made. Through a partnership with the Jaycees, we were able to help out five different families last Saturday. We will be doing this project again on Saturday, October 24th, so mark you calendars now! Believe me, two hours working with friends goes by quickly!
Smoothie King Fundraiser
Mark your calendars to help raise money for AACA on August 26 at Smoothie King in Five Points. Not only can you support one of our sponsors by sipping on a delicious smoothie, but you can also help work an AACA table to accept change from Smoothie King’s patrons. If you are willing to work a two-hour shift, please email Alison McCullick.
Other Opportunities
Check out the info on helping with the In Their Shoes cheering stations as well. Or help at the Sip & Stroll. There are lots of great opportunities to volunteer! We’ll have even more to share at the September meeting. Hope to see you there!
Special Funds/Sponsorships Update
Thank you to all of the members that made calls and delivered sponsorship information to local businesses. We have been able to raise some great funds and I know it was from the personal letters, calls and one on one interaction. Thanks again to everyone and it is never too late to add more sponsors-so if you think of anyone else please let me know.
Amy Chisholm
Mark your calendar for many fun upcoming events!
If you know of a cancer-related fundraiser or fun event, please email Alison at amccull@uga.edu to add it to a future calendar…
August & September Birthdays – Happy, Happy from AACA!
August:
- Mary Barton— 8/7
- Jessica Harris— 8/7
- Amy Parrish— 8/10
- Leigh Garrett— 8/11
- Diane Dillard— 8/12
- Whitney Byce— 8/16
- Lucy Bell— 8/17
- Cassie Malone— 8/17
- Brenda Blanton— 8/18
- Brandy Chandler— 8/19
- Tammy Lindsay— 8/22
- Lauren Richards— 8/27
September:
- Carla Pennell— 9/2
- Donna Thompson— 9/9
- Ashley Shaver— 9/14
- Lori Camden— 9/17
- Jeanie Trotochaud— 9/19
- Monica Heidesch— 9/21
- Kelly C Jones— 9/28
- Laura Tucker— 9/30
Member News
Congratulations/Best Wishes/Best of Luck to the following Members:
- Monica Heidesch Gave birth to a baby girl in April named Claire Elizabeth.
- Christy Norton is expecting a new baby
- Stacy Tarver moved into a new house
- Farrell Bowdoin is walking in the Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day in October
Newsletter
Do you have news for the monthly AACA newsletter? Committee updates, fundraising opportunities, ways to support AACA and our members, member news or other information? If so, please email Natalie Glenn.
