Volunteer Spotlight

 

Volunteer Spotlight

Cobb County employees have been very generous supporters of Cobb Christmas in past years - with donations dating back as early as the late 1980's. The County provides numerous volunteers throughout the set up and distribution events. They have hosted various fundraisers, contributed financially, as well as allowed Cobb Christmas to utilize County facilities free of charge. To add up what this means in dollars is almost impossible. Why has Cobb County been such a loyal supporter of Cobb Christmas over the years? David Hankerson, County Manager and Judy Skeel, Executive Assistant to the County Manager shared their thoughts about Cobb Christmas and the involvement that they have demonstrated over the years.

When David Hankerson became County Manager, the County supported several charity organizations and things were very spread out. "We decided to have a County-wide focus for an organization. We chose Cobb Christmas because it was solely run by volunteers and for the target audience they served." After they chose to begin supporting Cobb Christmas, many of the other County employees got excited about and wanted to get involved. "The employees began a year round effort to support CCI," adds Hankerson.

This was especially true because of the excitement generated throughout the year but especially during the set up and distribution events. Judy Skeel remembers that witnessing what happened at the distribution center generated greater enthusiasm among employees. "To witness the event was almost overwhelming, the mass production, the organization, seeing the families and kids at the site" adds Judy. Mr. Hankerson concurs, "Seeing the distribution center, the quality and sheer commitment of the volunteers, coupled with the numerous companies that come out each year to support CCI, it's amazing." He adds, "It's very meaningful as a volunteer to see the number of useful items and toys that are available to families; seeing the volume of toys that leave on trucks in motorcades to the distribution center, and all of the participants who, without these efforts, would not have a Christmas. There is a sense of accomplishment when you are able to see the success of all the hard work." Cobb County has been especially supportive because of our focus on children. Hankerson added that he would like to see the County contribute a minimum of $25,000 to 30,000 annually. But the County assists with more than just dollars. For instance, the County provides the Fire Department's air truck to blow up bike tires and balls for the kids.

When asked about how we can recruit volunteers to join forces and support Cobb Christmas, Judy and David both felt very strongly about showing statistics of who we serve and the needs of the county's families to potential volunteers; we also have potential volunteers talk to seasoned, enthusiastic and committed volunteers. But most importantly, they witness the distribution event firsthand. Hankerson stated, "Get involved with winners. When you see what CCI does, you know you're working with a winner. We did not select CCI as an organization to support until I personally saw the distribution event. Once I saw that I became very dedicated to supporting CCI financially. It was the actual experience that confirmed my commitment." And Judy Skeel definitely agrees! But once you witness it, you'll realize how necessary each dollar, and why each volunteer and contribution is needed.

Back To Top

---

A Conversation with Sam Olens, Cobb County Commission Chairman

Sam's first exposure to Cobb Christmas was in 1999, when he first joined the Cobb County 's Board of Commissioners. Mostly, he witnessed the numerous Cobb County employees that raised money through bake sales, doughnut sales and a variety of other fundraising efforts. Sam stated, "There's great pride and a sense of accomplishment in raising funds for families and kids that couldn't otherwise have a special holiday." He adds, "The ability for us to support a program that provides an opportunity for Cobb County employees to give back and contribute to those less fortunate is outstanding."

Sam is most attracted to Cobb Christmas because, "whenever you can help raise money and know all of the dollars goes to helping needy families, with minimal overhead, it's a great thing." He further adds, "Be creative with ideas to raise money, get people in your community involved and challenge them to be creative with fundraising efforts - it's a great way to be a part of something very special in Cobb." Chairman Olens recalls that at times our situation can be taken for granted. "It's easy to think that others are in our same situation, but realistically life isn't so good for all of us. Cobb Christmas is a vehicle whereby the citizens and employees of Cobb can give those families, who aren't so fortunate, an opportunity to have a brighter holiday season."

Back To Top

---

Partners in Giving: Feed the Hungry Foundation

Until 1985, the Foundation was a seasonal ministry helping families only at Christmas. However, today, major distribution events still takes place at Christmas, but an ongoing program reaches out to over one hundred different families each week. The Foundation provides over 1,000,000 meals annually throughout the city of Atlanta and surrounding counties. Like Cobb Christmas, the Feed the Hungry Foundation is supported entirely by voluntary gifts from individuals, churches, foundations, and corporations.

Feed The Hungry Foundation has provided food for Cobb Christmas families since 2000. Last year, the Foundation provided 1400 boxes of food to be distributed to participating Cobb Christmas families. The generous food donation is highly anticipated by parents as another means to put food on the table for their families, especially during the holidays.

Feed the Hungry Foundation. Helping One Family, One Meal at a Time since 1977. For more Information visit their site at Feed the Hungry Foundation.

Back To Top

---

A Special Thank You: Cobb County Fire Station #4

We would like to extend a very special thanks to the gentlemen from Cobb County Fire Station No. 4. During both the 2003 and the 2004 Distributions, they inflated all the basketballs, footballs and soccer balls that were gifts for the children—and there were hundreds, and hundreds of balls. This task takes many, many hours each year, and we'd like to thank the following: (L to R) Joe Ethridge, Paul Prater, Brad Nash, Anthony Helms, Keith Macaw, Scott Gran and Scotty Pope.