December 14, 2015 - Albany, GA from The Albany Herald - It is certainly no secret that Albany City Commissioner and businesswoman B.J. Fletcher is a generous person. She helps people as a way of life and the general public rarely hears about many of the things she does. A few years ago, Fletcher challenged local business to hire one more person. Giving even one individual a chance to work was the plan and many businesses met that challenge. As are most positive personality qualities, Fletcher's gift of giving is contagious. Employees at her restaurant are stepping up this year to adopt one family and doing so anonymously. Fletcher once again has a plan of her own to help those having a hard time. "I am looking for 100 people to be on call who are willing to commit to giving $50 to help someone truly in need." This plan is not just for Christmas but year-round, as needs know little about the season. The requests presented will be thoroughly vetted and every penny spent will be accounted for, with donors getting email updates. If you are someone with a particular need, know someone with a particular need or would like to get on the donor list, call (229) 854-9443.
Sometime between now and Jan. 29, take time to visit the exhibit at the Albany Area Arts Council located at the Carnegie Library. Paintings, drawings, sculpture and more, created by nearly 150 students from the Dougherty County School System's 14 elementary schools, have their work on exhibit. In a time when all the arts in public schools are lacking for funding and so much of what goes on in the classroom is mandated, it is inspiring to know that the children of Albany are still encouraged to be creative.
Fall commencement ceremonies have taken place all over the country. Colleges, universities and technical schools have placed an untold number of graduates into the world of employment. Albany Technical College, however, continues to amaze with the number of students who walk away with a certificate or a two-year-degree, ready to continue their education or join the workforce. Earlier this month, more than 250 candidates for associate's degrees, 700 candidates for diplomas and more than 1,250 candidates for technical certificates of credit graduated. That is a total of 2,200 students that are the road to becoming successful, productive citizens. Many of that number will stay right here in Southwest Georgia. And that, folks, is very good news.
If you have never been exposed to the horrors of Alzheimer's disease, count yourself among the very fortunate. The disease starts out slowly then progresses, stripping the victim of not just memory but self-sufficiency and dignity. Caregivers, most often family members, are soon overwhelmed and exhausted. The Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's set a goal in Albany to raise $68,000. In Tifton, the goal was $65,000. The walks brought in $73,737.39 and $65, 323.12, respectively. Thank you to every team and each individual that helped meet and exceed the goals.
Christmas for foster children, at least in many cases, can be a difficult time. The joy we take for granted with our families, gift giving, visits to and from relatives and simply the warmth of home are seldom a part of their holidays. It takes special people to foster kids in crisis. Foster parents are given an embarrassing low amount of money to care for the children's day-t0-day needs and never enough to make Christmas a really special time for those under their care. Sure there will be something under the tree, perhaps several somethings. In Lee County, that simply is not enough. The Leesburg Police Department, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Chamber of Commerce and the Lee County Fire Department have boxes at 10 or so locations for the collection of new toys. All the items will stay within the county and all will go to homes with foster children. There is no way to undo whatever brought the kids to foster care but there is a way to make this Christmas a memory worth cherishing.
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