Everyone mark your calendars for the 2012 Georgia Gives Day!

December 6, 2012 is Georgia Gives Day!

Georgia Gives Day is an initiative created by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits in partnership with participating nonprofits, state agencies, corporations and businesses, associations, foundations and public relations and advertising firms. The idea for Georgia Gives Day was inspired by the realization that nonprofit organizations are extremely important to the survival of our communities. 

Whether you know it or not, you live your life in nonprofits. From the hospitals where we are born, to the day care centers, schools and colleges that educate us. From the clubs, sports leagues and cultural institutions that entertain us, to the religious institutions we worship in. 

 Whether you have ever given a dime or a minute of time, your life has been affected by the work of a nonprofit. Now, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits is creating an opportunity for everyone, in every corner of the state, to support the causes that make Georgia great. This includes Reconnecting Families, Inc.

We are asking all Georgians to take a minute of their time on December 6th to visit the Georgia Gives Day website and donate to our cause! These donations will help the participants of Reconnecting Families and their children live healthy and sober lives!

How to donate:

1. On December 6th, visit www.gagivesday.org

2. On the right side of the page, search "Reconnecting Families" under the "I want to give to a special cause" search bar. Reconnecting Families will show up in the search results.

3. Click on "Donate Now"

4. Fill out the information and submit!

For more information, please visit www.gagivesday.org

Thank you for your support! We could not succeed in helping our participants excel in the program without your help!!

Shop for a Cause pictures are here!

Shop for a Cause pictures are here! We hope everyone enjoyed the event, and we hope to see you all again next year!! 

Are you ready to give back this holiday season!?

The frantic Christmas shopping has begun! Here at Reconnecting Families, many individuals and families have taken on the responsibility of adopting a family and taking care of them for Christmas. Adopting a family for Christmas is an amazing way to get involved during the Holidays and to give a helping hand to families who are struggling and in need of assistance. Allowing children less fortunate to have wrapped presents underneath the Christmas tree to open up Christmas morning is a memory that will last forever, for both them and you. A special thank you to all the generous supporters of Reconnecting Families who have graciously adopted a family this Christmas; your donations and contributions are greatly appreciated and you are truly making a difference this Christmas!

If you would like to adopt a family please contact Executive Director, Brin Black, at reconnectingfamilies@cobbcounty.org! Hurry while there is still time!!

 Happy Holidays to all our blog readers! We appreciate all your support!

What a great way to begin the holiday season!

We did it!

Shop for a Cause was a huge success! The atmosphere was definitely filled with people ready to kick-start the holiday season! Everyone had the opportunity to enjoy wonderful food, lively music, and a great night of shopping! We would like to thank everyone for their contributions to Reconnecting Families. It was a pleasure to be around many of our continued supporters, and also meeting many new ones! We have much to be thankful for for this event. 

First, we would like to thank our generous sponsors:
Judge Juanita Stedman
Bill and Babe Byrnes
Christopher M. Bethel Esq.
Dr. Carrie Friedewald, KMAH
Mary Stearns Montgomery
Gail Brinkman
Diane Cherry
Cobb EMC
Cauthorn, Nohr, & O'Dell
Sherlock's 
The Cherry Law Firm, P.C.
Amy and Tammy's Boxed Lunch Company
InfoMart


Also, a special thanks to our wonderful vendors!
January Jayne 
2 Sisters' Secrets
Fairywood Thicket
Wood You Write
Calliespondence
Bilt-house
P.B. Stitches
Jam Thoughts
Ameriblue Studios
Luscious Lathers
Songbird and Twig
The Chic Peach
U Name it Photography 
Discovery Toys
Sherry's Desserts

This event could not have been successful without all of your help! We look forward to seeing you all next year!!

Pictures to follow!

Congratulations to Judge Stedman and Justin O'Dell!

Every year, the Cobb Community Collaborative honors members of the community who have shown outstanding service to those in need in Cobb County. The Cobb Community Collaborative honors a volunteer and a professional who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve those in need in memory of Jack Vaughan, Jr.. Jack Vaughan, Jr. was a state representative and devoted member of the Cobb Community Collaborative who showed unselfish dedication to public service and strongly advocated for those less fortunate in our community. 

Reconnecting Families would like to congratulate Justin O'Dell for being nominated for the volunteer award. We are very fortunate to have Justin as our Board Chair. He has exceeded every expectation in this position, and his passion for the community is made obvious by his determination and motivation in helping our mission succeed. Thank you for everything you do, Justin! We are grateful for your wonderful service on our Board! 

We would also like to congratulate Judge Stedman for winning the professional award. It is an honor to have Judge Stedman serve Cobb County. Her charitable heart speaks volumes about her passion for the community. Through her hard work and compassion for others, she has changed the lives of many people. She is highly regarded as not just a Judge, but a wonderful asset to the community and a great friend. Thank you for everything you do, Judge Stedman. You have most definitely earned this award, and we are sure there will be many more to come!

Again, congratulations to both of you! We are very lucky to have you fighting for the Reconnecting Families mission!

Shay's Soaps is still here to help!

Shay's Soaps, who is usually a local vendor at the Shop for a Cause event, was not able to attend this year. However, because they are devoted supporters of Reconnecting Families, they have decided that any purchase made on their website this week (November 12 - 16) with the mention of Reconnecting Families, they will donate 15% of that purchase back to us! We are honored to have such wonderful supporters!

It is still not too late to make holiday purchases while giving back to Reconnecting Families!

Visit http://www.shaysoaps.com/index.html to buy more gifts! Don't forget to put "Reconnecting Families" in the 'note' section at check out!

Thank you Shay's Soaps! We are thankful for all your support!

Shop for a Cause is today! Come check out our amazing vendors!

 Vendor Spotlight: January Jayne!

Ladies, yall are going to love this vendor spotlight! January Jayne creates feathery fun hair flair! January Jayne crafts together unique feathers, pins, and broaches to form fabulous statement hair pieces. It's obvious that wearing cute things in your hair to spice up an outfit is the new hot thing to do in Hollywood, so why not do it here in Georgia, as well? With more than thirty hair pieces to choose from, January Jayne has something that everybody will want!

To get a better look at January Jayne and their inventory, visit them at http://myjanuaryjayne.blogspot.com/

Here's a vendor you won't want to miss this year!!!

Come out tomorrow to see Home Blown Studios!! 

If you have ever witnessed the art of glass blowing, you know that it is without a doubt one of the coolest things to watch. Home Blown Studios, a company based out of Roswell, GA, is one of the best places to go to get a little taste of what this art is really all about. Home Blown Studios makes premium handmade glass art, jewelry, and pipes. The colors and detail exemplified throughout every piece available at Home Blown is one-of-a-kind. Every item is unique in its own way and an awesome gift to give or even receive!

To learn more about Home Blown  Studios, check out all they have to offer at www.homeblownstudios.com

Vendor Spotlight: 2 Sisters' Secrets

2 Sisters' Secrets has been in the business of making their delicious products for over 21 years, and everyone is very excited that they will be able to purchase their yummy creations at the Shop for a Cause event! Debra and Tina Hodges are proud to say that they "make their products with care and with the best natural ingredients available. Their goal is to keep their products natural, free of MSG, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup." 

Come out and stock up on these for the holiday season! They will be a necessity for all your family dinners! Also, make sure to pick up some extra for presents for family, friends, and neighbors!!!

Da Sauce

"Award Winning" Barbeque Sauce. This sauce has a sweet vinegar taste with a kick. It goes great with poultry, pork, beef, or seafood. Use on the grill or in the kitchen. It is sure to please any taste buds.

 Tickles

Our famous Crunchy Bread and Butter Refrigerator Pickle. These pickles have a taste like no other. Once you put one in your mouth, it will tickle your taste buds to endless delight. It is a welcome addition to any cookout, picnic, or barbeque.  

The Mushroom Bag

Made of all natural unbleached cotton. Tired of slimy mushrooms? Worry no more! Just put them in the bag and put the bag in the refrigerator. This bag will save your mushrooms for weeks.

 

 Kickin' Bloody Mary Salt

A superb combination of spices designed for the Bloody Mary enthusiasts. Rim your glass with this for a tasting spicy kick. It's great for those Sunday brunches.  

 Chipotle Seasoning

A versatile seasoning which can be used in many recipes, including chicken, pork, beef, seafood and vegetables. Use it for a grilling marinade, sautéing or roasting. Great in chili too! Just sprinkle it on, add a little oil and cook. A time-saving seasoning packed full of flavor. 

For more information about 2 Sisters' Secrets, visit their website at http://www.2sisterssecrets.com

Vendor Spotlight: Songbird and Twig

We are so excited that Songbird and Twig is going to be at Shop for a Cause on Tuesday!!! Make sure you come check them out. You don't want to miss this one!!

Songbird and Twig creates hand-crafted Christmas ornaments, and they re-purpose wine and liquor bottles into serving trays.You definitely don't want to miss out on purchasing these products for the holiday season! Songbird and Twig makes beautiful and unique ornaments of churches and historical buildings. They have a very wide selection, and many new products are made every year. Songbird and Twig also collects many glass bottles that have been tossed out, and they up-cycle them into serving trays! Each one is different and one-of-a-kind! These would make perfect gifts for family and friends throughout the holidays!!! 

Don't forget to stop by Infomart on Terrell Mill on Tuesday between 5:30pm and 8:30pm to pick up your holiday inventory!!! We look forward to seeing you there!

Cathedral of Christ The King Catholic Church

First Baptist Church, Marietta, GA

Log Cabin Community Church, Vinings, GA

Smyrna First Baptist Church Chapel, Smyrna, GA

For more information about Songbird and Twig, please visit their website at www.songbirdandtwig.com