Local Nonprofits Make a Difference

Patch Picks: Five Nonprofits Making a Difference

Calvary Children's Home: Since the home's beginning in 1966, it has taken in more than 400 children who needed a place to live. It moved from its original one-acre home in Smyrna to a 13-acre site in Powder Springs in 1997. The children who live at Calvary Children's Home participate in the community, churches and schools. They are typically between 6 and 18 years old.

Southern Hope Humane Society: The nonprofit organization based in Powder Springs attempts to find permanent homes for dogs and cats that don't have one. Formerly called the Paulding Volunteer Animal Rescue, Southern Hope was incorporated in 1993. It works with hundreds of rescue groups, educates the public about responsible pet ownership, pulls animals from shelters that euthanize, provides veterinary treatment and does many other things to help animals.

MOMS Club of Powder Springs: The local MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) chapter is one of more than 2,000 under the umbrella of the International MOMS Club. Along with providing a place for moms to gather, the club organizes playgroups for children, brings in guest speakers, attends monthly business meetings and does community service projects. Annual fees are $20. The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m., and children are allowed. For more information, e-mail momsclubofpowdersprings@hotmail.com

The American Cancer Society: One of the contributors to the organization's South Atlantic Division is the Cobb County School District. The district contributes about $1 million annually to the nonprofit's Relay for Life cancer-fighting campaign. That amount makes Cobb schools the fifth largest donor to Relay for Life in the country. Cobb's fundraising efforts are made great because of the collective talents in the county, as noted in on Kemp Elementary art teacher Sandy Ramirez. 

Reach Out America: The nonprofit organization based in Mableton has been incorporated in Georgia since 2005 and gained its national 501(c)3 charity status in 2006. Since that timeframe, Reach Out America has helped all children—including those with cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, autism, congenial heart disease and other challenges—go to camp. The organization works with nearly 1,000 camps across America. All donations go toward the growth of the program. The nonprofit also helps kids organize court-mandated community service hours.