Milton To Dedicate Park Benches In Resident's Honor

MILTON, GA -- The city of Milton on Saturday will dedicate three park benches in honor of a resident who spent her life volunteering in the local community and advocating for animals in need of a home.

The benches will be dedicated to Cindy Hollingsworth at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 22 at Bell Memorial Park, which is located at 15245 Bell Park Road. The public is invited to attend the brief ceremony.

"Cindy was not only a friend to the city, but she was a personal friend," said Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Cregge. "She was instrumental in helping make Milton what it is today and it's our honor to memorialize her in this way."

Long before Milton was incorporated, Hollingsworth was actively involved in what was going on in the community and around North Fulton. As a stay-at-home mom of three boys, Cindy stayed busy but she always found time for her passions: her community and foster animals.

She was particularly interested in area parks, roads and schools at a time when many area residents were actively pursuing options for more local control. It was this interest that connected Cindy Hollingsworth to State Rep. Jan Jones, who would later introduce legislation to incorporate the city of Milton. Cindy became a voice for area residents and served on the city's incorporation committee.

In 2014, Hollingsworth passed away unexpectedly leaving behind her husband and three sons, Carson, Grant and Brady. Her family and loved ones wanted to find a way to honor her memory, and her dedication to the Milton community and her commitment to helping animals.

"Cindy used to always say 'I'm not a politician; I just love my community'," said Cindy's husband, Chuck Hollingsworth.

She took an interest in the master planning process for the city, permitting and land use, and ways to protect and conserve land in North Fulton.

According to Mr. Hollingsworth, the only thing she loved more than her family and her beloved Milton was animals. Over a four-year period, Cindy fostered approximately 147 puppies for Angels Among Us, a local animal rescue group. In addition to caring for the newborns, she proactively advertised the puppies online and almost always had a home ready to go at the end of the eight weeks.

"There are few people as loved, still loved, more than Cindy," said Angels Among Us co-founder LuAnn Farrell. "She was always the first to greet new fosters and make them feel welcome, Cindy is greatly missed by many."

Those in the community who wish to honor Cindy's memory, her family suggests making a tax-deductible donation to Angels Among Us at www.angelsrescue.org.

Image via Chuck Hollingsworth