2016 Volunteer For A Better Sandy Springs A "Complete Success"

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- 2016): Leadership Sandy Springs’ 14th annual Volunteer for a Better Sandy Springs Day has been touted by the community as a "complete success," the organization said in its news release.

Held on Saturday, April 16 at 21 different sites in the city, more than 400 individual volunteers spread across the sites to lend their talent to various improvement projects.

“Volunteer for a Better Sandy Springs Day is one time a year when we come together in a day of service to make the community shine," said Leadership Sandy Springs Executive Director Jan Paul. “From individual residents to civic and nonprofit organizations to corporate volunteers, we all get and roll up our sleeves to help improve and beautify this city that we all hold so dear. It doesn’t happen without the community spirit that was on display at VBSS day and we sincerely thank everyone for his or her participation.”

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An unusually high number of volunteers signed up early this year to help with the project -- some repeat customers and many new faces as well. Northside Hospital sent a very large group of volunteers and fanned out to several sites. Participants spent time during the half-day event making improvements to non-profit organizations, parks, civic establishments and public schools throughout the city involving building, gardening, painting and planting.

Feedback from LSS site captains, site employees and other volunteers suggests that VBSS 2016 was overwhelmingly positive:

• “We love you LSS! This is one of Woodland’s favorite days! A huge thanks to you, the sponsors and all the volunteers!” - social media administrator of Woodland Elementary Charter School
• “Our experience was just plum perfect. Thank you!” – Kathy Reed, Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful
• "Our day at Hands on High Point day was a complete success and Doug Hunter (class of 2016) was an incredible guy to work with. I hope we can pair up again next year.” – Clare Lucas, High Point parent volunteer
• “The Sandy Springs Library had the best group of volunteers EVER! Mike Lindstrom (class of 2016) was an amazing site leader with great participation from all ages. They were thorough, followed instructions and cleaned up after themselves. The library looks amazing! I am so grateful for all of his leadership skills I so appreciate the amazing number of plants, dirt and mulch that was provided. Thank you so very much for a wonderful day.” – Sylvia McAdam, Sandy Springs Library
• “These young ladies and the two young men did a GREAT JOB! We are so thankful for all their help” Social media administrator at Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex.

Youth Leadership Sandy Springs, the high-school-age sister program of Leadership Sandy Springs, also dispatched volunteers to Spalding Drive Elementary School and Spalding Park, where they joined with parents and neighbor volunteers to work on several projects to beautify the school.

At the recycling center on Morgan Falls Road, Northside Hospital volunteers worked under the leadership of four LSS class of 2016 members and Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful Executive Director Kathy Reed to plant food gardens that will provide fresh produce for beneficiaries of the Community Assistance Center.

Since its founding in 1986, LSS has graduated more than 700 community leaders. Graduates say that LSS opens doors for civic involvement, career advancement and increased leadership effectiveness. Each year, Leadership Sandy Springs forms a class of leaders with diverse backgrounds who have an interest in Sandy Springs.

Through a carefully planned series of program days and activities, participants learn about the Sandy Springs area, hear from decision makers, interact with elected officials, business and community leaders, and study issues facing our community.

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Photo 1: Keep Sandy Springs Beautiful Executive Director Kathy Reed joins LSS class of 2016 members Imann Fahmi, Mike Bivone and Kathy Ellis at Morgan Falls Recycling Center by the newly planted food gardens that will benefit the Community Assistance Center.
Photo 2: LSS Class of 2016 members Doug Hunter (far left) and Rev. John Purrington (far right) join their volunteer team, Northside Hospital employees and youth group members of Sugarloaf Korean Baptist Church.
Photo 3: LSS alumnae Sherwin Nelson Clemons and Kristen Moody hand out donated biscuits to hungry volunteers at Kick Off
Photo 4: Andrea Dietze of Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop joins Tamrin Thompson and Kait Girodano of Whole Foods Market for the kickoff event. Both companies have sponsored Leadership Sandy Springs events.
Photo credits: Leadership Sandy Springs