Community
Empower Cherokee Needs Your Help
CCSD School Nutrition Meals Free to All Students
Due to COVID-19, Empower Cherokee has postponed all public events, including its gala. This nonprofit organization, which assists people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, needs funding for the following:
Cherokee County School District (CCSD) families are receiving a new form of economic stimulus: free meals.
Serving Thanksgiving dinner to Empower Cherokee participants (120 people). Total needed: $2,500. Campus beautification. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, churches that typically do service projects have not been available, and Empower Cherokee courtyards need mulch and weeding. Total needed: $1,500. Annual live or virtual Christmas party for Empower Cherokee participants. Food will be provided regardless of which option. A gift card to an area business ($20-$25) is given to each participant. Total needed: $4,000 (combined cash and gift cards).
The USDA funding is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2020, and all meals charged since then will be credited back to student accounts. If an unpaid balance for meals was incurred, that balance will be waived. School Nutrition will charge fees for second helpings and extras like chips and cookies.
Any help is appreciated. For more information about Empower Cherokee, please visit EmpowerCherokee.org.
Lisa-Marie Haygood Earns Certified Association Executive Credential American Society of Association Executives announced that Lisa-Marie Haygood, executive director of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF), earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, which is the highest professional credential in the association industry.
Through December 31, 2020 (end date depends upon funding), CCSD School Nutrition will not charge fees to students for breakfast or lunch. No forms or income eligibility requirements are necessary for this federally funded temporary relief program.
Free meals are available to in-person students and Digital Learning students who order a week of to-go meals. Free meals are available to students at high schools with hybrid schedules for both in-person days and at-home days if to-go meals are ordered in advance. Children who are not yet school age who come with their parent/caregiver to the Digital Learning meal pick-up are also eligible to receive to-go meals. “We’re grateful for this federal support to provide relief to families who need a helping hand during this challenging time to ensure their children are fed,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower.
To be designated as a CAE, the applicant must have experience with nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. Haygood has served as CCEF’s executive director since 2017 and has a long history of advocating for excellence in public schools throughout Georgia.
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Woodstock Family Life | OCTOBER 2020
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