400 Life December 2018: Holiday issue

400 LIFE DECEMBER 2018

Why we give Anderson family finds ways to give back to community after loss of daughter Lily

Linda Jones makes soldiers lives a little better one cookie at a time

Fun recipes to try this holiday season

Thank you for voting us BEST PEDIATRICS in Forsyth 770-888-8888 Monday - Friday | 8am - 5pm 1800 Northside Forsyth Drive | Suite 460 Cumming, GA 30041

www.cummingpediatricgroup.com

AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK!

BEST OF

FORSTYH

Happy Holidays!

Serving Forsyth and the surrounding communities for more than 30 years

Dr. McGruder

•

Dr. Sewell

Dr. Haezebrouck • Dr. Yu • Dr. Jules • Dr. Nunn We are now offering cutting edge Stem Cell & Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy for your pets.

770.889.2521 www.crestviewah.com 307 Pilgrim Mill Road • Cumming, GA 30040 We offer extended emergency hours. Our staff is available Monday - Friday until 8:45pm and Saturday - Sunday until 7:15pm

inside

contributors Publisher Stephanie Woody Editor BRIAN PAGLIA Production Manager TRACIE PIKE Director Video Production BRADLEY WISEMAN Staff Writers Alexander popp KELLY WHITMIRE Advertising director nathan schutter

Hope renewed

Advertising deborah darnell connor kelly STEPHANIE MCCABE

Mike Law turned his life around, now he helps others. PAGE 16 COVER STORY Lily’s legacy lives on. PAGE 6

This magazine is a product of the

400 FACES Linda Jones packs treats for troops. PAGE 10 400 EATS These recipes will get you in the holiday spirit. PAGE 12 HOLIDAY BLUES Expert gives tips on how to cope. PAGE 20

www.ForsythNews.com Advertising rates available upon request.

Call (770) 887-3126 or email marketing@forsythnews.com

One of a kind Tutoring Center

• • • •

Daycare Boarding Internet Cameras Open-Play Environment

678-807-7795 6130 Parkway North Drive Cumming, GA 30040

www.happydogsplayandstay.com

4 | 400 LIFE

| December 2018

nOW ENROLLING!

• Science and Social Studies programs for grades 2,3,4 and 5

Call: 678-456-8776

• Common Core State Standards aligned, standardized instruction material

Email: info@activelearnersleague.com

• Presentation of instruction material using role play, Drama and music to cater to different learning styles • Proprietary Software to document learning using a systematic learning framework • Small group coaching (not more than 10 students per class) at a reasonable price • Our teachers are experienced/ certified in teaching elementary school aged children • Comprehensive handbook for each program that includes a lot of learning materials in the form of stories, songs and exercises to reinforce the learning of all the standards.

Visit: 3590 Old Atlanta Rd, Suite 201 Suwanee, GA 3002

from the editor Let’s begin with a cliche: the first step is the hardest.

It must have been for the people featured in this month’s issue of 400 Life magazine, and yet look at where they are now.

Mike Law came to Cumming Home Ministries after 20 years addicted to drugs. Now, he is the local organization’s thrift store manager who uses his story to inspire other men who enter the program.

Linda Jones had a hunch she could help U.S. military service personnel stationed overseas.

She’s since shipped 7,995 boxes with 954,764 cookies around the world through her Treat the Troops Southern Style organization.

And Jennifer Anderson eventually resolved to turn the sullen occasion of her daughter Lily’s death from cancer into the impetus to encourage young cancer fighters. The 10th annual Lily’s Run fundraiser was recently held, and it raised almost $100,000, while an annual toy drive in Lily’s honor collected over 1,000 items last year (and the next one is coming up soon).

This is often the most frantic time of year, where the pressure to entertain or travel or pick out the perfect gift can feel immense, especially for those struggling with their mental health.

One of the best remedies? Give.

If you already serve this community in some capacity, thank you, and keep at it.

If you don’t, I encourage you to take the first step. Chances are you’ll be surprised where it leads you.

— Brian Paglia

Hopewell Roofing’s team of HAAG certified roof inspectors will perform a FREE roof inspection to determine if you qualify for a total roof replacement. Our insurance claim specialists will walk you through the process to ensure a quick and painless experience.

Protect your investment with a FREE roof inspection

Hopewell couldn’t have been more professional and thorough. They did an outstanding job in discovering the roof issue and repairing it to my satisfaction. I would highly recommend their services.

-Richard Denault

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ROOFING SERVICES

GAF Certification #ME23664

678-771-5372 www.hopewell-roofing.com December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 5

After Lily Anderson lost her battle with cancer in 2012 at the age of 11, her family began giving back to the community.

Last year, Lily’s 5th Annual Night of Glitter and Gifts collected 1,111 toys, games, bikes and other gifts for CHOA, filling several box trucks destined to reach countless children over the holidays.

A Legacy of Charity Family turns loss of daughter into a lifetime of giving back

Story by Alexander Popp | Photos by Bradley Wiseman

The worst day of Jennifer Anderson’s life came in the winter of 2012, when her daughter, Lily, succumbed to a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 11.

From the moment that her daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2009 to the very end, Anderson said that the youngster never gave up hope, never stopped fighting.

But after that unimaginable loss on Dec. 15, 2012, the Anderson family didn’t allow Lily’s fire to die.

Over the past six years, Anderson’s family, including husband Joey and daughter Audrey, 11, have honored the memory of their bright, happy child who refused to quit fighting and brightened the world around her like glitter by bringing hope and normalcy to the lives of countless children who spend the holidays in a hospital bed.

“She always lived a yes life,” Anderson said.

“She was so tiny and really shiny, and she was all over the place and everybody that got to meet her,” she said. “You didn’t forget that Continued on 8 6 | 400 LIFE

| December 2018

Audrey, Jennifer and Joey Anderson admire their Christmas tree which is adorned with ornaments filled with special memories of Lily and Audrey.

LOS RIOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Thank You for voting us BEST Mexican Restaurant in Forsyth!

678-456-8892 12 TriCounty Plaza, Cumming GA 30040

she was in your presence.”

Anderson said that the year of sadness and tragedy after they lost Lily, a friend came to her and suggested that they take the day that Lily died and turn it into a positive day, giving back to the community at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta (CHOA) that her daughter loved so much.

“At first I said no, there is nothing good about this day,” Anderson said.

“But I didn’t want to be sad, because she wouldn’t have wanted us to be sad … so we decided Dec. 15 was going to be the toy drive.”

That first toy drive they held was small and intimate, she said, but over the years it has become a charity staple for the Forsyth County and CHOA communities.

“It’s just grown, grown, grown,” she said.

Last year, Lily’s 5th Annual Night of Glitter and Gifts collected 1,111 toys, games, bikes and other gifts for CHOA, filling several box trucks, destined to reach countless children over the holidays.

According to Anderson, that total itself was a sign that her daughter was smiling down at them, happy at the

8 | 400 LIFE

|

December 2018

work they were doing.

“Lily’s special number was 11 … she was 11 years old when we lost her and she just loved the number 11,” she said. “So when they counted all the toys, they told us that there were 1,111 toys. You just can’t make that up.”

Anderson said that every one of those 1,111 toys were given a ‘Lily’s Toys’ sticker, letting their recipients know that they were donated in Lily’s memory and further preserving her legacy.

She said that every so often she will get a photo or letter from a family that received one of Lily’s toys, thanking her and her family for what they do.

Even before they began Lily’s Annual Night of Glitter and Gifts, the Anderson family was part of another charity event, Lily’s Run, which was started by the Kingdom Kids Foundation, to help their family just weeks after Lily was diagnosed cancer.

“They were trying to help us as much as they could,” she said. “They put together the first Lily’s Run within three weeks and it was — I mean just thousands of people — who came out for our family, to help us.”

Lily was the tiny champion and mas-

Some of the ornaments include beanies the girls came home from the hospital in when they were born and handmade items they made themselves.

mountains.’ … You don’t cot of the race, Anderson said, attending even at the height of have to think about that her sickness to see the people place that you have to go that supported her. At Lily’s back to.” final race in 2012, Anderson said that anyAnderson said they made a one who is looking to parpromise to keep it going ticipate in this year’s after she was gone.

Lily’s Annual Night of “She said, ‘You know, Glitter and Gifts can come even though I’m not going to the Vickery Village to be here, I want you to Courtyard at 5755 South continue this. I want you to Vickery St., in Cumming keep doing Lily’s Run,”’ from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15.

Anderson said.

Lily’s Run is held each Like Lily’s Annual Night year on the second Sunday of Glitter and Gifts, in October.

Some of the toys collected during last year’s Lily’s Annual Anderson said that Lily’s They ask donors to bring Run has grown tremendous- Night of Glitter and Gifts. This year’s event is at Vickery unwrapped toys, gift cards Village Courtyard from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 15. ly over the last 10 years. or other gifts, but can’t The most recent event in accept stuffed animals or October raised $95,000 to any toys with glitter. grant the wishes of sick and hospitalized children.

For the future, Anderson said that they will continue to She said that those wishes might be as simple as a new spread Lily’s memory in the community and do as much to computer or as elaborate as a trip to Hawaii, but the important part is that the child and family get a break from hospi- help sick and hospitalized children as they can, for as long as they can. tals and the routines of being sick, whether it be for a day “All over Forsyth County I see Lily’s Run shirts. I see Glitter or a week. and Gift toy stickers. So I feel like we’re doing our job to carry on her “It helps you to get through the next day,” she said. “It legacy as a family,” she said. “We’ll just see how long we can keep comes back to normalcy, so you can have a life outside of doing it, but people can count on December the 15th as being a day [the hospital] and go do something and say, ‘Hey, yeah, of joy instead of a day of sadness for the Andersons.” we’re going to go to Disneyland, we’re going to go to the

Holiday Specials November & December 2018

$50 Off Dysport

when spending $300+

$100 Off Restylane

$150 Off

10% Off

Micro-Needling when purchasing 3 treatments

Cosmetic Products

(excluding Latisse)

Treatment of Skin, Hair Loss, Nail Diseases, Acne, Warts, Moles, Psoriasis, Eczema, etc.

Vbeam Vascular Laser for Rosacea and Treatment of Facial Veins | CoolSculpting for Fat Reduction Botox, Dysport, Lastisse, Restylane Fillers, Radiesse, Juvederm, Sculptra, 7 Chemical Peels Micro-Needling (All Skin Types) | Diagnosis & Treatment of Skin Cancer

Call 770.814.8222 ext. 209

Gabrielle M. Sabini, MD | Charles J. Douchy, MD Matthew J. Reschly, MD | A. Damian Dhar, MD Weston T. Waxweiler, MD Anjana Patel, PA-C | Sara Barr, PA-C Karly Kincaid, PA-C | Nikki Orciuch, PA-C Julia Ro, PA-C | Jennifer Millsap, PA-C All Boards Certified

for a FREE consultation for CoolSculpting & Micro-Needling CoolSculpting new patients 25% off, existing CoolSculpting patients 20%.

Micro-Needling $150 off when booking 3 Treatments

3370 Paddocks Pkwy.

Suwanee, GA 30024

1230 Bald Ridge Marina Rd. | Suite 300 Cumming, GA 30041

3850 Pleasant Hill Rd. Duluth, GA 30096

3331 Hamilton Mill Rd. | Suite 1106 Buford, GA 30519

(Off 141, close to BP Gas Station & Laurel Springs Subdivision)

(Between Peachtree Industrial & Buford Highway)

(Across from Costco)

(Across from the Kroger Shopping Center)

Adult & Pediatric Dermatology

www.naderm.com EntEr your E-mail on our wEbsitE for futurE spEcials!

December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 9

400 faces

Linda JoneS Organizer, Treat the Troops Southern Style Brightly-colored packages filled nearly an entire freezer in Forsyth County resident Linda Jones’ home. Each of the wrapped packages contained half a dozen homemade cookies made by Jones and friends, frozen to keep fresh.

Those cookies, along with some other treats, will soon begin journeys that will take them across the world, including war zones, the middle of the ocean and anywhere members of the U.S. armed forces may be.

Jones said she first began baking cookies for members of the military about a dozen years ago and in 2012 founded Treat the Troops Southern Style, the local chapter of Treat the Troops, an organization that provides deployed soldiers with cookies, other comfort items and notes of thanks.

Jones — along with friends Carol Hyman, who handles all shipping labels, and Nan Meadows, who does all the customs forms — have seen exponential growth in the group over the last six years.

At the first packing in August 2012, volunteers packed 32 boxes and a total 2,736 cookies. At the group’s packing this September, 368 boxes and 44,160 cookies were personally shipped to soldiers across the world, for a total of 7,995 boxes and

The Oldest And Largest In-Home Pet Care Company

Critter Sitters Inc. 4O YEARS IN

BUSINESS

Our Services includes: • Feed and care for your pet • Administer Shots, Meds, etc.

• Home Maintenance/Security • We do mid-day walks and sleepovers!

VET REFERENCES

Mention this ad & receive...

3 visit minimum. New customers only.

404.377.4575 ext. 532 10 | 400 LIFE

|

December 2018

BONDED AND INSURED

954,764 cookies sent over the years.

Jones sat down with 400 Life to talk about what goes into the boxes, where they go and some of her favorite responses.

Can you tell me about the growth in the group over the years?

“It’s been huge, and a lot more than I ever thought.”

“Everyone doesn’t participate every time, but we are probably up to 400 names on my email list. The way that my computer works, and maybe others, I have 22 different Treat the Troops email lists because if you send too many at one time, they get bounced back because they think it’s spam.

“It sounds ridiculous, but I’ve done the research, and I’ve had issues. It takes me three days to send out my reminder or my results because I can only send out like seven of the lists at a time or they get bounced back.”

What are some of your favorite reactions you’ve gotten from soldiers?

“I have [letters from] several soldiers that will literally make you cry. Can you imagine being in a foreign country far away from your family, your friends, your home and day after day you go to mail call, or some of the places every other week … and you never hear your name?” “[A soldier who we send packages] wrote me an email about a month ago, and he said, ‘Linda, I’ve been thinking about you. You’re not going to believe what happened. We were taking one of our many meetings with the general yesterday and it was brought to my atten-

tion that the post office on base was shut down. The canines they bring in to sniff all the mail, the boxes, the packages and one of the canines went nuts over one of these boxes. Come to find out, it was full of canine treats.’”

What goes into each box?

“We try to put 10 dozen cookies in each box, two magazines at the bottom. We go to our toiletry area, where we have ziplock bags full of travel-size toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, body soap.”

“We put the 20 [half-dozen] packages of cookies down, then we go to the candy table, where we fill all the nooks and crannies with candy … a couple layers of snacks, then finally the correspondence table, where all the letters, cards and notes are put in.”

Where have cookies gone over the years?

“So many places. Any place there is a deployed soldier who wants a cookie. I know this time we’re sending them to Jordan, Africa, [and] of course, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Korea, Poland, Italy. We’ve sent to Germany. Usually, it’s a war zone, but we’ve sent to a variety of ships.”

What’s your favorite cookie and which is the most popular?

“I deal with so many cookies, I don’t have a favorite. Between you and me, there are times I don’t want to smell another cookie …

Probably the most popular are the chocolate chip.”

— By Kelly Whitmire

Aggressive Attorneys working for YOU With 30+ years of experience. Zeliff | Watson will provide you with the strongest defense team you can find in North Atlanta.

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

(770) 887-3720

351-A Dahlonega St. Cumming, GA 30040

December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 11

400 eats

holiday eats and drinks Stuffed, Buzzed and Sleepy

Content and photos by Alexander Popp

Winter Buttered Rum Nightcap This drink will put you to sleep.

And that’s not because its spices are weak or its alcohol content is lacking. The combination of rum and spiced apple blended into a buttery hot drink will have you thinking about bed before you can even think the word nightcap.

The traditional recipe for hot buttered rum involves spices, butter, rum, sugar and other ingredients to be stirred into boiling water, but I decided to change things up a little and mix the water with apple cider. You can use only cider to make this, but keep in mind, the result will be intoxicatingly sugary.

What’s in it Dark brown sugar - 1/3 cup Unsalted butter - 1/2 stick Honey - 1/4 cup Ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon Ground cloves - 1/8 teaspoon Spiced rum - 3/4 cup Apple cider - 2 cups Water - 1 cup Cinnamon - 4 sticks

12 | 400 LIFE

|

December 2018

5940 Bethelview Road, Suite 1000 Cumming, GA 30040 Cumming (Morning or Evening) Pre-License Class *Note: These are satellite classes - Live Instruction and digital link. Instructor alternates between locations.

Classes Meet Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays Morning classes: 9am – 1pm Evening classes: 6pm - 10pm *Saturdays: 9am – 5pm (1 hr for lunch) CLASS DATES January: 7, 10, 12*, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31 Feburary: 4, 7, 9*, 11, 14, 21, 25 Final Exam Date: Feb. 28th

Course cost

$450

Reserve seat for

ONLY $99

Class size is limited to 16.

Johnell Woody State Director (678) 445-3049

REGISTER NOW!

www.successrealestateschool.com

How to make it 1. Mix the brown sugar, honey, spices and softened butter together in a mixing bowl until they are blended evenly. The softer your butter is, the easier this will be.

2. Mix the apple cider and water, heat the mixture to a low simmer.

3. As the cider is heating up, stir in your dry ingredients until they dissolve.

4. Add in your rum to taste or preferred alcohol content, and continue stirring until the mixture reaches a low simmer.

5. Remove from heat and serve into your favorite mug and enjoy, but very carefully.

This recipe makes roughly four servings, but if you are anything like me, one cup and it’s “lights out, see you tomorrow.”

Continued on 14

WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION BASKETBALL - FLAG FOOTBALL - INDOOR SOCCER

Each location individually owned and operated.

December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 13

‘Gimme that Pumpkin Spice’ Holiday Whoopie Pies If you’ve never eaten, or even heard of a Whoopie Pie, don’t worry it’s not too late, you still have time.

A classic treat from New England and the Pennsylvania Amish, a Whoopie Pie consists of two fat cookies made of moist cake, held together with a binding of freshly whipped vanilla icing. A round portable dessert, part cookie, part cake, that is all delicious and can be enjoyed yearround.

For this edition of 400 Eats, I chose to bring you this rare northern treat with the flavors and spices of winter and fall.

14 | 400 LIFE

|

December 2018

How to make it

What’s in it Cookies All-purpose flour - 2 cups Baking powder - 1 teaspoon Baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon Salt - 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon - 1 and 1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger - 1/2 teaspoon Ground cloves - 1/4 teaspoon 2 large eggs Brown sugar - 1 1/4 cups Canola oil - 2/3 cup Vanilla - 1 teaspoon Canned pumpkin - 1 cup Icing Powdered sugar - 3 cups Unsalted butter - 1 stick Half and half - 3 tablespoons Vanilla - 1 teaspoon Pro-tip, put the batter and icing in the freezer to chill before piping. It makes things a little easier.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease two baking sheets (If you are like me and only own one baking sheet, you can bake the cookies in rounds).

2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves in a large bowl and set the mixture aside.

3. Combine brown sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla and pumpkin in another bowl and mix until smooth.

4. Slowly stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients for about one minute until you get a consistent batter.

5. Grab a gallon-size Ziploc bag and fill it with batter, close, and with a pair of scissors, cut a corner from the bag. Use the bag to pipe dollops of batter roughly 1 to 2 inches across on the cookie sheet. Leave room for them to rise.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are firm.

7. While the cookies are baking, take a few minutes to get your icing together. Start by mixing the powdered sugar and butter together. You can do this with an electric mixer or by hand, either way will make a lumpy, crumbly mixture.

8. Mix in half of your half and half and vanilla, and beat for several minutes until a fluffy cream forms.

9. Once your cookies are firm, remove them from the oven and place on racks to cool. Repeat the baking until your batter is completely used up or freeze it for later use.

10. Once cookies are sufficiently cooled, sandwich them in pairs placing a dollop of icing in the middle.

11. Admire your stack of Whoopie Pies, eat, enjoy and don’t forget to share.

2015

EA

DER

S’ C H O

IC

FORS YTH C

2016

BEST OF FORSYTH

BEST OF FORSYTH R

NEWS | FORSY NTY TH OU

.COM WS NE

NEWS | FORSY NTY TH OU

.COM WS NE

FORS YTH C

www.AllStarsChildrensDentist.com

R

EA

DER

S’ C H O

IC

E

E

Where Rising Stars Grow Shining Smiles.

Taking interest in each child, their personalities and preferences, is an important part of any dental visit.

Dr. John Haffner and his professional pediatric dental staff believe your child’s visit to the dentist should be fun and educational. Our all star team members have been specially trained to treat children with all needs and abilities.

770-502-0226 | truenaturalgas.com 770-502-0226 | truenaturalgas.com Sawnee EMC’s gas partner since 2007 R

R

R

We’re Close To Home Base.

Located just a mile from GA 400 and Exit #17 in the Publix Shopping Center.

Intersection of Keith Bridge Road and Brown’s Bridge Road.

Call today and schedule your child’s dental visit

770.292.9441

Sawnee EMC’s gas partner sincepromotes 2007 the natural gas services of True Natural Gas, the *Sawnee EMC is not a certified natural gas marketer in the state of Georgia, but actively certified natural gas marketer, as a value-added service to its members. The rate above is the residential 12 month fixed rate and is valid until 10/5/18.

R

*Sawnee EMC is not a certified natural gas marketer in the state of Georgia, but actively promotes the natural gas services of True Natural Gas, the certified natural gas marketer, as a value-added service to its members.

*Sawnee EMC is not a certified natural gas marketer in the state of Georgia, but actively promotes the natural gas services of True Natural Gas, the certified natural gas marketer, as a value-added service to its members. The rate above is the residential 12 month fixed rate and is valid until 10/5/18.

December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 15

Mike Law is one of 300 men that Cumming Home Ministries has helped since 2010. Now he is giving back through the same program.

‘A better way of life’

Mike Law left program with a new start, then came back to help others do the same Story and photos by Brian Paglia

Everything Mike Law owned was packed into two bags when his mom dropped him off at Cumming Home Ministries.

Law had known this day was coming. Nine months earlier, he was in a trailer in Jackson County hitting rock bottom. The trailer had no heat or water or power, but it had a roof, and that was more than Law had when the owner saw him walking down the street one day.

The owner invited Law in, and Law suddenly had a safer haven than usual to indulge his drug addiction.

The addiction made it easy for Law to miss a probation appointment, and Law used the night before he went to turn himself in.

Law “looked like a scarecrow,” he remembers: Gaunt, with sunken cheeks. He was estranged from family.

In the middle of the night, hours away from going to jail, Law fell to the trailer floor and sobbed.

“I knew that I was tired of this lifestyle,” Law said. “I think ultimately in my spirit, I knew this was my chance. This was my breaking point.”

16 | 400 LIFE

|

December 2018

Mike Law is the thrift store manager for Cumming Home Ministries.

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Law carried one end of a couch out the front doors of the Cumming Home Ministries thrift store. Law is the store manager, and so he’s responsible for coordinating all facets of the operation, including the men who are obligated to work there as part of the ministry’s ninemonth program to help homeless men reintegrate into society.

Law was one of those men among the more than 10,000 Georgians who were homeless on any given night in 2017, according to a Georgia Department of Community Affairs report. But he became one of the more than 300 men who Cumming Home Ministries has helped since 2010.

When Law turned himself in for that missed probation assignment, he encountered bumps at first. He was sent to the Probation Substance Abuse Treatment Center (PSATC) in Turner County for nine months. It was there that Law found out his father died and he couldn’t attend the funeral.

“That was due to my choices,” Law said. “Another one of those painful parts.”

Continued on 18

December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 17

Law’s father’s death reunited him with his family; it was Law’s mother and sister who picked him up at the end of his time at PSATC. He considered staying with his mom in Jasper, but Law knew it was too close to temptation, so he searched for homeless shelters and happened upon Cumming Home Ministries.

Law embraced every step of the rest of the journey. He went to aftercare classes through the felony probation office around the corner from the Cumming Home Ministries house. He attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings across the street from the thrift store. He completed a driving course nearby to get his license.

Law’s life began to have structure, with time regimented for spiritual devotions before a full workday at the thrift store. He started to lead Bible studies. The ministry eventually made him house manager, where he was in charge of getting house members to drug tests or the ministry’s thrift store or to a job in the local community.

At the end of Law’s nine months, he moved into his own apartment with a steady job at a glass company, but it wasn’t long before Cumming Home Ministries asked him to come back.

They had an opening for a new thrift store manager. Would Law want to return?

“For me, that meant a lot to me,” Law said. “Maybe they could

see it in me, but me personally I want to always give back. … It builds me.”

That was Law’s message to Cumming Home Ministries when he first arrived. Law saw himself as a good person who had made bad choices but was ready to help others. Law had been addicted to methamphetamine and cocaine for almost 20 years, and he had unsuccessfully tried a recovery program before. But this time, Law sensed something was different.

The night he broke down in a Lumpkin County trailer, Law prayed for the cravings to be taken from him.

“The cravings were gone,” Law said. “When I prayed, ‘Take away my addiction’ — I smoked cigarettes for 24 years; I never smoked another cigarette. That’s where my testimony begins.”

When Law shares this with the men in the program, he senses their skepticism, and he understands. “It doesn’t happen for everybody,” Law said, “but for me it happened.” Law feels it did for him because he was desperate to change. He was ready to try a new way, one that focused on others instead of himself.

So on Wednesday morning, Law made deliveries and picked up donations with the thrift store truck; he loaded a refrigerator by himself. Once, Law and a member of the program Bible study did landscaping for an old lady whose yard was overgrown. Recently

“I’m just grateful to be used in this way. I want to share that and try to help people, help people see that they don’t have to live a homeless lifestyle, live in the bondage of addiction and that there’s a better way of life.”

— Mike Law, recovering addict and thrift store manager for Cumming Home Ministires

Now Accepting New Patients!

Emergencies | Kid-Friendly

Open on Saturday!

READ OUR REVIEWS!!!

“Wonderful, caring, professional doctor. I am so glad I found Dr.Y three years ago. I would recommend her to everyone.

1475 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite C Cumming, GA 30041

470-253-1747

www.sharonspringsdental.com

18 | 400 LIFE

|

December 2018

the Cumming Home Ministries house was in between managers, so Law filled the role on top of his thrift store job.

“He has a heart for this,” said Karen Rivera, executive director of Cumming Home Ministries. “He was like, ‘I can help someone else who’s going through the same thing.’”

Indeed, Law is more than happy to.

“I’m just grateful to be used in this way,” Law said.

“I want to share that and try to help people, help people see that they don’t have to live a homeless lifestyle, live in the bondage of addiction and that there’s a better way of life.”

Visit the thrift store: Cumming Home Ministries 429 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040

Poker MON & WED 8PM

LIVE MUSIC:

Karaoke

FRI & SAT 8PM

TUES 8PM-12AM

Your Home for Family Dining & Late Night Fun!

APPETIZERS • SALADS • SOUPS • WINGS • BURGERS STEAKS • PASTAS • DESSERTS TUESDAY’S - KIDS EAT FREE WITH EACH ADULT ENTREE

770-292-9999

5446 BETHELVIEW RD CUMMING, GA 30040

PROJECTION SCREEN, 65” TV TO WATCH SPORTS

December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 19

For some, h Mental health expert gi Story by Kelly Whitmire

For many, the holidays can be a time of happiness, coming together with family and making memories.

But for those fighting unseen battles with mental illness, the holidays can also be a time of loneliness, loss and remembrance.

“The holidays can often act as a trigger for a lot of people,” said Katie Newman, mental health services coordinator for Forsyth County Schools and owner of Higher Grounds Counseling. “It can be an anniversary that triggers them, again experiencing that depression, stress and anxiety. Many people have experienced those things. It may be sometimes hard not to look at them and say, ‘Why aren’t you able to get over it? This is the holidays,’ and really push your expectations on that loved one.

“There needs to be importance on [the fact] that others may need time to realize how deeply this affects their life.”

Dealing professionally with both children and adults, Newman said she gets a view of the family and how the actions of one person impact the mental health of other family members, particularly around the holidays.

PIZZERIA AZZURRI

WE’RE MORE THAN A GYM

WE’RE A CAUSE GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES

HEALTHY KIDS DAY®

ACTIVE COMMUNITIES

STRONG KIDS

CAMP EAGLE POINT

CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTORS

770-887-8833 pizzaazzurri.com

5 off

$

ANY ORDER OF $30 OR MORE

ANY 12” PIZZA

not including alcohol

Pizzeria Azzuri

MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS

1 out of 3 people will have diabetes by 2050.

GEORGIA’S ECONOMIC BURDEN OF $9.9 BILLION IN MEDICAL CARE.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

20 | 400 LIFE

LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS

|

December 2018

6050 Y Street Cumming, GA 30040 770-888-2788 www.ymcaattlanta.org

2 off

$

770-887-8833

With this coupon. Not valid with other coupons or offers. Must present coupon at the time of service.

Expires April 30, 2019.

limit 2 per order

Pizzeria Azzuri

770-887-8833

With this coupon. Not valid with other coupons or offers. Must present coupon at the time of service.

Expires April 30, 2019.

3560 Browns Bridge Rd. Hwy. 369 • Cumming, Ga 1/2 mile west of GA 400 next to Thomas Lumber

holidays may not be joyful ves advice on some of the ways to cope this season “We don’t just look at the child, we look at the whole family because we know what the adults do affects the child,” Newman said. “If mom is sad or mad, everybody is sad or mad. So it affects everybody.”

According to a 2014 survey by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, about 24 percent of about 300 responders diagnosed with mental illness claimed the holiday season made their condition “a lot” worse and 40 percent said it became “somewhat” worse.

While many have notions about what mental health is and what it impacts, Newman said the school system looks at eight mental health factors: physical, financial, environmental, intellectual, cultural, relational, emotional and occupational health.

Challenges Newman said there are several factors that contribute to the mental health concerns around the holidays.

For one, the holidays can be a source of financial stress for many families, which Newman said can be alleviated by not going into debt and taking part in gift-givings like secret Santa, where many can take part but each person only buys one gift.

“We talk a lot about planning a budget and using cash or debit

because there is a lot of remorse that happens in January when those credit card bills come in,” Newman said. “A tip would be to use more cash and debit and less credit cards because we have a lot of families that overspend and keeping up with the Joneses because we are an affluent community, but we do see a lot of dips and a lot of issues happening in January with families having to pay their bills.”

Along with not spending too much money, Newman said families should be careful to now spread themselves or their kids too thin over the holidays and recommended setting a cap of how many holiday events to attend and carving out family time.

“Family members definitely try to bring up old news or guilt trips and push boundaries that you may feel obligated to do things that you don’t want to do,” she said. “It can definitely cause you to overcommit yourself to multiple things and overcommit your children, so we have a lot of children that are just pushed to the max, and that’s when a lot of behaviors come out, especially in elementary school kids. They’re tired and being dragged place to place.”

For some, the holidays can also bring up memories of loved Continued on 22

December 2018

| 400 LIFE | 21

‘When you’re isolated and lonely and you have depression, it’s hard to muster up the courage to go out and do something. But if you volunteer and know they’re relying on you, then you’re more likely to get out of your house and interact with others, and that does help... .’

— Katie Newman, mental health services coordinator for Forsyth County Schools and owner of Higher Grounds Counseling

ones who have passed away. Newman said in her role with Forsyth County Schools, the policy is to help students acknowledge those losses.

“It can be remembering the old traditions or when their loved one was still alive, but trying to talk to students about, ‘What were your loved one’s favorite interests? How did you like spending your time with that person?’ and maybe some things just to honor that loved one,” she said.

Tips While the holidays can be challenging, Newman said there are several things individuals can try to do. Among the most important, she said, is staying active and involved with the community.

“When you’re isolated and lonely and you have depression, it’s hard to muster up the courage to go out and do something,” she said. “But if you volunteer and know they’re relying on you, then you’re more likely to get out of your house and interact with others, and that does help, and it does bring a lot of hope to individuals that are experiencing that.”

In a bit of advice that those with time off work or school may resist, Newman said it is important to keep a routine and stay active.

“Keeping a routine is so important to your mental health, even if it is waking up at the same time and taking a cat nap later on,” she said. “Keeping your sleep cycle solid throughout the holidays will help you so much more when you go back to work, and you won’t feel as overstressed and anxious because your body is out of rhythm.”

For those who are experiencing mental health or financial issues over the holidays, Newman said to reach out to community organizations, such as The Place of Forsyth County’s Holiday House, which provides assistance for holiday gifts to parents inneed and is a volunteer opportunity for those that need to stay active.

“We try to also reach out to those families and instill hope that your community loves you,” Newman said. “You may be going through a hard time, but your community wants to support, just to make them feel not so isolated, that they do have a community that they can help with.”

For less than the cost of a gallon of gas -- you can have local news delivered to your door three times a week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).

For $2.29 a week -- we can get it to you. That is a savings of $89 a year off of news stand prices. This price includes FULL online access as well.

SUBSCRIBE NOW! STAY CONNECTED! TO LEARN MORE,CALL (770) 887-3126

22 | 400 LIFE

|

December 2018

400 LIF E OCTOBER

2018

Women of Forsyth

IFE 400 L

Marylene Br ier construction e took on and won

Residents love of express County Forsyth the lens through Amy Lyle embraces her failure.

Hannah Tes ta is not done fighting.

Aletha Barre tt didn’t listen to the haters.

s: A word 400 face experts from the s to get ot sp The top m photos Instagra

ER 2018

NOVEMB

Coming Up in 2019: January- New Year, New You February - Behind the Scenes March - Lights, Camera, Action April - Spring Cleaning DIY May - The Great Outdoors June - Man Oh Man July - Musical Evolution August - Furry, Slithering, Flying Friends September - Good Eats October - Girl’s Rule The World November - Giving Back December - Deck The Halls

Reserve your space today!

Call 770 887 3126 or email marketing@forsythnews.com

WHEN YOU PROVIDE OUTSTANDING CARE, IT REALLY ATTRACTS A CROWD.

Northside Hospital continues to attract more top doctors and advance our technology. And that makes all the difference for patients. We’re growing throughout Georgia and offering our high level of care to more people. When you take better care of your physicians and staff, they can take better care of patients.

northside.com