Adventure Starts in Cherokee County.
Since 1994, Krause Family Ford has been Woodstock’s hometown Ford dealer, keeping families, businesses, and adventurers on the move. Whether you’re driving the iconic Bronco into the Georgia foothills, hauling with an F-150, or exploring the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, we deliver the Ford that fits your lifestyle. With mobile service, pickup & delivery, and a family-first approach, we make car ownership simple.
Grateful for This City We Call Home
How is the atmosphere in your room today?
If you’re like me, you're probably listening to people juggling a million things, racing toward year-end goals, managing holiday plans, and wondering how it's already November. But even in the swirl of unpredictability and everyday craziness, this season calls us to slow down and give thanks.
So let me begin with a simple thank you
Thank you to our readers, marketing partners, city leaders, and Canton neighbors. Your belief in Canton City Lifestyle has carried us through another delicious year. Because of you, we’ve been able to tell meaningful stories and elevate local voices. We even went crazy and made documentaries with @OpenHeartMedia - The Explore.Eat.Repeat mini doco crushed online viewships on social media and highlighted the best in Cherokee County.
This month in print, we spotlight one of our community’s most impactful organizations: Goshen Valley. From its roots in faith and family to its ongoing mission of restoring dignity to youth in foster care, Goshen continues to prove that love changes everything.
We also highlight The Disciple Letters, one of the most thoughtful and faith-filled gifts you can give this holiday season, whether to yourself or someone you love. In a noisy and wacky world, these printed letters offer depth, beauty, and genuine spiritual encouragement. Furthermore, each subscription sends hope to places most overlooked through our partnership with the local Isaiah 61:1 Project, and letters are mailed directly to those incarcerated right here in the Cherokee County jail.
And while First Fridays may be over for the year, the celebration doesn’t have to stop. The lights are going up. The calendars are filling. And Canton is still buzzing with holiday joy, family traditions, and reasons to gather.
Join us for the Tree Lighting at the Mill on Etowah on November 29th. We are hosting the party!
My hope this season is simple:
Let’s love our neighbors.
Let’s collaborate with our community partners.
Let’s never forget how blessed we are to live in a great country, in a great city, surrounded by great people.
How do you lead the atmosphere in the room? Be a light!
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Chicka Elloy | chicka.elloy@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Jennifer Elloy | jennifer.elloy@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jennifer Hoogendyk, Daniel Kevin, Mark Flynn, Bruno Barbara
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Naomi Hopkins, Wesley Hoogendyk, Bruno Barbara, Jenny Johnson
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick
CHICKA ELLOY, PUBLISHER @CANTONCITYLIFESTYLE
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN NOVEMBER 2025
city scene
1: Cherokee’s finest at the Holly Springs training center 2: Reed-Leeper Law were the hosts of the annual Cobb Chamber event 3: Suds and Bottles, can I take your order? 4: Brunch in The Flat is always a good time 5: Halloween decorations raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 6: Can you name the Pastor and Church under the tent of revival at The Mill? 7: Celebrating 1 yr in Canton in style. Congrats to Ramon, Memo, Freddy, Alison and team
Want to be seen in the magazine?
business monthly
Georgia Impact Premier Cup Fan Fest –Cherokee Youth Foundation
Celebrate soccer and family fun in Downtown Woodstock, Saturday, November 15, 11 am–4 pm at the Woodstock Arts Event Green (111 Elm Street). Enjoy free games, activities, and vendors with treats for purchase. Don’t miss the Duck Plunge as Mayor Michael Caldwell and Canton's Mayor Bill Grant take the plunge to pluck a duck! Proceeds support youth soccer clubs through the Cherokee Youth Foundation. Get your ducks today: CherokeeYF.org/fan-fest
Cabi, a fashion brand offering high-quality, on-trend, and washable clothing
Cherokee's Cabi Stylist, Ashley Snow, has an independent, women-owned fashion brand. She provides free personalized styling services to help women look and feel confident in outfits that highlight their unique style. From in-person or virtual Fashion Experiences with friends to individual sessions, Ashley creates fun and effortless shopping moments. Clients who host a Fashion Experience are also eligible to receive 50% off items with qualifying show sales. Visit: AshleySnow.CabiOnline.com
25 Years Strong: Serving Christ, Serving Others
ServOne invites you to a powerful evening of worship, reflection, and community as we gather to serve others and share the love of Christ on November 15th at 7:30 pm at The Mill on Etowah. We gather as a reminder that kindness has a ripple effect. When we give of ourselves, we lift others. Come ready to be inspired, encouraged, and equipped to make a difference. Join us! Visit: ServOne.org
Photography by @gaimpact_wpsl
Photography by @snowlaraashley
Photography by @servinternational
Game of Gratitude
FIVE QUESTIONS TO SPARK YOUR LOVE FOR OUR HOME
Thanksgiving in Canton has always been more than turkey and pie. It’s about relationships. Taking time to pause, share, and recognize the blessings woven into our everyday lives. This year, I’ve been thinking: what if gratitude were a game? Something we could pass around the Thanksgiving table, with each person sharing their own story?
ARTICLE BY CHRIS ESS
Here are five Canton-inspired questions to play at your holiday gathering:
1. The Gift of Place
What’s your favorite spot in Canton or Cherokee County that makes you thankful to live here?
2. Generosity as Heritage
Who in our community do you admire for their generosity or service?
3. The Rhythm of Home
What simple, everyday routine in your life feels like a gift?
4. Seasons of Growth
What local change or growth in Canton are you most thankful for this year?
5. Faces of Gratitude
Who in your life, mentor, friend, teacher, or neighbor, are you most grateful for right now, and why?
Because here in Canton, the real wealth of Thanksgiving isn’t in what we have, it’s in who we share it with.
Final Thought
Each season carries a story: a city’s growth, a neighbor’s kindness, and a family’s shared table. Ultimately, gratitude isn’t only in the feast or the décor, it’s all about the moments we pause, the relationships we cherish, and the joy of living in a community like Canton. Stuck? Text Canton’s Premier Realtor, Chris Ess, at 678.899.8909 or visit ChrisEssReg.com to stay in the know.
CHRIS ESS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CANTON CITY LIFESTYLE
PRIVATE PRACTICE OPEN IN CANTON
Letters
Born in Cherokee County, a devotional series weaving local mission with nationwide impact, connecting believers through story, Scripture, and the simple beauty of a letter.
of Hope
It began not with a business plan, but with a burden. Lloyd Johnston carried a deep sense that people needed encouragement in today’s climate. Around a fireside chat at New Life Church in Canton, he voiced that burden with his men’s ministry brothers. From that night, TheDiscipleLetters.com was born.
ARTICLE BY CANTON CITY LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LLOYD JOHNSTON
The Isaiah 61:1 Project exists to bring good news to the brokenhearted and freedom to the captive in Cherokee County. Through relational mentoring inside the jail and beyond, they equip incarcerated and newly released individuals with tools to rebuild their lives. They provide books, Bibles, and devotionals, resume training, virtual interview coaching, attire for job interviews, document recovery, referrals to medical and mental health services, and support for families during incarceration.
When Lloyd saw how one letter of encouragement could shift someone’s spirit inside the jail, he felt a burden to do more. That burden gave rise to a devotional series designed to reach both believers at home and those in captivity. Today, Lloyd and Irene Stout of The Isaiah 61:1 Project partner with Chaplain Doug Miannay of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to ensure the vision brings hope to both homes and jails.
So what exactly are The Disciple Letters ? At its core, it is a year-long devotional delivered to mailboxes worldwide for $12 to $15 per month. Each letter series consists of 24 letters, mailed every two weeks for a total of 12 months. Instead of a digital notification, these are physical letters you can hold, reread, and reflect upon. Each one is written in the imagined voice of a disciple, rooted in Scripture, and reviewed by theologians for biblical integrity. The letters, also available in audio, draw you into the humanity of those who first followed Christ, making their struggles and triumphs feel startlingly real.
When Lloyd saw how one letter of encouragement could shift someone’s spirit inside the jail, he felt a burden to do more. That burden gave rise to a devotional series designed to reach both believers at home and those in captivity. Today, Lloyd Johnston and Irene Stout, both chaplains with The Isaiah 61:1 Project, collaborate with the Men’s Ministry of New Life Church, Canton, and Chaplain Doug Miannay of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to ensure The Disciple Letters bring hope.
The devotional series beauty lies in a dual mission. When you subscribe, you receive encouragement for your own walk of faith, and at the same time, you send hope into the Cherokee County Jail.
Chaplain Irene, who leads the women’s side of the Isaiah 61:1 Project, explains: “Every subscription is multiplied. When you get a letter at home, we deliver another inside the jail to remind someone they are not forgotten. For many men and women, it is the only reminder that they are seen again, loved again, and remembered—no matter what they have done.”
What makes The Disciple Letters extraordinary is its humanity. These are not lofty theological essays but devotional letters written for everyday people, just like the first disciples wrote to the early church.
Readers often describe them as “a conversation across time.” Paul writes with joy. John reflects on love. Peter shares the weight of failure and the beauty of redemption. Each letter feels deeply personal. And because it arrives by mail, not by screen, it slows the pace and invites reflection.
The letters come in curated collections, each designed with a unique voice and audience in mind:
• The Sisterhood Scrolls — encouragement for women of faith, championed by Mary Magdalene.
• Last Days Unveiled — a compelling journey through Revelation and the urgency of hope with John.
• Peter’s Letter to Young Adults — bold, challenging words for the next generation.
• The 11: Brotherhood of the Broken — raw reflections from the disciples after Judas, wrestling with forgiveness and faith.
• Letters for the Skeptic — written in the voice of Thomas, these speak honestly to doubt, addiction, and recovery.
• Matthew’s Merchant Letters — insights for business and marketplace leaders, intersecting faith with workplace leadership.
Born around a fire in Canton, it now reaches homes nationwide, from Utah to Arizona, from Boston to Bakersfield, and just last month, even Singapore & South Korea.
What makes these collections so powerful is not just the words on the page, but the way they meet people in their real struggles and callings. For the skeptic, the addict, the leader, or the weary believer, these letters offer companionship and hope. They remind readers that faith is not about perfection, but about living with grace, courage, and purpose in every arena of life.
This is the dual heartbeat of The Disciple Letters: a local ministry rooted in the verse Isaiah 61:1 (Helping to set the captives free, inside and out, through the healing power of Jesus Christ), and a national movement of encouragement reaching homes across America.
This holiday season, encouragement is the gift everyone needs. In an era when faith is quietly gaining traction among younger generations, The Disciple Letters offers a devotional that is refreshed, tactile, thoughtful, and deeply human.
It is a devotional. It is a gift. It is a mission. Join the movement today for $12 to $15 a month at TheDiscipleLetters.com
THE GOSHEN COMMUNITY LEGACY
ARTICLE BY CANTON CITY LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOSHEN VALLEY
A FATHER’S VISION AND A SON’S DEVOTION BUILT
GOSHEN VALLEY INTO CHEROKEE COUNTY’S SAFE PASTURE.
It began in the heart of John Blend, a man who carried both faith and vision. His story was shaped on a dairy farm in upstate New York, where he learned the value of discipline and the beauty of serving others. The rhythm of farm life taught him that growth takes patience and that nothing thrives without care.
Years later, during a formative summer trip to Mexico City, John visited an orphanage unlike any he had ever seen. Children who had been abandoned were crafting jewelry with their toes because they were born without arms. They laughed, they worked, and they lived with dignity in circumstances that most would call unbearable. That moment pierced John’s soul. He left Mexico with a conviction that his life had to be about creating safe places for children who had none. He would later describe it as God planting a burden he could never shake.
Faith became the lens through which John viewed the rest of his life. He often told friends that prayer guided his steps and that every decision about Goshen was a response to something he felt God asking of him. That mixture of conviction and humility defined his leadership long before there was land or buildings.
When John and his wife, Connie, purchased farmland in Cherokee County, they envisioned more than just a home. They saw a sanctuary. In 1999, Goshen Valley Boys Ranch opened, built on principles of faith, care, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves more than survival. John called it providential. Neighbors became allies, churches rallied, and leaders in Canton shared a common belief in the mission. From the very beginning, Goshen was about restoring what was lost in a child’s life through stability, love, and community.
Today, his son Zach carries that same torch. What began with one boy has grown into a family of ministries that now defines hope for Cherokee County family units.
When Zach was young, he admired his father’s work but never imagined himself in the same role. After college, he started a career in consulting, charting a different path. Then came a mission trip to Nicaragua. Immersed in a new culture and surrounded by children who longed for security, Zach discovered that service was not just an obligation. It was a calling.
Returning home, he confessed his uncertainty to his father. John gave him words that would redirect his life: “Stop feeling sorry for yourself and find someone to serve.” That counsel became Zach’s compass.
“THIS COUNTY IS EXTRAORDINARY. Churches , schools , businesses , and families ALL RALLY TO
PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH THE SAFE ENVIRONMENT THEY DESERVE.”
Knowing the weight of his father’s legacy, Zach prepared carefully. He pursued seminary and business studies, determined to blend heart and skill. In 2015, at the age of 31, he stepped into the role of CEO. The work has been demanding, but profoundly rewarding.
Under Zach’s leadership, Goshen Valley grew. Goshen New Beginnings launched to serve young adults aging out of foster care. These were teenagers suddenly thrust into adulthood without support. Goshen gave them mentors, housing, and hope. Zach often recalls the story of a young man named Geoff, who arrived at the ranch after losing both his mother and grandmother. He carried grief far too heavy for his years, but with steady guidance, he graduated, joined the Marine Corps, and later became a national strongman champion. Today, he returns to encourage the next generation, showing them that broken beginnings do not define the future.
The organization expanded further with Goshen Homes, created to confront one of foster care’s greatest tragedies: siblings being torn apart. Through this program, families trained by Goshen welcomed entire sibling groups under one roof. Zach remembers a group of three sisters who had been split across three different counties. Within weeks of being placed in a foster home in Goshen, the sisters were reunited. Their reunion was both tearful and joyous, and it was life-altering. “Family should never be a casualty of circumstance,” Zach explains.
Cherokee County embraced the mission. Churches sent volunteers. Businesses provided resources. Civic leaders offered support. What began as a small ranch evolved into a movement that reshaped how the community cared for its most vulnerable members. Zach often says that partnerships at Goshen are never transactional. They are transformational. “When people serve, their hearts change alongside the children’s lives.”
One of those volunteers is Susan, a retired teacher from Canton. She came to Goshen expecting to help with tutoring but found herself transformed by the boys she mentored. “They gave me more than I ever gave them,” she shares. “I thought I was showing up for them, but they were showing me hope in its purest form.” Stories like hers illustrate the dual power of Goshen’s work: changing the lives of children while softening and shaping the hearts of adults in the community.
The impact of Goshen Valley is best measured by the lives it touches, yet the numbers tell a powerful story. Since 1999, over 1,500 children and families have been impacted. The staff has grown to over 117. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteers pour in their time, skills, and compassion.
The Family Resource Center in Canton represents Goshen’s newest chapter. Here, therapists and counselors work with families before crises escalate. Prevention is now as important as intervention. Every child who avoids the foster system means one more family made whole. Zach never forgets the soil in which this mission took root. “This county is extraordinary,” he reflects. “From churches and schools to government and business, people rally together in a way that still amazes me.” His gratitude for his father runs just as deep. John’s courage to
“STOP FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF AND FIND someone to serve . THAT IS WHERE purpose AND transformation BEGIN.” - ZACH’S PIVOTAL MOMENT
follow a whisper from God laid the foundation. Zach’s leadership ensures the vision continues to expand. Together, their story has become part of the fabric of Cherokee County. Gratitude for a vision. Gratitude for a community. Gratitude for the children who now step into futures once thought impossible.
Looking ahead, Zach is focused on building more. More counseling. More foster families. More opportunities for young adults stepping into independence. The goal is not only to respond to crises, but to prevent them. He still treasures simple moments with his father. Recently, Zach
smiled as he recalled driving John to an appointment. “The roles are reversing, but the relationship is the same. I get to give back to the man who gave everything for me.”
Cherokee County continues to shape Goshen Valley, and Goshen Valley continues to shape Cherokee County. The impact is generational. Families are preserved. Children rise into leadership. Volunteers become advocates. The safe pasture John once imagined is now a living legacy.
Goshen Valley is not a monument to the past. It is a movement toward the future, built on gratitude, faith, and a spirit of service.
Are you ready for Kinder banking?
You deserve to bank where you’re a neighbor, not a number.
At Coosa Valley Credit Union, we are committed to banking with kindness, and just doing what is right.
Every day. Every Member. Come join us.
No bankers. Just neighbors.
Family Care in Cherokee
Gratitude runs deeper when family and service are at the heart of the story
When sisters Sydney Henderson and Hermanda West discuss their lives, the themes of gratitude and togetherness shine through in every sentence. Born in different states but raised together in Marietta, Georgia, their journeys through nursing school, graduate programs, and now into their professional lives at Aylo Health reflect a shared calling. Today, Sydney and Hermanda not only serve as primary care providers in Woodstock and Hickory Flat but also as examples of family values in action, balancing work, motherhood, and service to Cherokee County with grace and joy.
ARTICLE BY CANTON CITY LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY
BY SYDNEY HENDERSON AND HERMANDA WEST
“The kitchen is filled with chaos and laughter, kids running, sisters cooking, and always dessert first. My mom’s peach cobbler is unmatched.”
— HERMANDA WEST
Q: Tell us a little about your upbringing. Were you always this close?
Sydney: We were born in different states—me in Texas and Hermanda in California—but grew up together in Marietta. We’ve always been close. She’s my best friend, and I’ve followed her lead in so many ways.
Hermanda: We’ve shared so much of life. Even our children are just a month apart. Currently, my family is staying with Sydney’s family while we purchase a new home... It’s that close.
Q: Nursing is a demanding field. What drew you both into this career?
Hermanda: For me, it started when I was caring for our grandmother and an aunt with breast cancer. That experience made me realize how much I wanted to serve others.
Sydney: I looked up to Hermanda. She was helping people and making an impact, and I thought, ‘That fits who I am, too.’ Nursing is about respect, compassion, and caring, and that’s how we were raised.
Q: And now you’re both at Aylo Health. What makes Aylo different?
Sydney: The experience. The work-life balance is fantastic. The benefits extend to our children, which is a huge blessing. Additionally, at my Woodstock location, having an imaging center right downstairs makes care even more seamless. I can escort a patient for a mammogram and have the results back the same day.
Hermanda: From the moment you walk through the doors, the Aylo experience feels different. It’s comprehensive care, thoughtful design, kind staff, and respect at every level. Patients often tell me, “I want you to be my primary provider.” That’s the impact Aylo creates.
Q: You’ve spoken about gratitude for each other. Can you share what that looks like?
Sydney: I’m grateful for Hermanda’s guidance. She’s the go-to person in our family when there’s a tough decision. She’s detailed, wise, and helps us see things clearly.
Hermanda: I’m thankful for Sydney’s support. In every season: motherhood, work, and now pregnancy, she’s always there, steady and encouraging.
Q: Beyond family, what are you thankful for in Cherokee County?
Hermanda: The community feels tight-knit. I’ll see one patient, and then their neighbor, their husband, or even their whole family. People here look out for each other.
Sydney: Yes, there’s this sense of everyone having each other’s backs. It’s a blessing to live and work in such a supportive place.
Q: What do you enjoy outside of your work and family roles?
Sydney: Travel. We’ve visited Dubai, the Maldives, Paris, and Croatia over the last couple of years. We were planning to go to Curacao, but with Hermanda’s pregnancy, that one’s on hold.
Hermanda: Even with the pause, we’re always dreaming of new adventures together.
Q: With Thanksgiving approaching, what traditions matter most to you?
Hermanda: Our family gathers in Savannah at our parents’ home. The kitchen is filled with chaos and laughter, kids running, sisters cooking, and always dessert first. My mom’s peach cobbler is unmatched.
Sydney: And don’t forget the greens. Thanksgiving is about being together, hands in the kitchen, hearts around the table.
Q: What advice would you give to young women considering nursing?
Sydney: Nursing is a foundation that branches into so many specialties. From nurse practitioner to anesthetist, the opportunities are endless. Don’t be afraid to explore.
Hermanda: I’d add this: preventative care saves lives. We both worked in hospitals and saw what happens when people don’t have a primary provider. Now, we focus on stopping ER visits before they start. That’s the real impact.
In a season that celebrates gratitude, Sydney Henderson and Hermanda West remind us that thankfulness is not just a holiday theme—it’s a daily practice. Their lives embody the beauty of family values, professional dedication, and community connection. For Cherokee County, these sisters aren’t just providers; they are neighbors, leaders, and friends who live out the truth that gratitude multiplies when shared.
Soups On!
ARTICLE BY JENNIFER HOOGENDYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY WESLEY HOOGENDYK
Celebrating autumn with comforting curry. Recipes for the most anticipated category in our collections, soups!
From chili variations to decades-old chicken soup instructions, soups are all the rage this time of year. Here are two recipes using curry. The first pairs curry powder and cilantro to season the vegetables, inspired by British chef, Jamie Oliver. The second pairs parsnip and apple, highlighting the curry’s sweetness.
Vegetable Curry Soup
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 1 leak, chopped
• 1T mild curry powder
• 1C rice
• 1 x 14oz can coconut milk
• 1/2 bunch cilantro, stalks and leaves chopped separately
In a medium pot, sauté onion and carrot in 1T olive oil till soft. Stir in curry powder. Add leek, rice and cilantro stalks, continue to sauté 5 minutes. Add coconut milk and 3 cans worth of water. Bring to boil, turn to low and simmer 10-15 minutes. Stir in cilantro leaves.
Parsnip Apple Soup
• 1-2t mild curry powder
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 lb. parsnip, peeled and chopped
• 1 tart apple, peeled and chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 5 C chicken broth
• 1T butter
• 3T sour cream
In large saucepan over medium heat, cook onion in 2T olive oil, curry powder and salt until soft. Add thyme, parsnips and apple, cook for 5 minutes. Add stock, season to taste. Simmer 15-20 minutes till parsnips are soft. Puree soup with immersion blender. Stir in butter and sour cream. Top with croutons and crispy bacon if desired.
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO SEE THE UNSEEN
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
NOVEMBER 2ND
Día de Muertos at Luna Del Rio
Mill on Etowah | 2:00 PM
Celebrate life and memory at this vibrant Day of the Dead festival. Families gather to honor loved ones with colorful altars, live music, dance, and authentic cuisine. Free admission ensures the community can enjoy a cultural experience blending tradition, art, and joy along the Etowah River.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Grit For A Cause
Grit Life Fitness, Riverstone Parkway, Canton, GA | 8:00 AM
Teams tackle high-energy workouts while raising funds for the Goshen Valley, After the challenge, celebrate at downtown with food, music, and community spirit during Grit Life’s anniversary party.
NOVEMBER 18TH
Canton City Limits: Open Mic Night
Historic Canton Theatre | 7:00 PM
An evening spotlighting local talent in the heart of downtown. Songwriters, poets, and performers step onto the Canton Theatre stage to share their gifts. With a welcoming crowd, warm atmosphere, and historic backdrop, it’s the perfect night to support the arts and celebrate creative voices from our community.
NOVEMBER 20TH
Downtown Canton Tree Lighting
Cannon Park | 6:30 PM
Ring in the holiday season with Canton’s cherished tree lighting. Cannon Park comes alive with choirs, carols, kids’ activities, and the arrival of Santa. Families gather to watch the switch flip, sparking joy across downtown. It’s a beloved tradition that marks the beginning of the city’s holiday season with community spirit.
NOVEMBER 22ND
Holiday Lights 5K: Run Through the Lights
Cherokee Veterans Park | 6:00 PM
Lace up for a Peachtree-qualifying evening run through dazzling Christmas light displays. The chip-timed 5K offers medals, swag, and unforgettable views under festive illuminations. Families and competitive runners alike enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience. Shuttle service from Revolution Church ensures easy access to this bright holiday tradition.
NOVEMBER 29TH
Christmas at The Mill Festival & Tree Lighting
The Mill on Etowah | 6:00 PM
Hosted by Canton City lifestyle, kick off the holidays with a whole weekend of shopping, skating, and festive fun. Browse artisan vendors, snap photos with Santa, and enjoy live entertainment. Saturday’s highlight: the grand tree lighting ceremony with music, lights, and seasonal cheer filling the Mill courtyard. A true Canton Christmas celebration.
Fall into Better Primary Care
