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SUNDAY MARCH 27, 2011 • GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA
Progress
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ARTS & COMMUNITY
Nonprofits find ways to survive Local enrichment thrives on generosity of the community By Jennifer Jackson Whitley For The Times
There’s never a shortage of things to do around North Georgia — and that’s because its numerous nonprofits keep the community active. Though a nonprofit’s largest giving season is generally at Christmas when patrons are feeling extragenerous, running one of these organizations is a yearround ordeal. “Nonprofits fulfill a valuable role in all communities by providing much-needed services when businesses cannot meet everyone’s needs,” said Lavon Callahan, the director of development and communications at Elachee Nature Science Center. A community’s needs runs the gamut: education, housing, clothing, medical services and more. Though each nonprofit has its own purpose, everyone in need can find help in Hall County. “Nonprofits fill gaps in community services. Without nonprofits fulfilling their mission every day, many people would go hungry, not have legal services who need them or not have educational opportunities to grow personally and professionally,” Callahan said. Just like a business, nonprofits need funding to run their day-to-day activities. “Nonprofits operate with best practices just like businesses do,” Callahan said. “The difference is that if they have any profit, rather than going to share holders or company members as bonuses, the funds are put back into the organization to continue its work, add more services and/or serve more people.” The Elachee Nature Science center offers the community a 1,500-acre nature preserve to use at its own leisure. “This unique community treasure is maintained by Elachee to benefit all citizens; the trails are open to everyone,” Callahan said. “We also work to restore and preserve this valuable outdoor asset so it will be here for future generations to enjoy.” Beginning March 31, Elachee will offer adult education programs through its Georgia Master Naturalist Program. “Part of our mission is environmental education; the Master Naturalist program is an extension of what we do with students every day, where adult learners
Sound of success
Gainesville Symphony Orchestra expands with a new youth ensemble BY BRANDEE A. THOMAS
bthomas@gainesvilletimes.com With roots reaching back to the 1970s, the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra has been striking a harmonious chord in the Hall County music community for decades. If public interest is any indicator, the organization’s new Gainesville Youth Symphony Orchestra is on its way toward developing a similarly extensive history. “The feedback from the community and our players is that this has been a long time coming,” said Candace Monnerie, GSO executive director. The 39 youth symphony members, who range in age from fifth- to 12thgrade students, were selected following auditions earlier this year for the inaugural season. “Originally, we planned to have the upper and little symphony, but after the auditions, we decided that
the playing level overall was very high, so we decided to put everyone together in the upper symphony, except for a few who we put in our junior strings group,” Monnerie said. “Next season, we will have both the upper and little symphony — we just didn’t have enough players to create both groups this year. The little symphony will be more for early-learning students. We’ve already gotten people signed up for the next round of auditions.” The junior strings group is exclusively for students in fourth- through eighth-grade. Current youth members are rehearsing for their first public performance, which will be a “fusion” concert on April 30. “They have been practicing some pretty challenging music,” Monnerie said. The concert will not only fuse
■ Please see NONPROFITS, 3
SCOTT ROGERS | The Times
Sun Ho Park practices the cello during a Gainesville Symphony Youth Orchestra rehearsal Wednesday evening at McEver Arts Academy. In addition to the new youth symphony, organizers are also planning to hold fall auditions for a new youth choral group for students in grades four through 12.
■ Please see GSO, 3
‘Without nonprofits fulfilling their mission every day, many people would go hungry, not have legal services who need them or not have educational opportunities to grow personally and professionally.’ Lavon Callahan Elachee Nature Science Center director of development and communications
WITH A
GIVING HEART
SARA GUEVARA | The Times
One way to get a sense of your community is to volunteer. On Page 4, find a list of local organizations that are seeking volunteers. We also took a look at the progress made by South Hall’s newest community center, including a photo essay on Page 5. Mulberry Creek Community Center in Flowery Branch keeps kids active and provides a wide variety of educational and entertaining classes. At left, Chaney Koons, front, and sister McKenna make spring wreaths March 11 during a children’s arts and crafts class at the center in.
INSIDE: Hall County is teeming with various arts organizations, 2