Author: On Common Ground News

Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal joined Interim CEO Lee May and Commissioner Jeff Rader and other state leaders to kick off the Georgia Summer Meals at Mason Mill Park in Decatur. The statewide program provides meals to youth during the summer. “When hunger enters their lives, it begins to interrupt the purity of this moment in their lives,” said Interim CEO May. “Today, this collaboration is something that warms my heart. Today you all really reflect the fact that we have decided in Georgia to come together to solve this problem.” “In DeKalb County, we delivered over 210,000 meals in…

The United Professional Firefighters of DeKalb County (UPFFODC) is inviting the community to its inaugural meeting on June 22, 7 p.m., at the DeKalb County Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mills Road, Ellenwood. Networking begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. The nonprofit, charitable organization, which is comprised of active and retired firefighters, wants to share its vision and mission to engage local businesses and the community at large through advocacy, fellowship, partnership, youth development, education and training. Membership fees, which are tax deductible, are $240 per year for…

Rockdale County leaders and community partners recently celebrated the completion of the second phase of Phoenix Pass, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing and training to help homeless women and their children become self-sufficient. The year-long construction of the $600,000, 7,200-square-foot apartment complex was a collaboration between Home Aid Atlanta, which worked with several building trades that donated their services, Cooper Homes of Atlanta, and the community. Officials said last week minor touch-up work will be done over the next few days to fully complete the project. Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Oden said the new apartment complex…

James Lewis, who heads the N the Zone Motorcycle Club, was on his way to the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia to help raise money for a young girl recovering from a heart transplant when he was struck and critically injured himself. Now, the child’s mother and club members are praying that Lewis, nicknamed “Big Blue,” will recover. “We were all waiting for him to arrive for the charity ride and then we found out that he had been involved in an accident. He suffered internal injuries and had to be rushed to Grady Hospital,” said Lanier Levett, a…

A group of Tucker Middle School students is going to San Diego. After a weeklong push to raise $5,000, the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) student organization was able to meet its goal to travel to California to compete in the national convention in July. “We are overjoyed that we made our match challenge of $2,500. In fact, we went over. Thank you to all of our donors and to “On Common Ground”  for publishing a wonderful article to help us meet our goal,” read a message from Christine Mayfield, the FCCLA adviser,  from the group’s GoFundMe page. Just…

The DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is continuing to hire lifeguards for the 2016 swimming season. All applicants must be age 18 or older to apply. Those applying for county pool lifeguard positions are required to submit proof of current certification in CPR, first aid, lifeguarding and water safety instruction, provided by the Red Cross, YMCA or other nationally-recognized aquatic training programs. All applicants selected will be required to successfully complete drug and alcohol screening and criminal background check prior to employment. To apply for a summer lifeguard position with DeKalb County, complete an online application at www.dekalbcountyga.gov and…

A mass wedding ceremony was held on June 11 at Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church, 2152 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia. The ceremonies were performed for a group that included newlyweds as well as married couples who wanted to renew their vows. “It was a very moving experience to see all of those couples sharing their faith and their wedding vows before their families and friends,” said Pastor James C. Ward, Antioch-Lithonia’s senior pastor. Pastor Ward, who performed the wedding, said the church provided flowers, decorations, the programs, music and a cake and punch reception at no cost to the couples.…

Volunteering has a new advocate—JustServe.org. The North America Southeast Public Affairs Council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched a website, JustServe.org, to help match those who want to volunteer with faith, nonprofit, community and governmental organizations that need help. Rockdale and surrounding communities have joined the movement. “We now have about 17 opportunities listed for Rockdale and surrounding areas,” said Doreen Williams, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Rockdale County Commissioner. “This is just another way to become involved in your community and do something to…

State Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams celebrated his 67th birthday with family and friends at Jesse’s Restaurant Lounge on Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur on June 10. The longtime DeKalb County Democratic legislator became emotional as he thanked the public for allowing him to represent House District 87 since 2002. Williams, a retired educator, told the audience he was honored to be assigned to the same seat (136) at the State Capitol as the late Julian Bond, one of the country’s greatest Civil Rights leaders. Williams has held that seat for 12 years. Jesse “Jay” Cunningham, who owns Jesse’s Restaurant Lounge…

Voices of Faith Ministries celebrated its annual homecoming and tailgate on June 12 at its Stone Mountain campus, located at 2500 Rockbridge Road S.W. Church members and visitors spread out on the church’s front lawn with tents, grills and free food following the church’s 11:30 a.m. worship service. There were game trucks, water slides and music. The church is under the leadership of Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr., founder and overseer. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News