On Saturday, March 9, 2019, 540 Cobb County business and community leaders and philanthropists came together at the Cobb Galleria Centre for the Center for Family Resources’ Winter Wonderland Gala. This year’s event raised more than $343,000 to support the organization’s mission-aligned work, an increase of 52 percent over 2018.
From Left: Jeri and Bob Barr, Ann and Don Keller, Terri Bunten Guthrie and Jim Guthrie, and Kim Gresh and George Hartzog
Now in its 24th year, the 2019 gala was co-chaired by Kim Gresh, George Hartzog, Terri Bunten Guthrie and Jim Guthrie. Guests experienced an evening that included great food, music and dancing. They also bid on more than 200 auction items, raising a record $83,000.
Since 1960, The Center for Family Resources has provided services to move Cobb County’s most vulnerable families to self-sufficiency through financial stabilization, housing and education. Annually more than 10,000 people reach out to the organization for assistance. The annual gala highlights the work of the Center for Family Resources to prevent homelessness and address the root causes of housing instability.
During this year’s gala program, Jeri Barr, the Center for Family Resources’ CEO who will be retiring after 35 years at the helm, was recognized for her leadership and dedication to the organization and the larger community. Ms. Barr was presented with letters from President Donald Trump and Governor Brian Kemp, and a resolution from both the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives.
From Left: Jeri Barr and the Center for Family Resources’ board members Jason Shepherd and Christal McNair
The Center for Family Resources would like to extend a special thank-you to all its sponsors for the 2019 Winter Wonderland Gala. Presenting gala sponsors were Genuine Parts Company, SA White Oil Company, Inc., First Landmark Bank and Superior Plumbing. Additional gala sponsors included:
$10,000:
- Cobb Galleria Centre
- Liberty Furniture, Inc.
- Lockheed Martin
- WellStar Health System
$7,500:
- Buck
- Cobb EMC Community Foundation
$5,000:
- Barnes Law Group, LLC
- BB&T
- Gas South
- JJA Project Management
- Moore Colson
- Moore Ingram Johnson & Steele
- Renasant Bank
- Willis Towers Watson
$3,000:
- Alight Solutions
- Andrew Walker
- Atlanta Braves
- Blue Sky Exhibits, LLC
- BNY Mellon Wealth Management
- Capital Restoration, LLC
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Comcast
- Croy Engineering
- Frye Law Group, LLP
- Georgia Power
- Henssler Financial
- Kaiser Permanente
- Kay & Mark Morgan
- LGE Community Credit Union
- Life University
- Marietta Power & Water
- Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC
- North Georgia Staffing
- O’Dell & O’Neal Attorneys
- The Bottoms Group
- The Manely Firm, P.C.
- Zaxby’s
$1,000:
- Arylessence
- Glenn & Susan Burns
- Chaffins, Batdorf & Austell, LLC
- Cobb Travel & Tourism
- Courier Express
- ETS Solutions
- Futren Hospitality
- Prissy and Andy Armstrong Foundation
- Smith & Howard
The Center for Family Resources also wishes to thank the following companies and individuals whose generous in-kind support helped enable the Winter Wonderland Gala’s success: Blue Sky Exhibits, LLC; Clear Channel Outdoor; HADLEY(s) Photography; Justin O’Dell; K. Mike Whittle Designs; KLF Pro Entertainment; Lynn Maus; Ric Reitz; Zenith Design Group
Since 1960, the Center for Family Resources has annually helped more than 10,000 low-income families with temporary financial and food assistance, housing, and employment and education services. By “empowering families to help themselves,” the staff at the Center for Family Resources is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by helping families acquire the resources they need to become independent and self-sufficient.
