Military Cookout Benefits U.S. Troops

The rising costs of gas and goods and services didn’t slow down donations for local troops at the ninth annual Military Cookout hosted by the Fayette County Public School System’s Transportation Department.

The cookout raised over $2,600, about a $100 increase over last year. Gift cards will be purchased with the proceeds for Fayette’s men and women who are serving in any branch of the U.S. Military worldwide. Bus drivers Linda Mosley and Susan Voyles, whose idea it was to start the cookout following the 9-11 terrorists attacks, say they are grateful for the community’s support.

“This function has provided for our American heroes who have so bravely and proudly defended this country and her freedoms. For that, there are no words to express our gratitude. Because of these men and women, this country remains the greatest nation on earth. May God bless you, and may God bless America,” says Mosley.

Local merchants, community members and school system employees step up each year to donate goods, services or their time to make the event successful. There have been a number of businesses and individuals that have made donations all nine years including Autera Health Clinic, Alan Vigil Ford, Classic Landscapes Incorporated, Bella Bronze, Salon Bliss, Permanent Beauty Solutions, Andy’s Nursery, Petro Flame Incorporated, The Way of the House by Amanda Pearly, Brenda Mask, Robert Shays, Mask Service Center, Miles Ace Hardware, Jafra, Second Hand Sam’s, and Cutie Pye Bakery.

To have a gift card sent to a U.S. Military member, mail his or her name and address where stationed to “The Troops,” 210 Stonewall Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Please include a local contact name and telephone number.

This cookout was extra special for Mosley and Voyles since both have said it will be their last. A tremendous amount of work goes into planning the yearly event, and now that it is established, they are ready to hand over the reins to their fellow colleagues.

“We want to spend more time with our families. This has been a great run, but after nine years we feel the time has come for us to step down,” says Mosley.

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Transportation Voucher Program Provides Seniors and Developmentally Disabled Adults with a Ticket to Ride

For more than four years Fayette Senior Services’ Voucher program has provided seniors and disabled adults with a low-cost, flexible means of transportation. The program is funded in part by grants from the Federal Transit Administration (governed by the Atlanta Regional Commission) and the United Way. Last year nearly 2,500 vouchers were used by Fayette County seniors and more than 2,400 were used by disabled adults who cannot drive through no fault of their own.

Eligible participants can purchase vouchers for a nominal cost-share, arrange their own transportation and negotiate the payment for service with one of the program’s many registered drivers, who may also be an eligible family member, friend, or neighbor.

Transportation vouchers may be used for travel outside of Fayette County, which gives participants more flexibility to meet their needs. This is especially important when it comes to being able to get to non-emergency medical appointments or other essential services or destinations.

Individuals interested in participating in the program as passengers or as drivers should contact Rebecca Doyle, Voucher Coordinator, at 770 -461-0813 Ext. 113.

Fayette Senior Services, Inc. offers adults age 50 and better, the opportunity to be involved in a variety of social, leisure, educational, and wellness activities at its Life Enrichment Center located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. Since 1978, the organization has also provided important social services that improve quality of life for senior citizens and help them to maintain their independence. This past year, Fayette Senior Services delivered more than 40,000 Meals on Wheels to hundreds of Fayette County seniors. Other services include Adult Day Care Referral Service, Information & Referral Service, Transportation Services, In-Home Personal Care/Homemaker Services, and Case Management.
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Annual Fundraiser Supports Local Troops

Helen Denton, former secretary to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, (left) takes a break from the fun to pose with Linda Mosley, bus driver and organizer of the cookout.

The smell of hotdogs roasting on the grill and displays of red, white and blue in the bus shop could only mean one thing. It was time for the annual Cookout for the Troops hosted by the Fayette County School System’s Transportation Department.

Seven years and counting, the department has hosted the fundraiser to generate funds to purchase gift cards for the county’s men and women serving in the U.S. military. Approximately, 300 people attended this year’s event that netted $2,500. All proceeds collected will enable the transportation department to send gift cards to deployed troops throughout the year as well as provide Christmas gifts.

Fayette residents who have a friend or loved one serving in the military can request to have a gift card sent to their solider by mailing his or her name and address to: The Troops, 210 Stonewall Avenue, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Please include a local contact and telephone number.

Each March, the county’s school bus drivers and monitors work countless hours organizing the cookout, going door to door to Fayette businesses soliciting prizes for drawings and monetary donations. The drivers also provide the food and desserts that are enjoyed by those who attend.

Businesses throughout the county generously supported this year’s cookout by donating prizes that included handmade quilts, rugs, jewelry, gift certificates and artwork. Those supporting the event were Autera Health Clinic, Classic Landscaping, Trinity Air, Clearly Fun Soap, Bella Bronze Tanning, Mary Kay, Permanent Beauty Solution, Images by Rainey, Publix 799, Andy’s Nursery, Petro Flame, J&J Grading, ACE Hardware, Brooks Hair Boutique, Braelinn Village Family Dentistry, Restored, Play It Again Sports, Second Hand Sam, Odds & Ends Carpentry, Margaret Sullivan (flower pen lady), Juice+, Queen’s Jewels, Kedron Merle Norman, Allan Vigil Ford, Clarks Pressure Washing and Painting, Images Gallery and Studio, Wags to Whiskers, The Way of the Horse, Camm Inspections, Hudson Produce, Pearl Lady, Pinson Trucking, Red Neck Gourmet, Big Daddy’s Oyster Bar, Stevie B’s Pizza and Jafra Cosmetics.

Students in Fayette Middle's after school art class helped promote the fundraiser by designing posters that were used to advertise the cookout. The transportation department gave lollipops to the students as a token of appreciation for their efforts.

As the years go by, more people are learning about the fundraiser and are becoming involved. This year veterans from the Riverdale VFW Post 3650 were in attendance along with a very special member of their post, Helen Denton. Denton, who joined the Army in 1943 at the age of 21, played a major role in the history of the United States. Serving as General Dwight D Eisenhower’s secretary, she typed the plans for the liberation of Europe, better known as D-Day.

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Florida Resident Donates Flower Pens to Help Fayette’s Troops

Margaret Sullivan and her daughter Inda Tinney show off a basket of flower pens that Mrs. Sullivan made and donated to the transportation department’s annual fundraiser for the troops.

Six years ago after 9/11 the bus drivers and staff of the Fayette County School System’s Transportation Department started an annual cookout fundraiser for the county’s deployed military personnel. Word about the fundraiser has spread over the years, even to other states.

Fundraiser organizers just received a shipment of 100 flower pens from an elderly lady in Florida who donated them to be used as giveaways at the cookout in March 2009.

Margaret Sullivan, 93 of Pinetta, Florida, has a long history of community service. She was instrumental in bringing the first opera and theatrical play to her long-time community of Homestead, Florida, as well as securing free dental care for migrant children in the area. She served on various boards and service groups right up until her health begin to fail.

Now legally blind and living in an assisted care facility, she passes her time making flower pens for different groups, organizations and worthwhile causes.

“She has made pens for all of the ladies at our church and a sister church down the road, as well as for her two caregivers. She has become known as the Flower Pen Lady,” says her daughter Inda Tinney.

Cookout participants will have an opportunity to win one of the handmade pens at the event scheduled for March 11, 2009 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the school bus barn. Proceeds from the cookout are used to purchase gift cards for the county’s men and women serving in the U.S. military.

Anyone who would like to donate prizes or money to the fundraiser can contact the Fayette County School System’s Transportation Department, 770-460-3520.

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