Giving Back in Atlanta – going beyond Altruism

During the 2023 edition of Hands On Atlanta Week, I had the honor of kicking off 48in48’s Global Event for a room full of coders. Their early October weekend plan? Building 48 websites for 48 nonprofits in just 48 hours!

Funny enough, for someone who leads one of the largest volunteer hubs in the country, I can be pretty picky about where I spend my time. I like my volunteer efforts to check a few boxes. Networking? Quality time with my kids? Maybe even a brief respite from them? The more boxes ticked, the better. And turns out, data from Hands On Atlanta’s 35-year journey agrees – people with a clear “why” are more committed and come back to serve more often inevitably to do more good.

But why my emphasis on the ‘why’? Typically, my talks involve sharing the challenges in the community and encouraging audiences to volunteer. Yet, with this group, that would have been preaching to the choir. So I pivoted to a topic I’ve actually never addressed during my tenure as Hands On Atlanta’s CEO – the myth that giving back has to be an act of pure altruism.

Volunteering isn’t just about giving; you get a lot out of it too. It’s a two-way street that can keep you coming back. Here are the five big things volunteers gain from their service:

1. Community

   Service fosters a feeling of belonging. Working together creates strong, lasting connections, akin to what you might find at church, synagogue, or a local pickleball league.

2. Talent

   Volunteering is an avenue for skill-building. It challenges you to step beyond your comfort zone, enabling growth. Whether you’re mastering something new or gathering tales for the next social gathering, it’s a win.

3. Well-Being

   In today’s age, where loneliness, anxiety and depression are rampant, volunteering stands as a remedy. A dedicated volunteer once shared with me how a day of service transformed their headspace. They started the day feeling down and trapped, and ended it on a high note, feeling connected and useful. Such stories aren’t rare.  

4. Creative Recharge

   Service projects are a great place to find inspiration, or if nothing else, a new problem to solve – maybe even one you didn’t know existed. Stepping out of your daily routine can birth fresh perspectives.

5. Civic Pride

   Engaging directly with community challenges instills a deep sense of pride and ownership. To see a community flourish and know you played a part – there’s no better feeling.

Last year, Hands On Atlanta successfully mobilized more than 40,000 people to serve. But here is the rub – 50,000 volunteer spots went unfilled. That translates to meals not served, kids without tutors, and needs unmet. For Atlanta (or any community) to flourish, we need to see volunteering not just as an event, but as a way of life. Volunteering is the way we connect with each other, grow, recharge and engage. Only then can we truly bridge the gap between giving and receiving.

So, tell me: Why do you volunteer? What’s the win/win for you?

Get Your Family Together for a Day of Giving: Join the Fun on Family Volunteer Day!

Calling all families with big hearts and an appetite for giving back! Before you sit down at the table for a Thanksgiving meal with family and loved ones, gather for another reason: doing good together. November 18, 2023 is not just any ordinary day – it's Family Volunteer Day! Prepare to roll up your sleeves, bring your loved ones along, and join a nation-wide celebration of kindness, unity, and goodwill.

This special day falls on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and it's the perfect opportunity for families to come together and make a difference in their communities. November 18 is strategically chosen, as a prelude to the Thanksgiving season of giving back. It's a time when we reflect on the abundance in our lives and share our blessings with others.

Family Volunteer Day is not just about giving back; it's also about having an absolute blast while doing it with those most important to you! Families who combine their efforts to do something good, create memories that last a lifetime. Not to mention, help the younger ones develop a strong sense of community.

Check out some high-impact options for November 18. If you need help signing up for projects, we have an article that tells you how to do just that! And, we’ve made it easy for you to share the registration links with friends and family. We’ve got some great options for you below that are appropriate for ages 14+, but you can find more on our volunteer portal. On the left-hand navigation panel you’ll see a few filters - the preset ‘Family-Friendly’ filter shows opportunities that have a minimum age of 14 years old or younger, and you can also enter any age you’d like to in the ‘Age Eligibility’ field.

DISTRIBUTE FOOD WITH THE PANTRY

Join twice-monthly food distribution and help make sure everyone in your community has a great spread for Thanksgiving. Volunteers will be sorting, bagging, and placing food in vehicles.

KEEP UP WITH THE DECATUR GARDENS

Dig in over at the Wylde Center! Volunteers will help clean up, repair the soil, plant seedlings. This is a great project for anyone interested in helping to design layouts and select plants. Supporting these food-producing greenspaces helps keep Atlanta fed and sustainable!

GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

The Georgia Festival of Trees is BACK! This magical experience for the children in our community is powered by volunteer elves, who run cookie decorating stations, gift stores and more. Bring your energy and get ready to have fun!

FEED YOUR COMMUNITY

Support a large food + produce distribution to families! Volunteers are needed to assemble food bags + boxes, support clients in receiving food and helping load up.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE PETS!

Over at the Rescue Ranch, volunteers will be packaging donated food and transporting to a local food pantry, to help low-income pet owners take care of their fur babies. Using personal vehicles required.

BEAUTIFY OLMSTED LINEAR PARK

Preserve the health and vitality of the natural ecosystem at Olmsted Linear Park. Volunteers will be removing invasive non-native plants, clearing shrub beds and mulching, and helping with park clean up. Join us to keep the park beautiful for all the community members who use it!

Family Volunteer Day is a great reason to get together and do something good… but, you know, we’re here year round! Check out our calendar of volunteer opportunities to find a project to join together any day of the year.

Hands On Atlanta Week Makes Big Impact

Fall in Atlanta is a special time of year. The temps drop, the colors pop, the Braves chase championships, the Dawgs dominate and Hands On Atlanta mobilizes thousands of volunteers to do something good!

For the 2023 edition of Hands On Atlanta Week, presented by Delta Air Lines, more than 2,500 volunteers supported over 50 nonprofits and schools at 250 projects! The focus for the week prioritized projects around our three strategic impact areas - Food Security, Educational Equity and Environmental Sustainability.

Click here to watch a recap of the whole week on Instagram. Here’s a few highlighted examples of some big, impactful projects…

Packing 1,500 Meals at Delta Air Lines HQ

150 volunteers rocked a Fall Break meal pack for students at Kindezi Old 4th Ward, Kindezi West, Kindezi @ Gideons, and Cascade Elementary.

A school beautification at Barack and Michelle Obama Academy

Volunteers removed planter beds, repainted sidewalk games and artwork, built benches and picnic tables, and painted the teacher break room.

A Volunteer Takeover at 970 Jefferson

We teamed up with our friends at Food Well Alliance, Second Helpings and Urban Recipe to pack meals and make garden kits for families. Close to 100 high school seniors from KIPP Atlanta Collegiate volunteered at the takeover!

A Zen Room Renovation and Mural at Hope Hill Elementary

Volunteers helped create a relaxing, quiet space for teachers with a custom zen room makeover! Volunteers also got a chance to mix and mingle with the school staff, write notes of encouragement to students and staff and more.

If we zoom in a little more and focus on the Educational Equity volunteers helped support, we had:

• 45 Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members working with students at 15 different schools – coaching them on social emotional learning and tutoring them in math.

• Hundreds of volunteers packed over 3,000 weekend bags of food for students in our partner schools, renovated multiple school buildings and spaces, added colorful signage and improved student walk ways and even installed a new sports field – yes, including the bleachers.

• Close to 600 students join our Discovery program, where volunteers led STEM enrichment activities.

To be fair, it wasn’t all science, math and meals, volunteers also cleaned and refurbished around 400 bikes for metro Atlanta youth through our partners at Free Bikes for Kids!

None of this work happens without the support of all of our Hands On Atlanta Week corporate sponsors. Give these companies a high-five for joining us and supporting Atlanta’s biggest week of service.

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Whew, that’s a lot of impact in just a short time, but the reality is - Hands On Atlanta Week is just a snapshot of the work volunteers do every day, and well, the work continues.

Join us and pick up where these volunteers left off and find a project on our volunteer portal. Happy volunteering!

Introducing the 2024 Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellows

The 2024 Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program, powered by Constellation, has officially kicked-off with the largest cohort of Civic Fellows in program history.

Growing by 50% from our 2023 class of graduates, 31 Civic Fellows will be partnered with nonprofits and schools across metro Atlanta to help tackle our city’s most pressing needs. From October 2023 through May 2024, the fellows will each host at least 1 project per month (with their partner), attend monthly professional development and leadership training workshops and fundraise a minimum of $500.

Nonprofits and schools being supported this year are:

• AgLanta

• Out of Hand Theatre

• Black Girls Smile

• Giving Hands Food Pantry

• Eco Addendum

• Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

• Latin American Association

• C.H.O.I.C.E.S.

• Livable Buckhead

• The King Center

• Wylde Center

• Piedmont Park Conservancy

Hands On Atlanta Discovery at:

• Kindezi at Gideons

• Kindezi West

• Clay Harmony Leland Elementary

• Parklane Elementary

• Brookview Elementary

• Love T. Nolan

• Belmont Hills

• Usher Collier

• Scott Elementary

• Asa G. Hilliard

In 2023, 18 Civic Fellows engaged over 2,000 volunteers to serve more than 6,000 hours - saving our partners $170,000 in volunteer labor. In addition, they raised $18,000 for Hands On Atlanta. We’re excited to see the impact our 2024 cohort will create across metro Atlanta.

Without further ado, introducing the Civic Fellows participating in the 2024 Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program.

Adrienne Dore

Team Leader, Southwest Airlines

Aglanta

Adrienne Dore is a California Native that has relocated in 2013 and planted roots to become one and of service with her local Community of Atlanta, GA. Adrienne is a Team Leader that prides herself in mentoring, developing, and supporting her team to reach their goals and contribute positively to company goals at Southwest Airlines. Adrienne is proud serve on Southwest Airlines President Council, Leader Advisory Board and as a Volunteer Ambassador. Adrienne enjoys volunteering with organizations that support impoverished Communities through Atlanta like Love Beyond Walls, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Hands On Atlanta.

Ashley Miller

Administrative Assistant, Georgia Power

Out of Hand Theater

Ashley Miller provides direct administrative support to the External Affairs leadership team of Georgia Power, ensuring their smooth operations and enabling them to focus on major business objectives as an Executive Administrative Assistant. Ashley’s passion for making a positive impact extends beyond her work and family life, actively engaging in volunteer work at Legacy Ridge at Alpharetta Senior Living along with assisting The Empty Stocking Fund.

Brandi Henderson

HR Manager, Daimler Trucks North America

Black Girls Smile

Brandi Henderson is a human resource professional, hailing from the Carolinas. She fell in love with Atlanta seven years ago and decided to make it her forever home. Since making this city hers, she’s become committed and passionate about serving the community and those in need. She currently volunteers with several organizations including Cool Girls and Grls Give Inc.

Brittany Hartman

Corporate Ethics and Compliance Manager, The Home Depot

Discovery - Kindezi Gideons

Brittany Hartman is a Compliance Manager at The Home Depot. She’s originally from Atlanta with a Liberian-American heritage. She holds degrees in both Psychology and Biology from Clemson University and is deeply committed to her community, family, volunteerism, and philanthropy. Brittany serves as a board member at Dekalb Brilliance Academy and as a member of Open Hand Society with Open Hand Atlanta. Her experiences as a Liberian-American have instilled in her a strong sense of the interconnectedness of all people, and she values diversity and inclusivity. Brittany is a true advocate for positive change, both in her professional career and within her community.

Chantelle Hawkins

Manager of Patient Access Services, Northside Hospital

Giving Hands Food Pantry

Chantelle Hawkins is native of Huntsville, AL. and currently resides in the Metro Atlanta area. She is a servant leader in Healthcare Revenue Cycle at Northside Hospital Atlanta. Beyond her profession, Chantelle is passionate about service and philanthropic endeavors. To this end she sit on the Board of Directors for Premier Leadership Foundation and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority Inc. and Junior League of DeKalb County. During her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling abroad and serving internationally.

Christopher Simser

VP Business Control Manager, Bank of America

Eco-Addendum

Chris Simser is an Atlanta native and is currently a Vice President and Business Control Manager with the Enterprise Payments group within Bank of America. Chris holds a BBA degree from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia and an MBA from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Chris has routinely received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for exceeding two hundred volunteer hours annually and actively volunteers with Trees Atlanta, International Rescue Committee (IRC), CARE USA, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. In any free time, Chris loves to spend time outdoors doing almost anything as well as spending time with family.

Crystal Mccorkle

Client Service Consultant, Global Payments

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

Crystal McCorkle is a committed and dynamic strategic leader, change-agent, and visionary with a passion for enabling inclusion, equity, strategy, and accountability in the fields of community service and philanthropy. Crystal's strategic leadership abilities shine through her roles as Community Pillar Chair for the Global Payments Onyx Network, External Partnerships Chair for the Global Payments Women’s Network, President Advisory Council Member & JEDI Task Force Leader of PayTech Women, Community Outreach Chair for the Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Board President of Atlanta Run Club and Employment Engagement Coordinator for the United Way of Greater Atlanta for TSYS, to name a few. 

Danette Shockley

Project Manager, Dupree Security Group

Latin American Association

Danette is originally from Brooklyn, New York and has made roots in Atlanta in 2009.  Since moving to Atlanta, she has been very active in her community as an advocate for the unsheltered as well as allocating food sources for the low-income and impoverished families here in Atlanta, GA.  In 2013, she started the Teen Queen Experience back-to-school conference and Warming Up Atlanta to involve her family and friends in community efforts to uplift and support our neighborhoods. Danette is the founder of AZLR CARES, a non-profit formed to bring resources and aide to the unsheltered and sheltered homeless individuals in Atlanta. She is also Junior Board Vice Chairwoman for Hemophilia of Georgia. Danette is currently studying Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship at DeVry University and is expected to graduate August 2024.

Eboni Johnson

Project/Program Manager, Independent Contractor

Discovery - Kindezi West

Eboni Johnson was born in Atlanta (Grady Baby!) and raised in the Metro Atlanta area, having gone to schools in Clayton and DeKalb counties. She obtained her post-secondary education at The University of Georgia, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minoring in Child and Family Development. Eboni's career experience includes working in administrative and operations roles in the education, state government and healthcare industries. She is now an Independent Contractor providing program/project management, coordination, and administrative support services. She has engaged with various organizations doing the hard and heart work, especially for the most vulnerable. This has ranged from being part of the Black Educational Support Team (B.E.S.T.) tutoring program to Habitat for Humanity to currently being an education advocate as a Parent Fellow with redefinED and GeorgiaCAN. 

Edgar-Keiron Robinson

Digital Strategy Consultant, Infosys

Discovery - CLAY HARMONY LELAND

Edgar-Keiron's background encompasses ten years of teaching, covering subjects ranging from Conversational English and Kinesiology to User Experience Design. Additionally, he's led a design collective, providing valuable strategic insights to numerous businesses, he currently uses these skills as a digital strategy consultant specializing in digital transformation. These multifaceted experiences underscore his unwavering dedication and proven leadership abilities, making him well-prepared to contribute significantly to the Civic Leadership program. Holding a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, Health and PE from Valdosta State University and having completed a UX/Ul/Web-Dev continuing education course at the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology, he's showcased his dedication to ongoing personal and professional growth by currently pursuing a project management certification and actively participating in a civic leadership program.

Elecisha Pope-Bradford

Senior Building Management Specialist, General Services Administration

Discovery - Parklane

As a Senior Building Management Specialist at General Services Administration, Elecisha has over 23 years of experience in managing, overseeing, and delivering complex and high-value facilities management and federal acquisition projects in the Southeastern United States. Additionally, she serves as the President of GSA’s Volunteers in Service, leading their flagship community outreach program of a reading literacy partnership with Dunbar Elementary School in Atlanta, GA. She also serves as the financial secretary for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Lambda Sigma Sigma Alumnae Chapter in Stockbridge, GA.

Jacinta Lewis

Flight Attendant, Southwest Airlines

Discovery - Brookview

Jacinta Lewis is a dedicated Georgia native with a deep commitment to serving her community. She currently resides in the South Fulton area; Jacinta has cultivated a passion for helping others that shines through in both her professional and volunteer work. She holds a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management, a testament to her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in the world. She is currently a valuable employee of Southwest Airlines. In addition to her professional endeavors, Jacinta enjoys serving her community, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Jason Thomas

Dean of Students, Heritage Preparatory School

The King Center

Jason is a native of Southwest Atlanta and has a tremendous heart for the people and communities around the metro area. He values diversity and servant leadership and feels called to be a place maker, bridge builder and people connector. Jason has served in a variety of leadership roles in youth development and pastoral ministry for nearly 25 years. He enjoys volunteering for causes that benefit families and children. In recent years, Jason has been a consistent volunteer with Urban Recipe, Hugs and Hope, Atlanta Mission, and as a baseball coach with Brookwood Baseball Association. Jason is a food, culture and sports enthusiast. When he is not working or volunteering, you can likely find him exploring new restaurants, local festivals, and sporting events alongside his wife and three sons.

Jeff Cantin

Major, City of Atlanta Police Department

Wylde Center

Major Jeff Cantin has been in emergency services for 29 years, spending the last 23 years with the Atlanta Police Department. He currently oversees all the community outreach programs for the police department. He is also the executive director of the Atlanta Police Athletic League, working with at-risk youths in the city through sports.

Kayla Tomlinson

Manager, Bookings & Event Contracts, Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Discovery - Clay Harmony Leland

Kayla is the Manager of Bookings and Event Contracts in the Major Events department at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, originally from Stone Mountain, GA.  She graduated from Howard University with a degree in Sports Management in 2018. In her free time, you can find her at the movies, traveling, listening to R&B or Hip Hop music, singing, dancing, and completing DIY projects. Her friends often say that she has a “warm, comedic, and nurturing soul.”

Kennedi Harris

Campus Recruiting Consultant, Southern Company

Discovery - Love T. Nolan

Kennedi is a Campus Recruiting Consultant for Southern Company. As an Atlanta native, she has a passion for serving the community that raised her. Kennedi commits to serving others as an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and is currently the vice president of Georgia Power’s local volunteer organization.

Kiara Jones

Senior Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Wealth Management

Discovery - Belmont Hills

Kiara Jones is a North Carolina native living in the Greater Atlanta area for over nine years. Kiara graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Minor in Spanish. She is a Senior Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo that assists the community in financial education, investment strategies and financial planning. Kiara has a heart for serving the community and is an avid believer in serving the community that you live in. Kiara currently volunteers with the Junior League of Greater Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta and North Carolina Central University Atlanta Alumni Chapter along with other non-profits that support efforts for child well-being, women and homelessness. 

Latesha Higgs

Teacher, Clayton County Public Schools

Discovery - Brookview

Latesha Higgs, a Baltimore native and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is an author, mental health speaker/advocate and podcaster who has been seen and heard on multiple platforms speaking and advocating for those living with a mental health condition as well as suicide prevention. As a speaker and advocate, she shares her lived experiences of surviving her brother’s death by suicide as well as personally managing Bipolar 2 disorder. By employing scripture, therapy, and medication to live a life of recovery, she inspires others to do the same through teaching, mentoring, and coaching. Latesha is also a facilitator, presenter, and trainer for several NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) programs. She currently teaches and resides in Clayton County, Georgia where she has served on the Budget Advisory Council as well as the District Advisory Council of Clayton County Public Schools.

Malan Hess

Financial Analyst, Capstone Logistics

Discovery - Belmont Hills

Within Capstone Logistics, Malan serves as a Financial Analyst, specializing in financial modeling, forecasting, and data analysis. His day to day involves translating both operational and financial data into actionable insights which support the strategic decision making processes of their Senior Management team. During his leisure hours, he devotes his time to volunteering with nonprofit organizations throughout the metro Atlanta area. His primary areas of focus include addressing food inequality, promoting education, and fostering financial literacy.

Meadow Williams

Behavior Technician, Butterfly Effects

Discovery - Usher Collier

Meadow Williams is currently a senior studying Psychology at Georgia State University. While chasing her academic goals of getting a Doctorate in Psychology, Meadow also serves as the 2nd Vice-President for the National Council of Negro Women and the Public Relations Chair of Gamma Sigma Sigma, National Service Sorority Inc. Meadow was recently recognized for her commitment to serving her community with the National Council of Negro Women through opportunities like the Wylde Center, Hands On Atlanta Discovery and Medshare.

Melodee Lovett

Inbound Contact Representative, Humana Insurance

Discovery - Scott Elementary

Melodee Lovett is a native of Decatur, Georgia and a bachelor’s degree candidate of Health sciences from Georgia State University as of December 2023.  With a future to pursue her master’s degree in nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner of Obstetrician Gynecology, Melodee has a passion for helping others and leading with a servant’s heart. Melodee has worked in healthcare for the last five years, working with Emory Healthcare and Humana,  where she currently works as a Medicare concierge specialist for Molina Healthcare. Melodee enjoys traveling, meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, spending time with family and friends, and giving back to the community.

Michael Kerfeld

Sr. Product Manager, The Home Depot

Piedmont Park

Mike Kerfeld is an Atlanta native who currently resides in Midtown with his tabby beast, Apollo. He is a Senior Product Manager for The Home Depot online and has extensive volunteer experience through several Atlanta service organizations. Food insecurity is his main passion, exhibited by his time spent volunteering with and contributing to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. He also enjoys living in close proximity to Piedmont Park where he can be found often taking walks and spending time with friends.

Myia Jones Dunwoody

Operator Qualification Training Analyst, Southern Company Gas

Discovery - Scott Elementary

Myia serves as the Analyst for Training Technology of Southern Company Gas (SCG). Myia serves on the leadership team of Atlanta Gas Light “DNA”, a multi -generations employee resource group that builds and bridges cross generational alliances, while supporting programs such as The Nicholas House and other community and civic organizations. Myia has been recognized as a “rising leader” and is a graduate of SCG LPP (Leadership Preparation Program) and EMERGE.

Nakeisha Mobley

Customer Account Specialist, WestRock

Discovery - Kindezi West

Nakeisha Mobley works as a Customer Account Specialist for WestRock, and servant leadership has always been her preferred leadership style. She has volunteered for years with her church's foundation, through Hands On Atlanta and also through work. Nakeisha volunteers because she likes to make good use of the time that she has available, and she’s motivated by positive outcomes. She wants the skills, qualities, and attributes she has acquired over the years to be put to good use, and continuing to work as a volunteer will help her to achieve that goal.

Nastassja Cockrell

Compliance Specialist, Georgia Department of Human Services

Discovery - Parklane

Nastassja Cockrell is a native of Dayton, Ohio but has resided in Atlanta since 2012. Nastassja holds a bachelors and masters degree in social work. Nastassja has worked with the Georgia Department of Human Services for the past 11 years in various roles. Nastassja's most recent role is in Residential Childcare Licensing as a compliance manager. Nastassja's passion has always been protecting the most vulnerable populations. Nastassja actively volunteers with Grl Give, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. Nastassja serves as the Vice President of the Sugarloaf Chapter of Grls ATL and the membership director of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc.

Niea Bullock

Program Coordinator, Silence The Shame, INC

Discovery - Asa G. Hilliard

Niea Bullock, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, attained a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Growing up Niea always knew she wanted to help and give back to the community, which is why she now has gathered many volunteer hours in the Atlanta, Georgia area. As an AmeriCorps graduate, she learned how significant it is to tackle our country’s most challenging tasks by being involved and facing the problems head-on. Niea is now working at one of Atlanta’s amazing nonprofits that is dedicated to increasing mental health literacy and decreasing the stigma around speaking about mental health, Silence The Shame, INC.  

Omar King

Senior Revenue Analyst, UPS

C.H.O.I.C.E.S.

Omar is a proud native of Memphis, Tennessee. He currently serves as a Senior Revenue Strategy Analyst at UPS where his work supports the execution of Go-To market strategies. Additionally, Omar serves as an Instructor in The ATLytiCS Data for Hope Education Program. The program is committed to empowering ATL residents to pursue work in the data analytics field. In any capacity, Omar is thrilled to assist members of his community explore opportunities in tech. In his free time, Omar collects vinyl records, is an avid movie buff, and Tennessee sports fanatic.

Rene Anderson

Customer Experience Supervisor, Southern Company Gas

Livable Buckhead

Rene Anderson is a Customer Services Supervisor with Southern Company Gas, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Passionate about continuous learning and development, in this role Rene coaches, trains, mentors and empowers diverse individuals with professional and personal development.  Consistently looking for opportunities to grow and impact others, Rene is excited about the role of a Civic fellow as it will allow her an opportunity to leverage her current skillsets while strengthening project management and leadership skills. Continuing to refine leader skills will support Rene continuing her passion of being a positive impact to the community. Rene is an ongoing volunteer in the community and works with various public, private and non-profit organizations. A native of Alabama, Rene loves spending quality time with her family and in her spare time enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures.  

Shameka Fahie

Financial Manager II, Georgia Institute of Technology

Discovery - Asa G. Hilliard

Shameka is a native of East Point, GA and is a true southern lady with Caribbean roots as her parents are from Saint Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands and Tortola British Virgin Islands. Shameka is an accounting/finance professional with 15+ years of providing efficient services to government, for-profit, and higher education institutions. She is a Financial Manager where her responsibilities include managing the financial operations for the College of Sciences in the Office of Dean at GA Tech. Shameka enjoys volunteering through organizations like the Tri-Cities High School Alumni Association (TCHSAA), Junior League of DeKalb County (JLD), and the Champions Club with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA). Shameka is currently the VP, Finance and Operations for the Junior League of DeKalb County. Her previous leadership positions includes Treasurer, Provisional Training Co-Chair and Arrangements Committee Chair.

Tamill Harris

Teaching Assistant/Professor, Clark Atlanta University

Discovery - Usher Collier

Tamill is a native of Atlanta and a PhD Candidate at the Dr. Mack Henry Jones Department of Political Science at Clark Atlanta University. Tamill’s research is centered on inequities in urban centers that impact marginalized communities, with a focus on the intersections of race, economic mobility, and policy. Her work seeks to illuminate the systemic factors contributing to disparities in areas such as income, housing, and access to essential services. Through rigorous analysis and a commitment to social justice, Tamill strives to advance evidence-based solutions for creating more inclusive and equitable urban environments.

Tonia Holloway

Outreach RN and Health Educator, Contract Nurse

Discovery - Love T. Nolan

Tonia Holloway graduated from Mercer University in 2016 with her Bachelors in Nursing and from Georgia State University with her Bachelors in Education. Helping, healing and nurturing our youth and elders in the community has been a consistent passion and purpose in Tonia’s life and career. For the past 10 years Tonia has worked in the field of health and education, serving as a whole person wellness advocate, educator and community health and wellness equity activist. She attributes her holistic teaching and living style to her love for traveling and exploring different cultures around the world-which has molded her wellness business, community outreach projects and personal beliefs. Tonia aspires to inspire all those she reaches to care for, and advocate for, themselves. 

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To learn more about the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program visit https://www.handsonatlanta.org/civic-leadership

Thousands of volunteers pack 1.5 million meals for families across Metro Atlanta

On Saturday, September 9, 2023 the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm gathered 5,000 volunteers at the award-winning State Farm Arena to pack more than one million meals as part of the 2023 Million Meal Pack! Volunteers were joined by Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman, Hawks and State Farm Arena Chief Executive Officer Steve Koonin, State Farm Senior Vice President Dan Krause, NBA Hall of Famer and Hawks Legend Dominique Wilkins, Hawks Forward Jalen Johnson and a few other special guests who shared heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers who devoted their time to support the team’s largest single-day community service effort of the year. 

Individuals, families, community groups, schools, churches, businesses and more congregated on the arena floor to pack the meals. Together with volunteers from U.S. Hunger and executives from both the Hawks and State Farm, they collectively achieved an impressive total of 1,020,672 meals packed.

“The Million Meal Pack was once again an incredible event, with thousands of volunteers coming together to help our Atlanta neighbors struggling with food insecurity,” said Dan Krause, Senior Vice President at State Farm. “We were proud to bring together local State Farm agents, employees and community volunteers to make a meaningful difference. We appreciate everyone who participated and give thanks to the Atlanta Hawks for our ongoing partnership in giving back and strengthening our communities.”

The packed meals will be distributed throughout the metro Atlanta area with the operational support of U.S. Hunger, a hunger relief organization with innovative programs designed to help feed people struggling with food insecurity. Additionally, 12 other local organizations will help distribute the meals including Atlanta Community Food Bank, Community Assistance Center, Fountain of Hope, Georgia State University Panther’s Pantry, Goodr, Hope Atlanta, Latin American Association, Midwest Food Bank, Meals On Wheels Atlanta, North Fulton Community Charities, Second Helpings and the Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta. 

On the following Monday, September 11, 2023, seventeen cities across the country observed the 22nd 9/11 of Remembrance, packing meals for their local communities. In total, more than 6.5 million meals were packed by more than 10,000 volunteers.

Here in Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens, several current and former Atlanta Falcons (including our old friend Freddie) joined close to 1,000 volunteers to pack more than 350,000 meals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“Today we are packing between 350,000 meals, it’s all going to be oatmeal. It’s going to be distributed to our partners at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and then they are going to help distribute it to all the food pantries in the metro Atlanta region,” said Jay Cranman, CEO of Hands On Atlanta.

One of the volunteers, Alesha Bell shared, “This is a perfect way to give back and remember the lives lost on 9/11. But also feeding the community is important, it helps us thrive.”

Thank you’s and high-fives to all of our support staff volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make all of this incredible impact happen! If you want to get involved and do something about food insecurity, click the button below to find an opportunity near you.

Spring has officially been served!

The 2023 Hands On Atlanta Spring for Service was bigger and more impactful than ever! Throughout April 2023, 4,000 people served 13,000 hours at more than 1,000 projects across metro Atlanta.

We joined thousands of nonprofits across the globe to celebrate marquee, national days of service like Earth Day, Good Deeds Day, Global Youth Service Day and National Volunteer Week. Here in Atlanta, we activated a few of our corporate partners, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers from Change Healthcare, Jackson EMC and LexisNexis Risk Solutions. We also celebrated the end of the school year with students and families at our Discovery pop-up, we joined 48in48 for their “Women’s Build Event, attended a “Community Engagement Breakfast and Learn” with the Atlanta Braves, joined Mayor Dickens and the City of Atlanta for a press conference with some updates and progress on their “Operation Clean Sweep” initiative, and a few members of our team attended an evening with the Atlanta Education Policy Leaders.

The 2023 Spring for Service wasn’t just about impactful events and volunteer projects, in celebration of Global Volunteer Month, we also shined a light on more than 20 incredible volunteers and organizations doing the work! Get to know a few of these inspirational community leaders below or click here to check out all of our stories of service!

Huge, meaningful events and volunteer recognition wasn’t the only impact we supported throughout our Spring for Service. Led by sponsors Publix, Southern Company and The Larocco Companies, along with our board of directors, more than 300 donors contributed to our fundraiser to support Atlanta’s next generation. The month ended with us a little shy of our goal, but the good news is you can still participate to make a difference in the future of our city!

Your donation to our fundraiser will support strategic programming and community engagement efforts to fulfill on our commitment to youth. That could mean more nonprofits participating in our Educational Equity or Food Security programming, more AmeriCorpsmembers tutoring and coaching students, or even more students enrolled in our Discoveryprogram. Your donation could also inspire more conversations (and more action) about affordable housing or providing more safe green spaces for kids to play and learn.

Did you see or hear Hands On Atlanta throughout April? We appeared live on Scripps News Morning Rush, Atlanta Born & Brand published a podcast and video interview with our President and CEO, Jay Cranman, our friends at the Rough Draft gave us a shout, and Points of Light had some nice things to say about our Spring for Service on their blog. Points of Light also recognized one of our volunteer spotlights, Dylan Pace, with a Daily Point of Light Award!

Global Volunteer Month was a huge success. We engaged, connected, learned, shared, inspired, and invested in a more engaged and equitable Atlanta. Thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing you back, serving, sharing or donating this summer!

AmeriCorps Spotlight: Hannah Jo Huling

This month, we’re excited to shine a light on Hannah Jo Huling, a tutor at Scott Elementary who has been making an immediate impact in the lives of her students. Hannah Jo is the real deal when it comes to showing up authentically and building strong relationships with students, teachers, and leadership at Scott Elementary. Her work ethic has not gone unnoticed and she’s received endless compliments from the team at Scott.

When we sat down with Hannah Jo, we asked her about her AmeriCorps experience, her love for Atlanta, and her plans for the future. We were blown away by her passion and dedication to making a difference in the communities she serves.

Hannah Jo found AmeriCorps through her Internship course at Georgia Gwinnett College. She was drawn to the opportunity to work with kids in the Atlanta community, and before she knew it, she was calling for more information. She loves working with the passionate and energetic students at Scott Elementary, and the way they react when she walks into the classroom is priceless.

When we asked Hannah Jo about what she hopes to gain from this experience, she shared that she planned on gaining a lot of experience working with children from the Atlanta community, and to say she did is an understatement. This opportunity has shown her that she is in the correct field of work.

Looking towards the future, Hannah Jo has a lot of high hopes for the next five years. She sees herself married, maybe working on starting a family, and working as a social worker or counselor for child welfare. Additionally, she hopes to be an author of her first book.

When Hannah Jo is not mentoring or tutoring, she loves to go shopping or running errands in the rain. That's right, rain or shine, Hannah Jo is out there connecting with nature as a form of self-care. We love her positive attitude!

Lastly, we asked Hannah Jo what she loves about Atlanta. She shared that Atlanta is full of so much culture and respect. She loves the community, even when there is a struggle to find unity, they always find their way back to what it means to be a thriving and passionate city. Shoutout to Chattahoochee food works for the amazing food, The High for the most beautiful pieces of art, and the many delicious coffee shops. We couldn't agree more, Hannah Jo!

We are so grateful for Hannah Jo's dedication and commitment towards making a difference in the communities we serve. She truly embodies what it means to be an AmeriCorps member, and we can't wait to see where her bright future takes her!

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Are you interested in learning more about a year of service through the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program? Click here to see all the program benefits, what you’ll do and to start your application for the 2023-24 term.

Meet Maranie Brown, student of the community

Maranie Brown is a dedicated volunteer and civic leader focused on creating equity-minded leaders and promoting technical skills in underrepresented communities. Maranie is the 2023 Program Co-Chair for LEAD Atlanta and President of Outstanding Atlanta, in addition to serving with several other organizations and programs, including the Hands On Atlanta 2023 Civic Leadership Program. In this spotlight, Maranie shares her passion for service and the importance of being a student of the community.

"I established a partnership with Spelman College’s Department of Computer Science and my previous company, SapientRazorfish, and developed a course on experience design and technology," Brown said. "For two years, I led the team that exposed young women to in-demand skills and provided mentorship opportunities for continued advancement and growth in our industry."

Brown also shares her passion for STEM by working with over 2,000 girls every year at the STEM Expo through organizations like Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. "The girls leave with heightened confidence as they extract DNA from a strawberry or program a robot to make music," Brown said. "That boost of confidence influences the courses they take in school, the majors they consider, the career they choose, and so much more."

“I’m focused on developing the next generation of equity-minded leaders and growing the city’s pipeline of skilled talent at the intersection of business and technology.””

— Maranie Brown

Through her work with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – MECCA Chapter's Apple partnership, Brown trained middle and high school students on the Swift coding language. "By the end of the program, these students of color put their new technical skills to use by developing an app for the national organization to leverage for member retention," Brown said. "When I invest in them, I’m investing in the generations yet to come. I'm focused on developing the next generation of equity-minded leaders and growing the city's pipeline of skilled talent at the intersection of business and technology."

Brown's love for volunteering stems from her passion for learning about issues and their origin. "I rely on the data to inform focus areas and to help prioritize," Brown said. "These organizations provide a space to act and innovate based on that education in a very thoughtful and intentional manner. It's about the impact."

“There are a variety of transferable skills that I have acquired while planning a fundraiser, managing volunteers, coordinating a service project, writing a strategic plan, etc. that I applied in my profession,””

— Maranie Brown

She believes that volunteering has not only had a personal impact on her life but has also positively impacted her professional career. "There are a variety of transferable skills that I have acquired while planning a fundraiser, managing volunteers, coordinating a service project, writing a strategic plan, etc. that I applied in my profession," Brown said. "It's made me a better leader that can set a vision and develop a plan to execute on that vision."

Brown's advice for those interested in volunteering is to be an active and engaged volunteer, but also to look to understand the root cause or origin of the issue and how it connects to others. "Strive to be a student of the community," Brown said. "I strongly believe that an informed leader is a more impactful leader."

As for why she loves Atlanta, Brown says, "I’m just a girl from Southwest Atlanta. This city is home. My roots are here. It’s my foundation. It’s everything to me."

For those looking to volunteer in April, Brown suggests checking out Hands On Atlanta's website for upcoming volunteer opportunities. "There are always opportunities to give back and make a positive impact in our communities," Brown said. "I encourage everyone to find a cause they're passionate about and get involved."

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Feeling inspired by Maranie’s amazing volunteer work?

You can help others like her continue to make a positive impact in our community by making a donation to Hands On Atlanta, where every $1 donated turns into $6 of economic impact. Click here to donate now.