Gwinnett Daily Post

Are you aware of an event or project that benefits our community? Contact Anna Ferguson at 770-963-9205, ext. 1308, or anna.ferguson@gwinnettdailypost.com.

It's 300 words to change a life.

Not just your own life, but the lives of hundreds of young girls in southern Africa, as well. The UNA-USA HERO Campaign has teamed with Beingagirl.com, in the hopes of sending area teens to the southern region of Africa for the Youth Ambassadors Summer 2008 program. To apply for the program, students between the ages of 16 and 19 are asked to submit a 300-word essay and two letters of recommendation, explaining why they want to participate.

During their month-long trip to Africa, teens will work on various tasks to better schools and communities, including building classrooms, constructing fences, installing kitchens for school-feeding programs, and painting classrooms. The program is funded in part by Protecting Futures, a new awareness and aid program from Always and Tapax. With Protecting Futures, the two companies are aiming to keep young African girls in school.

Twenty students will be chosen from across the county and Canada to participate in the ambassador program. Applications will be accepted through March 1. For more information, visit www.beingagirl.com/hero.

Chipotle teams with Atlanta Children's Shelter

No matter how many times we are reminded to be grateful for what we have during the holiday season, we inevitably get sucked in. We shop, we buy, we overindulge, and it becomes easy to forget the 13,000 people in our city who have no place to call home. Of that group, some 2,500 are kids.

Founded in 1986, the Atlanta Children's Shelter works to keep these children at the forefront, no more so than during this season of giving. To reach out to the thousands of homeless and needy families in Atlanta, the shelter hosted the Holiday House Dec. 7 and 8.

During the weekend event, parents shopped free of charge through the shelter, picking up clothing, toys, home appliances, linens and other gifts. To aid in this years event, the shelter partnered with the Tex-Mex restaurant chain Chipotle, and raised $10,000 to be used during the two-day shopping spree.

For more information, visit www.atlantachildrensshelter.com.

Holiday meal scheduled for those in need

Love in Action Outreach Ministries will host "Mirroring the heart of God at Christmas" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at the Lawrenceville VFW, 368 Grayson Highway. The holiday meal is for area homeless individuals and families in crisis. Call 404-513-5683.

Duluth Kiwanis Club raised more than $16,000

More than 100 golfers came out to support a good cause at The Kiwanis Club of Duluth golf tournament, held May 8 at St. Marlo Country Club in Duluth. The event raised more than $16,000 for club's designated charities. Visit www.duluthkiwanis.org.

Doc Chey's raises funds for charity

Doc Chey's Noodle House raised more than $4,200 during its 10th Anniversary Festival, the proceeds from which will be donated to HomeGrown Charities. The organization is the charitable arm of HomeGrown Restaurant Concepts, which is the parent company of Doc Chey's Noodle House, Osteria 832 Pasta & Pizza and the soon-to-be-opened Stella Neighborhood Trattoria. In 2006, HomeGrown Charities donated more than $24,000 to Atlanta organizations through in-kind donations and fundraisers.

WHO foundation awards grant to boys home

The Women Helping Others foundation recently awarded a $60,000 grant to Positive Growth Boys Home. Located in Clarkston, the home targets males ages 6-18 and gives them a structured, home-like environment. The grant from the WHO foundation will be used to renovate the home's kitchen and seating area. Visit www.whofoundation.org or www.positivegrowthinc.org.