Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Most people send "thank you" cards to show appreciation, but the Gwinnett Coalition for Heath and Human Services took it a step above. The organization invited sponsors who participated in this year's Gwinnett Great Days of Service to a luncheon Wednesday afternoon to show "thanks for the help and support."

Regina Vella, co-chair of the Great Days Planning Committee, welcomed the crowd and shared statistics about the two-day event. There were more than 200 projects available and 80,000 volunteers who donated time and labor to help.

Demetrius Jordan of United Way was guest speaker, and his message was that volunteering isn't something to be confined to Great Days; help is needed year round.

Ellen Gerstein and Nicole Love of the Gwinnett Coalition gave out awards to the numerous sponsors throughout the county.

Thomas Tate of Andersen, Tate and Carr was honored with the Thomas James Award for his hard work and dedication to Great Days of Service.

"I thought everything was great," Suzy Bus of the Gwinnett Coalition said. "We have so many wonderful partners in the community. We wouldn't be able to do any of this without them."