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SNELLVILLE – Snellville has a long history of helping people who are struggling to put food on the table.

For a number of years, Snellville residents and businesses have contributed food and financial donations through their churches, schools and the "Give Hunger the Boot" program.

City residents and businesses will be participating in a new program known as the "GwMA/GDOS Food Drive." Organized by the Gwinnett Municipal Association, in cooperation with the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services' "Great Days of Service" initiative, the food drive will culminate Oct. 21 and 22, the official "Great Days of Service."

"For many families in Gwinnett County, hunger is an ongoing problem," GwMA Executive Director Randy Meacham said. "Helping those families through their local co-ops is nothing new for our member cities so the GwMA/GDOS Food Drive is just the latest effort to not only raise donations, but to increase awareness of needs throughout the county. Those needs exist year around and GwMA will be launching other new programs to help provide year around support."

Considering the prosperity that is found throughout Gwinnett County, many people are surprised to learn that families are still struggling to put food on the table. Fortunately, food co-ops throughout the county offer assistance. One of the most efficiently run co-ops is the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative which serves families in Snellville. Participants in the GwMA/GDOS Food Drive include the cities of Berkeley Lake, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Loganville, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Snellville, Sugar Hill and Suwanee. In addition to local volunteers, councilmembers Keith Roche of Lawrenceville, Rey Martinez of Loganville, Dave Emanuel of Snellville, Marc Cohen of Sugar Hill and Linnea Miller of Suwanee are serving as coordinators for their respective cities.

"In addition to raising donations, it's also important to increase awareness that throughout the county, many families are still struggling financially, and that hunger is still a problem," Emanuel said. "I'm honored to have been asked to chair the GwMA/GDOS Food Drive and have the opportunity to work with representatives from other cities who are helping their communities."

In Snellville, food donations can be dropped off at a number of locations including City Hall, the Public Works Department, United Community Bank and Gwinnett Animal Hospital. Give Hunger the Boot financial donation boxes are located at Main Street Restaurant, Fast Signs, United Community Bank, Mellow Mushroom and SarahCare.

SNELLVILLE – The sign outside Bill Rhodes Bakery reads, "A Family Tradition," so it's only fitting the owners of the Scenic Highway shop will appear on "Family Feud" next week.

The Williams Family will appear on the popular game show at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 on the CW network.

The journey to television screens started more than a year ago when Karen Williams shot an email to the producers of the show who were looking for families to be on the program. Two weeks later the Williams Family – Becky Evans, Karen and Tom Williams, Taylor Gagnon and John Evans – were at the Atlanta Civic Center auditioning for the show.

"They just wanted to see how you interacted with each other and your enthusiasm," Williams said.

But the family had a secret weapon. John Evans created a Lego replica of the family on the set complete with a mini Steve Harvey, the host of the show. It was a prop that helped the family stand out.

Apparently it worked. Months went by and Williams received an email with a list of dates the family could pick to have another audition to be on the show. She picked April 20. Then a clothes shopping marathon began and the Williams Family started "Family Feud Nights" during which they would practice answering questions and play the Family Feud board game. Two nights before they were to head to the studio, they had a dress rehearsal.

The Williams Family arrived back at the Atlanta Civic Center again at 8 a.m. and took part in mock games with music and lights on the famous set. Then they waited to see if their name to be called. Each game takes two hours to film. After nine-and-a-half hours, the Williams Family was called.

So how did they do? You'll have tune in to find out because they're not allowed to say.

"All I'll say is it's hard when you get up on stage," Williams said. "It's not like sitting in your recliner at home."

"It did bring our family together," said Becky Evans. "We got together to practice twice a week, when we'd otherwise be busy."

For more information on the bakery visit billrhodesbakery.com.

SNELLVILLE – Sept. 12 was named Amanda Riley Day in the city.

On Monday, Mayor Tom Witts named the day after the young Brookwood High School student who passed away following her battle with cancer in 2010.

"From this day forward, in honor of her courage, selflessness and inspiration to other children, Sept. 12 shall be known as 'Amanda Riley Day' in the city of Snellville," Witts said. "I commend the Amanda Riley Foundation and (parents) Barbara and Steve Riley for their dedication to fighting childhood cancer and bringing smiles to kids with cancer. I encourage all of Snellville's citizens ... to help bring a smile to the face of a young person fighting childhood cancer."

Amanda was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 16 and after a courageous 405-day fight, she passed away April 9, 2010. Her fight and legacy became a symbol of childhood cancer. Known for her kindness, beautiful smile and generosity, she was a three-sport varsity athlete at BHS.

Last year it was announced the basketball courts at T.W. Briscoe Park will be named after Amanda. A dedication ceremony will take place in the upcoming months, city officials said Monday.

The Amanda Riley Foundation, a Snellville non-profit, was founded by Amanda's parents in her honor. The foundation has helped countless children with cancer. Her parents were on hand to accept the proclamation Monday.

Nationwide, September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with the hope it will increase awareness about the issue of childhood cancer, including the need for early detection, prompt treatment, new medications, continued research and attention on the late term effects of treatment on childhood cancer survivors.

For more information about Amanda and the Amanda Riley Foundation visit amandarileyfoundation.org.

SNELLVILLE – A joint student entrepreneur venture between local schools and the city got a big boost in the form of a $250,000 award from Gwinnett County Public Schools.

"One of the primary purposes of this award is to recognize the behaviors we want exhibited in our schools and classrooms," GCPS Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks said in letter informing Brookwood High School officials of the award. "Therefore, the $250,000 awarded to the Brookwood Cluster Schools is to further the innovative and engaging practices you have been using to educate out students to the highest possible level."

The Brookwood Cluster Schools' Integrated Entrepreneurship program will now expand to the elementary and middle school levels and other facets of the program will be bolstered after the 2016 Innovation and Transformation Award was given to the cluster. Brookwood schools have offered the successful business experience-based education program in partnership with the city's Office of Economic Development for a number of years.

"Success is rewarded. For the last five years the City of Snellville has partnered with local schools to create a workforce that meets the needs of a 22nd century business," said city Economic Development Director Eric Van Otteren. "The Brookwood Cluster has embraced the concept of entrepreneurship as a learn-by-doing pathway to meet the future."

The funds open the door for Brookwood Elementary School to further grow its student entrepreneur programs, the first of its kind for an elementary school in the county, program officials said.

"I am so thankful to GCPS for providing the Innovation Award," said Cindy Quinlan, GCPS Entrepreneurship Program Specialist Work-Based Learning Coordinator. "Now, more than ever before, students need skills to create their own opportunities and to develop soft skills crucial for a successful future. We must continue to innovate in our classrooms to meet the demands in an ever changing world. With this funding, we will continue to go grow our entrepreneurship education programs within the Brookwood Cluster Schools."

Now, in the Brookwood Cluster, the following business experience-based education programs will be offered, allowing a student to engage in business throughout their school career:

Elementary School Level

• Token economy and class jobs
• Market Day
• School-based enterprise

Middle School Level

• Small group "Shark Tank" pitches
• Soft skills development
• Focus on social entrepreneurship

9th Grade Year

Focus: Building foundational knowledge

• Honors or CP 9th grade language arts
• Marketing principles
• Intro to business and technology
  

10th Grade Year

Focus: Launching a business

• Honors or CP 10th grade language arts
• Entrepreneurship

• Public speaking (language arts elective)
  

11th Grade Year

Focus: Operating a business

• Honors or CP 11th grade language arts
• Legal environment of business
• Marketing management

12th Grade Year

• Work-based learning
• Business expansion
• Leadership opportunities mentoring younger entrepreneurship students

Upcoming Senior Center Events

Upcoming Parks and Recreation Events

SNELLVILLE – Get your taste buds ready.

Local eateries will feature their favorite dishes and offer succulent food for the tasting at the city's first "Taste of Snellville" event Sept. 17.

Come experience the diverse tastes of the city's many cultures as area chefs prepare their favorite foods for the event which takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. on the Towne Green.

Some of the restaurants participating are: Ionie's Caribbean Kitchen, Fratelli's, Beren's Frozen Custard, Chick-fil-A (Highway 78), American Tavern, Stevi B's, Zoës, Grayson Coffee House, Baby Jane's Home Cooking, The Village Corner German Restaurant and Bakery, Fresh Market, Wild Wing Café, Spice Oven, Pollo Tropical and more. Lincoln Fill Station will be on site selling beer and wine as well.

While the event is free, to taste food samples and take part in other activities, visitors must buy tickets at the information booth. When visitors purchase tickets, they can also pick up a card that will have each restaurant name on it that can be stamped once they visit each restaurant. The card also enters patrons for door prizes to be awarded at the end of the event.

Food is just part of this new event, as the Jazz Fusion Kings will take the stage from

4 to 5 p.m. and the Metro Jazz Club will perform from 5-8 p.m.

Many art vendors will be displaying their art pieces along with other vendors that will be set up on the Green and on Oak Road. Event organizers Snellville Tourism and Trade is partnering with the Snellville Arts Commission to offer Sip N Paint packages for both wine glass and canvas painting. Attendees can to sip wine and taste food while painting in the middle of Oak Road. Wine Glass Sip N Paint sessions will be offered from 4-8 p.m. for $10 which includes a drink ticket and two food tickets. The Canvas Sip N Paint is $30 and includes the canvas, one drink ticket and five food tickets. Visit www.snellvillearts.com to sign up for the canvas and wine glass painting classes and the free sidewalk art squares.

Sam Roper with Rope-A-Dope Toons will be teaching a character drawing class for $5 which includes a souvenir pencil set to take home and a finished character designed by participants. Sign up for those classes online at www.snellvilletourism.com. Classes are limited to 20 patrons per seating and will be offered at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m.

Stop by the Family Tree Garden Center Tent and create a Fairy Garden for $10 which includes supplies.

There will also be inflatables and the Trackless Train for children.

For more information visit www.snellvilletourism.com

SNELLVILLE – The city's police department will be out in force hosting its annual Snellville Public Safety Night Sept. 27.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the Towne Green in front of City Hall. A Flag Ceremony will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m.

This successful annual event allows residents to meet and ask questions of local police officers.

Police vehicles with anti-crime accessories, tactical equipment and weapons and the Snellville Police SRT (special response team) will be on hand. The Air-Evac Lifeteam Helicopter, Gwinnett County Fire Department equipment and personnel, Gwinnett Animal Control, the Gwinnett County Bomb Squad's van, Emergency Medical Service workers and first responders are all scheduled to attend.

Numerous exhibitors will be providing information on personal safety, road safety for adults, teens and young children, gun safety and training, financial security, home and pet security. Members of the Snellville Citizens Police Academy will be available with information of the popular Citizens Police Academy. Information on the free emergency notification system Code RED and fingerprinting of kids will be available. A number of animal mascots, a Treasure Hunt and a drawing for a door prize will keep children engaged and entertained.

The SPD K-9 officers will give several demonstrations throughout the evening along with a "How to manage a traffic stop" demonstration. Also the animal mascots, including Snellville's own STAT the Cat, will have a skit for the kids on "Being Safe."

Bring the family for fun and get great information on protecting yourself, your family, your pets, your home and business and your personal identity.

The event is free.

For more information contact Kathy Emanuel (Snellville Citizens Police Academy Alumni) at kae10@bellsouth.net, or Tom Martin (Snellville Citizens Police Academy Alumni) at twmartin50@yahoo.com.