CCF encourages year-end support to local nonprofits
From Coweta Community Foundation Press Release
During the holidays, Cowetans are known for generously assisting those in need. Volunteers have worked tirelessly to make sure that food was provided for young and old, and toy collection efforts have meant that no local children went without Christmas gifts. But the Coweta Community Foundation reminds everyone that this is also an important time of year for end-of-year charitable giving, which many residents take advantage of to help reduce their income tax.
As locals finalize their year-end giving, the Coweta Community Foundation encourages gifts to local nonprofits as well as to the Foundation itself. Donations to the Foundation are tax-exempt, and donors are welcome to select one of the many funds that support worthwhile community-based projects. Whether it’s literacy and education, animal welfare, or the arts, these funds support many programs important to Cowetans. These funds are listed at cowetafoundation.org and may be accessed by clicking on the “Donate” tab.
This year, donors may also wish to support one of the new nonprofits now being provided fiscal sponsorship by the Foundation, such as Seasons of Strength, “a project to lift up, preserve, and celebrate the stories of the EF4 tornado.” Seasons of Strength is an aural history project. Those affected by the storm are invited to tell their story, and these stories will be accessible to the survivors, volunteers, and advocates whose lives were so deeply affected by the tornado. These stories will be stored at the Newnan Carnegie Library for years to come.
Seasons of Strength is also a live multi-media performance. For the fifth anniversary of the storm, Seasons of Strength will take clips from those aural histories and weave them into a live performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Recomposed by Max Richter. The concert will be an immersive experience featuring audio clips of the aural histories, live dance, and video footage taken in the storm’s aftermath. Officials said, “The support means bringing ‘Seasons of Strength’ to life, making sure the community’s stories of courage and recovery are heard and remembered. Together, we can make a meaningful difference, highlighting the strength and genuine care that lies within Coweta County.” Donations may be made by visiting cowetafoundation.org, clicking on the “Donate” tab, and selecting the Seasons of Strength fund.
Another new fiscal sponsor nonprofit under the Foundation is Driven Success, which is led by Christopher Colton, a former professional baseball player with the Seattle Mariners from 2002-2007. He also played for several minor league teams such as the River City Rascals, Wichita Wingnuts and Joliet Jackhammers from 2007-2010.
“Circumstances growing up were tough, but my love of baseball was strong!” Colton said. “I was blessed to have really great coaches who believed in my ability. I was able to excel in baseball at a young age, but the opportunities were limited coming from a low-income family out of Newnan, Georgia. Despite all my challenges, I was drafted out of Newnan High School at the age of 18. I briefly attended Middle Georgia College and then headed to Spring Training. I continued my baseball career until family responsibilities became the main priority.”
Colton said his wife, Aurelia, has supported his baseball career for the last 13 years and was instrumental in creating his business, Drive Baseball LLC, a travel baseball organization established to give every kid a chance of an equal opportunity regardless of their circumstances.
“Aurelia and I had a vision to support the kids in our community, and that is how we wanted to give back,” Colton said. “In 2022, our nonprofit organization, Driven Success, was established to provide hope to children and to help support parents in the love of baseball.” Colton said they eventually hope to provide support for other sports as well. To make a donation to Driven Success, please visit https://tinyurl.com/y4ub95ym.
The Coweta Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance the community’s quality of life by encouraging philanthropic interaction to provide a catalyst to help focus local philanthropy on the community’s ever-changing needs. As a Foundation, it manages individual gifts and bequests that enhance and support the quality of life in Coweta County.
For more information, please visit cowetafoundation.org.
