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Thunderous applause and tears of joy were on display at the December 4, 2018 Board of Directors meeting for the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services (Gwinnett Coalition).  As her fellow board members rose to their feet in celebration and appreciation, Gwinnett Medical Center’s Director of Community Benefit and Ethics, Martha Jordan, was presented the Gwinnett Coalition’s highest honor, The Barbara King Community Hero Award.

Named in honor of the late Barbara King, a long-time community servant and retired Primerica legend, Gwinnett Coalition’s Executive Director, Ellen Gerstein said, “I could not think of anyone who exemplifies the true meaning of the Barbara King Community Hero Award more than Martha Jordan.”

In statements made during the presentation of the award, Gerstein added, “Martha is a true community hero.  She has supported the Gwinnett Coalition in so many valuable ways.  For many years, Martha has chaired our Research and Accountability committee, taking us through a rigorous process of strategic planning and accountability.  Through her tireless efforts, our comprehensive plan is now integrated as one community health improvement plan. Martha’s expertise has made her a shining star and leader among all that have the privilege to know and work with her.  Her passion for helping others learn about and understand the benefits of engaging with the Gwinnett Coalition has helped our organization achieve unprecedented results.”

This Holiday Season, as we begin to fill our homes with holiday cheer, we often include the tradition of remembering others and sharing our bounty.

For many, it is time for families to fulfill their gift lists and for many local businesses to meet their 2018 profit goals.  However, this is also a time to remember not everybody can experience enjoyment during the holiday gift-giving season.  That is where many local nonprofits step in, to help provide a little more joy to those in need during the holidays.

The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services reached out to local nonprofits this month, and many have provided their wish lists for those residents, companies, and others who want to include them in their gift giving plans. So the next time you are shopping at your favorite retailer, grocery store or small business here in Gwinnett County, consider also making a purchase to help these outstanding nonprofits during the holidays.

Check out the 2018 Holiday Wish List by CLICKING HERE.

This Thanksgiving, we feel overwhelming gratitude for our U.S. armed forces and veterans – individuals who have sacrificed so that we can enjoy our many comforts. We also feel profound gratitude for our military families, who often sacrifice just as much as their service members. As a result, the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services and Snellville United Methodist Church recently partnered together to help Gwinnett County Veterans get a little head start on preparing a nice home-cooked Thanksgiving Day meal.

With a U-Haul truck filled with frozen Butterball turkeys and groceries collected by members of the church congregation, Lou Anne Campbell and a team of volunteers arrived at the offices of the Gwinnett Coalition prepared to give back to the veterans who have served our country over the years.

One by one, 50-plus veterans and their families began descending on the Coalition’s Veterans Resource Center.  Upon arrival, each family was presented with a turkey and 2 large boxes containing all of the traditional Thanksgiving trimmings to take home and prepare.

Danny Pagan, the Director of the Veterans Resource Center said “It doesn’t get much better than to witness an individual that served their country pick up the phone with tears in the eyes to simply call a family member to inform they will have a meal for Thanksgiving.” Unfortunately, many will not.

Veterans often face unique challenges that civilian members of American society don’t always understand. The lack of institutional support often means veterans find themselves in unfortunate situations with little to no outside help, especially during the holiday season.  Some of these challenges include homelessness, unemployment, poor, and untreated PTSD resulting in high rates of depression and suicide.

“A Thanksgiving meal for many of the veterans here today was simply not going to happen this year”, Pagan added.  “This blessing, made possible by this loving church, has made our veterans believe they still matter, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”

So whether you’re grateful for your own military family member, your friends, your health or just a day to spend with the people you love, we hope you will take a minute this Thanksgiving to acknowledge our nation’s defenders.