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Listeners of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio who are looking for a great way to give back to the community this spring will not want to miss today’s segment. On today’s episode of Around Atlanta, Jean Hilyard, Director of Community Engagement with HomeAid Atlanta, discusses the opportunity for individuals and corporations alike to participate in its annual Essentials Drive that offers relief for homeless mothers and their babies, just in time for Mother’s Day.
HomeAid Atlanta, the officially designated charity of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, was founded in 2001 and works to assist Atlantans experiencing homelessness, including veterans, formerly incarcerated citizens, teen mothers, domestic violence victims, children and many more groups of people. Their work includes maintenance on the shelters and centers that assist the homeless and raising funds and volunteers to help increase the number of beds these shelters can offer homeless people.
The purpose of the Essentials Drive, Hilyard says, is to assist hundreds of homeless moms and babies in the Metro Atlanta area. The drive is a citywide effort to collect “essentials” such as diapers, baby wipes, baby food, formula and more for homeless infants and toddlers whose mothers cannot afford these necessities.
Corporations and individuals alike can participate. Anyone can collect baby formula, stage one to toddler baby food, unscented baby wipes and diapers sizes 1 to 5, pull-ups sizes 4 to 5 and baby laundry detergent to bring to any of HomeAid’s drop-off locations. The greatest need, Hilyard says, is for diapers, wipes, food and formula.
Corporations can do even more by hosting collections across their organizations. Click here to learn more about hosting an organizational drive. For those who are unable to make it to the store or cannot drop the items off, HomeAid Atlanta is registered on Target and Amazon, so all that donors need to do is purchase an item and it will be delivered to HomeAid Atlanta. Donors who wish to make a monetary donation only can click here to do so.
If you would like to get more heavily involved in the Essentials Drive by volunteering, contact Hilyard by emailing Jean@HomeAidAtlanta.org to learn more about helping HomeAid Atlanta sort items and more volunteer opportunities.
The donated essentials will go to a variety of local shelters, charities and organizations, including Action Ministries, Atlanta Mission, Atlanta Dream Center, CAPN, City of Refuge, DCM-Family House, DCM-Hagar’s House, The Drake House, Family Promise of Hall County, HavenATL, Helping Mamas, HomeStretch, House of Dawn, Nicholas House, Our House, Phoenix Pass, Rainbow Village, Salavation Army Red Shield Services, Sheltering Arms, Solomon’s Temple and United Methodist Children’s Home.
To learn more about HomeAid Atlanta, the Essentials Drive or how you can help, tune in to today’s episode of Around Atlanta or visit www.HomeAidAtlanta.org.
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A special thank you to Jackson EMC for sponsoring Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio. Jackson EMC offers homebuyers peace of mind and lower bills with its certified Right Choice™ new home program. These homes are built to be energy efficient and sustainable with improved indoor air quality, convenience and comfort. 
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