fogn.png
Thursday June 8th, 2023 6:48AM

Hall-Dawson CASA executive director wins Kiwanis Club's highest honor, CHS senior wins top student award

By AccessWDUN Staff
Related Articles
  Contact Editor

The executive director of the Hall-Dawson Court Appointed Special Advocate was awarded one of the highest honors of the Gainesville Kiwanis Club at the club's annual dinner on Tuesday evening.

Connie Stephens received the John Jacobs, Jr. Kiwanis Youth Service Award.

"(Stephens) truly made our community a better place through her service and altruism," said Eddie Hartness, chair of the award's committee, speaking to the crowd before handing Stephens the award.

Stephens began working with CASA in 1989, one of the first three volunteers for the organization, which was started as a pilot program in Hall and Rockdale counties.

"She was not satisfied with just being a volunteer, but seeing the great need, dedicated the next 25 years of her life to not only caring for those children, but to expanding CASA to meet the ever increasing demand," said Harkness.

Last year, CASA served 494 children, something he said wouldn't have been possible without Stephens' efforts.

"(She) became the founding executive director of Hall-Dawson CASA in 1993. Out of necessity she became an expert fundraiser and grant writer," said Hartess.

Stephens is also an active member of Lakewood Baptist Church, where she sings in the choir, United Way, Kiwanis Club and Family Promise.

 

CHS senior wins Thompson Award

Rebecca Braun, a senior at Chestatee High School, was selected as this year's John C. Thompson Award recipient. The John C. Thompson Award is presented to a local high school student who exemplifies outstanding leadership and commitment to Key Club through involvement in their school’s club and beyond. Braun is the President of the CHS Key Club and she is the Lt. Governor of  Division 10 in the Georgia District for Key Club. In addition to Key Club activities, Braun serves as Co-President of Chestatee Student Council. 

 

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News
  • Associated Tags: Kiwanis Club, CASA, philanthropy, award, service, youth
© Copyright 2023 AccessWDUN.com
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Individual flown for care after two fall from Currahee Mountain
One person was seriously injured when two people fell from Currahee Mountain in Stephens County Saturday morning.
10:00PM ( 6 years ago )
Eight HCSO recruits graduate from police academy
Eight Hall County Sheriff's Office recruits recently graduated from the Northeast Georgia Police Academy.
9:00PM ( 6 years ago )
UPDATE: Suspects charged in Forsyth Pawn Shop robbery -- seventh suspect still at large
Dozens of law enforcement officers have spent their Saturday morning searching for the seven suspects they believe robbed Forsyth County Pawn on Atlanta Road in Cumming.
8:00PM ( 6 years ago )
Local/State News
Kiwanis Club of Gainesville celebrates 98th anniversary at annual dinner
The Kiwanis Club of Gainesville on Tuesday celebrated its 98th anniversary with awards and a performing arts showcase at its annual dinner.
By AccessWDUN Staff
11:30AM ( 2 weeks ago )
Gainesville Kiwanis honors Gainesville, Hall County STAR students, teachers
The Gainesville Kiwanis Club honored 11 students and teachers from the Gainesville and Hall County school systems Tuesday at the 64th annual Student Teacher Achievement Recognition ceremony.
6:00PM ( 1 month ago )
Kiwanis Club honors local law enforcement officers
Five members of local law enforcement were honored Tuesday for their work by the Gainesville Kiwanis Club.
3:25PM ( 3 years ago )
Many receive honors at the 92nd annual Kiwanis Club of Gainesville anniversary celebration
Gainesville's Beth Morris earns the John W. Jacobs, Jr. Kiwanis Youth Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville, for outstanding service to the youth of the community.
11:06PM ( 6 years ago )
Kiwanis Club honors local law enforcement officers
Six law enforcement officers from Hall County were honored Tuesday by the Gainesville Kiwanis Club as recipients of the John W. Jacobs Sr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.
3:22PM ( 7 years ago )