Those of you who have visited Cumberland Island National Seashore know what a true treasure the Georgia barrier island is.

Now you can help save Cumberland.

Cumberland is in danger of having approximately 1,000 acres rezoned for development by the five Camden County Commissioners, potentially exposing the island to a destructive level of development.

Some organizations are fighting to protect the national seashore against the development and preserve its natural, pristine character for future generations.

Congress established the Cumberland Island National Seashore, which encompasses the entire island, to preserve this natural place in its undeveloped state.

The five commissioners of Camden County have the power to reverse their earlier decision which granted a hardship variance to Lumar LLC, allowing Lumar’s members to develop a portion of Cumberland’s maritime forests.

The Lumar tract is located in the heart of Cumberland Island adjacent to the Sea Camp campground, the most-visited area of the island.

If you are against the development of Cumberland, please send your thoughts to the commissioners. Find their emails and mailing address here  and below.

You also are invited speak out against this development at Camden County Commission meetings May 16 and June 13, 6PM at 400 E. Fourth St., Woodbine. (Government Services Complex, Second Floor, Room 252)FREE 100% cotton “Don’t Develop Cumberland Island” T-shirts will be be given to the first 50 people who arrive at the May 16 (6PM) Camden County Board of Commissioners’ meeting.

More information can be found at stmarysearthkeepers.com ; wildcumberland.org and via the Save Cumberland Island National Seashore Facebook page here.

Camden County Commissioners:

Commissioner Lannie Bryant (District 1) district1@co.camden.ga.us Tel: 912-552-4246

Commissioner Chuck Clark (District 2) district2@co.camden.ga.us Tel: 912-674-8791

Commissioner James Starline (District 3, CINS is in his district) district3@co.camden.ga.us Tel: 912-882-5691

Commissioner Gary Blount (District 4) district4@co.camden.ga.us Tel: 912-882-2211

Commissioner Ben Casey (District 5) district5@co.camden.ga.us Tel: 912-552-4703

Camden County Commissioners mailing address:
PO Box 99
Woodbine, GA 31569
912-552-4246

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Fans of Cumberland Island National Seashore are invited to show their support at a rally to save Cumberland from rezoning/development.

Sat. June 24, 10AM-4PM

Free “Don’t Develop Cumberland Island” T-shirts for the first 400 attendees, music, face-painting, information booths, food trucks.

Learn more here. 

In honor May being Melanoma Awareness month, Dr. Corinne Howington of Low Country Dermatology in Savannah will lead a skin cancer awareness excursion – “Melanoma, Take a Hike!” – on Sun. May 21 2017 at 3PM at Skidaway Island State Park.

Dr. Howington and her staff will lead a three-mile hike along the park’s scenic trails, sharing facts and prevention techniques for melanoma and taking questions. Water, sunscreen and some light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, click here.

Proceeds benefit the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute.

ABOUT LOW COUNTRY DERMATOLOGY

Low Country Dermatology specializes in the treatment of adult and pediatric diseases of the skin, hair and nails. Dr. Corinne Howington is a board certified dermatologist with expertise in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.

Low Country Dermatology, 310 Eisenhower Dr. Suite 12A Savannah, GA 31406, lcderm.com Low Country Dermatology is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Disney is taking Frozen out of the Disney Vault for ONE NIGHT ONLY,

Support a great cause and see a favorite Disney Movie @ the Lucas Theatre in downtown Savannah. All donations benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The 2013 Disney hit Frozen will be shown @ Lucas Theatre in Savannah on Sat. April 29 2017, 5PM.

The movie is presented by Alison Harris, nominated for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2017 Woman of the Year. Harris is joining LLS on their mission to find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients. Her goal is to raise $100,000 in 10 weeks to help cure blood cancers. She’s dedicating her campaign in memory of her Grandmother, Marion Quinn, who died of Leukemia March 22, 1975, just 2 weeks before Harris’ parent’s wedding.

This movie is being shown by donation only for Alison Harris’ LLS Woman of the Year campaign.

Tickets are available via donation here.

Rated PG. 1 hour 49 minutes.

Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St. Savannah, 31401

Join the Haberhsham YMCA for a night of family-friendly competition on the court @ Savannah Country Day School.

The YMCA All-stars, featuring players from all over Savannah including the Y’s CEO, Joel Smoker, will take on the Harlem Legends in a game of hoops.

DATE: Fri. March 24 2017
TIME: Doors open at 6PM
Show starts 7PM
LOCATION: Savannah Country Day School
824 Stillwater Dr
Savannah, GA 31419
COST: $12.50 in advance, $10 (ages 8 & younger); $15 at the door

Tickets are available at the Habersham YMCA (6400 Habersham Street, Savannah, GA 31405) or call 912.354.6223 for more information.

YMCA of Coastal Georgia is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The community is invited to participate in the Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School Color-A-Thon Event in Pooler on Sat. April 1 2017.

This fun, healthy event is a fundraiser in which students collect donations, earn rewards and then participate in a 3K fun run as a culminating event. The students, their friends and family and other supporters can walk, run, skip, or dance through a course where they all will get blasted by color dust!

Coastal Empire Montessori, a Pre-K through 5th Grade charter school, serves students from all over Chatham County.

Register

Registration fee is $30 and includes a T-shirt and a color dye pack. (The color dust is safe, non-toxic and completely washable.) To register, click here. Online registration must be completed by March 22, 2017. There will also be on-site registration on the day of the event, however t-shirts will not be available onsite and will be shipped afterward.

The Coastal Empire Montessori Color-a-Thon
April 1, 2017, at 10AM (with day-of registration opening at 9AM)
@ Tom Triplett Community Park in Pooler, GA.
To donate or register, click here.

About Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School

Come see all the Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School has to offer.

Attend an open house or guided tour of this PreK4-5th grade public charter school on Wed. March 29, 6PM.

Guided tours are every Wednesday at 10AM. Advance registration required by calling 912.395.4070.

Applications for the 2017-18 school year are being accepted now. Deadline to apply: April 7, 2017 at midnight. 

The lottery will be Tues. April 11, 2017 @ 6:30PM

Learn more about the school application process here.

Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School
301 Buckhalter Road
Savannah, GA 31405

Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School, cemco.org,  (912) 395-4070, cemcssav@gmail.com  On Facebook here. Coastal Empire Montessori is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Savannah Sailing Center will host The 6th Annual Sailing Regatta for Children with Autism and Special needs, providing an opportunity for them and their families to experience the joy of sailing and open up a new world of interest.

If you have a child with autism/special needs please bring him/her along with the entire family free of charge to Lake Mayer on Saturday, April 8, 2017, 10AM-2PM and sail with the wind. A parent or guardian must accompany all children.

All children, family members, volunteers and company representatives must complete a registration and waiver form to attend this event. To register, call 912-352-9996 or email savsailing@yahoo.com.

Sponsors

Own a business & want to have a booth to disperse information? All you need to do is provide an arts and craft activity for approximately 200 children and make a monetary donation to Savannah Sailing Center in lieu of a booth charge. SSC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Sponsorship levels of giving can be downloaded from www.savannahsailingcenter.org or Savannah Sailing Center staff can send you the information via email.

You have two chances to take part in St. Baldrick’s headshaving fundraisers, one on Hilton Head Is. & a second in Savannah.

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Hilton Head St. Baldrick’s headshaving fundraiser, March 18

Mellow Mushroom of Hilton Head Island will host the sixth annual St. Baldrick’s headshaving fundraiser on Sat. March 18 2017, 3-5PM.

Joe DiNovo of Joe’s Barbershop will lead the team of barbers shaving the heads of the Hilton Head area men, women and children, encouraging the community to support their action by making donations to their team.

In addition to the headshaving, the event will feature a silent auction and live music.

The fundraiser is organized by Terry and Cynthia Cermak, who started the event in honor of their son Henry.

In 2013, St. Baldrick’s created a Hero Fund in his name: the Henry Cermak Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research. The Cermak’s headshaving events have raised over $110,000.00 for Henry’s Fund, and provided 50% of the funding for a research grant studying pediatric brain cancer treatments at St. Jude Hospital.

This year, the goal is to surpass $125,000 in total donations for Henry’s Fund.

Anyone can join a team or start their own team here. There are many ways for volunteers to raise funds without shaving their heads. Merchants who wish to help sponsor the event can call 843-298-2775 or email henrys1ups@gmail.com.

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Savannah St. Baldrick’s headshaving fundraiser, March 25

Savannah City Market
March 25, 2017 Noon-4PM
219 W Bryan street, Savannah, GA US

Join a team or donate here. 

THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER BALL IS BACK SATURDAY, FEB. 11 2017
A Magical Event: gowns, crowns, and swords – nothing short of a royal celebration will do!

THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT. PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR TICKET BEFORE FEB. 10, 2017. Purchase tickets online here.

The Next Generation’s Happily Ever After Ball is presented and exclusively designed by Posh, Petals and Pearls and will be Sat. Feb. 11, 2017, at Brockington Hall in Savannah.

The Next Generation (TNG) is a volunteer organization founded to benefit the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah. One hundred percent of the net funds raised through The Next Generation events and corporate and friend contributions directly support the Willett Children’s Hospital’s most precious patients.

Happily Ever After Ball

The ball includes two sessions: 10AM-Noon (SOLD-OUT) and 1-3PM. Children and parents are invited to attend a royal celebration and meet their favorite fairytale princess, prince, pirate, and heroes of all storylines.

Dressed in their favorite fairytale costume, children can waltz with Cinderella and Prince Charming, visit Rapunzel and Flynn’s Hair Palace, and even have a sword fight with Peter Pan and Captain Hook! Of course, Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff will be there as well and joined by all of their royal friends.

Come for family-friendly fun, prizes, desserts, and more! For tickets: visit www.nextgenerationsavannah.com.

Happily Ever After Ball, Savannah
Saturday, February 11, 2017
First session: 10AM-Noon (SOLD OUT)
Second session: 1-3PM (A FEW TICKETS REMAINING)
Brockington Hall
213 E. Hall St.
Savannah, Ga. 31401
COST: $20 per individual ticket. Buy tickets online here.  Online tickets will be available until midnight Fri. Feb. 10. (unless the event sells out).

Sponsors include: Robyn Shirley, who has been an independent Matilda Jane Trunk Keeper in South Carolina since 2008.

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ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION

The Next Generation is a volunteer organization founded to benefit the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah. One hundred percent of the net funds raised through The Next Generation events and corporate and friend contributions directly support the Willett Children’s Hospital’s most precious patients.
For more information, go to www.nextgenerationsavannah.com or email info@nextgenerationsavannah.com.

Memorial Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Blessings In A Book Bag Inc. in Savannah is a non-profit organization that has helped Savannah school children since 2011. Every Friday during the school year, students are provided with book bags filled with non-perishables goods to sustain them and their family over the weekend.

You’re invited to help support Blessings In A Book Bag by participating in the 4th Annual Unity 5K on MLK & Music Festival in Forsyth Park on Sat. January 14 at 9AM.

Get more info and register at www.blessingsinabookbag.org

After the race, there will be a free music festival in Forsyth Park, 10AM-3PM. Families are invited to set up chairs and blankets and relax.

Looking for ways to make the holidays better for others in Savannah?

You’re invited to donate new or gently used toys, books, children’s clothing to the West Broad Street YMCA by Wed. Dec. 14 for the 35th Annual Miracle on May Street 2016. Donations will go to all the families that West Broad Street YMCA serves.

West Broad Street YMCA is also looking for volunteers to help with the big day on Sat. Dec. 17 from 8AM-2PM to help families “shop” and run children’s activities

This year’s event will feature a festive gift and clothing give-away for local families as well as holiday crafts and treats for kids and live music.

Families who would like to participate are asked to fill out a registration form at the Y before Wed. Dec. 14. After filling out the form, participants are invited to come to the West Broad YMCA on Sat. Dec. 17 between 9AM – 12PM to pick up their items and enjoy art projects for the whole family.

Please contact the West Broad Street YMCA with any questions by calling 912-233-1951!

35th Annual Miracle on May Street 2016 at the West Broad Street YMCA
Where: The West Broad Street YMCA, 1110 May St. Savannah GA 31401. 912-233-1951
When: Saturday December 17th, 2016. 9am- 12pm
What:The West Broad Street YMCA will host the 35th Annual Miracle on May Street holiday gift give away on Sat. Dec. 17 from 9AM – Noon.

About the West Broad Street YMCA

The West Broad Street YMCA has been the heart and soul of the downtown communities of Savannah for more than 74 years. Established in 1942 to address the recreational and social needs of the then segregated African American communities, the WBSYMCA now serves several thousand children and families each year, offering education, recreation, health and social support to those who need it most. The West Broad Street YMCA places special focus on serving the children and families of Savannah’s west side public housing communities by providing affordable and high quality education and health focused programs designed to serve and engage children, teens, adults and senior citizens.

Mason Howington, Dr. Corinne Howington (owner of Low Country Dermatology) and Meg Howington (kneeling) drop off donated items to Bill Sorochak at the Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire in Savannah.

For the third consecutive year, Low Country Dermatology will hold a holiday donation drive to collect needed supplies for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire and to help stock a “holiday store” for RMHC families.

Low Country Dermatology will accept donations through 5PM Monday, Dec. 19 2016.

“The stress of having a child in the hospital is often overwhelming, and having to think about buying holiday gifts has to be the farthest thing from a parent’s mind,” said Dr. Corinne Howington, who owns Low Country Dermatology. “That’s why I’m asking my patients and our community to help spread some cheer to these deserving families.”

Items donated to the holiday store will allow parents who are staying at the Ronald McDonald House to pick out presents for their children and other family members.

Gift ideas include:
• Infants/toddlers: Stuffed animals, musical instruments, bath toys, teething toys, board books and interactive toys (blocks, rattles)
• School-aged children: Nerf and Fisher Price toys; Legos and board games; toy trucks; dolls and dress-up clothes; puzzles and arts and craft kits.
and
• Teenagers: Footballs, volleyballs, basketballs; journals; adult coloring books and colored pencils; books and video games.
• Adults: Robes and slippers; Bath and Body Works lotions and sprays; books & interactive journals; electric razors and gift cards for coffee, movies and meals.

You can also donate wishlist items to the 13-bedroom Ronald McDonald House in Savannah to better serve families with a child in the hospital.

Wishlist items to support the operations of the house include: quick meals (soups, Ramen noodles, mac and cheese); individually packaged snacks, boxes of cereal and drinks; high efficiency free and clear laundry detergent and dryer sheets; hand sanitizer and hand soap; bathroom, shower and toilet bowl cleaners; Swiffer Wet Jet fluid and pads; disposable bowls, plates utensils and gloves; 33-gallon trash bags; 60-watt CFL light bulbs; toothbrushes and toothpaste, dishwasher tablets, sponges and liquid dish soap; Febreze; gallon zip-lock bags; tissues; disinfectant wipes and gas/grocery gift cards.

All gifts should be unwrapped. All donated items should be new, unopened and unused.

Items can be dropped off through Monday, Dec. 19, during office hours at the Low Country Dermatology office at 310 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 12A. The practice is open Monday through Thursday from 8AM to 5PM and Fridays from 8AM to noon.

The mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities is to create, find and support programs that enhance the health and well-being of children and families. The house operates on a waiting list most of the year. For more information, click here.

ABOUT LOW COUNTRY DERMATOLOGY

Low Country Dermatology specializes in the treatment of adult and pediatric diseases of the skin, hair and nails. Dr. Corinne Howington is a board certified dermatologist with expertise in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.

Low Country Dermatology, 310 Eisenhower Dr. Suite 12A Savannah, GA 31406, lcderm.com Low Country Dermatology is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Giving Tuesday is today Nov. 29. This is a day to come together for one day to collectively raise money for nonprofits.

We asked the amazing SouthernMamas.com readers to tell us their favorite Savannah/Lowcountry charities. We received wonderful feedback. Below are their picks.

Two favorites this year are Hope Academy and Lutheran Services of Georgia in Savannah because of the work they do to help refugees – a group that may be even more at risk as a result of the 2016 presidential election.

Backpack Buddies
Blessings in a Bookbag
COPE for Change – Childhood Obesity Prevention & Education
CURE childhood cancer
Deep Center
The Dream Campaign
Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center
Flip Flop Drop
Girls on the Run of Coastal Georgia
Greenbriar Children’s Center
Hope Academy
Hope For A Home Gala
Horizons Savannah
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) of Coastal Georgia 
Jewish Educational Alliance
Loop It Up Savannah
Layers of Love (collects children’s clothing for families in need. No monetary donations)
The Living Vine
Loop It Up Savannah
Love One
Lutheran Services of Georgia in Savannah
Matthew Reardon Center for Autism
Performance Initiatives
Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire
SAFE Shelter Center for Domestic Violence
Savannah Social Apostolate
SD Gunner Fund
Shelter From the Rain, Inc.
Urban Hope, Inc.
Union Mission
West Broad Street YMCA

Know a beloved charity to add to this list? Email us at anne@southernmamas.com

Save the date for the 3rd Annual Pee Wee Rodeo, Nov. 19, 2016 @ The Old Dairy Farm, 2500 Tennessee Ave.
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Purchase tickets at www.urbanhopesavannah.org

Grab your cowboy hat, boots, spurs and chaps and come for a fun filled day of cowboy/cowgirl activities.

Your child will enjoy the chance to participate in stick horse rodeo events!

There will be other fun activities, such as pony rides, wagon rides, mechanical bull, face painting, archery, and farm animal petting zoo. Food & beverages available for purchase.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Urban Hope, a free after school program for inner city and at risk children.

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE. 

Pajama Run…Pajamas not required, but highly encouraged!

The 7th annual Trail of Hope 5K, 1 Mile and Tot Trot on Sat. Nov. 12 – presented by Dentistry for Children and Adolescents – benefits the non-profit organization Covenant Care Adoption Services. It is a ministry for women who experience unplanned pregnancies.

In 27 years of non-profit adoption ministry, Covenant Care has served nearly 6,000 pregnant women and built over 550 families through adoption.

Some of the women choose to parent and some choose to place their children for adoption through Covenant Care, but either way, the organization provides support and long-term counseling at no cost to the women.

Come support the work of adoption!

Even if you aren’t a runner you can be part of the event as a walker or through donations. Please visit www.AdoptSavannah.com or www.CovenantCareAdoptions.com to learn more.

Strollers are allowed at the back of the 1 Mile race pack.
5k is timed, 1 mile and Tot Trot are not timed.
No bikes or pets, please.

Register

Register for the race online here. 

For more info

Questions can be directed to Race Director Megan Sullivan at MeganSullivan84@gmail.com.

Sat. Nov. 12 at 9-11 AM
Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Cswy, Savannah, Ga 31411

Learn more here. 

Wyatt Rath of Savannah is a 10-year-old boy fighting an aggressive form of leukemia called T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL).

His mom – Savannah native Amy Douglas Rath – is a scientist and educator who moved her children, Wyatt and Jaiden, 15, back to Savannah from Alaska four years ago to be close with her family and friends again.

Fundraisers, GoFundMe donations are the Rath family’s primary means of financial support since Wyatt’s diagnosis this past April as Amy Rath is unable to work throughout this year of treatment. Amy Rath was teaching middle school science at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy in Savannah at the time of Wyatt’s diagnosis on April 1.

Wyatt is undergoing a three-year treatment plan at The Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital at Memorial Health. The treatment plan is intensive for the first year and becomes less intensive during the following two years. 

Wiffle Ball for Wyatt

The community is invited to a fundraiser Wiffle Ball for Wyatt, Saturday, Nov. 5 at Miner League Baseball and Softball Academy (Macomber Ball Park), 201 Commercial Ct., Rincon, GA. 31326

Sign up at 1PM, play at 2PM.

Donations $10 per person/$50 per team.

To register, email Stephanie Miner scminer3m@yahoo.com with subject “Wiffle Ball for Wyatt.”

Learn more about the fundraising event here.

How to help

Donations to the Raths’ GoFundMe page are the Rath family’s primary means of financial support as Amy Rath is unable to work throughout this year of Wyatt’s treatment for leukemia.

Donations can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/Cheering4Wyatt

The family-friendly Old Fort Jackson Annual Auction will be Sat. Nov. 5, 6-10PM.

Guests can enjoy beautiful views of the Savannah River, a silent auction, artillery and musket demonstrations by costumed historical interpreters and delicious cuisine provided by Creative Catering. Savannah Children’s Museum will also be on-site with fun, glow in the dark activities and crafts for the younger set of event participants.

Old Fort Jackson is the oldest standing brick fort in Georgia and one of only five remaining Second System coastal brick fortifications in the United States. The site is solely reliant upon operational incomes and donations from community supporters. Due to recent damages sustained from Hurricane Matthew, community support is even more important this year than most.

The Annual Auction will have dozens of highly sought after items for guests to bid on, including JetBlue airline tickets, a paddleboard valued at $1,500 from North Island Kayak, four tickets to Walt Disney World, a deluxe one-night hotel stay for 2 guests at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Atlanta and an $100 gift to card to Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar plus a one-night stay at The Brice Hotel in Savannah.

Free admission

Admission to this event is free of charge. The Annual Auction is a family-friendly event and all ages are welcome. Food and beverages are available for an additional fee. This event is made possible by generous support from: Creative Catering, Port City Logistics and Savannah Pilots Association.

Coastal Heritage Society is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Come to the first annual Movie in the Pink at Grayson Stadium in Savannah.

Watch the movie on the field at this family-friendly event. Bring a blanket, bring a friend, bring your PINK, and bring your support for Breast Cancer. This is way to kick off the month of October and Breast Cancer/Breast Reconstruction Awareness.

The night will feature a 3-inning celebrity kickball game followed by a full-feature movie in the stadium. Everyone will enjoy treats like pink lemonade from Parker’s, pink ice cream from Leopold’s, and many other delicious treats. The concession stand will be open as well.

Sat. Oct. 1, 6-10 PM
Grayson Stadium
1401 E Victory Dr, Savannah, Georgia 31404
Find tickets at www.turnitpink.org

The TOPSoccer program in Savannah provides young players with disabilities an opportunity to discover a love for soccer.

Registration for Fall 2016 TOPSoccer is now open. Sessions start on Sept. 24 and take place at the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex in Savannah.

Register now here. 

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About TOPSoccer

US Youth Soccer, the nation’s largest youth sports organization, started The Outreach Program for Soccer or TOPSoccer in 1991 to provide young players with different abilities an environment filled with meaningful learning, developmental and physical participation opportunities through the game of soccer.

Coaches and volunteers will work on simple coordination, ball familiarity, listening skills, teamwork and hopefully plant the seed for a lifetime of soccer enjoyment. With one session a week, TOPSoccer is a safe, caring, and fun environment which focuses on the fundamentals of the ’beautiful game’.

For questions, contact Program Director Ciara Thomas at c.thomas@savannahunited.com. To register, click here. 

Save the date for the 3rd Annual Pee Wee Rodeo, Nov. 19, 2016 @ The Old Dairy Farm, 2500 Tennessee Ave.
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Purchase tickets at www.urbanhopesavannah.org

Grab your cowboy hat, boots, spurs and chaps and come for a fun filled day of cowboy/cowgirl activities.

Your child will enjoy the chance to participate in stick horse rodeo events!

There will be other fun activities, such as pony rides, wagon rides, mechanical bull, face painting, archery, and farm animal petting zoo. Food & beverages available for purchase.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Urban Hope, a free after school program for inner city and at risk children.

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR SAVANNAH FALL FUN GUIDE 2016 HERE. 

7th Annual Statts Fest will be Sept. 17 @ Grayson Stadium in Savannah & includes kids’ activities, live music, food trucks & silent auction.

Friends of Jason Statts have planned a benefit to help subsidize the medical assistance that Statts, a quadriplegic as a result of violent crime, requires.

Statts Fest fundraiser
Sat. Sept. 17
3 PM – 8 PM
Grayson Stadium
1401 E Victory Dr
Savannah 31404

On Facebook here.

This fundraiser will feature food trucks, a silent auction, lots of kids’ activities and Savannah’s best local bands throughout the event including: Joe Nelson and James Pittman, City Hotel, Damon & the S***Kickers, Waits & Co., The Train Wrecks and Bottles & Cans.

Kids’ events include a book nook tent sponsored by Savannah Children’s Museum. The Savannah Derby Taunts will be on hand to helping with kids races.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 at friendsofstatts.com or the day of the event for $20. Children 12 & younger are free with adult.

About Jason Statts

On June 28, 2008, Jason Statts, a professional graphic designer, local musician, 1996 SCAD graduate and overall amazing guy, was a victim of a violent crime in Ardsley Park. Statts was shot in the neck and suffered irreparable damage to his spinal column.

Since then, he has relied on government assistance to cover his mounting medical costs, and the support of his friends and family to keep him smiling. His family and friends host fundraisers to help fill in the gaps in his finances so that he can receive the benefits and medical assistance he requires.

For more information, please visit www.friendsofstatts.com or email info@friendsofstatts.com.

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL FESTIVALS, VISIT OUR FALL FUN GUIDE 2016. DETAILS HERE. 

The 2016 Buddy Walk will be Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10AM in Forsyth Park in historic downtown Savannah.

The 11th annual one-mile fundraiser benefits the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS).

Last year’s event welcomed over 5,000 participants and this year LDSS is hoping to have even more community members come out and raise awareness and funds for local programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families.

The Buddy Walk Program encourages participants of all ages and abilities. Carriages, strollers, wheelchairs, little red wagons and pets are all welcome. The goals are to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome and to positively influence local and national policy and practice. Past Buddy Walk events have raised millions to benefit education, research, and advocacy initiatives nationally, as well as the Night of Champions, Camp Buddy and many other services here in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire.

Family Fun Festival

The walk begins at 10AM with a Family Fun Festival being held immediately thereafter. A wide range of activities including face painting, bouncy houses, other games, as well as music and refreshments will last until 2pm.

Register for the Buddy Walk

Online registration is available here. Participants can also signup starting at 8:30 am the day of the event. Registration is $15 per person or $50 for a family of four, which includes a T-Shirt, lunch & admission to the festival. For more info, contact Candy Bogardus at (912) 728-8505 or jcbogardus@gmail.com, or visit www.ldssga.org.

Find more information here.

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FOR MORE SAVANNAH-AREA FALL EVENTS, VISIT OUR SAVANNAH FALL FUN GUIDE 2016. 

Here’s a chance for Savannah-area children with special needs to be introduced to the sport of surfing: Surfers for Autism 6TH ANNUAL COASTAL EMPIRE BEACH FESTIVAL 2016.

At a Surfers For Autism event, children and young adults within the autism spectrum are provided a safe, fun, judgement free environment where highly skilled surf instructors carefully guide them into waves.

Participants enjoy a day filled with a range of activities including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, live music, face-painting, games, fire engine tours and much more. Lunch is also provided, all at no cost to registered participants,their families & volunteers.

FREE SURFERS FOR AUTISM 6TH ANNUAL COASTAL EMPIRE BEACH FESTIVAL
9AM-4PM Sat. Oct. 15 2016
Tybee Beach Pier
Tybee Is. GA

For registration info, click here. Registration opens 10AM Aug. 31.

On Facebook here. 

UPDATE: Postponed to Sunday, November 20 from 2-6 p.m. due to Hurricane Matthew Recovery. 

You’re invited to the 7th Annual BBQ, Brews, and Bluegrass benefit for The Children’s Hospital at Memorial Health University Medical Center.

Sun. Oct. 16, 2016,  Savannah

The Next Generation, a volunteer organization founded to benefit The Children’s Hospital at Memorial University Medical Center will host its 7th Annual Barbecue, Brews, and Bluegrass fall event on Sun. Oct. 16, 2016, 2-6PM at the Villa Marie Center on Isle of Hope.

Barbecue, Brews, and Bluegrass is a family friendly event and will feature activities for kids including a close-up look at the Isle of Hope Fire Truck and Memorial’s Angel Care 1 Children’s Ambulance, several inflatables and slides, face painting, arts and crafts, a rock wall, and much more.

Proceeds will directly benefit the neonatal, pediatric and teen patients who rely on the critical care and services of the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah

For sponsorship opportunities, email info@nextgenerationsavannah.com.

$25 for adults | $5 for ages 5-17 | Free for ages 4 & younger

For tickets, click here.

BBQ, local craft brews, and beverages will be available for purchase.

Villa Marie Center, 6 Dolan Drive, Isle of Hope, Savannah, 31406

You have long wanted to help children in need in Savannah.

Here’s your chance.

Become a foster parent. Georgia MENTOR is an agency that partners with the Department of Family and Children Services to place both foster children in care.

Foster parents are called Mentors because they do so much more than simply house children – they change lives.

Georgia MENTOR is always looking for foster parents to open both their hearts and homes in the Savannah area. As a Mentor, you show through your actions that we all matter and we all deserve to live life to the fullest.

Savannah foster parent information sessions:

5-6PM July 6
5-6PM July 20

Call 912-234-6853 or ann.verdine@thementornetwork.com.  Learn more here.

Who can be a Mentor?

You don’t need to be a superhero—just a regular person who’s ready to bring a child into your home and help give them a better life by sharing yours. It doesn’t matter if you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to earn money at home or a working family with children of your own. There’s no magic formula—you just have to be you.

Georgia MENTOR will be with you with you every step of the way. And you’ll become part of a whole network of people who, just like you, want to change a child’s life and make a difference at home.

When you’re ready to take the first step toward becoming a Mentor, please submit the Become a Mentor inquiry form.

Georgia MENTOR, www.ga-mentor.com, 912-234-6853 or ann.verdine@thementornetwork.com. On Facebook here.  Georgia MENTOR is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser