HomeAid Atlanta's 2018 Essentials Drive

HomeAid Atlanta’s 17^th Annual Essentials Drive to benefit homeless babies and their mothers wrapped up on May 11, just in time for Mother’s Day. The 2018 community-wide effort to collect “essential” baby products such as diapers, baby food, formula, wipes, and hygiene items garnered approximately 200,000 items, with a value of almost $35,000 – the most successful Essentials Drive to date! Twenty-five metro Atlanta nonprofits serving homeless children and families received the collected items.  The Essentials Drive began in 2002 to help meet the growing needs of Atlanta’s homeless population.  Since then, HomeAid has distributed more than one million essential baby items in partnership with Atlanta’s generous home building industry and the greater community.

Regina Holloway, Residential Service Advocate at City of Refuge said, “We received many, many donations from the Essentials Drive.  On behalf of City of Refuge staff and residents, we would like to say thank you so much.  HomeAid Atlanta has truly gone above and beyond in supporting our families here at City of Refuge. Thank you for supporting our mission and bringing light, hope and transformation to our families that are in need.”

More than 40 Atlanta businesses and organizations, plus hundreds of individuals, participated in the Essentials Drive, with over 60 locations serving as drop-off locations to the public.  Participating companies included:

 

American Family Insurance - Robin Mitchell Agency

Ameris Bank

Ashton Woods

Atlantis Granite & Marble

Bank of America LEAD for Women, Atlanta Chapter

BankSouth Mortgage

BMC

Boral Industries

CBRE

Cecily Stevens Zumba

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite: Technology Dependent ICU

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Denim Marketing

Ed Voyles Chrysler

Fifth Third Bank

Fitness Together

Ganek, PC

Greater Atlanta HBA

Haven Design Works

Healthquest Chiropractic

Honest-1 Autocare

Interior Specialists, Inc.

Kiwanis Club of Druid Hills

Making A Way Housing

McMichael & Gray, PC, Attorneys at Law

Meridian Brick & Masonry Supply

Modern Image Scanning - Atlanta

Monte Hewett Homes

Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP

Northwest Exterminating

NterNow

O'Kelley & Sorohan, Attorneys at Law

Out Front Media

Paran Homes

Professional Women in Building Council

SR Homes

State Bank & Trust Company

SunTrust

Sutter, McLellan & Gilbreath, Inc.

Tallulah Montessori

Taylor Morrison

The Framing Studio

Thrive Wellness Center

Vining Financial Services, Inc.

On May 10, volunteers from companies including CBRE, McMichael & Gray PC, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Bank of America, Denim Marketing, SunTrust, and many more, carefully worked to sort and pack the donated baby items for delivery. Atlantis Granite & Marble, Takeaway Movers, Boral Industries and Meridian Brick & Masonry provided support and special assistance.

Atlanta-based UPS supported HomeAid for the 12th year in a row to assist with delivery of donated items on May 11.  Organizations receiving the donated items included Atlanta Mission, City of Refuge, Decatur Cooperative Ministry, The Drake House, Nicholas House, Rainbow Village, Salvation Army- Red Shield Services, Sheltering Arms and many more.

HomeAid Atlanta, founded in 2001, is a nonprofit organization that builds new lives for homeless families and individuals through housing and community outreach. HomeAid works in partnership with the building industry, as well as community organizations, to assist people experiencing homelessness. To date, HomeAid Atlanta has completed over 100 housing, remodel and care day projects at locations serving victims of domestic violence, teen mothers, veterans and more. HomeAid is the designated charity of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association. Learn more at www.homeaidatlanta.org.