This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

The Peachtree Corners Rose That Blooms For Charity

The Cherokee Rose Civic Association, a local charity fundraising group, is finding needs close to home.

When a group of 19 ladies from the Peachtree Corners area decided to form a charity organization, the name nearly presented itself. As many of them are gardeners by avocation, including one Master Gardener, the Official Flower of the State of Georgia, the Cherokee Rose, noted for its beauty as well as its survival skills, seemed like a natural. Thus the Cherokee Rose Civic Association was born.

Likewise, the first opportunity for the group presented itself, or rather, herself, in short order. A number of the Cherokee Rose team met at the where all were familiar with Jan Nance, a beloved staple of the Y for the past 12 years.

After several years as a YMCA member, Jan ascended to water aerobics instructor in 2008. In August, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and subsequently received the news that her health insurance had reached the maximum payout.

Says Cherokee Rose member Louise Tittsworth, “Although Jan is pursuing financial assistance from hospital aid at Northside Hospital and emergency Medicaid, she is dealing with not only the terror of cancer, but the burden of not only facing where is the other money coming from.”

Cherokee Rose sprung into action, and began to organize the “Upscale Yard Sale,” a benefit to be held at the Fowler Y, from which 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Jan Nance.  

While the benefit for Jan is the first for the group, they are actively involved in other efforts, as well.

Some club club members volunteer in the media centers at Stripling and Norcross Elementary Schools.  Others collect and donate items to the Norcross Cooperative Ministry.

Several have begun collecting gently used handbags and filling them with toiletries, with the intent to deliver them as gifts to local shelters in November and December. These are to benefit victims of domestic abuse who sometimes arrive at the shelter with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Member Deb Harris has recently completed volunteer training with “Ahisma House,” a charity dedicated to helping the human and animal victims of domestic violence across Georgia reach safety together.

It is clear to all of the members of Cherokee Rose that there is no shortage of need in Gwinnett County for efficient, well-managed fund raising efforts. Like the eponymous flower, they are as determined as they are beautiful, and will climb any hurdle to accomplish their goal.

Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The “Upscale Yard Sale Benefit for Jan”

Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Rogert D. Fowler YMCA

Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5600 West Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

FREE ADMISSION, rain or shine

The Cherokee Rose Civic Association and the Robert Fowler YMCA invites the community to come support Jan Nance and enjoy a family day full of games, hot cider, baked goods, and shopping at the Upscale Yard Sale benefit for Jan! 

The Sale will feature upscale items donated by members of Cherokee Rose Civic Association, by Fowler Y staff and members, and NEW items generously donated by local merchants. This is the perfect opportunity for the community to come together for a good cause!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Peachtree Corners