CIS again to benefit from Sunrise on the Square!

CIS is so excited to announce that we are once again partnering with Main Street Newnan and Mike Fitzpatrick Ford in this year's Sunrise on the Square Road Race on Saturday, September 3, 2016. All proceeds from the race will benefit CIS of Coweta County.

The Sunrise on the Square Road Race is a local favorite and has been held annually in Downtown Newnan on the Saturday before Labor Day for over 25 years. The race begins in Downtown Newnan and spans through "The City of Homes," where runners will catch a glimpse of our beautiful historic intown neighborhoods and commercial district. The race is a 5k/10k USATF certified course, where runners will enjoy the diversity of terrain, including long, flat stretches, and downhill and uphill sections. The Sunrise on the Square Road Race welcomes runners and walkers of all skill levels to participate. A "Tot-Trot" sprint is hosted after all the runners have returned from the finish line for all children who wish to participate. Their participation is free and takes just around 2-3 minutes to complete!

Early registration is available through August 20, and 2016 run T-shirts are guaranteed for all runners who preregister by that date. If you'd like to download a registration form for the race, click here. 

ECHS teachers treated to free school supplies

From left are Nathan Oertley, East Coweta Assistant Principal Jeannette Hallam, Dana Dobbs, Anna Pitts, EC Principal Steve Allen, Karen Cox, Erica Pater and CIS Site Coordinator Jessie Foreman.

The day before students arrived for classes, teachers at East Coweta High School were treated to free school supplies and equipment that will make their work a bit easier and more productive during the 2016-17 school year. The supplies were collected during the recent School Supply Drive for Teachers sponsored by United Way in Coweta County (a division of United Way of Greater Atlanta), which partnered with Communities In Schools of Coweta County for this year’s event.

“We are so excited about the success of the CIS program," said CIS Executive Director Gina Weathersby. “It has only been possible because of the support of the Coweta County School System and the teachers that work with our students every day. This wonderful donation of school supplies for teachers by United Way is a way for us to show our appreciation. We could not grow and achieve success without the support of United Way and our other donors and sponsors.”

Local businesses and individuals donated binders, chart paper, markers, compasses, erasers, flash drives, graph paper, hand sanitizer, highlighters, loose leaf paper, mounting tape, paper towels, pencils, pens, Post-It Chart Paper and Post-its, rulers, sanitizing wipes, sheet protectors, staplers and staples, tissues, white board cleaner and white board markers.

“The Communities in Schools program is an important part of our effort to serve students any way we can to help them become successful,” said Steve Allen, Principal of East Coweta High. “We appreciate everything they do, and we are thankful to United Way for their supports of our teachers.”

CIS announces record-setting Hats and Hooves

On June 9, CIS board members and volunteers from the Hats and Hooves Derby Affair gathered at the Newnan Utilities Wahoo Creek facility for a wrap-up meeting on Hats and Hooves, which was held on May 7, 2016 at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum in Newnan.

Executive Director Gina Weathersby and Treasurer Garnet Reynolds shared the results of the fundraiser, which this year topped $80,000, a new record for the popular Derby Day event in Newnan.

Those attending the meeting shared their thoughts on this year's event and discussed ways to make next year's event even more successful! Next year's Hats and Hooves will be Saturday, May 6, 2017.

Countdown begins to our Hats and Hooves Derby Affair!

After months and months of hard work by our board members and volunteers, our Hats and Hooves Derby Affair is just days away! 

The Hats and Hooves Derby Affair is set for Saturday, May 7, 2016, from 5-10 p.m. at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum, 74 Jackson St., Newnan. Tickets are $75 each, and you may order them now by visiting our website. Those attending will get to watch the Kentucky Derby live on big screens while enjoying food and beverages, a live band, silent auction, door prizes and lots of Derby-themed fun! Dress is Derby attire or business casual.

Click here to register now, or for more information, contact Executive Director Gina Weathersby at 770-710-9540.

Natalie Bacho of Abby's Angels speaks at ECHS

CIS of Coweta County's Jessie Foreman, at left, visits with Natalie Bacho during her March 29 visit to East Coweta High School, where the CIS program has been a grateful recipient of the Abby's Closet program that provides school supplies for students who need them.

We were so pleased to join the juniors and seniors at East Coweta High School on March 29 as they—and school teachers and administrators—welcomed Natalie Bacho to EC.

Natalie shared the story of her daughter, Abby, who passed away on Christmas Day of 2012, three days after the car carrying Abby and her family was struck by a distracted teen driver.

To honor Abby, her family started the Abby’s Angels Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to encourage and inspire students in need by providing school supplies through the Abby’s Closet program while spreading education and awareness about the importance of safe teen driving.

The Abby’s Closet program at East Coweta provides school supplies for students and some “fun, funky stuff too.”

There are now 25 Abby’s Closet programs serving students in Georgia, Alabama and West Virginia. This program has been a blessing to the CIS program at East Coweta, and we will always be thankful for the support of Abby's Closet and The Abby’s Angels Foundation. You can find more information about the Abby’s Angels Foundation by clicking here.

Silent Auction a highlight of our May 7 Hats and Hooves Derby Affair!

The excitement of the Kentucky Derby will be coming to Newnan on May 7 with our annual Hats and Hooves Derby Affair, and once again, we'll be having a Silent Auction with lots of great items! Here is some of the artwork that was auctioned off at last year's event.

There were also some terrific sporting goods and memorabilia in the Silent Auction.

And there was also a great variety of gift certificates for goods and services from a number of generous local donors. You can expect more great items in the Silent Auction at this year's Hats and Hooves Derby Affair, set for May 7, 2016, from 5-10 p.m. at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum, 74 Jackson St., Newnan. Tickets are $75 each, and you may order them now by visiting our website. Those attending will get to watch the Kentucky Derby live on big screens while enjoying food and beverages, a live band, silent auction, door prizes and lots of Derby-themed fun! Dress is Derby attire or business casual. Click here to register online now, or for more information, contact Executive Director Gina Weathersby at 770-710-9540.

Excitement of Kentucky Derby coming to Newnan May 7!

The excitement of the Kentucky Derby will be coming to Newnan on May 7 with our annual Hats and Hooves Derby Affair!

This year's Hats and Hooves Derby Affair will be May 7, 2016, from 5-10 p.m. at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum, 74 Jackson St., Newnan. Tickets are $75 each, and you may order them now by visiting our website. Those attending will get to watch the Kentucky Derby live on big screens while enjoying food and beverages, a live band, silent auction, door prizes and lots of Derby-themed fun! Dress is Derby attire or business casual.

Click here to register online now, or for more information, contact Executive Director Gina Weathersby at 770-710-9540.

It's time to get our hats for Hats and Hooves!

Ladies, it's time to start shopping for hats! Our Hats and Hooves Derby Affair is set for Saturday, May 7, 2016, and the parade of hat fashions is always a highly anticipated feature of this event!

Our Hats and Hooves Derby Affair will be May 7, 2016, from 5-10 p.m. at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum, 74 Jackson St., Newnan. Tickets are $75 each, and you may order them now by visiting our website. Those attending will get to watch the Kentucky Derby live on big screens while enjoying food and beverages, a live band, silent auction, door prizes and lots of Derby-themed fun! Dress is Derby attire or business casual.

Click here to register online now, or for more information, contact Executive Director Gina Weathersby at 770-710-9540.

Tickets are now on sale for Hats and Hooves!

Our Hats and Hooves Derby Affair is set for Saturday, May 7, 2016, and we'd love for you to help us spread the word to all of your friends!

Our Hats and Hooves Derby Affair will be May 7, 2016, from 5-10 p.m. at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum, 74 Jackson St., Newnan. Tickets are $75 each, and you may order them now by visiting our website. Those attending will get to watch the Kentucky Derby live on big screens while enjoying food and beverages, a live band, silent auction, door prizes and lots of Derby-themed fun! Dress is Derby attire or business casual.

Click here to register online now, or for more information, contact Executive Director Gina Weathersby at 770-710-9540.

Hats and Hooves committee gearing up for 2016 fundraiser!

Members of the Hats and Hooves committee of Communities In Schools of Coweta County have already begun planning for the 2016 Hats and Hooves fundraiser. Above from left are Donna Brooks, Sally Hensley, Tony Ferguson, Carole Ann Fields, Jac Counts, Gina Weathersby, Gerald Kemp and Mary Ann Bell.

Last year’s Hats and Hooves Derby Affair fundraiser to benefit CIS of Coweta County was a huge success, raising over $73,000. Those funds—in addition to generous support from Coweta businesses and service organizations—have already enabled CIS of Coweta County to hire three new Site Coordinators and begin serving students at Ruth Hill School. CIS of Coweta County started serving students at East Coweta High in the fall of the 2014-15 school year. It is hoped at least one more school will be added to the program in 2016.

The 2016 fundraiser is the third annual Hats and Hooves event to benefit CIS and will again be held at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum at 74 Jackson St. in Newnan, this year on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 5-10 p.m. The day will include food, beverages and live music. The Kentucky Derby will be shown on several big screen TVs. One of the main attractions is the silent auction, which last year offered everything from autographed sports memorabilia to world-class artwork donated by renowned artists—including many from Coweta County.

Tickets for the event are $75. Registration is now open, and anyone wanting to purchase tickets or make a donation may visit www.ciscoweta.org and follow registration instructions on the website.

“After last year’s Hats and Hooves, people were saying this was one of the best fundraisers they had ever attended,” said Weathersby. “We plan to make the 2016 event even bigger and better. And with the type of support people have already shown for CIS of Coweta, we have no doubt we will succeed.”