PATCH PICKS: Non-profits Making a Difference

Non-profits Making a Difference:

1) :   high-quality musical theater experience for Oconee youth, productions for community enjoyment, provides valuable experience in the performing arts, wonderful way to spend after-school hours, encourages personal potential and self-confidence

2) The Spark Store  raises funds through donated goods of quality, gently used home decor; proceeds go to assist benevolent needs in the community; primarily reaches out to homeless, chemically addicted individuals and their families. 

3) Butterfly Dreams Farm   Therapeutic Riding Program for special needs children, a safe environment,  a place of healing and happiness, recognized as a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) center, offers hippotherapy as well as therapeutic riding instruction.

4) Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation :  brings artistic events and education to the entire region; provides cultural awareness to the community; brings 20,000 visitors a year to Oconee;  tourism dollars  average $764,000 in indirect revenue to the county, with over $53,000 of that in taxes;  financed by fundraisers, dues, and events --no government funding.

5) The Grace Memorial Fund: provides financial assistance for pet owners who are otherwise unable to afford major medical emergency treatment or routine care for their dogs, supports the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Teaching Hospital, provides additional grants for local animal shelters and rescue agencies, gives funds to the Athens Council on Aging Home Delivered Meals Program, has raised more than $160,000 for these programs in the past nine years.