In Gwinnett, we like to say that good news travel fast. Even through an unprecedented time such as the current pandemic that comes with ever-changing requirements, there is a lot of good news happening all around us. Take a look at some of the good things that are happening in Gwinnett. They are sure to make you smile, which may just be the medicine we all need right now.
Universal Joint Delivers More than Just Meals to Northside Hospital Gwinnett
Looking for a way to give back to the frontline medical staff in their own backyard, Universal Joint made a pledge to deliver 70 meals a day, five days a week to Northside Hospital Gwinnett. With the help of the community, Universal Joint has made good on their word and, as of the beginning of May, has delivered over 2,000 meals to the heroes at Northside Hospital Gwinnett. Dubbed the ‘Feed our Heroes Project,’ the Universal Joint effort involves delivering brown bag meals containing deli sandwiches, potato chips, and a fruit two times each day at a cost of $10 each. Those looking to join the effort can call 770-299-1898 to purchase lunch bags for the hospital staff. There is a five-meal minimum. Universal Joint is currently in need of community donations to keep the effort going!
Good Word Brewing & Public House Warms the Souls and Hearts of Many
With a name like Good Word, Duluth’s local brewery was bound to do something not just good, but great, during the pandemic. While the news of having to shut down their dine-in services was difficult for Good Word, their concern shifted to their employees that they had to furlough as well as the many others in the community who found themselves in a place of need. What first began as an effort to help their employees, turned into a local effort to serve the local community. Good Word is currently donating food to Meals by Grace. Thank you, Good Word, for living up to your name!
Lilburn Distillery Offers Clean Hands, Warm Hearts
There is saying that goes ‘cold hands, warm heart,’ but we think ‘clean hands, warm hearts,” is a much better idiom given the circumstances. Maybe we will start a trend? If so, we will give Lilburn’s Hope Springs Distillery all the credit. Amid the pandemic, Hope Springs transformed their distillery from making small batch vodka and gin to hand sanitizer. Their first batch of 30 was donated to the Lilburn Police Department with a plan to continue the donations as needed. Hope Springs is offering patrons one free 11 oz. bottle of hand sanitizer with each purchase, or $8 per bottle with a limit of two per person due to limited supplies. Curbside pick-up is available on Fridays and Saturdays from 2 – 6 p.m. You may also purchase up to three bottles of their spirits including Top Hat vodka for $21 each; Garner Creek gin for $23 each; and Illusion Absinthe for $50 each. Pick-up is available from their back roll-up door Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. (weather permitting) and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting). Reservations for orders are requested to reserve a time slot by emailing info@hopespringsdistillery.com. They accept cash and credit cards. Hope Springs owners says to think of this as internal and external cleanliness opportunities, wrapped in many thanks to their neighbors.
Gwinnett Tech Breaths Hope into Local Ventilator and PPE Supplies
As the numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, there has also been an increased demand for medical supplies such as ventilators, hospital masks and gloves. On April 1, Gwinnett Technical College gathered its supply of ventilators used in its Respiratory Care program and other health sciences and nursing programs to donate to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). Gwinnett Tech police officers were called on to gather the ventilators and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and bring them to a GEMA location where they were distributed to assist hospitals with the growing number of COVID-19 cases. This good news is certainly a breath of fresh air!
Maxwell High School of Technology Students Help During COVID-19
A Maxwell High School of Technology manufacturing teacher and his students are using the 3D printer they constructed to print ear reliefs to make masks more comfortable for health professionals. As part of their digital coursework, the students—with instruction from their teacher—began researching designs and stands from the National Institute of Health (NIH). In addition to producing ear reliefs, the group is also producing face shields. We think these students deserve an A+!
Slow Pour Brewery Offers One-of-a-kind ‘Thank You Note”
Lawrenceville’s Slow Pour Brewery produced a thank you note like no other for Gwinnett’s frontline workers. In the form of a beer, adeptly named ‘Thank You Note,” Slow Pour is offer a six pack of this limited brew for FREE to all frontline works (medical professionals, first responders, police officers, fire fighters, grocery store workers, & truck drivers). Slow Pour is offering its ‘Thank You Note’ beer while supplies last to those with an employee badge in hand. Now that’s something to raise a glass to!
Gwinnett County and Cities Join Forces to Recognize Heroes
Gwinnett County and its 16 cities joined forces to provide the ‘Heroes Work Here’ signs for the Gwinnett County Police Department Precincts, the nine city police departments and the Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services stations, along with several other facilities across the county. Stories like this can only make us DiGgers proud to be a part of Gwinnett!
First Responders Honor Local Medical Community
First responders from across Gwinnett County gathered at Northside Hospital Gwinnett and Northside Hospital Duluth, as well as Eastside Medical Center in Snellville, to pay tribute to the local frontline medical staff. Gwinnett truly has the best of the best. Heroes honoring heroes makes quite the statement! The DiG thanks you both!
Grayson Comes Together for Local Restaurants
Local Grayson resident Allyson Sivley, who is involved in the local community, wanted to give back to the many local restaurants that have supported schools, sports teams and other community causes. From this desire, the ‘Together We Are Grayson,’ campaign was born. The campaign was created to show community solidarity during this uncertain time that everyone is experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign offers yard signs for purchase, with 100 percent of the profits donated to local restaurants. In addition, ‘Together We Are Grayson” is also partnering with Southern Sisters to sell t-shirts with a portion of the proceeds going to the cause. The restaurants in turn, used the funds to provide meals to emergency room staff at local hospitals, fire fighters, police officers and first responders. This community effort is a win-win in our books by giving local restaurants business while feeding those on the frontline! Way to go, Grayson! For more information, visit www.togetherwearegrayson.com.
Braselton Police Department Spreads Smiles and Cheer
Lights flashed, sirens wailed, and smiles spread through Braselton neighborhoods during public safety parades hosted by the Braselton Police Department. In April, the department teamed up with other local public safety agencies to drive patrol cars, fire trucks, and ambulances through subdivisions to delight the children. It was no small feat to coordinate all the vehicles, because the Town of Braselton spans four counties. Kids and adults turned out on the sidewalk, waving flags and taking pictures. Some residents joined the procession with their classic cars. Social media lit up with photos and thanks following the parades. “West Jackson Fire Chief Ben Stephens and our Maj. Michael Steffman came up with the idea to do this for the kids, because they must be tired of being stuck at home,” Braselton Police Chief Terry Esco said. “We are grateful for the public support and the cooperation of all the law enforcement agencies. It really showed how we can come together as a community.”
Suwanee Neighbors Celebrates Graduates in a Special Way
Edinburgh’s neighborhood in Suwanee, in lieu of graduation for their high school and college graduates, are held a drive-by parade in the neighborhood. Each house placed a decorated lantern at the end of their driveway as the graduates drive by.
Norcross Police Serenades Residents
Norcross police serenaded residents at their homes each day in April for their birthdays. They sang happy birthday over the comms, while driving up together with sirens. Check out some of the drive-by birthday celebrations on their Facebook page!
Acts of Kindness Abound in Lilburn
Several individuals, businesses, and organizations have generously provided essential items to the Lilburn Police Department over the past few weeks. Items have included food, facemasks, hand sanitizer, gloves and more. These acts of kindness and support lifted the spirits of the officers and were greatly appreciated!
Arcado Elementary Teacher Parade Brings Smiles and Love to Students
On March 27, officers with the Lilburn Police Department escorted an Arcado Elementary School “teacher parade”! Although school buildings were closed, teachers found a safe and creative way to interact with their students. With signs and decorations adorning many of the vehicles, teachers (some even in costumes!) were escorted as they drove through neighborhoods, waving at students. The parade brought smiles to everyone along the parade route and let the students know how much they were missed.
A ‘Swarm’ of Community Support
Swarm, Georgia’s pro lacrosse team located in Gwinnett, has offered a ‘swarm’ of community support during the pandemic. Their ownership group and other staff members have handed out meals to sheltered-at-home seniors in conjunction with local Gwinnett churches. Their organization has assisted struggling Gwinnett restaurant partners by explaining in infographic form their modified offerings during COVID to help them stay afloat as in-restaurant dining was curtailed. They utilized all of their email and social channels to promote this effort. (https://www.georgiaswarm.com/news/swarm-restaurant-partners-availabilities-during-covid-19/) Swarm has a deep relationship with the Red Cross and Infinite Energy Arena, and with that in mind, they put their brand awareness and marketing might behind Red Cross Blood Drive support during this time of need. They used all of their email and social channels to promote the blood drives. The blood drive events were extremely successful, particularly this past May 6. Lastly, the Swarm also helped families who have been sheltering-in-place by conducting a two week long “SwarmFit Challenge,” which encouraged daily physical activity among individuals and families with the guidance of Swarm players and their training staff. The response was outstanding. (https://www.georgiaswarm.com/swarmfit/). Thanks for your support, Swarm!