Local Salute Finding Community

LOCAL SALUTE BY: Mickey Goodman

Kendra Scott created a culture of giving at her namesake jewelry stores nationwide.

CURE-ing

Childhood Cancer CURE Executive Director Kristin Connor helps young patients at the Aflac Children's Targeting tumors Cancer Center at CHOA get ready for Halloween.

CURE Childhood Cancer recently donated $3 million in research grants to Aflac Precision Medicine Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, bringing the total to $8.4 million since the program’s founding in 2017. At the time, the precision medicine program was only the third of its kind in the U.S. that focused on kids with high risk cancers or those who relapse after front line protocol.

“Children’s cancers are biologically different from cancers in adults, and only 4% of the standard research looks at cancers that affect kids,” says Kristin Connor, CURE’s executive director. “Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, Aflac focuses on precision medicine that maps a child’s tumors and targets the abnormalities.” During the first four years of the program, 78% of the kids who received the genetic sequencing had results that affected their treatment. “It validated that it's crucial to use treatments most likely to work for children,” Connor says.

Since 2006, CURE has raised more than $75 million with nearly $37 million going to research. The organization also fully funds training for critically needed pediatric oncology fellows and supports families. “After the Ronald McDonald House had to shut down last year due to COVID-19, parents had no place to stay, so we shifted some of our funding to provide housing.”

For more information, visit curechildhoodcancer.org.

When Kids Lose a Loved One

Grant supports grief group

Northwestern Mutual wealth management advisor Robert Spencer received one of 16 company-wide awards for his service to Kate’s Club, an organization that provides therapeutic and recreational programming to the one in 13 Georgia children and teens who have experienced the loss of a loved one. As part of his award, Spencer presented the organization with a $15,000 dollar grant.

“The award means a lot to me,” says Spencer, who is chair of the club’s board of directors. “I’m happy that a company as large as Northwestern makes an impact on local nonprofits.”

Serving kids during the pandemic proved a challenge, but prior to the lockdown the organization had begun testing virtual programming to see what worked. As a result, the club was able to quickly transition to a remote community via Zoom to continue offering support groups with Buddy Volunteers. Fifteen percent have lost loved ones to COVID-19.

Programming is currently hybrid, offering both in-person therapeutic activities at Kate’s Club in Brookhaven, as well as virtually.

Spencer got involved in Kate’s Club 17 years ago after the death of his father. “The mission resonated with me and my wife, Kathryn. Today, it seems more relevant than ever before.”

In addition to their financial support, the Spencers are hands-on and visit Camp Good Mourning, attend Clubhouse Days and participate in the Memory Walks. "Robert thinks strategically about our future and works incredibly hard to ensure our success,” says Lisa Aman, executive director of Kate’s Club. “I am thrilled that Northwestern Mutual has recognized his long-term contribution to our community.”

Award winner Robert Spencer presents a $15,000 check to Kate's Club.

Family, Fashion and Philanthropy

Giving is in the company DNA

When Kendra Scott opened her first namesake jewelry and accessories store in Austin, Texas, in 2002, she created a culture of giving based on words her stepfather whispered to her as he was dying of cancer. He said, “You do good.” Those words have become the company’s giving hashtag (#youdogood). Today, each of the 100 stores nationwide participates in Kendra Gives Back events that raise money for nonprofits. Since 2010, the company has donated more than $40 million to local, national and international causes.

In August, the Atlanta area stores at Perimeter Mall, Shops Around Lenox and Avalon hosted a three-day event and donated 20% of sales to Hope for Henry at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta that provides innovative programs for hospitalized kids. Based in Washington, D.C., it's named for Henry Strongin Goldberg who had congenital Fanconi anemia and died at the age of 7.

The program’s Super Rewards for Super Kids encourages critically ill kids to comply with often painful surgeries and treatments through gifts and activities. In 2021, Kendra Scott stores in Atlanta raised $20,000 for Hope for Henry and helped more than 65,000 kids in hospitals across the country.

The brand also has a program called Kendra Cares. “We take our Color Bar program into pediatric hospitals and help patients and caregivers design their own pieces of customized jewelry at no cost,” says Andrea Knight, the brand’s regional marketing and philanthropic manager.

For more information, visit kendrascott.com.

For more information, visit katesclub.org.

Want to nominate a volunteer, company or nonprofit that gives back to the community in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or Upper Westside? Please contact: editor@simplybuckhead.com