For the first time, proceeds from the annual Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber’s (SSPC) Sandy’s Award Gala will benefit the Donna Adams Mahaffey Scholarship Fund. The fund, named in honor of the late community and business leader Donna Mahaffey, provides scholarship dollars to female students currently enrolled in a Sandy Springs high school who require financial assistance to attend college. Proceeds from the March 4, 2017 gala will benefit two young women: one graduating from Riverwood High School and another graduating from North Springs Charter High School. www.SSPChamber.org
SSPC member Patty Conway, consumer business banker at the Sandy Springs Fidelity Bank Branch, heads up the gala’s planning committee and has chaired the event every year since its inception. “We launched the gala five years ago as a way for the community to come together to enjoy a festive night of cocktails, entertainment, dancing, a gourmet meal and awards for Chamber members who excel in their fields,” said Conway. “This year, we decided to make the event even more meaningful by positioning it as a benefit for the scholarship fund. The Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber has a long-standing commitment to education, and our friend Donna Mahaffey was a champion for education, especially for young women. Donating the gala’s proceeds to the scholarship fund that bears Donna’s name seems like a natural fit and a lovely way to honor a very special person.”
The Donna Adams Mahaffey Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)3 created in 2015 by the SSPC Board of directors to provide college assistance to local female high school students who need financial support. Mahaffey, who passed away suddenly last year, worked on behalf of the community for over 40 years in a number of leadership positions, including serving as senior administrator for DeKalb County, providing strategic planning for the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts and donating her time and expertise to numerous non-profit organizations.
District 3 City Councilman Chris Burnett, market president for Bank of Sandy Springs and former Board chairman of the SSPC, said “Education is crucial for developing tomorrow’s workforce. Sandy Springs has outstanding public schools that prepare our students well for college, but some of our brightest and most promising local students need help with their educational expenses. Through the Donna Adams Mahaffey Scholarship Fund, the Chamber can help these students with the financial resources needed to attend college. I am excited that our gala awards dinner will provide a lasting benefit for two deserving young women in our community, while honoring several of our city’s outstanding businesses and community leaders.”
The Fifth Annual SSPC Gala, sponsored by Northside Hospital, Minuteman Press and Fidelity Bank, will be held Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 6-10 p.m. at Sherwood Event Hall, 8610 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. The MC will be Maggie Taylor of Act3 Productions and the dinner will be provided by Avenue Catering Concepts. This year’s theme is 50’s and 60’s “sock hop” and guests are encouraged to wear either black tie or vintage clothing from the era of sock hops, leather jackets and poodle skirts. During the evening, the Sandy’s Awards will be given for the year’s top Small Business, Restaurant and Community Volunteer. Tickets are $85 for one or $160 per couple. Tickets and sponsorships are now available and those interested should call Patty Conway at (404) 553-2250 or visit www.SSPChamber.org.
About the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber
The Chamber was formed in 2008 to serve businesses in the City of Sandy Springs and the north Perimeter area. With leadership from an elected Board of Directors, and working in partnership with city government, the Chamber’s mission is to maximize the business success of its members, strengthen the competitiveness of the Sandy Springs business community and enhance economic prosperity of the area. Ongoing initiatives include workforce and economic development, business education, community service and networking opportunities for members. Tom Mahaffey is president of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber. www.SSPChamber.org
