Atrium Health Floyd recently joined community leaders, local organizations, and first responders for a Flagpole Dedication Ceremony at its freestanding emergency department in Chattooga County, highlighting the healthcare system’s longstanding commitment to the community it has served for more than 80 years.
Chattooga High School’s HOSA chapter is being recognized for earning Bronze Elite Chapter Status, a notable achievement that reflects the chapter’s hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence. The honor highlights the success of the students, advisors, and school support system that have helped the organization continue to grow and stand out.
Students from across Chattooga County came together for a day of service, raising nearly $2,000 to support the local animal shelter while also volunteering their time.
A group of Summerville Middle School boys spent part of their morning last week at Oakview Health and Rehabilitation, visiting with residents during the facility’s monthly men’s social and creating meaningful connections through games, conversation, and shared activities.
Local high school student Grace Winder has been awarded a community service grant through the Bullard Community Champions program, a youth leadership initiative connected to the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. The grant helped support Winder’s project to assemble “Confidence Kits” for students across Chattooga County.
Each kit includes basic toiletries meant to help students with personal hygiene while also promoting dignity, confidence, and overall well-being. Every school in Chattooga County received 30 kits total — 15 for boys and 15 for girls — helping make sure students in need have access to everyday essentials.
The grant program is part of Youth LEAD Georgia, which helps high school students build leadership skills and take on service projects that make a difference in their local communities. Through the Bullard Community Champions program, students are given support to turn ideas into action and address real needs close to home.
Grace’s project is a meaningful example of student leadership in action, and school leaders expressed appreciation for her hard work and compassion in helping fellow students throughout Chattooga County.
Trion High School senior Jana Price has been awarded the Helping Hands Scholarship, recognizing her dedication to community service and volunteer work through the Helping Hands program at Trion City Schools.
Price earned the scholarship after completing more than 500 hours of community service, reflecting years of commitment to helping others through the program. She is the daughter of Kyle and Kelly Price of Summerville.
The Helping Hands program is part of the Helping Hands Ending Hunger initiative, which began in the Trion community and focuses on helping students and families facing food insecurity. Student volunteers collect unopened food from school cafeterias and help organize food bags that are distributed to students and families in need, helping ensure they have food for nights and weekends.
The scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who demonstrate exceptional service and dedication to the program while making a meaningful impact in their school and community.
School officials praised Price for her hard work and compassion, thanking her for the many hours she has invested in helping others through the Helping Hands program.
Becky Duke was honored this past week for an extraordinary milestone — 50 years of service to Chattooga County.
Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries is inviting the community to start 2026 by giving back, with new volunteer opportunities now available during the week and select weekends. Executive Director Lindsey Kilby says individuals can sign up online at hungerministries dot org, making it easy for people to choose available times and get involved.
Kilby adds that weekend volunteer slots are especially geared toward groups of six or more who can commit at least an hour and a half of service. Along with volunteer help, the nonprofit is also asking for donations, with details available on the organization’s website.
Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries serves low-income families, seniors, and children facing food insecurity in Floyd, Chattooga, and Polk Counties. The organization says its mission is to help break the cycle of poverty by meeting basic needs through hunger relief.
The Miss University of Georgia Pageant crowned its 2026 winner Friday night in Athens, naming Sailor Ott, a biological sciences major from Toccoa, as Miss UGA. Ott emerged from a field of 19 contestants, earning the title and a $1,250 scholarship.
The Chattooga County community is invited to come together for a weekend of remembrance, worship, and service in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. later this month in Summerville.
