Page 5 - Insight Newsletter Winter 2017
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Doraville’s All-Star Volunteers!
Webster’s defines volunteerism as: Productions theatre in Chamblee and Susan Fraysse
the principle of donating time and helps coordinate various grounds Susan has been a familiar face at
energy for the benefit of other people clean-up activities at Cary Reynolds many volunteer events throughout
in the community as a social respon- and Sequoyah throughout the year. Doraville over the past decade, rang-
sibility rather than for any financial Active in Doraville Kiwanis and ing from coordinating multiple efforts
reward. Church of the New Covenant (CNC) by the Friends of the Doraville Li-
Each year, more than 1.1 million vol- projects, Dave supports and often brary (FODL), contributing input on
unteers in the Atlanta metro area do- assists with school art and music the various comprehensive plans and
nate 25.1 volunteer hours per capita, showcases, student scholarship pro- urban initia-
contributing the equivalent of $2.6 grams, and fall festivals at the tives, fighting
billion in services. Since Doraville is schools. He helped the Kiwanis raise for better
part of the metro area, our many resi- $10,000 for the service club’s mater- schools and
dent volunteers can proudly say they nal neonatal tetanus program and facilities for
contribute to these impressive stats. enjoys supporting the various activi- local students
In this issue of Insight, the spotlight is ties that CNC coordinates each year or helping
being shone on seven of our city’s such as Christmas crafts for kids, the maintain her
diligent volunteers. Although there annual Easter egg hunt and other local commu-
are many more unsung “heroes” Cross Cultural Ministries projects. nity garden, to
throughout the community, these sev- Mary & Ronnie Coggins name a few.
en were specifically nominated for Longtime Doraville residents, this Reading and
their efforts. While the original plan couple stays busy helping with mul- education are
was to select a single “Volunteer of tiple senior citizen projects and ac- a primary fo-
the Year,” it was determined that each tivities involving their 13 grandchil- cus of many of Susan’s activities. She
of these people, for their individual dren at school functions, helping on has served as FODL secretary and
efforts, deserved special recognition. church projects, or in their neighbor- book sale coordinator for multiple
Cumulatively, they are being recog- hood (Winters Chapel subdivision). years and was instrumental in the
nized as Doraville’s All-Star Volun- They work in their church’s food installation of a Little Free Library at
teers. Their efforts include much more pantry twice a Honeysuckle Park last year to aid in
than noted here, but these vignettes week and help student literacy. For four years, she
will give you an idea of what they do gather gifts for has represented Doraville on the
on a regular basis to make Doraville a its Angel Tree Cross Keys Sustainable Neighbor-
better place to live. each Christmas. hood Initiative steering committee
Dave Bearse They can be de- and actively volunteered for multiple
pended upon to projects at Oakcliff and Cary Reyn-
Dave’s home help with cloth- olds elementary schools.
may be slightly ing drives, tak- At Cary Reynolds, she has served as
over the edge ing food to shut- a school council community member,
of Doraville’s ins, or driving helped with Read Across America
city limits, but elderly neigh- Day and was a LaAmistad tutor. At
his volunteer bors to doctor Oakcliff, she helped as a School
efforts are def- appointments. Crasher volunteer, with Read Across
initely aimed “We help wher- America & Career Day and has been
at helping ever we are a media center volunteer.
those living needed,” says Mary, “whether it is Throughout the community, Susan
here, especial- gathering and delivering supplies or has participated in Unity Gardens,
ly local books for local schools, helping Oakcliff Road cleanups, helped main-
schools and maintain the flower beds for Winters tain neighborhood planters, and
their students. He actively supports Chapel entrances, cooking at neigh- served on the Oakcliff neighborhood
Sequoyah Middle School’s debate borhood picnics or planting rose association. She attended the Do-
team, often helping with refresh- bushes and spring flowers.” raville Citizen’s Police Academy and
ments, team banners and attending Both can often be found helping at has worked with vine clean-up at Au-
away tournaments. He also spon- school wrestling events with Ronnie
sored the connection between Se- cooking food while Mary works in (Continued on Page 9)
quoyah drama club and Onion Man the concession stand.
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Doraville Insight, Winter 2017
