Easter Seals announces Paula Deen appearance, donation from Albany Bass Club

(From left); Easter Seals of Southern Georgia (ESSG) Community Engagement Coordinator Kathy Sutton, State Senator Greg Kirk, State Senator Freddie Powell Sims, ESSG President-Elect Allison Mansfield, ESSG Executive Director Beth English, and ALBANY BASS CLUB Co-Chairs Richard Huiras and Terry Bundies are shown at the club’s check presentation Thursday.  (The Albany Herald Staff Photo: Terry Lewis)

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ALBANY — Easter Seals of Southern Georgia’s capital campaign to raise money for a new Megan’s House looks to finish April with a bang. On April 30, Paula Deen and friends will will host a crawfish boil with shrimp and all the fixin’s at the Hasan Temple. There will be music, a cash bar and silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person and are on sale at the Easter Seals facility located on 1906 Palmyra Road.

The event will be preceded by a private party for sponsors on April 29 at Albany Museum of Art.
“This is the first time we’ve held a crab boil as a major fund-raiser and so excited that Paula will attend,” Easter Seals of Southern Georgia Executive Director Beth English said. “Amy Martin and her sister, Suzette Wagner, once worked at Easter Seals and have a close relationship with Paula, who attended the opening of their new restaurant SASS (Sweet and Savory Sisters). While she was at the restaurant they showed a video of Megan’s House and she called up later and wanted to get involved. “We will always hold a special place in our hearts for Paula Deen."

The month has begun well for Megan’s House. At a news conference Thursday, the Albany Bass Club presented Easter Seals with a check for $8,700 to benefit the house building campaign. This was the club’s 40th straight year of donating a portion of the proceeds from its annual Team Bass Tournament to the organization.

“For the past 40 years, Easter Seals has been the only recipient,” club co-chair Terry Bundies said. “I think over those 40 years we’ve given them more than $300,000.” English said the club’s donation is “critical” to the organization and would be placed in the capital campaign. “We set a goal of $500,000 for the new house and we already have $330,000,” she said. “We are currently negotiating for property right now and hope to have a new Megan’s house by the end of the year.”

Megan’s House is a children’s respite home with locations in Albany, Valdosta and Waycross.
Megan’s House provides respite care for children from birth to 17 years of age, who have developmental disabilities or may be considered medically fragile. The house can accommodate two children at a time for up to two weeks. English said respite care provided by Megan’s House may be used for a crisis situation or for a scheduled break. Fees for services are determined by a sliding fee scale and scholarships may be available.​

~ Contributing article written by Terry Lewis
​  Published by The Albany Herald on April 7, 2016

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TAGS:

• Easter Seals Of Southern Georgia
• Albany Bass Club
• Megan’s House

• Paula Deen
• Crawfish Boil
• Beth English

• Sweet And Savory Sisters
• Albany Georgia
• Dougherty County Ga.