Philanthropy
Landings Landlovers-Enriching the Community We Love
Landings Landlovers’ goal is to improve community life through philanthropic, social and cultural activities. The proceeds from the group’s six major fundraisers are given in grants to worthwhile projects and programs sponsored by on-island organizations, scholarships for the Landings Association and The Landings Company employees and their spouses and dependent children to assist with expenses for post-high school education, and Community Service Merit Awards for high school seniors.
FUND RAISING TOTALS FOR 2018-2019
Flea Market $34,820
Auctionmania $16,885
Development (Sponsorships) $7,850
Games Day & Raffle $3,838
Web.com $5,182
Home tour $11,863
TOTAL $80,438
LANDINGS LANDLOVERS ANNOUNCES 2019 WINNERS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE MERIT AWARDS, GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
This year, Landlovers is pleased to be able to provide $26,300 in scholarship funds, $75,884 in grants, $10,000 in Community Service Merit Awards, and $2,400 in to our local churches and the Salvation Army for their support during the Flea Market. The total of Landlovers philanthropy for 2018-2019 is $114,584.
Many thanks to all of you who donated your time and talent by chairing, co-chairing, and volunteering to work on our fundraisers throughout the year. It is only with your ongoing efforts and support that Landlovers can succeed. You all contribute to helping Landlovers “Enrich the Community We Love”!
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Landlovers Scholarship Fund is designed to assist Landings employees and their immediate dependent family members with expenses for post-high-school education. Scholarship grants are for tuition, books and school supplies. Applicants must be employees of The Landings Association or The Landings Company, their spouses or their dependent children.
Our returning scholarship recipients include:
Hunter McDowell: Hunter is completing his second year at Mercer University. The first in his family to attend college, his goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and be able to follow a path to help everyone within his community. Hunter’s mom is Sabrina McDowell, a 22-year employee of the TLA Community Relations Department.
Katelyn Cook: This is the fourth year that Katelyn Cook, the daughter of The Landings Director of Security Tim Cook, has received a Landlovers Scholarship. In the Fall, she will enter her senior year at Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus and is maintaining a 3.0 GPA. She is a member of the Pre-Medical Association, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. Her goal is to finish undergraduate school with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and then to attend medical school to become an Obstetrician /Gynecologist with her own practice. We congratulate Katelyn for her achievements and hope that she will continue as a Landlovers Scholar throughout medical school.
Lataka Jamal Grant, a 1996 graduate of Johnson High School, is currently working full time while attending Savannah Tech part-time to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies. While planning to work as a paralegal for several years, his long-term goals are to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, which he then intends to use as his entrée to law school. Jamal is married to Community Relations Representative Toni Grant.
Second-time Landlovers Scholarship recipient, Donovan Lewis is completing his first year at Norwich University. Definitely created to be a basketball player, he was recruited by several Division I, II, and III colleges and chose Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, for its terrific technology curriculum. A member of the Norwich varsity basketball team, he has started in several games. Plus, his academics have earned him a place on the Dean’s List. Should his dream to play in the NBA not come to pass, Donovan will be prepared to own a computer company. Donovan is the son of proud mom TLA Communications Manager Lynn Lewis. Unfortunately Donovan is taking his last exam today and is unable to be with us, but his mother Lynn is and we are delighted to have her.
First-time recipients are:
Hannah Henderson is currently a first-year Pharm.D. (graduate school) student at the University of Georgia’s College of Pharmacy. Her goal is to own a community pharmacy because she feels that community pharmacists have the best opportunity to work with area residents on a daily basis and to help them understand their healthcare needs. Hannah is the step-daughter of TLA Budget and Research Manager Jessica Henderson, who joined us as recently as January 2019.
Chelsea Jose, the wife of Marinas Director Rory Jose, has been a nurse for 12 years, currently working as a nursing supervisor at Coastal Behavioral Health and part-time as a psychiatric clinical instructor with Georgia Southern University nursing students. She strongly desires to become a professional psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and to devote her career to caring on a long-term basis for patients with a psychiatric diagnosis. Chelsea has just one more course left to complete her degree, and we wish her the best in her new career.
Amanda Peetoom is a TLA Accounts Payable Accounting Specialist whose ultimate goal is to earn an Associate of Science in Business Administration degree from Georgia Highlands College. She has been employed with The Landings Association for just over 8 years and would love to take the experience she’s gained over this time to grow herself both personally and professionally. She believes this educational experience will create more opportunities for her at TLA and beyond.
A devoted thespian, Terry Eugene Sledge loves all things theater. While employed full-time, he is attending Savannah Technical College taking courses that will lead him to a career either on-stage or in scenic design. Terry says that a Landlovers scholarship “would be a great honor because I could move forward with bettering my life along with doing what I love most.” Terry is the husband of Landings Security Officer Shannen Sledge.
GRANT RECIPIENTS
Bethesda Academy
Bethesda Barnbuilders
Boy Scout Troop 57
Bright Eye-deas Low Vision Group
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)
Coastal Heritage Society (Pinpoint Museum)
Friends of Skidaway Audubon
Hesse School
Landings Association (Communications)
Landings Military Family Relief Fund
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
R-3 Committee
SAFE Shelter Center for Domestic Violence Services
Savannah Science Museum/Caretta Research Project
Skidaway Audubon/Sustainable Skidaway
Skidaway Farms
Skidaway Island Div of Chatham Fire Department
Skidaway Island First Responders
Sparrow Field Pollinator Garden
Toys for Tots
COMMUNITY SERVICE MERIT AWARDS
The Community Service Merit Awards recognize high school seniors who are residents of The Landings and have excelled in contributing their time and talent through community service. Commitment, creativity, leadership and total time dedicated determine the winners of this award. This year’s recipients are:
Ally Best is an outstanding young lady who is committed to her school, her community, and others. She has continued the work of UTime, an organization of teen volunteers that provides childcare for special needs children started by 2018 Merit Award winner, Lilyanne Glass. Ally is serving as President this year and has devoted more than 110 hours to this special service. She also volunteers for A Stitch in Time, sewing clothing, school bags and other items for children; she’s a Sunday school volunteer; and she works at Blessingdales Thrift Shop. An Excellence Honors student at St. Vincent Academy, maintaining A’s in all classes, she is also an art camp instructor, art magazine editor, an artist, and a track star. Ally’s work has been featured in Armstrong and SCAD art exhibits, been auctioned at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraiser, and received honorable mention in Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2018. Ally has been accepted at John Hopkins University and intends to focus on Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Madison Hudgins is a born performer with talents in both acting and music. Her community involvement has included multiple performances at her school, Savannah Arts Academy, as well as the Southern Invitational High School Choral Competition, the Arts on Skidaway Concert Series, Georgia Thespian All-State Conference, United Methodist Church Adult Choir, and the Iceland Music Festival. Plus, Madison has sung the National Anthem at more than 30 local events, including The Landings July 4th Celebration and a Savannah Bananas game. A very active and committed Girl Scout, she has earned her Silver Award and is working toward her Gold Award. After careful consideration with the acceptances from nineteen schools, campus visits, observation of classes, Madison has been accepted into the honors program at the University of Northern Colorado where she will work toward a BA in Musical Theatre, Minor in Dance and a Certificate in Business.
Described as “an excellent example to both young and adult members of our church of what it means to be a team player,” St. Vincent Academy student Kathryn Ollenburg gives of her time and talent in service in a variety of ways. She has been an altar server for St. James Church since she was ten and is now also a member of the choir. In addition, she is a member of the St. Vincent’s Choir and volunteers for Days for Girls. She is on the St. Vincent’s rifle team and takes Kung Fu and Katana. She works summers at Gulfstream, where she has held a variety of responsibilities. Kathryn will attend Georgia Institute of Technology to study Mechanical Engineering.
An award-winning artist, graphic designer and student of The Habersham School, Elizabeth Reed co-created and designed the school arts and literary journal; volunteered and won awards in the Savannah Art Association shows; created t-shirts for her school and several fundraisers; and lent her talents backstage for the Drama Department. In addition, she has volunteered for the Special Olympics, The Sunshine Girls, and the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium. Her other commitments include volleyball, Habersham School house leadership, The H Magazine, and the Compassion Christian Church youth group. Plus, she has established her own business designing and creating stickers and hand-painted signs that sell on Etsy and in 49 states across the country. Elizabeth’s dream is to attend Montana State University’s graphic design program.
Jenna Rehman has dedicated her free time to serving the community in a variety of ways that make her stand out among her peers. Co-captain of the Savannah Country Day School varsity swim team, member of the Students Celebrating Diversity Club, Student Ambassador, Editor and Contributor for the school art and literature magazine, and Senior Representative for the Student Council, she has volunteered with Horizons, Tutoring Across Borders, People of Action Caring for Kids, and Camp Wildflower. Jenna was also part of a Country Day group that traveled to Ecuador for ten days to learn about biodiversity and to set up the computers in a local school. Jenna will attend Virginia Tech for her undergraduate work, intending to focus on Biology and Family Medicine.
Emma West is active in her community and school, Savannah Country Day. She co-headed a team in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising competition, raising over $16,000. She volunteers for Tech Time; she has worked with Horizons each summer; she helped organize the Save-a-Life volleyball tournament; and she is dedicated to her school’s hosting of the Special Olympics. She also finds time to participate in varsity basketball and cross country, captain the basketball and soccer teams, and serve as Secretary of the Student Government, Upper-School Ambassador, Senior Mentor, and Lower School tutor. Next fall Emma will attend Tulane University with the intent of majoring in English.