Notable
By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer | Published July 8, 2010
Sacred Heart Social Hall at Christ Our King and Savior Church, Greensboro, had a special look on June 22. The room was a sea of pink and purple with tables decorated with flowers in hand-painted pink and purple vases.
The special colors were part of a special event for a family that was embraced by this community during a medical hardship.
Grace Callahan was born with a serious heart condition, and in April she underwent surgery at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston to receive a new heart before her seventh birthday.
Grace and her 5-year-old sister Megan were guests of honor at this fundraising Italian dinner. Pink and purple are Grace’s favorite colors.
Parents Doug and Audrey Callahan, who are both teachers in Gwinnett County, were given an oversized check for $10,000 to help pay some of the medical expenses that can stretch into the many thousands of dollars.
Jack and Barbara Callahan, grandparents of the two girls, have been leaders at the Greensboro church, where Father Philip Ryan is pastor, and in the community. Parishioners and the Lake Oconee community wanted to return the favor by helping the family.
Also on hand for the celebration were the girls’ maternal grandparents, Fred and Janet Ueberschaer.
The dinner was a great success with tortellini, mostocelli, and spaghetti, all with “homemade” sauces, served with salad and bread. More than 400 meals were served as the cooks prepared two settings for diners who wanted to help the family. Also, guests dug into their pockets to buy reverse raffle tickets and other items donated by many community businesses and organizations, as well as personal donations made by friends. Elaine Jaworski coordinated the event.
Eric Johnston returned to his alma mater, Our Lady of Victory School in Tyrone, to complete the highest award given by the Boy Scouts.
Johnston got outdoor Stations of the Cross with a donation from OLV School and the Knights of Columbus at St. Matthew Church.
The stations were mounted on the trees in the St. Francis Garden on the school campus.
A nature path throughout the garden was built to allow people a bit of tranquility to pray and walk the 14 Stations of the Cross.
Eric, a rising senior at Our Lady of Mercy High School in Fayetteville and a member of Holy Trinity BSA Troop 279, is planning to receive the honor of Eagle Scout in the fall.