Girls Empowering Movement (GEM), a recipient of an Atlanta Falcons Youth Fund (AFYF) grant, was recently featured on FOX 5 Atlanta's Falcons Friday. The segment included interviews with Sherry Griffith, GEM's adult facilitator, and Alicia Weaver, a GEM Leadership Team member.

Since 2019, GEM has empowered middle school girls to lead physical activity programs, fostering community wellness and leadership. "Being a GEM Ambassador means being a beacon for others like me, offering resources and a supportive community," said Weaver. With a $4 million grant, AFYF helped GEM engage more than 18,000 girls statewide.

The North Yellowstone Education Foundation (NYEF), formed by a group of parents six years ago, supports education by providing affordable teacher housing near Gardiner Public School (GPS), close to Yellowstone National Park. With $800,000 in funding, NYEF's Teacher Housing Initiative renovated a historic house to provide homes for GPS teachers.

This initiative helps retain talented educators, address the challenge of soaring housing prices, and ensure the school's continued excellence in the community. Cody Carlson, a 7-12th grade math teacher said, "Having a legitimate house near the school will serve the school and the broader community of families for a long time by making it affordable and realistic to live in Gardiner."

The PGA TOUR Superstore (PGATSS) Community Fund aims to expand golf and tennis accessibility while enhancing community life. The fund’s $641,000 in grants given to 126 organizations address issues such as empowering women, aiding underserved communities, supporting youth and honoring military personnel.

Recent grants, like the $5,000 award to the Atlanta Korean Golfers Association, exemplify the fund's impact. PGATSS and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation's longstanding support of First Tee has empowered more than 1.5 million young people since 2011, fostering character and resilience.

Find peace and inspiration in nature's beauty with Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg's healing meditation video series. Join us on a journey of thanks as we immerse ourselves in the world's breathtaking beauty.

Click the photo below to watch our most recent video from Bandaloop which celebrates the human spirit, nature and communities through dance.

Q2: How do you and your family celebrate the holiday season and what traditions hold particular significance for you?

Fay: My wife, Jill, kids and I cherish our holiday time together. For Hannukah, we celebrate by lighting candles and enjoying homemade latkes, which I cook, creating a bit of a mess in the kitchen.

We also mark special occasions like my son's December 25th birthday and my wife's December 22nd birthday with special meals and celebrations. On New Year's, my kids and I have a tradition where we make sushi for Jill. While enjoying our meal, we reflect on the past year while discussing our hopes for the upcoming year.

Q3: What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Fay: Everything! We’ve been laying the groundwork at the foundation for what’s to come in 2024.

I'm eagerly anticipating the upcoming year at West Creek. Our strategies and collective giving initiatives are gaining momentum and fostering partnerships with grantees across our giving areas of Democracy, Environment, Youth Development, Mental Health and Well-Being, Atlanta’s Westside and Founder Initiatives. I'm thrilled about what lies ahead!