Community Corner

Couple Fulfills Year of Giving Back to the Community

Nearby Sandy Springs: Beer Growler Nation owners Constantine and Kelly Mihalis raised more than $10,000 and found a way to raise awareness for various charities each month over the last year.

Local businesses, we'd love to give you an opportunity to tell Patch readers how you gave back to the community in 2013 and what your plans are for 2014.

Here's a report on what one business has achieved -- from Beer Growler Nation, 2749 Lavista Rd, Decatur:

Last year Constantine and Kelly Mihalis pledged a year of giving back to their community. With the help of their generous customers, they raised more than $10,000 for various charities. Here’s a look back:

  • January -- Our food drive for the Atlanta Community Food Bank raised $25 and 315 pounds of food which provided 362 meals to those in need.
  • February -- We raised awareness for the American Heart Association.
  • March -- The Beer Growler Nation team raised $5,377.45 for St. Baldrick’s.
  • April -- In honor of Earth Day, Kelly, Morgan, Maxwell and Mason picked up trash with the Chattahoochee Riverkeepers.
  • May -- We gave away sunscreen to raise awareness on how to prevent skin cancers.
  • June -- We partnered with Camp Twin Lakes, sold paper kites which decorated our store and raised about $880 to help send a sick child to camp.
  • July -- Our Atlanta Red Cross blood drive collected 26 pints of blood saving a possible 78 lives.
  • August -- We teamed up with DeleteBloodCancers.org and more than 10 Beer Growler Nation customers signed up for our get swabbed party to be possible donors.
  • September -- The sale of Birthday Suit, our collaboration with Wrecking Bar Brewpub, raised $427 for the animal rescue group, PAWS.
  • October -- Our customers donated $150 to It’s a Journey Atlanta 2 Day Walk. By joining their battle against breast cancer, we helped provide education, screening, early detection, treatment and support services throughout the state.
  • November or should we say Movember? -- It was a hairy ride, but Constantine, Brad Hamilton and Don Repasky helped change the face of men's health. Team Beer Growler Nation raised $2,281 to help ensure men living with prostate or testicular cancer have the care needed to be physically and mentally well.
  • December -- We collected toys for the Marine’s Toys for Tots Program.
In addition to these planned events we also supported Oak Grove Elementary by hosting two spirit days raising $250.

We hosted Burt Welleford who sold T-shirts and talked about his plan to ride his Vincent Around America to raise money and awareness for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

In March, the sale of Shagging Balls, our collaboration cream ale made with Red Brick Brewing, raised $350 which was donated to Druid Hills Youth Sports (DHYS), Baseball at Medlock Park which has been serving DeKalb County and Decatur since 1962.

We had such a great response we plan to do it again in 2014. Some of the causes will be repeats, and we’ll throw some new ones into the mix.
  • January -- Atlanta Food Bank food drive
  • February -- Book Drive
  • March -- St. Baldrick’s
  • April -- We celebrate Earth Day by recycling
  • May -- Skin Cancer Awareness
  • June -- Camp Twin Lakes
  • July -- Atlanta Red Cross Blood Drive
  • August -- Back to School Supply Drive
  • September -- PAWS
  • October -- Breast Cancer
  • November -- Movember
  • December -- Coat Drive


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