The Northeast Georgia Health System Auxiliary will not hold its annual Marketplace event this year due to COVID-19.
The organization announced Friday that the fundraising event would not be held after careful consideration and consultation with healthcare leaders.
“Each year, we look forward to seeing our community come together during this holiday shopping tradition and inviting local and out-of-state merchants to participate,” Director of NGHS Auxiliary and Volunteer Services Lynne Allen said in a statement Friday. “While disappointing that there will not be an in-person event, I thank our 2020-2021 Marketplace Chairs, Natalie Challen, Brittni Curtis, and Ashley Sliger, and Ellen Toms, Auxiliary President, Lee Highsmith, upcoming Auxiliary President, and Jennifer Bagwell, Auxiliary Finance Chair, for the valuable time and consideration each have devoted to the decision as an alternative plan was explored, along with their foresight and commitment to focus on planning for the in-person celebration of the 30th anniversary of Marketplace in 2021.”
In lieu of an in-person event, the NGHS Auxiliary will focus on raising funds for and increasing awareness of the Safe Kids Northeast Georgia program, which Marketplace 2020 was set to support. Safe Kids is a local organization that works to prevent accidental childhood injury and teen suicides.
“The NGHS Auxiliary and NGHS Foundation are so grateful to Willis Investment Counsel for continuing to partner as the Premier Sponsor of Marketplace for the 12th consecutive year,” said Lee Highsmith, upcoming Auxiliary president. “The continued philanthropic generosity of the firm in support of healthcare is applaudable, particularly at a time when the Safe Kids program may be more important than ever to children and teenagers in Northeast Georgia.”
To learn more about Safe Kids or to make a donation, click here or call the Auxiliary at 770-219-1830.
