Press Releases

 

Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc. received grant awards from Thanks Mom & Dad Fund on March 6, 2014 as below press release.

 

Thanks Mom & Dad Fund Announces New Grants

(Atlanta, March 6, 2014) -- The Thanks Mom & Dad Fund announced its latest round of grants yesterday to seven organizations that serve Georgia’s older adults at a reception for donors, grantees and trustees at the offices of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough. These grants will fill gaps in services and provide emergency assistance for vulnerable older Georgians.

·        Meals on Wheels of Coweta, Inc. for the purchase of a walk-in freezer, making it possible to serve more persons eligible to receive home-delivered meals

·        A. G. Rhodes Health & Rehab for the Rhodes to Home initiative to bridge healthcare disparities among the elderly with low incomes and improve medical follow up, seamless coordination and access for recently discharged patients throughout the period of recovery and rehabilitation therapy.

·        Senior Citizens, Inc., in Savannah, Georgia, for the expansion of the Senior Companion program mobilizing seniors living in or near poverty to “work” with seniors and assist those who are frail, homebound or in need of assistance. 

·        The Center for the Visually Impaired for the Assistive Technology Program for seniors with limited vision to more fully enable them to better navigate the world around them from their computers, tablets and other devices.  

·        Friends of Disabled Adults and Children Too (FODAC) for recycling, refurbishing and providing home medical equipment for seniors.  

·        Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc. (designated grant) to mobilize the Asian Senior Volunteer Corps to expand outreach to Asian and Pacific Island American seniors and expand the Retired and Volunteer Services program into 5 counties with community service partners.

·        Georgia State University - Project Healthy Grandparents - for the purchase of a van to transport Grandparents raising Grandchildren to medical appointments, support group meetings and early childhood intervention appointments.  

 According to Maureen Kelly, president of the fund, “These grants will address significant unmet needs and make a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of older Georgians, helping them to remain independent and access vital services.”

 Almost 100 people attended including former and current members of the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund board of trustees.  Two new board members were introduced, namely Jennifer Heuvelman, Georgia Natural Gas, and Tommy Miller, Mt. Vernon Towers. They join current trustees Tom Baxter, Saporta Report; Jocelyn Dorsey, WSB-TV, Channel 2;  Steve Foster, Georgia Power; Jessica Gill, Cobb County Senior Services; Maureen Kelly, Atlanta Regional Commission; Lorene Lindsey, Georgia Council on Aging; Betsy Sheppard, the Gilbert & Sheppard Group; and Valarie Wilson, the Beltline Partnership.  

 About the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund

The Thanks Mom & Dad Fund® is a 501(c)3 organization, created to honor parents, grandparents and mentors by supporting programs and services for the aging population. It works to improve the quality of life for older adults and honors the contributions of older adults one generation to another by raising funds and making grants to agencies serving them. It was created by the Atlanta Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging and in cooperation with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

Through ongoing fundraising and grantmaking, the fund seeks to engage the public in support for such programs through greater awareness and promotion of the vital services provided by agencies serving older adults.

# # #

Media contacts:

 Atlanta Regional Commission, Grace Trimble
404.463.3192gtrimble@atlantaregional.com

 

<Korean War Wreath Laying Ceremony>

<Media Advisory> July 19, 2013

▪ Event: Korean War Wreath Laying Ceremony commemorating the 63rd Anniversary
* Contact: Joshua Lee, Director, Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc. 
770-452-8039
 JLee@Goodneighboring.org

▪ When: Friday, July 26, 2013 10:30 a.m.

▪ Where: Georgia State Capitol Building West Staircase
206 Washington Street, Atlanta, GA 30334

WREATH LAYING CEREMONY HONORS GEORGIANS 
WHO FOUGHT FOR KOREA

Korean War Wreath Laying Ceremony in July 2012

A commemorative observance remembering the 740 Georgians killed in the Korean War and honoring all Korean War Veterans in Georgia will take place on Friday, July 26, 2013. 

The observance will commence at 10:30am with a wreath laying ceremony followed by recognition comments and music at the North Staircase of the Georgia State Capitol. 

During the Korean War a special relationship between the peoples of the United States and the Republic of Korea was joined. This special relationship was “forged in blood” during incredible acts of heroism, courage and sacrifice by the United States military after suffering 33,686 battle deaths, 2,830 non-battle deaths, and 8,176 missing in action.

President Park Geun-Hye of South Korea said at the speech to Joint Session of Congress on May 8, 2013, "Let me express -- on behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea -- our profound gratitude to America's veterans. Their blood, sweat and tears helped safeguard freedom and democracy.”

The South Korean people, with help from the U.S. military and American people, rebuilt Korea’s economy from the ashes of the War in a short period. Today, South Korea is a free country; it enjoys a democracy and stands as the 15th strongest economy in the world. 

Today, there are more than 1.5 million Americans of Korean ancestry living in the United States. Currently, over 20,000 Korean- Americans are serving in the U. S. Armed Forces; and Korean-Americans continue to join the military ranks in increasingly large numbers. 

The remarks for the commemorative observance will be made by Honorable Bok-ryeol Rhyou, Deputy Consul General of Republic of Korea / Honorable Sam Olens, Attorney General of Georgia / Major General James Butterworth, Adjutant General of Georgia / Commissioner Wheeler, Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs /General (Retired), Larry Ellis, Chairman of America-Korea Friendship Society / Mr. Bob McCubbin, president of Korean War Veterans Association Raymond Davis Chapter / Mr. Hak Keun Chang, Director of Civic Engagement team, Good Neighboring Foundation. Mr. Sunny K. Park will serve as master of ceremony.

The Korean American Youth Orchestra of Hope Johns Creek will provide patriotic music throughout the ceremony and present flowers to Korean War Veterans in the audience. Georgia National Guard’s Honor Guards will present of colors and the taps. Reception for the War veterans and families (invitation only) followed by the ceremony at Petite Auberge located Toco Hill shopping center.

 

<2nd Civic Leadership Program for Youth>

<Press release>
For Immediate release                                                                            May 30 2013
ejlee@goodneighboring.org, 770-452-8039

Are the communities in which we live, better because we live there?

This is the mission of the Civic Leadership Program for Youth (CLPY), to equip and empower youth from the Asian immigrant families to become catalytic leaders for positive change in their communities.  CLPY is an 8-month youth program that focuses on increasing civic awareness and responsibility among the Asian American population, CLPY is committed to working with families in order to engage and mobilize this next generation to becoming active citizens in their local communities.

By providing students with strategic community resources and unique learning opportunities under the supervision of committed coaches (i.e. mentors), the Civic Leadership Program for Youth program objectives are to:

  • Educate students to have a working knowledge of contemporary issues faced in today’s society.
  • Equip students with the necessary skills to become effective high-character leaders with an increased social awareness
  • Demonstrate civic and team leadership through engaging areas of need by creating community-based projects that promote positive change.

Program Information

CLPY date:
August 24, 2013 – March 29, 2014

CLPY sessions are held twice a month on Saturday afternoons from 2-4:30PM. All sessions will be held at the Good Neighboring Campaign office unless otherwise stated.

CLPY cost:
The program fee is $175

This fee is used to help offset some of the costs of the training material, Saturday session snacks, as well as CLPY scheduled events (i.e. etiquette dinner and end-of-year graduation lunch).

Civic leadership program admission guidelines:

CLPY is an intensive civic leadership equipping experience for high school students not merely an academic exercise. Therefore CLPY holds a standard of excellence for its program and all its students.

It is important to note that CLPY is not an honors program. However CLPY is looking for students that show promise in the area of civic consciousness and demonstrates a desire to grow in the area of influence and leadership.

CLPY class size is limited to 20 students per year and candidates will be accepted on a rolling admission basis until the class is filled. Therefore it is highly encouraged that students apply early.

Application deadline:

Wednesday July 17th, 2013

Please mail all applications to:

Good Neighboring Campaign
Attn: CLPY Admissions

3835 Presidential Pkwy Suite #111
Atlanta GA 30340

For more information please contact:

EJ Lee
CLPY coordinator
o | 770.452.8039
m | 770.856.5757
e |ejlee@goodneighboring.org

 

<2013 New American Hero Award>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       February 25, 2013 Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc.

Contact: Joshua Lee, 770-452-8039
Jlee@Goodneighboring.org


The first Asian American Olympic gold medalist
receive 2013 New American Hero Award   

 

Atlanta – Dr. Sammy Lee, the first Asian American who won Olympic gold medal for the United States, will receive 2013 New American Hero of the Year Award.

Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc. — a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, GA — announced Dr. Lee is the recipient of 2013 New American Hero of the Year to recognize his contribution to the United States as an American of Korean ancestry, and his position as a role model for all Americans.

New American Hero Award has been presented to Americans of Korean ancestry who has made a significant contribution to the United States and who makes the immigrant community proud with crystal plaque and $10,000 award check.

Past recipients were Dr. Tom Kim of Knoxville, TN, who founded the Free Clinic for Working Poor and who has operated 5 clinics for more than twenty years and Lieutenant Colonel John Oh, medical doctor of US Army, for his heroic service at the war fields in Afghanistan for his new nation and its people of the United States.

The Good Neighboring Foundation’s Executive Committee unanimously selected Dr. Sammy Lee to receive the New American Hero Award for 2013. “We are pleased to select Dr. Lee for this year’s award; it, for sure, was not an easy task as there were several great nominees” said Sunny K. Park, the Founder and Executive Director of the Good Neighboring Foundation. 

Dr. Sammy Lee is one of most remarkable US Olympic athletes and the first Asian American to win Olympic gold medals for the United States of America in 1948 London and 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.

The award ceremony will be held during the America Korea Friendship Society annual event 6 PM Saturday March 2, 2013 at Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Marietta, Georgia.

Good Neighboring Campaign(GNC) works to support Asian immigrant families to become active citizens in the United States by increasing access to information, developing capacity for civic engagement, and building civic accountability. For more information, please visit www.GoodNeighboring.org

Background of the 2013 Award Recipient

Dr. Samuel ("Sammy") Lee is the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States and the first man to win back-to-back gold medals in Olympic platform diving.

His life, both before and after making these historical accomplishments in the Olympics, reflects one of perseverance amidst many difficulties, especially those relating to discrimination.


Dr. Lee was born in Fresno, California in August 1, 1920 and grew up in Los Angeles during times of intense hostility toward Asian Americans in the United States.


For example, he recalls an episode during his childhood when he cried himself to sleep because he was told by his friend at a birthday party that the party was not starting because the parents of the birthday girl was uncomfortable with an Asian American being at the party.


Many instances such as this made Dr. Sammy Lee ashamed of his Korean heritage. However, one day, Dr. Sammy Lee’s father tells his son something that prompts him to get past his resentment of his own race and ethnicity, and instead dream bigger and strive boldly towards his goals; “Son, if you are not proud of the shape of your eyes the color of your skin, then who can respect you?”

After discovering his talents in diving, Dr. Sammy Lee began dreaming of becoming an Olympic Champion. However, he faced obstacles in pursuing his dreams. For example, Dr. Lee could not find a place to practice regularly because non-whites were not allowed to use the public pool except one day each week before the pool was scheduled to be drained and refilled with clean water (called “international day”). As a result, his coach dug a pit in his backyard and filled it with sand so that Mr. Lee could practice by jumping into the pit.

He finally achieved his dream of winning medals at the Olympics, becoming the first non-white diving champion in the United States. He won the gold medal in the 10m platform diving and the bronze medal in springboard diving in the 1948 games. He defended his title in the 1952 games, winning the gold medal in the 10m platform diving. 

His accomplishments were not limited to the athletic field. Dr. Lee was a student-athlete at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, where he received his M.D. in 1947. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Korea from 1953–55, where he specialized in the diseases of the ear. In 1953, while serving his tour of duty in Korea, he won the James E. Sullivan Award, which is awarded annually by the Amateur Athletic Union to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.

Mr. Sammy Lee went on to coach Olympic divers including Pat McCormick, Bob Webster, and Greg Louganis. He is a member of the US Olympic Hall of Fame.

A landmark, the Sammy Lee Square, at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles' Koreatown was named after him.

Video Clip for Dr. Sammy Lee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rntQeLcihe8

 

<The 1st Civic Leadership Program for Youth>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       April 9, 2012
Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc.

Contact: Joshua Lee, 770-452-8039
Jlee@Goodneighboring.org


The Good Neighboring Campaign is implementing a new program specifically designed for students in Asian immigrant communities around the Metro-Atlanta region, called “Civic Leadership Program for Youth” (CLPY).

In order to admit students who show promise in becoming “leaders” who make positive contributions to the world, many college admissions look for unique leadership experiences and skills of applicants. However, many immigrant parents and students, due to limited knowledge, overlook this important component, instead focusing primarily on SAT/GPA.

Moreover, developing leadership skills, building framework of one’s role in society, and acquiring knowledge about current issues are crucial components in becoming successful not only in college but in one’s career. As a result, the Good Neighboring Campaign has developed an intensive service-learning program that provides children of Asian immigrant families the opportunity for leadership development and unique community service activities.

Good Neighboring Campaign believes that youth, particularly those in immigrant families, can have powerful influences on their families and on their larger communities. By harnessing this potential through education, experience, and skills-building with a community of peers and mentors, we hope to develop leaders who are catalysts for positive change in their communities.

The Civic Leadership Program for Youth is selecting about 20 students (rising 9th - rising 12th) who will participate in various activities for one academic year (July-April). Students will learn about local communities, institutions, and social issues through readings facilitated discussions, and hands-on experience, attend guest speaker series of influential members in various fields, and implement a project that addresses a problem in the community. Through this process, students will have the chance to develop core civic/leadership skills and engage in career development opportunities.

In order to apply to this program, students need to submit an application and may have to go through an interview process. The Application form can be received by email request.  

Please contact jchung@goodneighboring.org or call 770-452-8039 for more information. (www.goodneighboringyouth)

Deadline for application: May 18th, 2012

 

<2011 New American Hero Award>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2011

Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc.
CONTACT: Joshua Lee, 770-452-8039, Jlee@Goodneighboring.org

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) John Oh, Medical Doctor, of the U.S. Army is the 2011 New American Hero of the Year.

Good Neighboring Foundation, Inc. — a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, GA — announced its 2011 New American Hero of the Year to recognize Dr. Oh’s heroic service for his new nation and its people, his contribution to the United States as an American of Korean ancestry, and his position as a role model for all Americans.


The Foundation’s Executive Committee unanimously selected Lieutenant Colonel John Oh to receive the award for 2011. “We are pleased to select LTC Oh for this year’s award; it, for sure, was not an easy task as there were several great nominees” said Sunny K. Park, the Founder and Executive Director of the Good Neighboring Foundation.

Good Neighboring Foundation (GNF) stated, in granting Dr. Oh this honor, “We, on behalf of Americans of Korean ancestry, want to recognize LTC John Oh for his exemplary devotion to advancing the cause of Americans of Korean ancestry through his heroic service as an American soldier. He is a shining example as an American, and an inspiring role model to our entire community.”

GNF selects an American of Korean ancestry as needed who has made a significant contribution to the United States, and who makes the immigrant community proud. Past recipient of the New American Hero of the Year award was Dr. Tom Kim of Knoxville, TN, who founded the Free Clinic for Working Poor and who has operated the clinic for more than eleven years.

The award ceremony will be held during the America Korea Friendship Society annual event 7 PM Saturday April 16, 2011 at Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Marietta, Georgia.

Good Neighboring Foundation (GNF) activities began in 2000 with two major goals: (1) to stimulate Asian American immigrants and motivate them to become an integral part of American communities, and (2) to encourage Asian immigrants, starting with Korean Americans, to use their heritage, values and resources for the betterment of the United States. For more information, please visit www.GoodNeighboring.org

Background of the 2011 Award Recipient

On March 16, 2007, Alpha Company platoon had set out from Forward Operating Base Tillman around 8 a.m. for a meeting with tribal leaders near the Pakistan border. Channing Moss, then a private first class, was manning a Mark 19 machine gun in the turret of his up-armored Humvee when Afghan forces attacked his unit.

Moss was turning his machine gun turret to return fire when the first of three rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) rounds to strike his vehicle exploded on the truck commander’s door. Staff Sgt. Eric Wynn yelled at the driver to get out of the kill zone, but “that’s when we got hit again.” A projectile bored into Moss’s left hip at a downward angle, tearing through his lower abdomen. The tip of the device stopped just short of breaking through the skin on Moss’s upper right thigh. Wynn, with the tip of his nose sheared off and his torn upper lip hanging loosely, radioed his lieutenant.

The attack was over in seconds. Moss was on the verge of death, impaled through the abdomen with an RPG. An aluminum rod with one tail fin protruded from the left side of his torso.

As the medical team lifted off in its Black Hawk helicopter for the 10-minute flight to the battle scene, all they knew was that urgent casualties awaited them, and that the area was hot. On touchdown, flight medic Sgt. John Collier jumped out and sped toward the wounded to assess the situation. When the medics and a helicopter crew saw Moss, there was only one choice. They said, “Yeah, we gotta get this guy to the hospital.”

At the moment, everyone was focused on the new mission,” Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jorge Correa said. “I know we risked our lives to save Pfc. Moss, but there was no hesitation. I didn’t really think about it until a couple of days later, but it was like, ‘Wow, we had live ordnance on the helicopter.’”

John Oh, 759th Forward Surgical Team general surgeon and a major at the time, recalled that the delicacy of the situation wasn’t truly apparent until they began cutting away Moss’s combat uniform and unraveling all the gauze bandages.

Protocol, as far as Oh knew, dictated that someone in Moss’ condition be placed in a sandbagged bunker and listed as “expectant,” meaning that he would be expected to die because nothing could be done for him. Despite military protocol, Oh proceeded, warning the volunteers that the surgery could cost everyone their lives. Dr. Oh then began operating to extract the ordnance from Moss’ booby-trapped body. One wrong move could kill the patient and the entire medical team.

Still conscious, Moss assumed the worst. “I didn’t know they had put anesthesia in my IV. I was blacking out, and I thought I was dying. I thought they were just going to leave me.”

Major Oh and the team decided that the device would have to be removed by pulling it through in the direction it had traveled. Oh opened up Moss so that the extent of damage to his abdomen and the path of the projectile could be assessed. The damage was extensive. Moss’s intestines had been shredded, his pelvic bone crushed, and he had lost a lot of blood. However, no major organs were disturbed.

EOD technician Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Brown began sawing off the tail fin, which protruded just above Moss’s left hip. Brown said Moss needed to remain calm and steady, but the situation was frightening, with everyone in the room wide-eyed, staring at each other. Using his scalpel for the most delicate incision of his life, Oh took the next step and cut the skin on Moss’s right thigh where the tip of the device came to rest. Then, as if delivering a ticking baby time bomb, Brown gently and steadily eased the blood-covered metal tube from Moss’ body. Breathing sighs of relief, Dr. Oh and the medical team patched up what remained of Moss’ lower abdomen so he could be airlifted.

Personal safety took a backseat that day to saving Moss. The bravery, quick thinking and nerves of steel of Dr. Oh and the others involved enabled Pfc. Moss to attend the birth of his second daughter, Ariana, just three months later.

Moss commended the soldiers who saved his life that day. “I don’t think there has been a day in the last year and a half that I haven’t thought about them, that I haven’t prayed for them. They saved my life.”

Refer to MilitaryTimes.com video