Atlanta Heroes to Walk on Promise Street at The Georgia Dome

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta honors local community leaders on April 2 at Hometown Heroes Tribute

March 30, 2009

ATLANTA (March 30, 2009) –Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) will honor three community leaders and one corporation at its largest fundraising event Hometown Heroes Tribute on April 2 at the Georgia Dome from 7 – 9 p.m.

Arthur M. Blank, Jerry Tipton, Gail Johnson and The Coca-Cola Company are celebrated as this year’s Hometown Heroes because of their commitment to improving the quality of life in Atlanta and the life-changing work they do for kids and teens in Atlanta.

Arthur M. Blank –Arthur M. Blank is owner & CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and The Georgia Force. The co-founder of Home Depot, he is recognized around the country for his extensive personal and professional achievements and philanthropy.

Blank is also chairman, president & CEO of AMB Group, LLC, and chairman of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.  Both companies are part of The Arthur M. Blank Family Office, with the common purpose of giving back to society through financial contributions and personal involvement.

His personal commitment and his foundation have elevated BGCMA’s programs and provided much needed support over the years. Six Clubs have Falcons Fitness Zones, which are areas that focus on activities that promote healthy lifestyles in our children.

Jerry Tipton – Jerry Tipton is former president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Tipton has had an "unintended" life long career with the Boys & Girls Club movement.  His involvement began as a part-time staff member while in college. Although he had a teaching contract for the fall, he accepted “temporary" full-time responsibilities at the Kingsport, Tennessee Boys Club. 

Forty years later, he believes fate correctly guided him. He made significant achievements in his career and was instrumental in many Club initiatives. Under his leadership, BGCMA grew to include 30 sites in 13 counties. Tipton has committed his life to serving kids. Though he is retired now, his dedication and commitment to BGCMA lives on.

Gail Johnson – Gail Johnson is the executive director of the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club. Her roots run deep within the Boys & Girls Club movement. A native of Atlanta and the oldest of three children, she attended the Decatur/Dekalb Girls Club as a teen. After graduating from Spelman College, she returned to the Club in 1978 as the Teen Coordinator and eventually was promoted to the Program Director.  In 1993 Johnson became the executive director of the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club and has remained dedicated to the youth there for the past 15 years. Johnson’s dedication and talents have afforded her many accolades during her tenure with the organization. She is highly-respected by all of her peers in the organization and loved by all her kids.

The Coca-Cola Company – The Coca-Cola Company’s 70-year partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is the company’s longest alliance with a non-profit organization. The Coca-Cola Company’s association between BGCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta is special because of the shared values the two organizations have regarding the potential of America’s youth and the need to provide a safe haven for their development and growth. 

 “Our Hometown Heroes are visionaries who provide promise to BGCMA by strengthening the lives of young people,” said William Lampley, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “Arthur Blank is a dedicated philanthropist in Atlanta and a great supporter of our organization. The Coca-Cola Company has a long history with Boys & Girls Clubs and has always invested in the children of Atlanta. Jerry is a life-long Boys & Girls Club advocate. He has helped thousands of kids through his professional and personal commitment to BGCMA. Gail has dedicated her life to working directly with kids who need her most. They are all heroes in our eyes and the eyes of our children.”

All proceeds from the event benefit programs and services of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. To purchase tickets to the Hometown Heroes Tribute or to make a tribute gift in honor of one of the heroes, visit www.bgcma.org or call (404) 527-7079.

The Hometown Heroes Tribute’s co-chairs, Doug Reid and Mike Grant, and emcee Bill Hartman, formerly of WSB-TV Channel 2, will join the celebration. In addition, Atlanta Falcons players Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Harry Douglas, Curtis Lofton, Mike Peterson, Todd McClure, Roddy White and Erik Coleman.

The evening’s sponsors include: presenting sponsor The Marcus Foundation; platinum sponsors Fiserv, Malon D. Mimms Company, Arcapita, Church’s Chicken, The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF METRO ATLANTA

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta operates 30 Clubs in 13 metro counties in addition to Camp Kiwanis and Youth Art Connection, a gallery and workspace for young artists. A trained and professional staff serves more than 17,000 youth annually by offering specialized programming and a safe haven for at-risk and underprivileged children and teens. Memberships cost only $35 per school year, but scholarships are available for those who need assistance. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.