On June 12th, President Elect Chris Hempfling led our Annual Meeting with Sisters Teresa Maria and Sister DePaul at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home also known as the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, Servants for Relief of Incurable Cancer. We saw a photo of Rose Hawthorne … "Mother Mary Alphonsa", Foundress of the Sisters of Hawthorne, and also the daughter of acclaimed American author and story-teller Nathaniel Hawthorne. We learned of the foundress’s selfless motivations when she said, “ A fire was then lighted in my heart, where it still burns. . . I set my whole being to endeavor to bring consolation to the cancerous poor.”

Our visit’s purpose had several objectives: first, to recognize and thank the Sisters for the care so skillfully and faithfully given to all patients. Also, to receive a greater understanding of the purpose, work being done and history of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne. Finally, AWER presented its annual donation obtained through contributions made by AWER Members given through its weekly Tasse Trivia game totallng one thousand dollars.

AWER Members present were led by Christopher Hempfling, AWER President- Elect, and included Frances Ellison-Dansby, Jared Evans, Marilyn Jackson, Eric John, Bee Long, Carolina Ramos, Neil Shorthouse. Together, members participated in the tour which included an understanding of its professional, complete and carefully provided services, spotless rooms and resources, its most elegant chapel and a view of the grounds of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home including seeing its huge Black Oak Tree, the oldest Black Oak in Georgia which is also one of the largest with a nearly 9 foot diameter; it is thought to be some 400 years old.

We also viewed a 6-minute Emmy-winning documentary and heard comments from Sisters who also answered questions about Our Lady of Perpetual Care Home which resides at 760 Pollard Blvd., SW, on block south of the Georgia State Stadium.

Finally persons facing incurable cancer and who cannot pay for the services in their final days and weeks or months of life occupy the center of Our Lady’s focus and purpose. The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne at Our Lady and all claim the highest privilege through their God-enabled love and service.

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On Sunday, AWER was present at the Atlanta Streets Alive event held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd from eastern end of Mercedes Benz Stadium and sponsored by the city of Atlanta. Those present: Chris Hempfling, Jared Evans, Bee Long and Neil Shorthouse met many strolling on MLK Blvd - some on bikes and children on trikes, who showed interest in AWER, several saying they wanted to attend an AWER meeting at beginning back at Georgia Tech on July 10^th or later.

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Keyway Speaker Reporters

Jared Evans, Chris Hempfling and Neil Shorthouse