Since 1995, the Sandy Springs Society has recognized a volunteer in our community who exemplifies the spirit of community service by contributing to the betterment of Sandy Springs and acknowledges the individual’s contributions by donating a check for $1,000 to the 501(c)(3) charity of the recipient’s choice. Individuals who are paid for their service and members of the Society are not eligible, but members’ spouses and families are.
Spirit of Sandy Springs Award 2023
Andrea Cohen Settles
Each year, the Sandy Springs Society honors someone who has made an extraordinary difference within the community of Sandy Springs.
Since 1995, The Sandy Springs Society has recognized the volunteer(s) in our community who exemplifies the spirit of community service by contributing to the betterment of Sandy Springs. We acknowledge that individual’s contributions by donating $1000 to the 501(c)(3) charity of the recipient’s choice. Individuals who are paid for their service and members of The Sandy Springs Society are not eligible but members’ spouses and families are.
Serving on this committee were Melissa Patterson, Beth Rousseau, Beth Robertson, Marsh Webb, and Lib Thompson.
This year we had five nominations – all of whom were deserving candidates. When the committee voted, the vote was unanimous for Andrea Settles.
Nominated by Gail Cohn who said, “She always makes herself available whenever asked to do something for our community. She steps forward with good ideas on how to help. She is the consummate volunteer!”
Andrea has spearheaded many programs and events in our community.
She is a mentor at Score. She is a member of the Sandy Springs Planning Commission. She is a constant volunteer at the Sandy Springs Fire Corps. She is a member of the board of trustees of the Sandy Springs Benevolent Fund. She is a past president of Leadership Sandy Springs. She is a member of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber. She is a member of the Sandy Springs Civic Round Table. She has helped the Sandy Springs Society look for sites for Tossed Out Treasures. But chief among her volunteer activities is a devotion to Solidarity Sandy Springs where she is a treasurer and frequent volunteer.
When asked which charity she would like to donate the award to, her answer was immediate – Solidarity Sandy Springs.
The Spirit of Sandy Springs Award 2023 is proudly presented to Andrea Cohen Settles.
The recipient of the Spirit of Sandy Springs Award is chosen by an independent group of community judges from among the outstanding nominations each year.
cCaPrevious Spirit of Sandy Springs Award Recipients
1995 Kathy Klatt
1996 William Huff
1997 Eva Galambos
1998 Charles Balch
1999 James M. Anderson III
2000 Wilson McClure
2001 Willis Walter Cleveland
2002 Ham Henson
2003 Milton Gorman
2004 Linda Bain
2005 Douglas W. Kessler**
2006 Joseph Mayson
2007 D. J. DeLong
2008 Tom Umstead
2009 Guy Berger
2010 Beppie Lever
2011 Fran Farias
2012 Rich Brown
2013 Clarke Otten
2014 No Award Given
2015 Bob Knox
2016 Willis Lanier
2017 Trisha Thompson Fox
2018 Gene Jordan
2019 Althea Scott Mallory
2020 Jennifer Lott, Jennifer Barnes, Erin Oliver, Sonia Simon
2021 Nicole Nigel Gray
2022 Karen Calhoun
Deceased** awarded posthumously
Guidelines for Nominations for the Spirit of Sandy Springs Award
For an individual to be eligible for nomination for the Spirit of Sandy Springs Award, the following criteria must be met:
- Nominees may not be members of The Sandy Springs Society; however, spouses and other family members are eligible.
- Nominees may not be paid for their community service.
- A minimum of two years of active volunteer service must be completed within the Sandy Springs area, but residence in Sandy Springs is not required.
The name of the recipient, selected by members of a Community Advisory Board, is announced at The Sandy Springs Society’s spring general meeting in May.
The Sandy Springs Society welcomes nominations for The Spirit of Sandy Springs Award from its own members and from the community at large. The Spirit Award will be presented at the spring Luncheon of the Sandy Springs Society.
Nomination forms should be mailed to:
The Sandy Springs Society
Attn: Spirit of Sandy Springs Award
P. O. Box 720074
Atlanta, GA 30358