A helping hand

As part of the ongoing food distribution efforts of Forever Fed, a mobile food ministry, Shelley Elder volunteers to help out by packing boxes with food for those in need. "Larry Grawey (next to Shelley, below) leads the charge of this ministry as he does as a chaplain at Kennesaw Family Life," said Shelley. "He and his wife, Jennifer, and three children are ever present when the community needs a hand.  He has been such a great resource and mentor."

Forever Fed ministers to underserved people regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, disability, political beliefs, or religious affiliation, according to their website.

Forever Fed began in 2010 and has grown to include a grocery food box distribution, a mobile food pantry, a mobile clothes closet, and the distribution of gently used children’s books.

For more information, check out their website. 

Offering insights at Big Shanty

Shelley Elder's tent at the Big Shanty festival in Kennesaw drew numerous visitors interested in redoing their will, learning more about trusts and other legal tools. 

Elder, a Gold sponsor at the festival, said it's critical for people to deal with such issues before it is too late. If not, families can be torn apart over the unanswered questions and differing interpretations of one's wishes. 

Thousands of attendees gathered for the two-day festival, held April 22-23, and they were greeted by warm weather, the annual parade and enthusiastic vendors and musicians. 

The Elder Law Firm tent was on the corner of Main and Cherokee in downtown Kennesaw.

Shelley offered iphone 'wallets,' mouse pads and fact sheets as well as candy for the kids.

The Big Shanty Festival welcomed thousands on Saturday, April 22.

Elder offers estate planning advice at KBA luncheon

Shelley Elder sponsored the April Kennesaw Business Association’s monthly luncheon April 11 and talked about the need for wise and timely estate planning. One’s family could be placed in a very difficult and potentially divisive situation if a proper will is not in place. “I want you to remember that in Georgia, a surviving spouse gets only one-third of the estate, while the children (even minor children) get two-thirds” if there is no will. 

“We all think we are invincible,” she said. “I see heartache every week” from such situations that could be easily solved by engaging an attorney well-versed in estate planning now instead of later.

As part of Education Month, the KBA awarded 18 scholarships to area teens who will be attending college this fall during the luncheon, which was catered by Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Judges at oratory competition include Shelley Elder

Shelley Elder served as a judge at the 80th annual High School U.S. Constitution Oratorical Scholarship Program competition at the American Legion post in Acworth Saturday, Feb. 11. The program seeks to instill deeper knowledge of the Constitution and to develop leadership qualities in its competitors and winners receive cash awards. “This event was truly outstanding, the teens were knowledgeable about the Constitution and argued their points well,” said Ms. Elder.

The winners at the Acworth post competition were:

1. Kaylee Dodson, 10th Grade, Home School, Fayetteville, Ga.

2. Meredith Johns, 11th Grade, Kennesaw Mountain High School, Kennesaw, Ga.

3. Brannon Anthony, 12th Grade, Dunwoody High School, Dunwoody, Ga.

4. Joshua Gordon, 11th Grade, Arabia Mountain High School, Lithonia, Ga. (through the DeKalb Youth Leadership Academy)

Students delivered two speeches, a prepared oration focusing on one of the seven articles of the Constitution or any of its 27 amendments and a 3- to 5-minute oration on one of four assigned topics, which can be made up of any parts of the Constitution. The program has been active nationally since 1938. At the national competition level, the winner is awarded an $18,000 college scholarship. The second-place winner receives $16,000 and the third, $14,000. 

Elder speaks at third Acworth women’s network luncheon

As the featured speaker at the third monthly meeting of the new Acworth Women’s Network, Attorney Shelley Elder focused on the critical importance of mentors. She shared her experiences with a crowd of more than 40 professional women of the Acworth area at a luncheon at the Dogwood Terrace March 16.  

­Ms. Elder encouraged the businesswomen to give back, to pass on what they had learned. “I owe the community a great deal and I get involved wherever I can,” she said. “You need to step up. What can you do to a help a young person in the community?”

Ms. Elder’s law firm specializes in estate planning and probate and is located in Kennesaw, Ga.

Women shared their experiences with mentors and how those moments affected their lives and careers at their tables as part of the event. The Acworth Women’s Network is part of the Acworth Business Association whose president, Danielle Hildebrand, along with local businesswoman Kelly Wilson formed the women’s group in 2016. The next luncheon will be held at Fusco’s in April on the third Thursday. You can sign up at acworthbusiness.org to attend.