🌱 Volunteer For Homeless Count + Vacation Watch + Bell Memorial Park

Hello there, Alpharetta-Milton. I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today's issue includes updates on...

• Volunteers needed for homeless count
• Alpharetta vacation watch service
• How Bell Memorial Park got its name

But first, today's weather:

Today will be cooler with periods of rain. The high will be 50 with a low of 45.

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Here are the top stories in Alpharetta-Milton today:

1. Fulton County needs volunteers from our area to assist in the annual federal mandated Homeless Point in Time Count. The purpose of the count is to determine how many homeless people are in our area, and help develop plans to provide services for them. The count will take place on Jan. 23-27, and volunteers will be accompanied by staff members plus public safety officers. There will be training provided. If you're interested in helping out, you need to sign up by Dec. 20. (City of Alpharetta)
2. Alpharetta residents who are traveling over the holidays are encouraged to take advantage of a free service to help keep your homes safe. You can request a vacation watch by the Alpharetta police, and they will periodically stop by your home while you're gone. You will be notified of any issues. Signup at https://alpharetta.policetocitizen.com/SecurityWatch (City of Alpharetta)
3. Do you know how Bell Memorial Park in Milton got its name? It's named after John Bell, who worked at Hopewell Elementary School (now closed) for 24 years. While he worked at the school, he lived next door at a home on the corner of Hopewell and Thompson roads. After he passed away, at his request, his family donated five acres of land to expand the recreational space for children at the school. Later, his family sold additional adjacent land to Fulton County at below market rates, which increased the size of the park.(City of Milton)

Today in Alpharetta-Milton:

• KidStuf Christmas Show for Elementary School Families at North Point Community Church, 4350 North Point Pkwy in Alpharetta (10:15 AM)
• Avalon on Ice at 400 Avalon Blvd in Alpharetta (12:00 PM)
• Alpharetta Community Chorus Winter Concert “Music in the Air” at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street in Alpharetta (3:00 PM)
• Christmas Lights at North Point Community Church, 4350 North Point Pkwy in Alpharetta (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Alpharetta Fire Department Training Chief Tim Stowers is retiring after a 23 career. He started as a firefighter and was promoted to Training Chief, which he did for five years. His work has benefitted many first responders and the community. "Congratulations on a retirement well earned. " (Alpharetta Department of Public Safety via Facebook)
• A generous group of Alpharetta firefighters made a local family's holiday extra special. They worked with the North Metro Miracle League, which provides supportive programming for children, youth and adults with disabilities, to provide gifts for twin girls in our area. Thanks to the firefighters, the girls are being showered with dolls, and books, and art supplies! (Alpharetta Department of Public Safety via Facebook)
• Some nurses at nearby Emory Hospital in midtown Atlanta lost their jobs after posting a TikTok video making fun of patients. These Labor and Delivery nurses described their pet peeves when dealing with patients and their families in a 60 second video, which was watched over 100,000 times.It has been taken down and Emory made the following statement: “This video does not represent our commitment to patient- and family-centered care and falls short of the values and standards we expect every member of our team to hold and demonstrate,” the statement continues. “At no time should our patients ever feel they are not being treated with care and respect.” ( The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Claire Pearson Coaching — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Roswell Rotary to sponsor Job Fair December 12 (December 12)
• Halcyon Hosts Fourth Annual Ugly Christmas Bar Crawl with the Grinch (December 15)
• Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra - A Kids' Christmas (December 17)
• Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra - Christmas Pops! (December 17)
• Christmas Eve Carols Service at Influencers Church Alpharetta (December 24)
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Gigs & services:

• $200 Paid Research – Vapers & Smokers Needed (Details)
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Job listings:

• Medical Specialty Office seeking patient assistant (Details)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Gail Lafleche

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Alpharetta-Milton Daily? Contact me at Alpharetta@Patch.com