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Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach awards benefit Athens/UGA partnerships

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Students at UGA mini medical scholl camp practiced medical simulations on mannequis during Summer Academy at UGA, facilitated by the UGA Center for Continuing Educaiton & Hotel. The AU/UGA Medical Partnership used half of its funding from the Sahm Award during summer 2022 to pay for three tennagers to attend the summer camp on the medi school campus in Athens (Photo: Shannah Montgomery/ PSO)

This story was originally published on UGA’s Public Service & Outreach site on Feb. 23, 2023.

Five local projects were selected to receive a total of nearly $40,000 in awards from an endowment established by Athens native and UGA alumna Bobbi Meeler Sahm. The fund, held by the UGA Foundation, ultimately benefits Athens-Clarke County residents, university faculty and students focused on service and outreach into the community.

“This award is a visible and powerful representation of the bond between UGA and the Athens-Clarke County community,” said Jennifer Frum, vice president for UGA Public Service and Outreach. “I look forward to the many success stories that will emerge from these partnerships as a result of the generosity of Bobbi Sahm and with additional support President Morehead.”

The fund was established in 2021 by Sahm, who made a significant contribution to UGA Public Service and Outreach, to provide financial support for collaborations between the university and the Athens-Clarke County community. Inspired by the gift and the impact it will have on the local community, Morehead directed a $100,000 contribution to this fund using discretionary funds provided to him by the UGA Athletic Association.

The 2023 Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award recipients include:

  • UGA Office of Service-Learning Campus Kitchen on Wheels/Downtown Ministries: To expand and formalize a program providing hot meals and fresh vegetables to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity as well as underwrite a pilot program at ULEAD Athens.
  • UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education Speech and Hearing Clinic/Athens Area Parkinson’s Support Group: To allow speech-language pathology faculty and students to provide education and free screenings for participants in the Athens Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. Educational programs will be recorded for future use.
  • UGA Chapter of Habitat for Humanity/Athens Area Habitat for Humanity Ramp Project: To help low-income residents with mobility issues stay in their residences by building access ramps.
  • UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel Summer Academy Community Camp/Alps Road Elementary School: To expand the Summer Academy Program to reach underserved Athens-Clarke County youth by providing a camp for rising third- and fourth-graders to explore career pathways and build confidence in multiple academic areas.
  • UGA School of Social Work HEALTHYouth/Farm to Neighborhood: To build sustainable healthy eating habits in elementary and middle school youth by providing nutrition education that teaches hands-on skills along with healthy meal planning and budgeting tips.

A committee of representatives from UGA and the Athens-Clarke community selected award winners. Applications for the next round of funding will be accepted beginning fall of 2023.

To learn more about the award, go to https://outreach.uga.edu/awards/bobbi-meeler-sahm-service-and-outreach-award/