CANTON, Ga. -- Hickory Flat Elementary School recently received a special donation from Northside Hospital-Cherokee.

The hospital awarded the school with money to support its Math Superstar and Accelerated Reader student achievement programs. These programs give awards and prizes to high-achieving students.

Northside also provided the school with supplies for its clinic.

CANTON, Ga. -- An artistic senior at Canton's Sequoyah High School showed her appreciation for her school in a big way.

Ginger Odom spent part of her summer break painting a mural on the sides of two 40-foot athletic storage containers that are kept near the football/soccer practice field.

"Having completed several art courses, I offered to use my skills to complete this task," Ginger said. "This service project has been an excellent way for me to expand my skills, produce a useful piece of artwork, give back to my school and help me in my future goals of creating products that benefit the public."

Ginger is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society and a pole vaulter on Sequoyah's track and field team. This year, she is also participating in the school's chapter of the National Art Honor Society and plans to engage in other service projects that will allow her to use art to benefit the community.

ATLANTA -- Can you believe it’s just a few short weeks before the school bus will be rounding the block again?

Act Together Ministries needs your help to collect school supplies for children in need in five north metro counties: Forsyth, N Fulton, Cobb, Cherokee, and Gwinnett. With your help, we will set up our 4th annual school supply “store” that allows children the opportunity to shop for their own school supplies. The children love picking out their favorite color backpack, selecting pencils with a preferred cartoon character, and getting the exact items listed on their school supply list. Parents in our program contribute $5 toward the event so that they have the honor of taking ownership. No one wants to wait in a hand out line and be labeled “Needy.” In addition to receiving school supplies, the children get haircuts, medical/dental screening, lunch, and enjoy crafts, games and other fun activities.