Hooray for Kids to Parks Day

Head to Hammond Park to enjoy a day of outdoor play at national Kids to Parks Day on May 16. The free festivities include a tug-of-war, potato sack races, waterslides and inflatables. Sponsored by National Park Trust, the event encourages residents to use local parks and recreation sites to develop more active, healthy lifestyles. Details: 705 Hammond Dr., registration.sandyspringsga.gov

READing Paws

Help your child develop confidence in their reading abilities with READing Paws at the Sandy Springs Branch Library. Therapy dogs Stella and Bentley patiently sit with students ages 5 and up and give them a listening ear. Parents can sign up for 15-minute sessions on Wednesday afternoons throughout the school year; registration required. Details: 395 Mt. Vernon Hwy NE., afpls.org/sandy-springs-branch6

City Springs Theatre Company

Aspiring young stars can go pro this May at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. During the City Springs Theatre Company’s run of “Sister Act,” they will be holding master classes in dance and vocal coaching for 6th graders to college students. The cost is $25 for students, $15 for observers. Details: 1 Galambos Way., citysprings.com/educational-programs

And the Good Citizen Award Goes To…

Kudos to Hayes Miller, a senior at Riverwood International Charter School, who received the 2019-20 Good Citizen Award from the Sandy Springs chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The honor is bestowed on a student who stands out in their school, home and community. As the local chapter winner, Hayes will advance toward a national scholarship. Details: sandysprings.georgiastatedar.org

Make a Splash at this Swim School

Make a splash at the new 9,200-square-foot Goldfish Swim School Sandy Springs. In 90-degree (aka shiver-free) pools with advanced water purification systems, children ages 4 months to 12 years old are taught to swim. Each of the facility’s skilled instructors receives lifeguard training and every class has a 4-to-1 teacher ratio. Details: 6335 Roswell Rd., goldfishswimschool.com

The Solidarity Food Pantry

The Solidarity Sandy Springs Food Pantry was created at the start of COVID-19 by Jennifer Barnes, Erin Olivier and Sonia Simon, who saw a desperate need to provide for food insecure families in their community. With generous donations of fresh produce, canned goods, hygiene products and even baby needs like diapers and formula, they have been able to serve 150 to 200 families a day since March. […]

Helping Communities Since 1987

The Community Assistance Center has been helping the communities of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs since 1987 and the COVID-19 pandemic has been no exception. Their dedicated team of volunteers has been hard at work providing everything from bill assistance, to groceries, to school supplies for the families hit hard by the outbreak. Details: 1130 Hightower Tr. ourcac.org

Salute to Sandy Springs

Food That Rocks hosted the week long Salute to Sandy Springs in early July to encourage support of local restaurants. For the week of July 4th, residents were encouraged to order and dine at their favorite local spots, then voted in a number of categories including best burger and best drink. Hearth Pizza Tavern took Best of Best with the most votes. Details: foodthatrocks.org

Back-to-School Drive-Thru

The 4th annual Back-to-School Drive(thru) hosted by Fulton County Schools helped students and parents prepare for the new school year. School may look a bit different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this contact-free drive- thru gave out 1,900 backpacks of school supplies to students in need at North Springs and Banneker High Schools. Details: fultonschools.org/backtoschool  

Brunch with Apron + Ladle

Sibling duo Nik Panagopoulos and Artie Antoniades bring a European flair to breakfast and lunch with Apron + Ladle. Crafted by chef Hoyt Williams, healthy creations like the Salad Niçoise—sesame crusted ahi tuna, green beans, potatoes and olives on a bed of butter lettuce drizzled with Niçoise dressing— have become instant favorites. Details: 227 Sandy Springs Pl. NE., Ste. 506., apronandladle.com