First Night gets the drop on New Year’s Eve

While most of us are still recovering from the Thanksgiving feast and thinking about a gift list for Christmas, board members and staff at Jeremiah’s Place are making preparations for the First Night New Year’s Eve celebration. In fact, they’ve been making plans and getting ready for the big night since last summer.
“We usually start January second—that’s our MO,” said First Night co-chair Susan Bridgforth. “It’s always in our minds. But Tom [Salvicek, the other half of the team] and I formally met in June to talk about ideas.”
It’s no wonder so much planning goes into the event, since the fundraiser accounts for 30 percent of the budget for Jeremiah’s Place.
“Fundraising makes up half of our budget, and First Night is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Karen Shayne, Executive Director of the homeless transitional housing program. The rest comes from businesses and individual donations.
The program not only provides temporary shelter for homeless families, but education on how to achieve financial stability. And it works. Over the last two years, Shayne said, Jeremiah’s Place has an 87 percent success rate.
Bridgforth and Salvicek have been planning First Night since its first year, but they are not alone in their efforts. More people are added to the committee as the time for the event nears, Bridgforth said.
Carl Gibson, the facility’s assistant director; Scott Gray, Music Minister for Dahlonega Baptist Church, “…to get and entertainer’s point of view,” Bridgforth said; Jim Ehlers of the Dahlonega Car Club, which participates every year; and closer to the event, the churches that act as venues for different entertainment all take part.
“The churches provide a lot of our volunteers, and volunteers are the backbone of First Night,” Bridgforth said. “If it wasn’t for the volunteers First Night wouldn’t happen.”
This year more volunteers than usual are needed, as the event has expanded by several hours. It will now start at noon instead of 6 p.m.
“We need ticket takers, people to man the bouncy house—if you volunteer, we’ll find a way to put you to work,” Bridgforth said.
If you are interested in being a part of First Night, you can contact Jeremiah’s Place at 706-867-5404 or Bridgforth directly at 706-300-1603.
The committee’s co-chairs have also been “…more involved with the city this year, so we are meeting with Ariel Alexander with he Main Street Program to be sure we’re doing everything right,” Bridgforth said.
One reason for city involvement is a new feature of First Night--luminaries. “Light Dahlonega” luminaries will line the old Courthouse square.
“I have participated in events that showcased luminaries. It was such a beautiful display of hope. With the pain that has transpired over the last year, I felt it would be appropriate for First Night to have a moment of light to shine on tomorrow. Our plan is just before the ball drops to have a moment of reflection to think about the past and look forward to tomorrow. It just seems so fitting—a beautiful city shining a beautiful light of hope.” Shayne said.
A $5 donation allows you to create a luminary as a message of love, hope and awareness, or in honor or memory of someone. They will be available in advance throughout the town or can be purchased online, along with tickets, at dahlonegafirstnight.org.
This year’s musical line-up includes Bad Habits, Kurt Thomas, GA Musicale Group, Starr Phipps, James Ditty Band, NGA  Chamber Symphony, Gospel Trio Rejoice, Stu Batchelder, Just Jazz Group and Hometown Groove.
Shayne invites the community to join with neighbors and friends at this family friendly, alcohol-free and affordable event Dec. 31.
“First Night is a place to celebrate not just the New Years, but a place to celebrate each other,” she said. “It's an amazing event for Dahlonega and a great cause with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting homeless families through the efforts at Jeremiah's Place.”
To learn more about Jeremiah’s Place, visit lumpkincountyhomeless.org.