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Heroes, Saints & Legends Awards and Gala
The Foundation of Wesley Woods will host the 36th annual Heroes, Saints & Legends Gala on September 18, 2025, at Flourish by Legendary Events in Buckhead. The esteemed event and award ceremony draws over 400 guests annually to honor and pay tribute to notable Georgians who have enriched Atlanta's community through a lifetime of commitment to leadership, service, and philanthropy.
The 2025 honorees are:
Doug Hooker, the retired Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission and current Special Professor of Practice at Georgia State University's Urban Studies Institute, and Board Chair of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, among others.
Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker, the City Attorney for Atlanta and former County Attorney for Fulton County, and administrative partner at Johnson & Freeman, LLC. A trailblazer in the legal community, she was the first person of color elected President of the State Bar of Georgia.
Nancy Gordy Simms, chairman of the board and retired Chief Executive Officer of The Varsity Restaurants, Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame inductee and emeritus member of the Reinhardt University Board of Trustees.
Since its debut in 1990, the Gala has celebrated 118 exemplary leaders and raised more than $8.7 million for the Foundation of Wesley Woods. These vital funds provide essential resources for over 1800 older adults living in Wesley Woods residential communities across North Georgia, enhancing their lives through charitable care, pastoral care, and innovative wellness programming.
Diane Vaughan, president of the Foundation for Wesley Woods, praised the distinguished trio for their expansive careers in Atlanta's public and private sectors. “Patrise Hooker's outstanding service to our city and the legal profession, along with Doug's impactful work in urban development and public policy, and Nancy Simm's enduring legacy in hospitality truly embody the ideals we celebrate each year,” said Vaughan.
Phil Jacobs will assume a dual role as the 2025 Gala Chair and past honoree. Hosted by Emcee Monica Pearson, the evening promises an elegant welcome reception, dinner, musical entertainment, and performances, culminating in a heartfelt awards ceremony featuring videos and lively remarks with each honoree.
Corporate sponsorships and individual tickets for the 2025 Gala are available now. We invite you to join us for the Heroes, Saints & Legends on Thursday, September 18, at Flourish by Legendary Events, located at 3143 Maple Drive, Atlanta, GA. For more information about sponsorship, the 2025 honorees, and the Gala, please visit www.wesleywoods.org/heroes.
About Wesley Woods Senior Living:
Imagined in 1954 by innovative leaders of the United Methodist Church and the greater Atlanta community, Wesley Woods is a mission-driven non-profit creating communities of connection, well-being, and promise for older adults. With ten senior living communities throughout North Georgia, we provide a range of care levels, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
The Foundation of Wesley Woods serves as the connection point between the generosity of community supporters and the practical, life-changing work of Wesley Woods. Donor support helps us achieve our mission by providing robust wellness programming, a compassionate pastoral care program, and charitable financial assistance for housing and meals, all of which enable residents to live independently longer, delaying or eliminating the need for them to move to higher, more restrictive, and more expensive levels of care.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3132702-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3132702-2
