Dr. Tarah Hadley, executive director of Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort  (AWARE) in Lithonia, took some time to answer a few questions from Patch about the organization's wishes, successes and how people can help going forward: Does AWARE have a special 'holiday wish' this year -- a need you'd like taken care of before the start of 2013? We could use floor tiles (12 x 12 inches, white or beige) or an efficiency stove/oven to replace our rusted one. Approximately how many animals have been helped by AWARE's programs and services in 2012? We will take in about 1,300 animals in 2012. Is there …

Chris Brand, president, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, known as FODAC, took some time to share information about the organization -- its needs, favorite moments of 2012 and how people can help long-term: Does FODAC have a special 'holiday wish' this year -- a need you'd like taken care of before the start of 2013? There are so many children who are dealing with disabilities yet don’t have the resources for proper equipment or home modifications. These are children who may only have a wheelchair at school, so at home they have no independence or ability to play, or they may have even…

Emily Pelton, executive director of Refugee Family Services in Stone Mountain, recently shared some holiday wishes, upcoming milestones and ways people can help the organization with Patch: Does Refugee Family Services have a special 'holiday wish' this year -- a need you'd like taken care of before the start of 2013? In addition to our daily work with clients, we often host community meetings and other resource days for the refugee communities we serve and our partner organizations at our offices in Stone Mountain. Many of these meetings include food or light refreshments, which means that …

Susan Leisure, executive director of Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends in Stone Mountain city, answered five questions from Patch about the organization - including what's on its holiday wish list and its ongoing needs: Does AARF have a special 'holiday wish' this year -- a need you'd like taken care of before the start of 2013? We have some ongoing renovation projects that might take longer than the end of the year, but our two primary "holiday wishes" for our facility are: 1) to finish our dog adoption room, and 2) to renovate our cat adoption room. For the dog adoption room, we still need to …

Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse in the city of Stone Mountain describes itself on its website as "a bridge of support for a person with brain injury to transition from medical patient to contributing community member." It provides rehabilitation and support for people who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI), offering a safe and helpful environment. Learn more about Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse here. Patch asked Side by Side's executive director, Cindi Johnson, five questions about the organization - including its needs and how people can help: Does Side by Side Brain Injury …