Annual Tour of Homes
Saturday, December 9, 2023 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
25th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes
Rockdale Emergency Relief (RER) would greatly appreciate your consideration for supporting our 25th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes. This special event is a great way to promote our wonderful community and find new ways to engage our neighbors while helping those in need. This is the primary fundraiser for RER, and your participation will have far-reaching results as our community outreach services are made possible by this tour. The tour will be held on December 9 from 3 pm-8 pm. Enjoy the tour at your own schedule during that time. The tour may take an hour and a half to two hours.
RER’s primary focus is to provide basic necessities for people within Rockdale County. We are able to reach thousands each year through our Food Bank, by providing clothing, and offering utility assistance and homelessness prevention opportunities to those in need during times of trouble. We have also run several programs for housing stabilization for the homeless and provided thousands of lunches to children in need during the summers in years past and even now during the school breaks. Our new Workforce Development efforts can mean more job opportunities for those who are trying to improve their lives. Additionally, December is our Emergency Stocking Fund event where we provide Christmas for over 150 children in need in conjunction with our 2 local Rotary clubs. Our registration process is finished as early as October each year as people are aware of our wonderful annual program for children! Every dollar of the proceeds from the Tour of Homes goes to help stabilize families and lift people out of poverty.
As the season of merriment approaches, we are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to the community and visitors for the 2023 Christmas Tour of Homes, a cherished event highlighting our town’s rich history and festive spirit. This year’s tour promises an enchanting experience beginning at the esteemed Conyers Presbyterian Church, a cornerstone of our heritage located at 911 North Main Street. Visitors may go through the tour as their schedule allows. The tour may take about one and a half to two hours.
On December 9th, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., visitors will have the unique opportunity to embark on a journey through time. The tour will commence at the Conyers Presbyterian Church, where lifelong resident Dr. John Fountain and his wife Carol will welcome guests along with other dedicated volunteers who are members of the church. They will share a look into the past before venturing to visit five beautifully adorned historic homes.
Home on the tour include:
The curated selection of homes includes Caroline Mills’ residence at 945 NW College Avenue, the charming abode of John and Glori Smith at 1085 NW Main Street, and Joy Riner’s lovingly remodeled home at 906 College Avenue, which boasts a fascinating history dating back to 1948.
Sylvia Cohen’s historic home at 1010 North Street NW, built circa 1880, holds tales of yesteryears, featuring original hardwood floors and a captivating widow’s roost. Additionally, Peggy Lanier and Tom Schmidt’s home at 891 College Avenue, formerly a Women’s College, stands as a testament to our community’s commitment to education, nestled on a historic 2.20-acre lot dating back to 1920.
The event not only celebrates our heritage but also extends a helping hand to those in need through support for Rockdale Emergency Relief. Funds raised from this year’s tour will aid in providing essential life necessities such as food, rent, and utility assistance, while also empowering individuals with financial counseling and employment preparation skills.
To be a part of this cherished tradition, you can support the 2023 Showcase by becoming a sponsor, donating to our auction, or purchasing tickets in advance for $25 each. Tickets are available at the Welcome Center in Olde Town or online at EventBrite.com. For additional information or group ticket sales, please contact JaNice Van Ness at 770-356-7301.
Join us in celebrating the convergence of history and the holiday spirit on this remarkable tour. Let’s come together to embrace our community’s heritage and extend goodwill to those in need during this joyous season.
Additionally, we are inviting local businesses to sponsor the event and reap some great advertising during the holiday season! We are marketing throughout the metro Atlanta area. Your sponsorship and year-end giving will help us meet our financial goals at Rockdale Emergency Relief, allowing us to serve more people. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact JaNice Van Ness at 770-356-7301 or janice@janicevanness.com
With thanks,
2023 Tour of Homes
Featuring Southern Hospitality
What is a Tour of Homes event?
It is a great opportunity to see the excitement people have for decorating and sharing
their love for the Christmas Season. You are invited into their beautifully decorated
homes. The generosity of each homeowner is because of their love for our community
and their desire to help families who are in need of basic essentials, like food and
housing support, through the good work of Rockdale Emergency Relief.
Where does the event start?
This year's tour promises an enchanting experience beginning at the esteemed Conyers
Presbyterian Church, a cornerstone of our heritage located at 911 North Main Street.
On December 9th, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., visitors will have the unique opportunity to
embark on a journey through time. The tour will commence at the Conyers Presbyterian
Church, where lifelong resident Dr. John Fountain and his wife Carol will welcome
guests along with other dedicated volunteers who are members of the church. You will
be able to buy additional tickets for your friends and receive a brochure listing all of the
homes and the schedule of events. You will then be directed to your first of 5 homes on
the Tour.
How much are tickets and where do the proceeds go?
All of our tour tickets are $25 and every penny goes towards the operation of Rockdale
Emergency Relief and the purchase of food and utility assistance. You are making a
difference in our community and we operate with very low administrative costs. Direct
services that help our clients is a top priority. Additional donations may be given on the
day of the event or online if you buy your tickets through Eventbrite.com or using the
Myrer.org website link.
What can I expect to do on the Tour?
This year, we have expanded the activities of the especially festive, small group tour.
Now, you will be able to visit the homes and enjoy some of themini-sessions related to
hosting and entertaining in your own home. Talented professionals will share their
secrets for making a great impression on your guests.
Is the Tour walkable?
Yes, the homes are grouped together on Main Street and College Avenue but limited
parking is available in the area. Lighting and signage will be at each stop of the tour to
easily recognize the the homes on the tour. We try to control the flow of traffic and start
people at different homes depending on the number of attendees so that you have the
best experience.
What is Southern Hospitality?
This is a successful addition to the Tour of Homes that we added 2 years ago. The TOH
event allows you to drop in and visit the homes during the tour hours. This allows you to
attend when it is convenient for you! You can tour each home and meet the
homeowners as well as find some new ideas to incorporate into your holiday decor and
entertainment. We are adding some tips and mini-sessions that will share ideas for the
holidays such as charcuterie board assembly, floral designs that you can do at home,
signature cocktails, and decor trends.
How much are the tickets?
Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com on our
Rockdale Emergency website link or at the door. as well as at the Welcome Center
in Olde Town from 8-5 Monday-Friday. Additional donations for RER are always
welcome! You can choose to attend the December 9 Candlelight Tour from 3-8 p.m.
Parking and ticket check-in will be in Olde Town and ticket purchasers will be given the
starting point location. Group sales are available by calling JaNice Van Ness at
770-356-7301. Tickets will also be available at Conyers Presbyterian on the day of the
event from 3-6 pm and then from 6-7:30 p.m. at 945 College Avenue, the home of
Caroline Mills. All proceeds will go directly to the programs at Rockdale Emergency
Relief to benefit people in our community.
How can I find out more about Rockdale Emergency Relief?
Sandra Jackson-Lett is our Executive Director and can be reached at
Rerinfo350@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about RER or helping.
Volunteers are needed to help with processing at the food bank, administrative tasks,
assisting with fundraising events, the Empty Stocking Fund Christmas program, and
picking up local donations from our partner stores. Learn more by visiting our website at
Myrer.org. The office number is 770-922-0165. All proceeds from the event and any
additional donations go towards the Rockdale Emergency Relief food bank and rent and
utility assistance program.
Who organizes the Tour?
A volunteer committee of Rockdale Emergency Relief board members and community
members who support the mission of RER and want to promote the goals of financial
stability for our neighbors in need so that they can also afford to live, work, and play in
our beautiful community. The homeowners generously volunteer each year to welcome
guests and share their homes. We do accept volunteer applications until December 1
for those who would like to help with the tour. This years committee includes Gail
Cason, Alexia Derizzio, June Hyde, Caroline Mills, JaNice Van Ness, and Cheryl Young.
Email jaNice@jaNicevanNess.com for more information.
Business Partners that support the Tour of Homes
Businesses are invited to sponsor the Tour and make their end-of-year contributions to
the event. RER is a registered 501c3 organization that is funded through private
donations, churches, and businesses that believe in helping our neighbors in need. We
do partner with the Atlanta Food Bank, United Way, and the Salvation Army to help
families. Sponsorship during the event offers beneficial advertising opportunities. You
can find out more about RER or email janice@janicevanness.com online. Your support
of the vital work that RER does is appreciated.
If you have more questions, please call JaNice Van Ness at 770-356-7301 or Sandra
Jackson-Lett at 770-922-0165.
JaNice Van Ness
Tour of Homes Event Chair
Gail Cason
Committee Member
June Hyde
Committee Member
Caroline Mills
Committee Member
Alexia DeRizzio
Committee Member
Cheryl Young
Committee Member
Rockdale County Emergency Relief Fund, Inc. (RER)
350 Tall Oaks Dr SE
Conyers, Georgia 30013
rerinfo350@gmail.com
(770) 922-0165
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