Path To Shine

We had a great day down in Fayetteville connecting with Path to Shine families and giving out books and book bags. The Fayetteville PTS starts back in early September.

⛳ Happy Friday!

Got plans for Saturday, October 24? Now you do!

Join us for Swing for PTS at Topgolf—a fun morning of golf, food, friendly competition, and community, all while supporting Path to Shine's mentoring programs for elementary school students.

Whether you're a golfer or just there for the fun, you'll be making a difference.

🎟️ Grab your tickets today before bays fill up!

Scan the QR code or visit pathtoshine.org to buy your tickets!

One caring adult can change a child's future.

Path to Shine is currently recruiting volunteer mentors for the upcoming school year. We are looking for caring adults and high school students who can volunteer weekly mentoring elementary school students. Each program meets one-day per week after school.

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give a child is simply showing up.

While we focus on reading, academic support, and personal connection, we have a lot of fun, too! Plus you'll be joining a group of amazing existing mentors, who are more than welcoming of new mentors!

Sign up for Path to Shine training at https://pathtoshine.org/training/

Email [email protected] for more information.

Throwback Thursday! We're looking back at last year's Swing for PTS Topgolf fundraiser. This amazing event brought together supporters of Path to Shine and new friends to raise funds for Path to Shine's mentoring programs.

We had a great turnout which included all auction items being purchased. The event raised just under $20,000!

We are excited to bring Swing for PTS back on Saturday, October 24th from 9am - 12pm. We'd love to see you there!

You can buy a bay or ticket at https://pathtoshine.networkforgood.com/events/102336-2026-swing-for-pts

All ages are welcome!

Photo credit: Nancy Jo McDaniel

Every child deserves someone in their corner.

Become a Path to Shine mentor and help an elementary school student discover the joy of reading, gain confidence, and reach their full potential. Path to Shine is looking for caring adults to mentor elementary school students this school year. Join an upcoming volunteer training and discover how you can help a child build confidence, strengthen reading skills, and dream big.

No teaching experience is required—just a caring heart and a willingness to show up.

Join one of our upcoming volunteer trainings!

Upcoming Training Dates:

Tues 8/4 2:30pm
Wed 8/5 10am
Thu 8/6 5pm
Tues 9/1 2:30pm

Sign up at https://pathtoshine.org/training/

Trainings are via Zoom and 2 hours.

"Summer slide." Sounds fun but actually refers to loss of reading progress in elementary school students over the summer.

Reading is built into the core of Path to Shine. We believe that instilling a joy of reading in our students is a way to combat summer slide.

Path to Shine programs provide 3 new books at the end of the school year to each student. Programs also make their extra used books available to students.

Your support makes it possible for us to buy books that match the interest of the students and reading levels.

The Dog Man series by Dave Pilkey continues to be the most popular among our students. Graphic novels continue to appeal to a wide range of students at all reading levels.

Thank you for your support!

Just 2.5 hours a week can make a lasting difference in a child's life. Path to Shine is seeking caring volunteers to mentor and encourage elementary school students through literacy, homework help, and positive relationships.

Our next training sessions will be held on:

Tues 8/4 2:30pm
Wed 8/5 10am
Thu 8/6 5pm
Tues 9/1 2:30pm

Visit https://pathtoshine.org/training/ to sign up

No teaching experience is required—we provide the training, curriculum, and support you need to succeed.

Join a community of volunteers helping children build confidence, strengthen reading skills, and discover their potential.

The Path to Shine Art Contest made a triumphant return this year! All 7 programs participated, which meant over 80 students created wonderful works of art!

The programs forwarded their favorites to PTS HQ, where a 3-person panel of judges chose their favorites.

3 winners were selected and 2 for honorable mention. 8 additional works were chosen for notecards.

Kiare, known as Kiki, is pictured with her framed artwork presented by Path to Shine Executive Director Chris Ferguson.

Click on the pictures below to get a better view of the cards.

Winners:
Brittany G.A. - Norcross, 5th grade
Kiare G.- Fayetteville, 1st grade
Gianna - Roswell, 3rd grade

Honorable Mention:
Thelma T. - Columbus, Kindergarten
Deonte R. - Roswell, Kindergarten

Notecard Additions:
Natalia L. - Canton
Lupita - Roswell
Yaleyla - Fayetteville
Sofia - Norcross
Zulay- Norton Park
Melanie - Norton Park
Daniel - Norton Park
Jailene- Canton

Here's how you can get a set of notecards (choose 1):

Sign up as a Monthly Donor at any amount by June 30, 2026
-You can do this via Bill Pay at your bank or online at Path to Shine's donation link (pathtoshine.org/donate)

Donate at least $25 by check or online by June 30, 2026
-Email [email protected] or include a note that you would like the notecards

Each set will contain at least 10 folded notecards with envelopes. The cards are blank inside.

Donations can be mailed to:
Path to Shine
2160 Cooper Lake Rd Se
Smyrna, GA 30080

Thanks for your support!

Path to Shine served 94 students across 7 programs this school year — and 85 of them crossed the finish line with us. Every one of those children showed up, worked hard, and persevered. We're so proud of all of our mentees.