Newton Citizen

Doug Bolton gave a short and humble acceptance speech, saying that many volunteers work behind the scenes but only a few are recognized.

COVINGTON -- Doug Bolton is the latest community member to be recognized for his big heart.

Bolton is the recipient of the fourth annual Pat Patrick Big Heart Award, handed out by the Newton Fund, an organization that provides grants to local nonprofits and allows individuals and organizations to set up funds benefiting nonprofits of their choice. The award is named for Joseph "Pat" Patrick, the fund's founding chair.

Bolton's volunteer work includes service to Newton County Community Partnership, Rotary Club of Covington, Hands on Newton, Habitat for Humanity and the Miracle League of Newton County.

Bolton received a $2,000 check to give to a charity of his choice; he selected the Miracle League.

Patrick called Bolton's work "the very definition of community devotion, to empower people right where you meet them."

At the ceremony, which took place Monday evening at The Center Facilitating Community Preservation and Planning, the Newton Fund also awarded nearly $18,000 in grants to five local non-profits: Newton County Trail-Path Foundation; Project ReNeWal Domestic Violence Intervention Group; The Salvation Army; the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - St. Augustine Conference; and Washington Street Community Center.

Since 2000, the Newton Fund has awarded more than $260,000 to more than 50 local non-profits. Additionally, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and its donors has awarded an estimated $2.5 million to organizations in Newton.

Alicia Philipp, president of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, said approximately $73 million was distributed throughout 23 counties in 2011.

For more information about the organization, visit www.cfgreateratlanta.org.