Attorney Thomas Hollingworth, Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. recently presented $6,054 from the Athens firm to Piedmont Athens Regional’s Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support. The money was raised through donations at BBGA’s 16^th Annual Pig Pickin,’ held in September at The Farm at High Shoals.

Nearly 400 clients, lawyers, family, and friends attended the invitation-only event where the firm’s shareholders cooked and prepared a bar-b-cue dinner with all the fixin’s. The Pig Pickin’ was designed with the purpose of bringing the Athens community together while also raising funds to support the efforts of the Loran Smith Center.

Guests enjoyed picnic fare at the event and were treated to live music, games for the children, and could stroll the farm’s 400-acre property. A raffle drawing was held with all the proceeds going to the Loran Smith Center.

“We always look forward to our Annual Pig Pickin’ event because it not only gives us a chance to spend time and share a meal with our friends, families and clients, but it allows us to come together for a meaningful purpose,” said BBGA attorney Patrick Garrard. “The Loran Smith Cancer Center is a great refuge for cancer patients and their families, and the Athens community is so fortunate to have the Center as a resource. We are proud to support their efforts so that they can continue to support others.”

Cancer Support Services manager for the Loran Smith Center Joel R. Siebentritt said he’s grateful for BBGA’s partnership and for continually assisting the cancer support community.

“The people at BBGA understand that a cancer diagnosis can be devastating,” Siebentritt said. “Their consistent support ensures our programs are available at no cost to anyone affected by cancer, regardless of where they were diagnosed or treated.”

BBGA’s donation this year will pay for support groups, exercise classes, grief counseling, oncology massage, genetic counseling and other services that help a person manage cancer treatment more easily.