What is AutismWish?

We are a mom and pop (run from our home) that make a big impact for the autism community by providing resources (grants, education, and advocacy) to the community on autism. Our monthly grant provides autistic individuals with sensory items from their wishlist to help manage sensory overload. We also host the top 1.5% globally ranked out of over 3 million podcast "Embracing Autism," which has had guests like stars from the hit TV show "Love on the Spectrum," where we give parents advice on parenting autistic children. We are currently primarily self-funded and always seeking sponsors to help us continue to provide these resources. We are also neurodivergent-run as I'm diagnosed autistic myself and a parent to autistic children. Autism acceptance and support is our goal.

How can I get involved with AutismWish?

We would benefit the most from cash donations, which would help us to continue providing our sensory grants as well as keep our servers running. We also accept donations of Valentines Day cards, stickers, noise reduction earmuffs, pink envelopes and more to support our other initiatives such as our Valentines Card Club which we mail cards to autistic kiddos who are often rejected by their peers, and we provide noise reduction earmuffs for the 4th of July fireworks among other initiatives. 

Where can I find more information?

On the WEBSITE or FACEBOOK PAGE or INSTAGRAM or YOUTUBE

Is there anything better than a hot, fresh donut? NO WAY! That's why Diesel Donuts in the Jefferson square or Commerce is one of the best-of-the-best! Delicious, creative donut options (plus your traditional favorites) and some hot coffee- nothing better for a cold morning! My FAVORITE is the Key Lime (or Red Velvet!), but of course my kids love the traditional chocolate covered with sprinkles. They are made fresh, in-house, and are SO much better than the chain! Plus Breakfast Sandwiches!

For more information about Diesel Donuts, check them out:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DieselDonutsJeffersonGa
Address: 48 E Public Square, Jefferson OR 1728 North Broad Street, Commerce
Phone: (706) 367-0001

Add this to your next date night spot, girls night spot, guys night spot, or just "had a bad day and need to decompress" spot! It's All the Rage is Northeast Georgia's FIRST Rage Room, and they just opened their SECOND JaxCo location! One in Jefferson off Washington Street, and the other in Commerce at Tanger!

If you've never been to a rage room before (I hadn't!), it's basically a spot where you BREAK STUFF! Safely, of course! But you pick out the items you want to smash, don the protective gear, and head into the room where you can smash and destroy all of the items you picked. And then they clean up after you... whoah!

I'm not someone who typically breaks things, and yet, I had a BLAST breaking plates and glasses, and destroying a keyboard with a bat! It's a fun, carefree outing. I'd highly recommend!

Address: Jefferson @ 1203 Washington Street; Commerce @ Tanger Outlets Suite 103/104
Website: https://www.itsalltherage.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsAllTheRAGEGA

What is Kiwanis Club of Jefferson?

Kiwanis empowers communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children. Kiwanis strives to be a positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive. Our Kiwanis club fulfills the Kiwanis mission by serving our community through Kiwanis Community Service Projects.

Service is at the heart of every Kiwanis club, no matter where in the world it’s located. Members stage approximately 150,000 service projects and raise nearly US$100 million every year for communities, families and projects. By working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone.

Our Kiwanis club focuses on changing the world by serving children, one child in our community at a time. To reach more people and have a greater service impact on their communities, many clubs sponsor a Kiwanis family club — K-Kids for primary school children; Builders Clubs for adolescents; Key Clubs for teens; Circle K clubs for university students and Aktion Clubs for adults living with disabilities.

How can I get involved with Kiwanis Club of Jefferson?

Primarily, monetary donations & volunteer service. Money helps us purchase the 2000 books we will provide to students in four separate elementary schools and helps us support our Key Clubs at Jackson County High School and K-Kids Clubs at Gum Springs and Heroes Elementary Schools. We have a 5K in the fall, and we man a fireworks booth in front of B&T’s Food Fresh Market for the Fourth of July and New Year’s. We conduct food drives for the Food Bank at First Baptist Church twice each year, and we pick up trash on Jett Roberts Rd.

To learn more, visit one of the meetings, held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at noon at Cream & Shuga in Jefferson.

Where can I find more information?

On the WEBSITE or FACEBOOK page!

The results are in from March 2025 real estate market in Jackson County! Take a listen in on what I'm seeing (and the data shows) in our current spring market & what you can expect if you're selling a home this spring/summer!

What is RADON and Why Should I Care?

What is Jackson County Family Connection?

Jackson County Family Connection is a collaborative organization that links businesses, agencies, and citizens together for the betterment of children and families in Jackson County.

Jackson County Family Connection is a community based partnership of public and private leaders, agencies and organizations, businesses, local government, the faith community, families, and youth. The partnership provides as opportunity for organizations to work together to improve the lives of citizens in Jackson County through collaboration.

Jackson County Family Connection is not a service provider; rather, it is a formal process of collaboration, promoting results-focused planning and local decision making. 

How can I get involved with Jackson County Family Connection?

Mainly through DONATIONS to Warm Hands Warm Hearts on our website (https://www.jcfamilyconnection.com/donate)

Where can I find more information?

On the WEBSITE primarily or FACEBOOK! And check out the FAMILY RESOURCE DIRECTORY, too!

One of my favorite memories growing up was a summertime visit to the blueberry farm to pick fresh blueberries. It's something that has stuck with me into my adult life, and it's an experience I want my children to take with them, too! And while the blueberries on on their way over at O5 Farms (you'll hear about them this summer!), it is STRAWBERRY TIME at Merk Farms! Which is just as priceless (and delicious!) of a memory.

Merk Farms is a locally owned & operated, generations-old farm located near Dry Pond Road in Commerce (but really Jefferson). They are the SWEETEST family of farmers, just as precious as they come, and their passion for farming shines through.

NOW is the time for U-Pick strawberries! And their fields are FULL of the most delicious looking & smelling strawberries you can imagine! I took a weekday trip to collect strawberries for my Easter strawberry shortcake, and those berries did not disappoint! Big, beautiful, sweet berries prime for picking.

On the weekends, they also offer hayrides and ICE CREAM (I'll be back for that!) and other activities. And they're hosting a Berry Sweet Festival May 10th & 11th!

And take a peek below to see my write-up of their fall maze, another family-favorite memory for our family!

Seriously- you won't regret the experience or the delicious berries of farm-fresh strawberry picking.

Address: 233 Mitchell Road, Commerce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerkFarmsGa

Sometimes, the BEST places are the most unsuspecting from the outside. And Linda's Kitchen fits that bill to a T! Attached to a gas station on the "rural" side of Jefferson, you wouldn't think much of it passing by... unless you saw the drive-thru line to the street! And that's pretty commonplace!

Linda's Kitchen is only open select hours/days, and only offers breakfast foods. But they are homemade, fresh, and straight from your grandma's kitchen! Basically, you can add whatever you want to a biscuit, have some eggs or hash browns, and grab a coffee or sweet tea and be on your way! My favorite is a traditional sausage biscuit with hash browns and a sweet tea! YUM!

If you haven't stopped by Linda's for a breakfast biscuit yet, you're definitely missing out!

For more information on Linda's Kitchen:
Phone: 706-367-9387
Address: 1402 Jackson Trail Road, Jefferson

Check out the video HERE!

What is Winning Warriors Foundation?

Winning Warriors Day Camp began in 2019 and is an all-volunteer effort to put on a camp for children from the Jackson County community who have endured some form of significant trauma, including being in the Foster system, the loss of a parent or sibling, having an actively deployed military parent, or suffering a severe burn injury.  Our 3-day camp allows these children to have fun and heal emotionally while forming life-long bonds with peers of similar life-experience in an adventure filled setting put on by volunteers who are positive role models.

How can I get involved with Winning Warriors?

VOLUNTEERS are needed for camp June 2-4th:

✅ Meal Sponsors – Help provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks for our campers & volunteers.

✅ Volunteers – We need helpers for activities like fishing, kayaking, games, arts & crafts, and more!

Where can I find more information?

Visit the WEBSITE for details! To volunteer your time or meals, e-mail: ldeese@cityofjeffersonga.com or sstaton@cityofjeffersonga.com