Circle of Friends Receives Gift of $500k+ to Expand

Circle of Friends was recently gifted a generous donation from a longtime friend and client of the Keen family in excess of $500,000. As part of her will, Mary Ann Crowe (1940-2022) of Alpharetta, Georgia left the organization this sizable gift to be used to further enhance the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the expansion of the team and programs that will directly impact this population. 

Founders, Glenn and Diane Keen, have mixed emotions as it relates to the generous gift, with Glenn stating, “My family has known Mary Ann for over 30 years, first as a client of my fathers in the 1980's, and then as a client of mine at Keen & Co. Getting to plan with her to do the things she wanted before she passed was eerie on one hand, but so encouraging on the other”.

Meanwhile, Diane says, “While seeing her last days was hard to accept, we're grateful for her heart and are thankful for how we got to walk hand-in-hand with her. She was such a joy in life, and her gifts are allowing others to experience the same”. Mary Ann was preceded by her late husband, Charles Crowe, a retired Delta pilot.

Similar gifts were given to other near and dear organizations, including Phi Mu, where Mary Ann was a member of the sorority for over 60 years. Angel Flight, a program served by volunteer pilots to the medically in-need community, was also another notable recipient, as the organization touched the family closely. Other sizable gifts included Emory/St. Joseph’s Hospital as well as Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Mary Ann could be found often at the golf course and tennis courts, as she was a year-round ALTA tennis player into her later years. Fitness was important to her all the way until the end, and through activities, much of her social life revolved around those she played with, especially with her “ladies" from Webb Bridge Park. 

To celebrate her legacy, a group of faithful volunteers, chaired by Gina Ulicny, have organized the first Mary Ann Crowe To Serve With Love Charity Tennis Fundraiser, benefiting Circle of Friends. The event will be held on Friday, September 8th at Cherokee Tennis Center in Woodstock, Georgia.  Head Pro, Cameron Leslie, is graciously assisting in the round-robin format with generous prizes to win. To further the fundraising efforts, teams are asked to raise money of their own as a gift to the organization. The fundraiser will be used to further the mission of Circle of Friends in the area of supportive attainable housing.  

Circle of Friends is a registered 501(c)(3) based out of Cherokee County Georgia and exists to help those with IDD, including Autism, flourish in community. This is accomplished by providing greater socialization opportunities, supported employment, and supportive attainable housing.

For questions or marketing inquiries, contact Nick Carberry, VP of Operations