By JEFF HARRISON jharrison@statesboroherald.com

Among the thousands of Georgia Southern University students donning caps and gowns [...]]]> Matthew Chambers graduates from Georgia Southern, helps fund Hearts and Hands Clinic

A cancer survivor who helped a Statesboro health clinic raise more than $5,000, Matthew Chambers will graduate today from Georgia Southern University.

By JEFF HARRISON jharrison@statesboroherald.com

Among the thousands of Georgia Southern University students donning caps and gowns for commencement today is a young man who doctors claimed would never live the moment.
Despite a prognosis that Matthew Chambers would not experience even a first day of school, let alone his last, the Georgia Southern senior is concluding an undergraduate education and currently striving to help others overcome long odds of their own.
Chambers, approximately 20 years after being diagnosed with leukemia, is dedicating time, effort and money to benefit Statesboro’s Hearts and Hands Clinic.
The Atlanta-native, who will begin working towards a Master’s Degree in the fall, helped raise more than $5,000 since January for the non-profit clinic that provides free health care to Bulloch County’s uninsured.
A desire to benefit the clinic originated as a result of Chambers’ early childhood experiences.
“When I was about 2 years old, I was severely sick and doctors said it would be a miracle if I lived past the age of 5e,” he said.
But when Shriners Hospitals for Children learned of the situation, “they pretty much took over all of my medical bills and saved my life.”
With the assistance of the non-profit Shriners Hospital, Chambers was proclaimed cancer-free when 5 years old.
“When I heard about [Hearts and Hands] through my applied business management course, and had the opportunity to raise money for the clinic, I took it as a chance to give back,” he said. “I knew I would never be able to repay anybody for saving my life, but this provided an opportunity to grow as a person and help the community.”
Since the beginning of Georgia Southern’s spring semester, Chambers, through the university’s ‘Students in Free Enterprise’ program, worked to raise awareness and $5,175 for Hearts and Hands through various community and on-campus events.
“I was the CEO of a project called Project Five Stacks, which originated from our applied business management course,” he said. “I was the group leader of 14 individuals who worked throughout the semester to market and raise awareness for the clinic.”
According to Chambers, the student group partnered with Statesboro eatery 119 Chops for an event in which 10 percent of the restaurant’s single night earnings were donated to the clinic. The night drew one of the restaurant’s largest crowds ever – which included Congressman John Barrow – and collected about $1,700 for the hospital, he said.
The students also hosted a benefit concert that included various local acts, organized a carnation sell for Valentines Day, and continually sell bracelets at Gray’s College Bookstore.
The contributions made by Chambers and his classmates are invaluable to the hospital, said DeWayne Grice, president of the Board of Directors for the Hearts and Hands Clinic.
“The students raised awareness and significant, critical dollars for us throughout the community,” he said. “All of the funds they have raised will go toward providing healthcare needs to people in our community. Our estimation is that it costs us about $100 to $150 to take care of a patient, so the gift they have provided to us can help serve an additional 50 patients. It is a tremendous gift.”
Chambers said he would like to raise $60,000 through multiple projects before completing school in two years. 
“We will definitely continue to raise money over the next couple of years,” he said. “This is my way of showing thanks. It is an amazing thing for the community and I know how important it is because I have seen its impact. I feel blessed to be a part of the clinic and able to raise funds that help it succeed.”
“Matthew’s story is really amazing,” said Grice. “It is so heart-warming to have a kid that has been through what he has, to want to give back like he has. He has touched all of us at the clinic and become really special to us.”

No matter what school you attend – you can book Lori to take your prom pictures.  YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE THE SCHOOL PHOTOGRPAHERS! Packages begin at $39 (In studio – $50 on location.  If you book your senior portraits with Lori – she will credit back your total package cost [...]]]>

No matter what school you attend – you can book Lori to take your prom pictures.  YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE THE SCHOOL PHOTOGRPAHERS! Packages begin at $39 (In studio – $50 on location.  If you book your senior portraits with Lori – she will credit back your total package cost – toward your Senior Portraits – so your PROM PICTS are FREE!

The only thing better than having Lori Grice personally taking your prom pictures – is getting Lori Grice to do them for FREE!  Spread the word!

Contact Lori at info@lorigrice.com or call 912-764-7274 to book your prom packages now!

No matter what school you attend – you can book Lori to take your prom pictures.  YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE THE SCHOOL PHOTOGRPAHERS!  Packages begin at $50.  If you book your senior portraits with Lori – she will credit back your total package cost – toward your Senior Portraits – [...]]]>

No matter what school you attend – you can book Lori to take your prom pictures.  YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO USE THE SCHOOL PHOTOGRPAHERS!  Packages begin at $50.  If you book your senior portraits with Lori – she will credit back your total package cost – toward your Senior Portraits – so your PROM PICTS are FREE!

The only thing better than having Lori Grice personally taking your prom pictures – is getting Lori Grice to do them for FREE!  Spread the word!

Contact Lori at info@lorigrice.com or call 912-764-7274 to book your prom packages now!

This year, it seems, we are getting more calls from seniors and parents [...]]]> Mallory recently graduated from SHS.  She was not pleased with the ORDINARY school pictures – so she gave me a shot at creating some EXTRODINARY ones for her.  I think you will agree – she made the right choice!

This year, it seems, we are getting more calls from seniors and parents about their dissatisfaction with the school photographers.  They are lured in to getting ordinary portraits, because they think they are “required” to use the school photographer.  At many schools, the school photographers contract FORCES you to use them for your year book formal picture.  However, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE ANY ADDITIONAL IMAGES from them.  Why blow your budget on pictures that look like everyone else’s – when you can experience the Lori Grice difference?

With Senior packages beginning at ONLY $400 (which include a design and clothing consultation, a minimum ONE HOUR SESSION with me (LORI GRICE), and $300 portrait credit to use for purchases of any size portraits you would like from wallets to walls.

There is one catch – I limit the number of senior sessions, so I can spend the time I need, to help create some of the most important portraits of your life – as uniquely different and creative as you are!  If you are serious about having the most incredible Senior portraits possible this year – you MUST call 912-764-7274 now and get on the list!

Keep watching for AWESOME Senior sessions posted here of your friends and peers.  I am having a BLAST with the seniors this year!

Amanda comes from a family filled with very talented people.  Her sister and brother are both on the west coast [...]]]> Technorati Tags: Pinewood Christian Academy, Lori Grice, Senior Photography, Savannah, Statesboro, Savannah Senior Photographer, Statesboro Senior Photographer

Amanda comes from a family filled with very talented people.  Her sister and brother are both on the west coast – pursuing their dreams of acting and writing.  Both of them had better watch out – because little sister is going to make her mark also!  I think all of you will agree when you watch her breakout modeling portfolio video, A.K.A Senior Portraits.  I had a blast, photographing Amanda on locations in Savannah and Statesboro. 

Thanks Amanda for “experiencing the Lori Grice difference” and allowing me to photograph your senior portraits. 

These portraits are some of the most important portraits of your life.  Why settle for the ordinary – when you can get EXTRODINARY?  We still have a few senior sessions available for most schools.  Email info@lorigrice.com or call now at 912-764-7274 to get on the list.

We do limit the number of seniors from each school – to ensure your senior portraits will be as uniquely creative and different as you are!  If we did not limit them – then your portraits would look like everyone else’s!