Gwinnett voted, we tallied!
From every corner of the county, in 75 categories, here are our readers' choices for the Best of Gwinnett.
Do you know where to go to find the best - in every category - in Gwinnett? Our readers do! And they weren't shy about naming the people, places and businesses they love. This year, more than 50,000 readers voted, giving us their opinion about all the things they like best. Need information on the home front? Look no further for the best homebuilders, realtors, decorators and landscapers. Do you have children? Our readers rated the best activities for the entire family. Lovesick? Check out our list of best jewelers and hot spots for perfect proposals and weddings. If you need your teeth cleaned or a check up, we can tell you the doctors and dentists that made our readers smile. It's the 2007 Best of Gwinnett - our annual list of businesses and people getting rave reviews - so read on!
There's no place like home
 Did you know that Premiere magazine rated "There's no place like home," number 11 out of "The 100 greatest movie lines"?
What makes someone's home great is somewhat in the eye of the person in the ruby slippers. Here in Gwinnett, there are many folks waiting to help you create your dream home, the kind that makes you say, "There's no place like home."
Best Homebuilder
Whether you want a master on main, or you want a separate snore room because your spouse sounds like a freight train in the middle of the night, Gwinnettians have several picks when it comes to home builders. Bowen Family Homes, Brayson Homes, Winmark Homes and Richardson Housing Group are all making those dreams come true. Our readers also liked Richport Properties.
 Best Realtor
The right realtor can make all the difference in the world when buying or selling a home. After all, the move can be stressful enough - the closing process shouldn't be. When it's time to buy or sell your house, our readers recommend using Peggy Slappey Properties, Re/Max Five Star - Dawn P. Gober, RE/MAX Around Atlanta and Virtual Properties Realty - Jamie Mertz.
Best Interior Decorator
When Gwinnett wants pretty curtains and stylish rooms, they go to Angela Cain Interiors, Ambiance Interiors, Sikes & Davis Interiors and Home Accent Interiors. These designers are known for listening to their clients and creating unique, stylish rooms. From modern to contemporary, and everything in between, these designers have your abode covered.
Best Furniture Store
Once you've got that dream house
complete, where's the best place in Gwinnett to furnish it? Our readers
recommend Brownlee's Furniture, Havertys Furniture, Ikea, Rooms To Go, Pottery Barn and Patterson Furniture Company. Gwinnett residents give top marks to places where they can find quality furnishings at great prices.
 Best Apartment Community
When living in Gwinnett, there are many lifestyles to choose from including apartments, town homes and houses. The biggest advantage to the apartment lifestyle - it's maintenance free. Some top apartment choices in the area include The Reserve at Sugarloaf, Amli at Mill Creek, Century Pointe at Suwanee Station and Post Properties.
Best Home Services and Maintenance
Even the best maintained homes need the help of an expert every now and then. Our readers say they rely on Allgood Pest Solutions, Ace & A Heating and Air Conditioning, Unlimited Landscaping, Shumate Mechanical Services and Mister Sparky.
Best Neighborhood
There are many excellent neighborhoods in Gwinnett. Those topping the list this year include the Sugarloaf Country Club, Hamilton Mill, Chateau Elan, The River Club and
downtown Suwanee. These vote-gettting
neighborhoods are known for upscale amenities such as golf courses, pools, tennis courts, club houses and elegantly landscaped communities.
 Best Landscaping Firm
Several landscaping companies in Gwinnett have hands down created possible "Yard of the Year," contenders. This year Russell Landscape Group, Unlimited Landscaping, Georgian Landscape Design and Pike Family Nurseries were all top choices for lawn care needs. Clients say they continue to use these companies because they receive such great compliments on their lawns.
Workin' 9 to 5
Did you know the current labor force in Gwinnett is approaching 400,000? That's a lot of able working bodies. In our county, the median household income is $66,036, which is higher than both the state and national figures. At any rate, that's a lot of people working around the clock for those paychecks. Take a look at what Gwinnettians had to say about their work life.
Best Employer
The average person works at least 40 hours a week. If you're going to invest that much of your time working, you might as well love your job. Readers say some of the best companies to work for in Gwinnett are Hire Dynamics, Allgood Pest Solutions, Haines Gipson & Associates and Gwinnett County Public Schools.
 Best Business Address
Sugarloaf Parkway was voted the best business address in Gwinnett. With a central location to the county, easy access to the Chamber and all the great places to eat lunch - it's not hard to see why. Other top favorites include Suwanee Town Center Park and downtown Lawrenceville.
Best Office Park
When it comes to office parks, Gwinnett residents want to work in clean, safe and secure office locations. According to our readers, the best office parks include Technology Park, Sugarloaf Corporate Center, Magnolia Office Park and Sugarloaf Office Park at Huntcrest.
Best Accounting Firm
When it's time to do your taxes, you might want to check out Love & Associates CPAs, Hamilton Financial, Moore Stephens Tiller LLC and Rhodes, Young, Black & Duncan CPAs. All were highly recommended by our Gwinnett readers.
 Best Bank
Gwinnett enjoys banking with Bank of America, BB&T, The Brand Banking Company, First Bank of the South (Now United Community Bank) and Gwinnett Community Bank. These banks were all recognized by our readers for their
excellence in customer service.
Best Law Firm
Whether you're getting divorced, in trouble for wreckless driving or just looking to close a business deal, there are plenty of lawyers in Gwinnett to assist with legal advice. Many Gwinnett residents say they turn to Chandler Britt Jay & Beck LLC, Andersen, Tate & Carr P.C., Mahaffey Pickens Tucker LLP and Morris, Manning & Martin LLP when a legal bind is more than they can handle. Our readers also mentioned Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C. for all their work in the community.
Best Staffing Agency
Many employers in Gwinnett rely on staffing agencies to help them obtain quality employees. The best staffing agencies in Gwinnett, according to our readers, are Hire Dynamics, Randstad Staffing and Staffing Resources Inc.
 Best Customer Service
Who's the best of the best when it comes to putting customers first? If you ask Gwinnett residents, they recommend doing business with Hire Dynamics, Chick-fil-A, Allgood Pest Solutions, QuikTrip and Jackson EMC. You just can't beat good customer service!
Best Power Lunch
People to see and places to go! Sometimes you just have to work in a quick meeting over lunch. Top picks for a power lunch include California Dreaming, The 1818 Club, Aqua Terra Bistro, Lil' River Grill and Olde Towne Tavern. Our readers enjoy the ambiance these restaurants provide.
Best Place for a Business Meeting or Retreat
People in Gwinnett are always taking care of
business, and there are plenty of great places to do just that in our community. Top-rated business meeting spots include The 1818 Club, the Payne-Corley House, Chateau Elan, Gwinnett Center and the Emerald Pointe Hotel and Conference Center.
 Best Hotel
Gwinnettians work hard, and they deserve to rest well, too. The best places to stay in Gwinnett for business, or fun, are Chateau Elan, Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place, Emerald Pointe Hotel & Conference Center and Hilton Atlanta Northeast. These hotels are known for catering to their guests.
Best Facilities Maintenance and Service
When you want to keep your business pest free and running smoothly, it's best call in the pros. Our readers recommend Allgood Pest Solutions, Shumate Mechanical Services, Russell Landscaping Group Inc. and Munters Moisture Control Services.
Secrets in the sauce
Approximately 32 percent of working adults say their first job experience was in a restaurant, and about half of all adults have worked in a restaurant at some point in their lives, according to the National Restaurant Association. In Gwinnett, restaurants both provide employment and feed hungry bellies. One thing is for sure, Gwinnett's not limited when it comes to food, from Chinese to barbecue, Gwinnett's got something for everyone.
 Best Barbecue
According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, the most popular flavor of barbecue is hickory, and the most common ingredients added to sauces are garlic and brown sugar. Holy Smokes Barbecue and Dillard's Barbecue were at the top of the list when it comes to some of the best, finger lickin' BBQ in the county. Our readers also enjoy Shane's Rib Shack and Dreamland.
Best Pizza
Approximately 93 percent of Americans eat pizza at least once a month, according to Bolla Wines. In Gwinnett, many of those slices are purchased at Mellow Mushroom, Buck's Pizza, Pepperoni's, Fini's Pizzeria and Little Azio.
 Best Seafood
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen was voted one of the best places in Gwinnett to get cuisine from the sea. Other top choices include Bahama Breeze, Third Coast Grille and Bonefish Grill. You certainly don't have to live on the coast to get fresh seafood.
Best Sushi
When you are craving California Rolls, you better know where to find the best ones in town. The Mori House, Orient Garden and Kani House are said to be worth checking out. Also visit Momoya - it, too, came highly recommended.
Best Chinese Food
Do you like chicken fried rice, wonton soup or Mongolian beef? Gwinnett recommends the Chinese cuisine at P.F. Chang's China Bistro. Voters also enjoy Chin Chin VII, Lee's Golden Buddha, Orient Garden, Emerald China and Wok-In Wok-Out.
Best Mexican Food
When it comes to tacos and enchiladas our amigos love eating at Frontera Mex-Mex Grill, Fernando's Mexican Restaurant, Cinco Mexican Cantina, La Botana Tex Mex Restaurant and Hidalgo Numero Dos. Gwinnettians rave about the good food and quick service they experience. Can you say cheeeeeese dip?!
 Best Cup of Coffee
Our readers stop by Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Jittery Joe's, Cafe Mozart and Caffe Stella for really good coffee on their way to work. Even the "non-coffee" drinkers have made quick stops at these locations.
Best Supermarket
Whether you're a coupon clipper, or not, Gwinnett's got plenty of options when it comes buying food. Our readers like to pick up their groceries from Publix, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's and The Fresh Market.
Saturday night fever
Did you know John Travolta ran two miles and danced three hours everyday to get in shape for "Saturday Night Fever"? In the end, he ended up dropping 20 pounds, according to the Internet Movie Database.
You may not be a Travolta on the dance floor, but that doesn't mean you can't get your grove on in Gwinnett. Our readers tell us there are plenty of fun options for a groovy time.
 Best Happy Hour
If you looking for a spot to kick back and relax a little after a hard day at the office, you're not alone. The locals say they have spent many "happy hours" at Wild Wing Cafe, Loafing Leprechaun, Olde Towne Tavern, The 1818 Club and Cinco Mexican Cantina.
Best Sports Bar
Gwinnett is all about sports. It's not a shock that Gwinnett has a long list of places to go for those who want to see their favorite jock. Taco Mac, Wild Wing Cafe, Jefferey's Sports Grill, Digger's Sports Grill and Beef 'O' Brady's are known as popular places to watch the game, enjoy good food and sample a wide variety of beer selections.
Best Concert Venue
There's almost always a great
musical artist playing in Gwinnett! Some tune-listening hot spots include The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Suwanee's Town Center Park, the Duluth Town Green and Mall of Georgia. Many great artists have taken their bows at these venues.
 Best Movie Theater
Let's go to the movies! Gwinnett enjoys seeing their favorite flicks at AMC Discover Mills 18, Regal Mall of Georgia 20 & Imax, AMC Colonial 18 and at Regal Medlock Crossing 18.
Best Golf Course
Gwinnett loves to golf - as if you couldn't tell from the annual hosting of the AT&T Classic. Chateau Elan Golf Club, Bear's Best, and Hamilton Mill Golf Club are some of Gwinnett's favorite places to tee it up. TPC at Sugarloaf Country Club is also a top vote getter.
Looking Good!
Have you heard about the person with the longest hair in the world? Xie Qiuping, from China, has been growing her hair out since the 1970s, and her hair is more than 18 feet long. We can't imagine going that long without a haircut! Luckily, there are plenty of places in Gwinnett to get your mane tamed and many other businesses to help keep you looking good.
 Best Hairdresser
For a really hot head of hair Gwinnett goes to Salon 124 (and their new Genesis Salon), RAIN the Salon, Studio 93 Salon and Jestin Lamar's Haute Heads.
Best Dry Cleaner
You can't trust your clothes to just anybody. It's nice to know your pants won't have walked away when you return to the cleaners. There are plenty of places to keep those work clothes looking spiffy. Those voted best in Gwinnett include Executive Clothing Care Cleaners, Best Cleaners and Dry Cleaning To-Your-Door.
Best Tanning Salon
When it's time to fake and bake, our readers know where to get the most natural looking tans without having to stay out in the sun all day. They recommend Outback Tanning Studios, Tango, Classy Nails & Tan, Planet Beach Tanning Salon and Hollywood Tans.
Best Spa
Our readers aren't shy about admitting they need a little pampering every now and then. They say some of the best spas in Gwinnett include The Spa at Chateau Elan, Spa Sydell, ImageSpa, Patrick's of Atlanta Day Spa & Salon and Woodhouse Day Spa. Why not take a little time to relax?
Shop 'Til You Drop
Last year, shoppers said they planned to spend almost $800 each during the holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. With the variety of shopping experiences available in Gwinnett, Gwinnettians have little to worry about when it comes time to do a little shopping.
Best Mall
If you live in Gwinnett, you've probably figured out there's no shortage of places to shop. Gwinnett's got everything from outlet stores to mainstream department stores. Our readers say they love Mall of Georgia, The Forum and The Avenue Webb Ginn.
Best Place to Buy a Computer
It's almost impossible to function these days without a computer. Gwinnett gets their click on from Best Buy, Dell.com, Fry's Electronics and the Apple Store Mall of Georgia. They say they frequent these establishments because these businesses really know computers - and how to help those technologically challenged! Our readers with computer needs in the working world gave high marks to MIS Solutions for IT consulting and advisement.
 Best Clothing Store for Women
What girl doesn't like to shop! Gwinnett's favorite stores for women include Ann Taylor Loft, Nordstrom, Coldwater Creek Inc., Uptown Girl Boutique and Montage Gifts and Boutique. But the list didn't end there. Gwinnett woman named many different stores when it comes to the best places to get a fashionable new outfit.
Best Clothing Store for Men
Great stores for men's apparel in Gwinnett include Nordstrom, Macy's, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers and Banana Republic. We wondered how many Gwinnett men liked to do their own shopping?
Love Potion Number 9
There may not be a magic potion for love, but if you need to ask a special question or just get out of the doghouse, Gwinnett's got plenty of romantic spots to make that happen. Speaking of special questions, did you know that the national average for a wedding ring is $2,100, according to Wedding Professionals International. Hmm, with an investment like that, we're thinking you'd better pick a romantic spot to ask that question!
Best Jeweler
There are plenty of places in Gwinnett to purchase high-quality diamonds and gems. According to our readers, the best jewelers in Gwinnett include Guven's Fine Jewelry, Tara Fine Jewelry, The Goldsmith Jewelers Inc., Barron's Fine Jewelry and A & J Jewelers. Our readers like the variety those jewelers offer, as well as the friendly sales people.
 Best Restaurant for Romance
If you're trying to set a mood in Gwinnett, our readers recommend checking out Aqua Terra Bistro, The Melting Pot, Stoney River Legendary Steaks, Dominick's and Lil' River Grill.
Best Place to Buy Flowers
We can think of a million reasons to send someone flowers. From anniversaries to well wishes, some of your favorite places to purchase flowers include A Daisy A Day Florist & Greenhouse, Flowers of Giverny, Duluth Flower Shop, Buford Florist Inc. and Carithers Flowers.
Best Place for a Wedding
There are tons of romantic locations to tie the knot in Gwinnett. Our readers have enjoyed weddings at the Payne-Corley House, Chateau Elan, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, Vines Botanical Gardens and Carl House.
Best Photographer
Say cheese! From portraits to candid shots, Gwinnett has photographers who can snap pictures of anything. Those voted best in Gwinnett this year are Main Street Photography, Lightscapes Photographic Artwork, Glenn Martin Photography and Barfield Legacy Photography.
Fast and Furious
From changing the oil to checking tire
pressure, taking care of our vehicles is a top priority for Gwinnettians. In fact, for many of us, a trusted and skilled auto technician occupies VIP status in our lives and the search for a new car is all about the thrill of the hunt. Luckily for auto lovers, there are plenty of spots in Gwinnett for clean wheels, happy engines and brand new rides.
Best Auto Mechanic
Next time you car gets stuck on the side of the road, where are you going to take your vehicle? Our readers recommend Christian Brothers Automotive, Fenski Automotive Center, Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep and K and R Auto Repair. The customers say the biggest thing that keeps them coming back is the honest service.
 Best Auto Dealer
When it's time to buy a new car, many of Gwinnett's residents are checking out CarMax, Gwinnett Place Chevrolet, Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Toyota Mall of Georgia, Carey Paul Honda and Stone Mountain Nissan. These dealerships are known for making the process of buying a new car as painless as possible.
Best Car Wash
It's not hard to get your wheels squeaky clean in Gwinnett. Top spots include Four Seasons Auto Wash-Xpress, Carnett's Carwash, Mill Creek Car Wash & Lube and 3 Minute Car Wash.
Something to Talk About
Did you know that more than 1.8 million people visit Gwinnett each year? When you add that to the number of people that live here, that's a lot of folks on the move. Our readers certainly know the hot spots to be social butterflies or just people watch.
Best Place for People Watching
Gwinnett has its fair share interesting people. Our readers say the best places to grab a seat and take in the view include Mall of Georgia, Suwanee Town Center Park, Discover Mills and Wild Bill's. You never know who you might run into!
 Best Artistic/Cultural Scene
The Gwinnett area is flourishing with culture. Our readers enjoy the Aurora Theatre, Red Clay Theatre, Suwanee Arts In the Park, Hudgens Center for the Arts, downtown Buford and Gwinnett Ballet Theatre.
Best Social or Charity Event
There are many people in Gwinnett who see giving as a
personal mission, while others like to socialize and have fun. The best social or charity events in Gwinnett, according to our readers, include Relay for Life, Annandale's Jazzy Thing, Dream House Boot Scootin' Barn Raiser, the Hudgens Arts Center's Vintage Wine & Vintage Cars, the AT&T Classic and Great Days of Service.
Family Matters
Kids rule in Gwinnett! There are more than 82,500 married couples in Gwinnett with children under age 18. Gwinnett is known for its great family environment, including good schools, family-friendly venues and fun town centers. From the best children's clothes to the best places to feed little tummies, check out what our readers picked for keeping the family happy.
 Best Child-Friendly Restaurant
When children pick restaurants, they want them to be fun. Parents say they take their children to Chuck E. Cheese's, Chick-fil-A, Stevi B's, Jillian's and McDonald's because these atmospheres are designed to be family oriented.
Best Place to Take the Kids
Gwinnett parents have enjoyed taking their youngsters to the Gwinnett County Fair, Adrenaline Climbing, Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park, Stone Mountain Park and the Yellow River Game Ranch.
Best Park
From walking the dog to playing Frisbee, Gwinnettians love being outside. They say some of the best parks in Gwinnett include Little Mulberry Park, Stone Mountain Park, Tribble Mill Park, Bogan Park and Suwanee Creek Greenway. The combination of child-friendly entertainment,  shopping and food make these parks a win for the entire family.
Best Local Festival
Gwinnett has plenty of options for those looking for festival fun! Readers' picks for best festivals include the Duluth Fall Festival, Suwanee Day, Snellville Days and the Yellow Daisy Festival.
Best Summer Activity
Our readers have quite a few favorites when it comes to fun in the summer time. They enjoy the Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park, Atlanta Braves games, Six Flags Over Georgia and the North Georgia mountains.
 Best School Field Trip
The best field trips, according to Gwinnett residents, include the Georgia Aquarium, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Southeastern Railway Museum, the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center and the Mayfield Dairy Visitor Center. Yum, ice cream!
Best Family Activity
Families in Gwinnett enjoy the Laser Show at Stone Mountain Park, Gwinnett Gladiators games, Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park, Atlanta Braves games and the Georgia Aquarium. These venues are known for providing hours of family fun.
Best Clothing Store for Children
Need cool clothes at even cooler prices? Gwinnett loves buying
children's clothing at Old Navy, as well as Gymboree, Kidsignments, Hansel & Gretel and Sugar Plum Kids.
 Best Childcare
Gwinnett parents like knowing their little ones are being left in good hands. Some of the childcare centers with Gwinnett's top votes include Discovery Point, Legacy Academy, The Goddard School, Primrose Schools and Kids 'R' Kids.
Our Animal Friends
How many tennis balls can your dog fit in his or her mouth? If you can say six, you've got a world record on your hands! According to the Guinness World Records, Augie, a dog from Dallas, Texas holds the record with five. Regardless of how playful your pet may be, at times they may need special care. Gwinnett readers have several suggestions when it comes to pet care. We were all ears!
Best Place to Board a Pet
If you must leave your family member behind while you're on vacation, some of the best in Gwinnett are Best Friends Pet Care, Duluth Animal Hospital, Indian Shoals Pet Resort and Carrie's Canine Camp & Cuts. Our readers know when they're away, these facilities provide quality pet care.
 Best Veterinarian
When Gwinnett's furry friends get sick, their owners say the best places to go for care are Duluth Animal Hospital, Suwanee Animal Hospital, Snellville Animal Hospital, Riverside Animal Hospital and Falcon Village Animal Hospital
Down Home
One great thing about living in the South is that there are so many communities with that small town feel. In fact, Suwanee was recently rated number 10 out of the 100 greatest American towns, based on economic opportunity, quality schools and a strong sense of community as determining factors.
Best Downtown
The downtown areas in Gwinnett are full of fun activities. This year, some of Gwinnett's favorites include Suwanee Town Center, historic Lawrenceville, and the downtowns of Duluth, Buford & Norcross.
 Best Local Charity
One thing for sure, our readers love lending a helping hand when it comes to charity work. The best local charities in Gwinnett include American Cancer Society, Gwinnett Children's Shelter, Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Annandale Village, Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Gwinnett Humane Society.
Best High School Sport
In Gwinnett, football is hands down the favorite sport. Other popular choices include baseball, soccer, basketball and cheerleading.
Go Team!!!
Favorite Elected Official
Some of the favorite elected officials in these parts include Nick Masino, Sonny Perdue, John Linder, Brooks Coleman and Katherine Sherrington. Readers say these officials care about their communities and listen to resident's concerns.
Healthy Bodies
We've all heard the best ways to stay healthy are to watch what you eat, work out regularly and get plenty of sleep, but sometimes you need a little help keeping your body healthy. From the best places to workout to the best doctors, our readers have plenty to say about staying healthy.
 Best Workout
If you want to keep your body healthy in Gwinnett, you're in luck. Our readers recommend Gold's Gym, Xtreme Transformations, LA Fitness, Bodyrich Fitness, The American Boot Camp Company and BodyPlex as great places to get a good workout.
Best Physician/Practice
When you're feeling under the weather, having a reliable doctor is key to a fast recovery. Those getting are readers' votes for top care are Lawrenceville Family Practice, Maternal Gynerations, Progressive Healthcare for Women - Dr. Denise Pecht,
Dr. James Toth and Resurgens Orthopaedics.
Best Pediatrician
Those in Gwinnett have several pediatricians that they believe are taking great care of their children. Top votes for the best pediatrician include Gwinnett Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Snellville Pediatrics and Pediatric Associates of Lawrenceville.
 Best Dental Practice
Gwinnett's favorite dental care providers include Suwanee Dental Care, Hamilton Smiles, Suwanee Family Dentistry, Creekside Family Dentistry, Dr. Ashley Curington and Dr. Bruce Carter. These dentists are known for being friendly and helping to create beautiful smiles.
Best Orthodonist
There are some great doctors in Gwinnett straightening up people's pearly whites. This year, top Best of Gwinnett votes went to Dr. Ron Parsons, Pickron Orthodontic Care, Grayson Orthodontics and Dr. Dan Dunwoody.
Best Chiropractor
Got a backache? The best chiropractors in Gwinnett, say our readers, are Hamilton Mill Family Chiropractic - Dr. Russell Glassman, Sirisky Wellness Center, Wellness One of Suwanee, Lawrenceville Chiropractic - Dr. Randy McSkulin and Dr. Kris Purvis.
Laura Moore - Woman of the Year
Living her mission of saving medically fragile children
by Melissa Booraem
 For Laura Moore, the idea of a child without hope is just too much to bear, and she has devoted her life to making sure medically fragile children avoid spending years of their lives in hospitals and nursing homes.
Years ago, many of these medically fragile children would not have survived, but advances in medical technology have saved the lives of many of these children. However, the result has been that many parents are unable to provide the level of care these children require.
Moore, chosen as Gwinnett Magazine's 2007 Woman of the Year, first noticed the problem when she was a nurse running the pediatric unit at an Atlanta hospital. Many parents would give up on their children, and in return, those children would loose hope.
A Lilburn resident, Moore started Dream House for Medically Fragile Children because she knew she could give those same children the home and family they needed to survive and for less than half the cost of living in a hospital or institution.
At first, she and her family thought they would just foster a few and maybe adopt a few children in their own home. But when she started to realize how many children there were - and in every state across the nation - she quickly realized, "I couldn't adopt them all." But that didn't mean she wasn't going to try to help as many as she could.
Not that there weren't bureaucratic and legal obstacles to overcome along the way. When people told her what she was planning couldn't be done, Moore just got more determined.
"Laura [Moore] is probably one of the most compassionate people I have ever met," says Judy Waters, executive director of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia.
As Moore's compassion for these children grew, she began developing resources to prepare families, homes and communities to care for these special children. She also fostered children at a transition care home in Lilburn.
Her mission has helped parents by providing them the resources they need to raise a medically fragile child.
Dream House has grown into a statewide organization that provides resources for families and caregivers, so that children can remain with their biological families or transition from hospital care to being placed in foster homes.
"I absolutely could not have done this without the help of all my friends, neighbors and local supporters. The success of Dream House is directly related to the love and support this community is so famous for," Moore says. "Every little (and big!) thing that each and every person has contributed has made a difference...creating a model program that will serve
thousands of children all over the country in years to come."
Moore's work has gained national attention, as well. Earlier this year, she was featured in People Magazine as a 'Hero Among Us,' and ABC News World News Tonight featured her as a 'Person of the Week.'
This year, Dream House has served more than 500 children in 28 counties throughout Georgia, and they plan to help at least 200 more children next year.
At the same time, a Dream House Resource Center is being created to develop a community of foster families caring for medically fragile children. Moore is raising funds and trying to find corporate sponsors to help with the center, a 10-acre campus devoted to providing transition care and support resources for children and families in Georgia.
Moore's own family has played a huge role in the success of Dream House. Her biological children have selflessly sacrificed many personal activities to stay home and help. Moore says her husband also has a special gift for making children feel loved and accepted.
"My family has played a huge part in why the children we have cared for have been successfully reunited with their biological families or accepted by wonderful adoptive homes," she adds.
But it's Moore's dream and passion that continually drives the growth of the Dream House. She has an unrelenting commitment to children and the community - the reason she was chosen as Gwinnett Magazine's Woman of the Year.
Jim Maran - Man of the Year
Former executive leads Gwinnett Chamber with vision for the future
by Joel Furfari
 Gwinnett is no longer the new kid on the block.
Sure, new businesses are moving in and new roads are still being built and new neighborhoods continue to sprout up, but we can't turn back the clock. As the county grows and matures, we face new challenges - issues that weren't major concerns back when the farmlands northeast of Atlanta were still evolving into one of Georgia's economic hotbeds.
That's why Jim Maran's contribution to Gwinnett County has been so important. The president of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce has been named Gwinnett Magazine's 2007 Man of the Year due to his insightful and charismatic leadership of the business community and his forward-looking vision for the county as a whole.
Bill McCargo, vice president of Scientific Atlanta and 2008 chairman of the chamber board of directors, says Maran's greatest contribution has been to expand the chamber's connection to the larger business community and the county at large. "I think the main thing Jim has done is to broaden the look around the table at the chamber," McCargo says. "He has worked hard to diversify the group of people at the board level, such that we have a better balance than we've ever had. That's not to say anything bad about any previous group, but at one time we had a lot of people at the table from the builder and mortgage industries. That was appropriate at a time that we were growing, but as a community evolves you have different requirements." Maran has spoken passionately about recruiting minority-owned businesses to the chamber and backed it up by actively reaching out to African-American, Hispanic and Asian community groups.
Maran's vision for the county's future is brightly reflected in Partnership Gwinnett, the sprawling series of initiatives and goals for the county's economic and social future. Gwinnett's business, educational and political decision-makers have bought into Partnership Gwinnett, with much of that success due to Maran's advocacy.
"He readily listened to others and responded by helping get a lot of people behind Partnership Gwinnett," McCargo says. "The power of this thing, I can see already. We've got ourselves a really powerful tool that can enable us to continue improving this
county's quality of life."
It's been an extraordinary year for the Maran-led chamber. In August, the organization nearly won the prestigious Chamber of the Year Award from a national association of chamber of commerce executives. The Gwinnett Chamber didn't win, but it was among the top three finishers.
Meanwhile membership levels have continued to rise.
"The (chamber's) membership division has expanded membership and revenue to record levels because of programs and events that support entrepreneurs, the community and large businesses," Maran says.
A native of Michigan, Maran graduated from Eastern Michigan University and went into a career at Motorola that would eventually last 30 years. His positions with Motorola included vice president of strategic relations, vice president of Latin American operations, vice president of international operations, and vice president of land mobile systems for Asia Pacific.
After leaving Motorola in 2002, Maran established a business development and strategy-consulting firm to work with technology-oriented businesses and affiliated colleges. The former executive was named president of the Gwinnett Chamber in 2003 and lives with his wife Jane in Duluth. Their son, Mark, lives in metro Atlanta.
McCargo says Maran's leadership experience in the private sector and ability to bring a fresh eye to looming challenges explains much of his success in Gwinnett.
"He knows how to follow through as a business person and he knows how to build a staff. He has done a good job building a top quality staff that can do what's required. He understands what businesses here need," says McCargo. "I think he's well deserving of this."
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