Project ReNeWal, a domestic violence prevention and shelter nonprofit for families in Rockdale, Newton and Walton counties, presented awards to patrons and organizations that have contributed in a critical way to the operation of the nonprofit. The awards presented were the Judge Clarence R. Vaughn Award to the Rockdale Hospital Authority and Rockdale Board of Commissioners, and the Light of Hope Awards to District Attorney Richard Reed, Cotton Boll Quilters, General Mills, and Garvin Haynes.

Executive Director Vickie Stevenson described the award's namesake. "Judge Vaughn was a very well-known and respected judge. He was instrumental in starting the shelter in 1995. We wanted to honor him and what he had done for our community by presenting these awards to philanthropists in the community that have helped us immeasurably," she said.

The Rockdale Hospital Authority provided the land and building for the shelter for going on seven years. The BOC helped out with budgeting in difficult times by giving five percent of funds collected in the county for crime victims. DA Richard Read helped with this as well and was one of The Light of Hope honorees.

The other Light of Hope honorees were The Cotton Boll Quilters, General Mills and Garvin Haynes. The Cotton Boll Quilters donated proceeds from quilt auctions for the purchase of a new van and $7,000 towards their General Fund. General Mills gave a grant that funds a nutrition person to provide daily meals to the facility's families. Garvin Haynes was the largest sole fundraiser.